Types of Hearing Protection

One type of hearing protectors are earplugs. Earplugs are protectors made of different materials, such as foam, plastic, or rubber. They are inserted into the ear canal. Some types are pre-molded, while others must be hand formed. They can come in one size, or specifics sizes. Some types are disposable, while others are reusable.

Another type is earmuffs. Earmuffs cover each ear entirely with a cushioned cup connected by a headband.

Earplugs and earmuffs provide about the same amount of protection, generally.

Ear caps are another type of hearing protector, but provide less protection than earplugs or earmuffs (they reduce noise by only about 10 dBs). Also, hearing protection can be built in to a helmet or headgear.

In some situations, dual protection is required and both earplugs and earmuffs must be worn (exposure to 110 dBA or higher sounds).

Earplugs can be more comfortable to wear than earmuffs, and are cooler in hot weather. For work in tight/confined spaces, they are better than earmuffs.

Earplugs are hard to fit, and this can affect attenuation. Some people find them uncomfortable to wear. They can come loose while an employee moves around. They are hard to remove and reinsert, get dirty easily, and are easy to lose.

Earmuffs provide more consistent attenuation than earplugs, and are more comfortable to wear in colder environments than earplugs. They do not come loose as easily as earplugs.

Earmuffs are hard to wear with other PPE such as safety glasses/goggles, hardhats, etc. They can be uncomfortable in hot environments (sweat can gather inside an ear cup). They might not fit all head sizes properly, and might not form a good seal around the ear for people who wear glasses or have sideburns.

Earplugs and earmuffs must be worn properly to provide correct protection. When worn properly, they can provide between 20-30 dBA in noise reduction (depending on the device).

To learn more about Hearing Protection visit our Hearing Protection Online Training web page.