If you are working at a place where noise levels are of high frequency, then the ambient sound can surely damage your sense of hearing. It is a matter of concern in construction areas, woodworking, demolition, textile manufacture where there's a lot of hazardous noise that can lead to permanent loss of perceiving sounds. In such cases, you need hearing protection devices to protect yourself from being deaf.
Currently, there are a host of ear protection devices available in the market, but choosing one that fulfils your requirements and suits your profession is a daunting task. In this article, we will shed light on the types of ear protectors and points to consider before getting your hands on the best hearing protection.
Which Type of Hear Protection is Ideal For You?
Hearing protection devices are meant to reduce the amount of noise exposure to our ears. This reduction of noise level is known as attenuation and is measured in Decibels(dB). Different ear protection devices have different Noise Reduction Ratings (NRR). Here are the types of ear protections based on their NRR and other factors.
Earmuffs
If you don't like the idea of something stuck into the ear for an extended amount of time, then earmuffs are the best choice. Earmuffs seem similar to headphones and are designed to cover the outer area of the ear. These ear protectors are cushioned with foam or liquid connected by an adjustable headband. They can give NRR up to 31dB.
Advantages:
- Frees up from “plugged up” feeling
- Reusable
- Ready to wear (No customization or fitting required)
- Comes in different sizes and styles
Disadvantages:
- Expensive
- Needs to be cleaned daily
- Less Portable
- Heats up after sometime
Disposable Earplugs
Disposable earplugs are normally made of soft, flexible foam that can be compressed in a tube with hands to adjust in the ear canal and then it expands automatically to form a noise-resistant layer. The maximum NRR of disposable earplugs is 33dB.
Advantages:
- Low-cost
- Ready to wear (No customization or fitting required)
- Low maintenance
- Available online and in stores
Disadvantages:
- Cannot be reused as it catches dirt and oil after first use
- Hands should be cleaned properly before use to avoid germs entering the lobe
- Have to use it patiently to avoid deforming
Reusable Earplugs
Reusable earplugs are designed by making the use of silicone or rubber. It comes in a pre-molded shape to fit the ear. These earplugs come in different shapes and sizes and are commonly in cone or flanged shape. The highest NRR of reusable earplugs is 33dB.
Advantages:
- Easy to use
- Reusable
- Available in different sizes
Disadvantages:
- Must be washed and dried properly before next use.
- Pre-molded shape
What Things Should You Keep in Consideration Before Buying Hearing Protection?
Proper Fit and Comfort
When it comes to the best hearing protector, the most valuable feature is comfort and fit. Since you have to work for longer intervals, looking for what makes you feel comfortable and fits your ear properly is important. If hearing protection is large enough to fit in your ears or let in too much noise, then spending on them is the wrong approach. Hence, you need to grab a pair that feels right to you without being hassled by the trends, shapes and sizes.
Noise Reduction Rating (NRR)
Noise reduction rating denotes the number of decibels of sound that your ear protection can potentially reduce. Though it is difficult to consider the exact Noise Reduction Rating due to the different noise levels, it is recommended that the total noise under the ear protection must be less than 85 decibels.
However, expecting your ear protection gear to suppress much noise level would not be a good idea. Any noise protectant can decrease the noise only by 35-40 decibels, but that doesn't mean they are of no use. Suppose you are working at a construction site where the sound pitch is 100 decibels. Using earplugs or earmuffs can reduce the noise level by 40 decibels. So the effective noise is 60 decibels, which is way less than 85-90 decibels.
Light in Weight, Compact and Portable
Choose a lightweight hearing protection gear that your neck and ear can easily handle. Otherwise, it can strain your neck. Earplugs can be carried effortlessly as they are compact and light in weight. However, earmuffs are not compact, making them difficult to carry around. It is recommended to buy earmuffs that can be easily folded to fit in your work bag.
Durability
Investing in hearing protection gear over and over again can be quite expensive and frustrating. So, always pick one that lasts long and is budget-friendly. Though disposable earplugs are meant to be used only one time, people still don’t hesitate to reuse them. If you are also one of them, then we suggest purchasing a pair of reusable earplugs that have a durability of at least one month and can be used on a regular basis.
While purchasing earmuffs, check their band pliability. If you find a metal one within your budget, grab it without a second thought. Avoid earmuffs made of plastic as they are more prone to breakage. Last but not least is the earpads of the earmuffs that get defected in the first place. Therefore, while spending on earmuffs, check if the earpads are replaceable so that you don't have to purchase the pair again.
Final Words
Good health is the basic requirement of human life. If you are employed at a place where the noise frequency is high, it is crucial to opt for the best hearing protection for your healthy present as well as future. We hope this article has provided you with tons of information to find the best product according to your preferences.
Hearing Protection FAQ
Q: How much should be the Noise Reduction Rate?
A: The best NRR is considered to be 30 decibels, which you can easily get using earplugs. But for the safe side, if you cover them up with earmuffs that offer 31 decibels of noise reduction, you can get an average NRR of 36dB.
Q: What noise level can damage the sense of hearing?
A: The recommended noise level is below 70 decibels. But if it exceeds 70 dB, then it can be hazardous for your ears.
Q: Are earmuffs better than earplugs?
A: Earmuffs and earplugs have their own pros and cons. It completely depends on your comfort zone and workplace. If your earmuffs fit perfectly, but they don’t suit your profession, then they are of no use. The same goes for the earplugs