Hearing protection in motorsports can make the difference between enjoying race day for a lifetime and living with preventable hearing loss. In this conversation, Melinda Russell talks with audiologist Anissa Bezanson about what really happens to your ears around race cars, why so many fans and families don’t realize the risk, and how simple changes can protect every age group at the track.

Anissa brings a unique perspective as both a hearing professional and a race mom. She explains how repeated exposure to loud engines affects the delicate hair cells inside the ear, why hearing loss often starts in the high pitches, and why “I’m used to the noise” is not the same as being protected.

The discussion also covers practical solutions for tracks, race families, and spectators: earplugs, kid-friendly earmuffs, electronic hearing protection, rentals, signage, and making hearing safety as normal as sunscreen or seat belts. If you’ve ever thought hearing protection was optional, this episode gives you a strong reason to rethink that.
Key Topics

[00:02:53] - Meet Anissa Bezanson and her background as an audiologist
[00:03:38] - Occupational hearing conservation and what audiologists do
[00:04:23] - How motorsports entered her life through her son’s racing
[00:05:10] - Why loud race environments create real hearing risk
[00:08:37] - What happens inside the ear when noise exposure becomes damaging
[00:09:46] - Visualizing hair cell damage and hearing loss progression
[00:10:17] - Why high-pitch hearing loss is easy to miss at first
[00:13:15] - Choosing the right hearing protection for racers and fans
[00:14:13] - Push-to-fit earplugs, fit issues, and convenience at the track
[00:16:09] - Product options for covering babies through adults
[00:18:12] - Making hearing protection available at ticketing and around the venue
[00:22:39] - Noise dose studies and why total exposure matters
[00:23:27] - Race-day dosimeter results and what they reveal
[00:25:25] - Starting hearing protection habits early with kids
[00:30:28] - Electronic earmuffs and how they help spectators and staff
[00:37:20] - Auditory Defense, educational resources, and wholesale options
[00:39:37] - Custom hearing protection, branding, and track partnerships
Relevant Links

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Auditory Defense: https://auditorydefense.com

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Email Anissa Bezanson: anisa@auditorydefense.com

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Freedom Race Lifts: https://freedomracelifts.com

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Pit Crew Creations (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/pitcrewcreations

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Pit Crew Creations (Etsy): https://pitcrewcreationsshop.etsy.com

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SendOutCards: https://sendoutcards.com/5324zero

Anissa’s message is simple: protecting hearing doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive, or inconvenient. With the right products and a little education, race fans, drivers, kids, and track staff can enjoy the sound of racing without paying for it later.

The best time to normalize hearing protection is now, especially for the next generation. Start early, make it easy, and make it part of the race-day routine.