HEARING PROTECTION
How can I protect my hearing?
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 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 can I protect my hearing?
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 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 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 their 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 choose from.
If the noise exposure is intermittent, ear muffs are more desirable, since it may be inconvenient to remove and reinsert earplugs.
What are the advantages and limitations of ear plugs and ear muffs?
There are advantages and disadvantages associated with the use of either ear muffs or ear plugs.
Ear plugs can be mass-produced or individually molded to fit the ear, and they can be reusable or disposable. On the positive side, they are simple to use, less expensive than muffs, and more comfortable in hot or damp work areas. On the negative side, they provide less protection than some muffs, and should not be used in areas having noise levels over 105 dB(A) (A-weighted decibels). They are not as visible as muffs and a supervisor cannot readily check to see if workers are wearing them. They must be properly inserted to provide adequate protection.
Ear muffs 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, yet not be too tight for comfort. On the positive side, ear muffs can 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. On the negative side, they are more expensive, and often less comfortable than plugs, especially in hot work areas. In areas where noise levels are very high, muffs and plugs can be worn together to give better protection.
The following summarizes the differences between ear plugs and ear muffs.
The choice of hearing protectors is a 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 their 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 choose from.
If the noise exposure is intermittent, ear muffs are more desirable, since it may be inconvenient to remove and reinsert earplugs.
What are the advantages and limitations of ear plugs and ear muffs?
There are advantages and disadvantages associated with the use of either ear muffs or ear plugs.
Ear plugs can be mass-produced or individually molded to fit the ear, and they can be reusable or disposable. On the positive side, they are simple to use, less expensive than muffs, and more comfortable in hot or damp work areas. On the negative side, they provide less protection than some muffs, and should not be used in areas having noise levels over 105 dB(A) (A-weighted decibels). They are not as visible as muffs and a supervisor cannot readily check to see if workers are wearing them. They must be properly inserted to provide adequate protection.
Ear muffs 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, yet not be too tight for comfort. On the positive side, ear muffs can 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. On the negative side, they are more expensive, and often less comfortable than plugs, especially in hot work areas. In areas where noise levels are very high, muffs and plugs can be worn together to give better protection.
The following summarizes the differences between ear plugs and ear muffs.
Ear Plugs
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
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Ear Muffs
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
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