Hearing Protection
Custom Earplugs Molded to Your Ears
Hearing protection in Apple Valley, CA starts with a quick look in each ear and a soft impression of your ear canals. A lab uses those impressions to build custom earplugs that fit only you, so they seal better and stay comfortable through a long shift or a day at the range. Choose musician earplugs, industrial protection for noisy workplaces, or electronic shooting and hunting protection. With good care, custom plugs last three to five years.
Protection Matched to the Noise You Face
Noise-induced hearing loss builds slowly and doesn't reverse, so the best protection is the kind you'll actually wear. Dr. Kristi Mendoza, Au.D., has worked with Veterans, federal workers, and others exposed to loud noise on the job since 1991. Our team checks the fit before you rely on your plugs, and matches the style to how you use them, whether that's target shooting in the desert, playing in a band, or a shift on a loud factory floor.
Hearing Protection FAQs
Common questions about hearing protection in Apple Valley: the best options for shooting and music, how impressions work, and how long custom earplugs last.
Gunfire is one of the most damaging sounds you can be around, since each shot is a sudden, very loud burst. Most hunters and shooters want protection that blocks the blast while still letting them hear range commands, a hunting partner, or game moving in the brush.
Electronic hearing protection does both. Small microphones let quieter sounds through, then turn the volume down instantly when a shot fires. Custom-molded versions seal well, stay put under a cap or shooting muffs, and feel lighter than bulky earmuffs. Tell us how and where you shoot, and we'll recommend the right style. Call or text (760) 503-1700 before your next season or range day.
It's a short, simple visit. We look in each ear first to make sure the canal is clear of wax. Next, a small foam block goes in to protect the eardrum, and the ear is filled with a soft material that firms up in a few minutes. It feels a little strange but doesn't hurt.
Those custom ear molds go to a lab, which builds your plugs in the style you picked. When they arrive, you'll come back so we can check the seal and show you how to put them in and take them out. Turnaround depends on the lab and the style, so ask about timing when you book. If wax is in the way, we can take care of earwax removal first.
Usually, yes. Foam plugs cut high pitches much more than low ones, so music sounds muffled and it's hard to hear yourself play. Musician earplugs use filters that lower the volume evenly across pitches, so music sounds the same, only quieter. That's why they're popular with drummers, worship team members, band directors, and anyone who goes to a lot of concerts.
Different filters lower the sound by different amounts, and we'll help you choose based on how loud your setting gets. Because the plugs are molded to your ears, they stay comfortable through a long rehearsal or a full set. If you've already noticed ringing after gigs, it's worth adding a hearing test to the same visit.
With good care, custom earplugs last three to five years. Wipe them with a dry or slightly damp cloth after each use, let them air dry, and keep them in their case. In the High Desert, that also means keeping them out of a hot car, since summer heat can wear down the material. Skip alcohol and harsh cleaners.
The most common reason to replace them is fit. Ear canals change slowly over time, and a plug that no longer seals won't protect you. If yours feel loose or noise seems to leak in, call or text (760) 503-1700 and we'll check them. You can also bring them to your next hearing test at any of our four offices.
Hearing Aids Tuned to Your Ears, Not a Factory
Hearing aids only help if they're set for your ears, not generic factory settings. That's why every new fitting at Optimum Audiology includes Real Ear Measurement, a quick test with a tiny microphone that confirms the sound reaching your eardrum matches your hearing loss. We check again at every annual visit, see you for follow-ups in the first month, and most purchases include a trial period so you can hear the difference at home.
Patient Reviews
What patients across the High Desert, Visalia, and La Verne say about their care with Dr. Kristi Mendoza, Au.D.
Expert Hearing Care From the High Desert to Visalia
Dr. Kristi Mendoza, Au.D., has helped patients hear better since 1991, and every plan starts with a thorough hearing evaluation.
Serving Southern & Central California
Four Offices, One Number
Dr. Kristi Mendoza, Au.D., and her team see patients in Apple Valley, Jess Ranch, La Verne, and Visalia. Choose the office closest to you on the map.
- Call or text: (760) 503-1700
- info@optimumaudiology.com
- Doctor of Audiology since 1991
- Real Ear Measurement on every fitting
- VA Community Care & OWCP provider
Optimum Audiology is a great place to go to for my hearing aids. Friendly staff and very helpful. They take care of everything from insurance, to keeping your hearing aids properly working. Thanks for doing a great job for me Optimum Audiology.— Anthony A.
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