Hearing Protection is protection against noise induced hearing impairment. Hearing-protective devices have one serious drawback, they do not eliminate or reduce the hazard.
What Types of Hearing Protection are Available?
There are four types of hearing protectors available:
- Enclosure hearing protection completely surrounds the wearers head, such as an astronaut's helmet. Cost, temperature, and bulk commonly discourage this type of hearing protection.
- Aural Insert are inexpensive to very expensive and have limited lifetimes. These are small plugs that seal against the walls of the ear canal. Disposable, formable, premolded, and custom-molded ear plugs are good examples.
- Superaural are similar to Aural inserts but have a headband that holds the inserts in place. Canal caps are typical for this category.
- Circumaural are earmuffs that seal against the wearer's head enclosing the entire ear.
Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) is the most convenient method to gauge adequacy of a hearing protector's attenuation capacity. Contact EHS for proper use of the EPA NRR that is printed on all hearing protector packaging.
How do I get Hearing Protection?
The first step to acquiring hearing protection is talking with your supervisor. The supervisor will contact EHS for assistance in determining the best hearing protection for the job. Hearing protection is available from EHS or can be ordered directly from authorized manufacturers.
PPE Minimum Standards: Hearing Protection
- Types:
- Enclosure Protection: Full head coverage (rarely used due to cost/bulk)
- Aural Inserts: Disposable, formable, pre-molded, custom-molded plugs
- Superaural: Inserts with headbands (canal caps)
- Circumaural: Earmuffs covering the entire ear
Hearing Protection Products
| Product Name | Link | Available to Try On? | Sizes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3M™ PELTOR™ Earmuffs, Green | View product | No | — |
| Fisherbrand™ Bell Shape Disposable Ear Plugs | View product | No | — |
| 3M™ E-A-R™ Classic™ Ear Plugs | View product | No | — |
Hearing Protection Guidelines
| Hazard Type | Recommended PPE | Examples | Additional Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| High noise levels | Earplugs or earmuffs | Operating machinery, construction, or loud environments | Ensure proper fit and Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) for the specific noise level. |
| Intermittent noise | Earmuffs with adjustable settings | Environments with varying noise levels | Use earmuffs that can be easily removed and reapplied as needed. |
| Communication in noisy areas | Electronic earmuffs or earplugs | Work requiring communication in loud areas | Select hearing protection that allows for clear communication while reducing harmful noise. |
Key Considerations for Hearing Protection:
- Fit and Comfort: Ensure earplugs or earmuffs fit snugly without causing discomfort.
- Noise Reduction Rating (NRR): Select hearing protection with an appropriate NRR for the noise level.
- Maintenance: Regularly inspect and clean reusable hearing protection. Replace disposable earplugs as needed.
- Communication Needs: Choose electronic hearing protection if communication is required in noisy environments.