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People should wear a hearing protector if the noise or sound level at the workplace exceeds 85 decibels (A-weighted) or dB(A). Hearing protectors reduce the noise exposure level and the risk of hearing loss.
If hearing protection is required, then a complete hearing conservation program should be instituted. A hearing conservation program includes noise assessment, hearing protector selection, employee training and education, audiometric testing, maintenance, inspection, record keeping, and program evaluation.
The effectiveness of hearing protection is reduced greatly if the hearing protectors do not fit properly or if they are worn only part time during periods of noise exposure. To maintain their effectiveness, they should not be modified. Remember, radio headsets are not substitutes for hearing protectors and should not be worn where hearing protectors are required to protect against exposure to noise.
What types of hearing protectors are available?
Ear plugs are inserted to block the ear canal. They may be premolded (preformed) or moldable (foam ear plugs). Ear plugs are sold as disposable products or reusable plugs. Custom molded ear plugs are also available.
Semi-insert ear plugs which consist of two ear plugs held over the ends of the ear canal by a rigid headband.
Ear muffs consist of sound-attenuating material and soft ear cushions that fit around the ear and hard outer cups. They are held together by a head band.
How do I pick my hearing protectors?
The choice of hearing protectors is a very personal one and depends on a number of factors including level of noise, comfort, and the suitability of the hearing protector for both the worker and his environment. Most importantly, the hearing protector should provide the desired noise reduction. It is best, where protectors must be used, to provide a choice of a number of different types to chose from.
If the noise exposure is intermittent, ear muffs are more desirable, since it may be inconvenient to remove and reinsert earplugs.
OSH Answers
Prevention & Control of Hazards
Personal Protective Equipment
Hearing Protectors
How can I protect my hearing at work?
What are some things I should know about selecting hearing protection devices?
What types of hearing protectors are available?
How do I pick my hearing protectors?
How can I find out how much a hearing protector can reduce a worker's exposure to noise?
How do I use Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) value to determine the protection provided by a hearing protector?
What is a Single Number Rating (SNR)?
What are the advantages and limitations of ear plugs and ear muffs?
Why is user preference so important?
What should I know about the fit of my hearing protectors?
What happens to the protection level when hearing protectors are removed for short periods of time?
How should I care for my hearing protection device?
How can I protect my hearing at work?
The surest method of preventing occupational deafness is to reduce noise at the source by engineering methods. However, in certain workplace conditions, there is very little or nothing one can do to reduce noise at the source. In such workplaces, workers wear hearing protectors to reduce the amount of noise reaching the ears.
What are some things I should know about selecting hearing protection devices?
People should wear a hearing protector if the noise or sound level at the workplace exceeds 85 decibels (A-weighted) or dB(A). Hearing protectors reduce the noise exposure level and the risk of hearing loss.
If hearing protection is required, then a complete hearing conservation program should be instituted. A hearing conservation program includes noise assessment, hearing protector selection, employee training and education, audiometric testing, maintenance, inspection, record keeping, and program evaluation.
The effectiveness of hearing protection is reduced greatly if the hearing protectors do not fit properly or if they are worn only part time during periods of noise exposure. To maintain their effectiveness, they should not be modified. Remember, radio headsets are not substitutes for hearing protectors and should not be worn where hearing protectors are required to protect against exposure to noise.
Select hearing protection that is:
* Correct for the job or contact the agency responsible for occupational health and safety legislation in your jurisdiction for more information.
* Provides adequate protection. Check the manufacturer's literature.
* Comfortable enough to be accepted and worn.
What types of hearing protectors are available?
Ear plugs are inserted to block the ear canal. They may be premolded (preformed) or moldable (foam ear plugs). Ear plugs are sold as disposable products or reusable plugs. Custom molded ear plugs are also available.
Semi-insert ear plugs which consist of two ear plugs held over the ends of the ear canal by a rigid headband.
Ear muffs consist of sound-attenuating material and soft ear cushions that fit around the ear and hard outer cups. They are held together by a head band.
How do I pick my hearing protectors?
The choice of hearing protectors is a very personal one and depends on a number of factors including level of noise, comfort, and the suitability of the hearing protector for both the worker and his environment. Most importantly, the hearing protector should provide the desired noise reduction. It is best, where protectors must be used, to provide a choice of a number of different types to chose from.
If the noise exposure is intermittent, ear muffs are more desirable, since it may be inconvenient to remove and reinsert earplugs.
How can I find out how much a hearing protector can reduce a worker's exposure to noise?
Manufacturers provide information about the noise reducing capability of a hearing protector as an NRR (noise reduction rating) number. The NRR ratings are based on noise reduction obtained in laboratory conditions.
How do I use Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) value to determine the protection provided by a hearing protector?
NIOSH recommends using subject fit data based on ANSI S12.6-1997 [ANSI 1997] to estimate hearing protector noise attenuation.
If subject fit data are not available, NIOSH recommends derating hearing protectors by a factor that corresponds to the available real-world data. Specifically, NIOSH recommends that the labeled NRRs be derated as follows:
* Earmuffs - Subtract 25% from the manufacturer's labeled NRR
* Formable earplugs - Subtract 50% from the manufacturer's labeled NRR
* All other earplugs - Subtract 70% from the manufacturers labeled NRR
1. When the noise exposure level in dBC is known, the effective A-weighted noise level (ENL) is:
ENL [dB(A)] = Workplace noise level in dBC - derated NRR
2. When the noise exposure level in dB(A ) is known, the effective A-weighted noise level is:
ENL = Workplace noise level in dB(A) - (derated NRR -7)
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