Anika Moa chooses to wear Widex musician's earplugs (with 15dB attenuation) provided by Widex NZ. Anika uses her musician's plugs when performing and also finds them especially useful when rehearsing in the studio with her band. Anika Moa is the first New Zealand artist to ever be signed direct to a major International record company without establishing a career at home first.

When is noise harmful? There are differences in what is perceived as noise because some people are more sensitive to sound than others. You should always react if sounds feel uncomfortable or painful. Your ears are telling you that the sound is causing damage. This is the body’s own warning system. How does noise damage our hearing? Acoustic trauma Noise can damage the sensory cells in the inner ear that are necessary for our ability to hear. Once these sensory cells are damaged, they cannot heal or regenerate, and permanent hearing loss will result.		Protecting your hearing Move away from the source of noiseIf you cannot eliminate the noise, try to move away from it. Use earplugs at music festivals, concerts and discotheques, where the volume is often very loud. Wear hearing protection in noisy environments, such as certain workplaces. Ask other people to show consideration and minimise noise. If the noise other people expose you to feels uncomfortable, you should ask them to show consideration. Did you know… Many people experience hearing difficulties after having been exposed to loud music. 72% of all Englishmen who go to rock or pop concerts experience difficulty in hearing. Noise can affect children’s perception of language, language development and their ability to concentrate, learn and remember.