Health

By Virginia Olson

Farmers readily admit they are exposed to hazardous noise levels during daily farming. Just how bad is it? An enclosed tractor cab exposes you to about 92 dB of sound; the sound of a squealing pig – 100 dB of sound; and a chain saw – 115dB.

According to the National Institute of Health sounds at or below 70 dBs are generally considered safe while sounds about 85 dB are likely to damage a person’s hearing over time.

Hazardous noise on the farm was behind Madison farmer Steve Strom’s hearing loss.

“I experienced my hearing loss probably about 15 years ago due to noise levels from my farming equipment and tools,” he said. Strom gave hearing aids a try. In fact, he tried twice with two different brands. But neither were adequate to provide good hearing with the tough conditions and lifestyle required in farming. Strom decided to prioritize his hearing needs and visited with Audiologist, Robert Froke at Midwest ENT & Allergy about Earlens.

Froke, who also wears Earlens, knows first hand the huge difference it makes. ”Wearing Earlens myself makes it all the easier to introduce the concept to patients. The sound quality is second to none,” Froke says.

Earlens is an FDA-approved hearing device that is not an implant, nor a conventional hearing aid, but rather a hearing lens. This tiny lens is placed directly