Safety Ear Muffs & Ear Plugs

Features & Benefits

# Hearing Protectors ## **On this page** - Compatible with other required personal protective equipment or communication devices. - Comfortable enough to be worn. - Appropriate for the temperature and humidity in the workplace. - Able to provide adequate communication and audibility needs (for example, the ability to hear alarms or warning sounds). **Earplugs** are inserted in the ear canal. Disposable, reusable and custom earplugs are available. **Semi-insert earplugs** consist of two earplugs held over the ends of the ear canal by a rigid headband. **Earmuffs** consist of sound-attenuating material, soft ear cushions that fit around the ear, and hard outer cups held together by a headband. **Earplugs** Percent of NRR achieved: 50% For use with dBA: Leq – [NRR (0.50) – 3] = XX dBA For use with dBC: Lceq – NRR (0.5) = XX dBA **Earmuffs** Percent of NRR achieved: 70% For use with dBA: Leq – [NRR (0.7) – 3] = XX dBA For use with dBC: Lceq – NRR (0.7) = XX dBA **Dual Protection (use of earplugs and earmuffs)** Percent of NRR achieved: 65% For use with dBA: Leq – [(NRR + 5) (0.65) – 3] = XX dBA For use with dBC: Lceq – (NRR + 5) (0.65) = XX dBA For example, if not specified by the manufacturer, if ear muffs provide an NRR of 26 dB and ear plugs provide an NRR of 33, the NRR considered for the calculations is 33 dB. **Earplugs** Earplug with NRR = 29 dB Estimated noise exposure = 98 – [29(0.5) - 3] = 86.5 dBA, which rounds to 87 dBA. **Earmuffs** Earmuff with NRR = 26 dB Estimated noise exposure = 96 – [26(0.7) - 3] = 80.8 dBA, which rounds to 81 dBA. **Dual Protection** Earplug with NRR = 33 dB Earmuff with NRR = 26 dB Estimated noise exposure = 105 – [(33+5)(0.65) - 3] = 83.3 dBA, which rounds to 83 dBA. Earplugs can be mass-produced or individually molded to fit the ear. They can be reusable or disposable. On the positive side, they are simple to use, less expensive than earmuffs, and often more comfortable to wear when in hot or damp work areas. Earplugs are less visible than earmuffs, making it more difficult to confirm if they are worn. They must be properly inserted and inserted hygienically to provide adequate protection. Earmuffs can vary with respect to the material and depth of the dome and the force of the headband. The deeper and heavier the dome, the greater the low-frequency attenuation provided by the protector. The headband must fit tightly enough to maintain a proper seal, but not be so tight that it compromises comfort. Some advantages are that earmuffs usually provide greater protection than plugs, although this is not always true. They are easier to fit, generally more durable than plugs, and they have replaceable parts. The following table summarizes the differences between earplugs and earmuffs. | Comparison of Hearing Protection | | Earplugs | Earmuffs | | | | | **Advantages:**<br>- small and easily carried<br>- convenient to use with other personal protection equipment (can be worn with earmuffs)<br>- more comfortable for long-term wear in hot, humid work areas<br>- convenient for use in confined work areas | **Advantages:**<br>- less attenuation variability among users<br>- designed so that one size fits most head sizes<br>- easily seen at a distance to assist in the monitoring of their use<br>- not easily misplaced or lost<br>- may be worn with minor ear infections | | **Disadvantages:**<br>- requires more time to fit<br>- more difficult to insert and remove<br>- requires good hygiene practices<br>- may irritate the ear canal<br>- easily misplaced<br>- more difficult to see and monitor usage | **Disadvantages:**<br>- less portable and heavier<br>- more inconvenient for use with other personal protective equipment.<br>- more uncomfortable in hot, humid work area<br>- more inconvenient for use in confined work areas<br>- may interfere with the wearing of safety or prescription glasses as it may break the seal between the earmuff and the skin, resulting in decreased hearing protection | For example, earplugs that are used in a plant setting where people reuse them throughout the day, often reinserting them with dirty fingers, can introduce dirt and bacteria into the ears, causing ear infections. With earplugs, for example, the ear should be pulled outward and upward with the opposite hand to enlarge and straighten the ear canal, and the plug should be inserted with clean hands. For example, when hearing protection is rated with an attenuation of 25dB, if one takes off their hearing protector for 5 minutes in an hour, the maximum protection will be reduced to no more than 11dB. - Check hearing protection regularly for wear and tear. - Replace ear cushions or plugs that are no longer pliable. - Disassemble the earmuffs to clean. - Wash earmuffs with a mild liquid detergent in warm water, and then rinse in clear warm water. Ensure that the sound-attenuating material inside the ear cushions does not get wet. - Use a soft brush to remove skin oil and dirt that can harden ear cushions. - Squeeze excess moisture from the plugs or cushions, then place them on a clean surface to air dry. Check the manufacturer's recommendations first to find out if the earplugs are washable.

Technical Specifications