Hearing Protection Selection Guide

What style of hearing protection is right for me?

Passive or Electronic?

Passive hearing protection is sufficient for many situations. Generally, a good set of passive hearing protectors for short term wear with no need to communicate with others and situational awareness is not a factor, will save your hearing for minimal cost.

Electronic hearing protection is designed to help you remain aware of your environment, communicate more easily and generally feel more comfortable because you are less isolated. Passive hearing protection will cut you off from all sounds, not just the loud ones. Losing one of your main senses, even temporarily can be disconcerting and reduce your ability to concentrate.

How much protection do I need (NRR)?

Ideally you want just the amount of protection necessary to protect your hearing and no more. Too much protection can lead to unnecessary isolation and be unsafe. A higher NRR is generally associated with a larger earmuff and the size may cause other issues I will discuss later in this guide. The Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) is a guide to the level of noise attenuation provided by your hearing protector. A simple way to understand NRR is the higher the number the more noise attenuated. In reality the test protocol is not this simple. Some protectors can provide more attenuation at higher frequency sound, less protection for low frequency sounds and according to the test protocol established by OSHA, have a lower NRR. In a factory environment with specific types of equipment to protect against this can be important. For the average user being aware that in general, a higher number NRR provides more attenuation is sufficient information to decide. NRR is generally a number between 20 and 30.

In-Ear or over the ear?

Both in-ear and over-the-ear styles are sold as passive or electronic and can provide the right level of protection (NRR). Selecting in-ear or over the ear protection is a matter of comfort, fit, price and performance for your type of use.

 

Comfort

Environmental Factors – Earmuffs trap heat inside the cups. Sound waves are converted to heat in the process of attenuation. When it is cool or cold outside the extra heat can increase comfort. On a hot day the heat and perspiration caused by the earmuff can add to discomfort and lead to lower concentration – your brain starts thinking about comfort instead of the task at hand. An in-ear protector has just the opposite result, cooler to wear in hot weather but leave your ears exposed when it is cold outside.

Form Factor – Earmuffs must fit securely to your head. Any gaps between the ear seal and the skull due to shape of the skull or ears, or interference of hair, glasses, hats or your ears not fitting inside the ear seal properly can lead to sound leakage. A secure fit of muff to head is generally accomplished by the compressive force of the headband. The type of ear seal on the earmuff can also affect the quality of the fit. The compressive force of the headband can result in headaches over time. If you intend to wear the earmuffs a short time the compression may not be an issue. The compression can also press the stem of glasses or the base of a hat into your head leading to further discomfort. Well-designed headbands and ear seals can reduce the effect of the compression.

In-ear protection relies on the ear tip to passively block sound. Tips are generally made from foam or rubber. There are trade-offs between the type of material and the shape of the tips with comfort and sound attenuation. To avoid sound leaks it is essential to get a complete seal between the tip and your ear canal. The pressure of the tip in the ear canal due to shape, length and material can cause irritation of the canal. For some people with more sensitive ear canals this can be unbearable. Foam tips with good memory can reduce the level of irritation and provide good attenuation.

Weight – The materials used to construct the hearing protector will impact the weight of the product. The earmuff rests on your head. If worn for a short period of time the added weight on your head may not be too uncomfortable. When wearing earmuffs for an extended time the added weight can cause a hot spot to form on the head.

Fit Issues

Headgear

Wearing earmuffs with glasses, hats, long hair or beards can create a gap between the ear seal and the skull leading to sound leaks. The amount of compressive force from the headband, the shape of the cup and the type of ear seal can help to minimize this issue. In-ear products are generally not affected by any of these factors.

Special attachments can help the fit of an earmuff for helmets and hardhats. There are also cups designed to fit better with certain style hardhats and helmets. These cups are generally designed with a tapered shape at the top of the earmuff for better fit under the rim of the headgear. The thinner surface improves fit but will affect the NRR.

In-ear models cannot be worn with hearing aids, however if hearing loss is modest, electronic in-ear models can provide sufficient amplification to assist with hearing in noisy environments.

Head Size

Earmuffs are designed to fit most, but not all, head sizes. Adjustments for size are made using the headband to expand and contract to improve fit. Individuals with larger heads (hat size 8 or larger) may experience discomfort due to excessive headband compression. Individuals with smaller heads (babies and adolescents) may have a poor fit leading to sound leaks. Some manufacturers design products that have smaller dimensions specifically to fit adolescents and adults with smaller heads.

Ear plugs are generally one-size-fits-all. They may be uncomfortable for individuals with smaller ear canals or not fully fill the ear canal, which lessens the protection, for users with larger ear canals. Some in-ear models come with multiple size ear tips to help fit a larger proportion of customers.

Ear Shape

Ears are like fingerprints – no two people are exactly alike. This is true both for the inner ear and the exterior ear. Additionally, ear shape and size change over time. An ear plug that fits when younger may no longer fit as you age.

The interior shape and circumference of an earmuff ear-seal are not all the same. People with longer ear lobes, or who wear earrings should consider looking for an earmuff with a larger interior circumference. A more rectangular shaped cup have a larger interior circumference and may led to an improved fit.

Comfort and fit is affected by the distance from the cups interior foam and your ear. the ear seal should hold the cup away from the ear. Ear seals that collapse too easily due to the type of foam or headband compression or models built with too little space between the interior foam and exterior of the cup may press against the ear. The foam against the ear can cause irritation. When selecting an earmuff look for cups with a thicker ear seal made with viscoelastic foam or silicone gel which tend to hold the cup and interior foam away from the ear.

An ear tip or earplug may not fit all ear canals equally. To work properly the tip must be fully inserted into the ear canal. The angles and depth of ear canals are unique for all people. It is best to look for in-ear hearing protection that comes with multiple size ear tips to find a good fit. Ideally, the tips will be made from flexible material with memory to form to and fill the specific shape ear canal.

Secure Fit

Secure fit is the key to effective hearing protection. Earmuffs require the least effort to correctly wear. An earplug is more difficult insert properly, getting a good seal to block sounds. It is also difficult to assure proper fit for children since they do not always provide good feedback. Because of the headband compressive force the earmuff can fit more securely to your head. This can be important if you are involved in strenuous physical activity. The secure fit of an earbud can be enhanced with the use of ear hooks, either in ear or around the ear. Additionally, the smaller the ear bud housing the less weight resting outside the ear. This creates less gravitational pull for the earbud to fall out of the ear.

Performance

Clarity of Sound

Sound quality, in my opinion, is the most important and often overlooked (at least initially) differentiator between different models of electronic hearing protectors. A passive hearing protector, by design, blocks most intelligible sounds. Electronic hearing protection is designed to allow the user to hear lower decibel sounds, either as a pass-through sound (not amplified) or at various levels of amplification. There are different technologies employed to accomplish this task. The more advanced technologies try to mimic natural sound. Static, cutting out, electronic sound, tinny sound or delayed sounds are unnatural. When the brain processes unnatural sounds it requires energy which is energy that is not being applied to the task at hand (competing, concentrating, enjoying) and causes fatigue. For a short period of time the fatigue may not be noticeable. For extended time it becomes it becomes more apparent. Small amounts of fatigue or loss of concentration can be the difference between optimal performance and second place. For better performance select electronic hearing protection that provides the most natural sound. Factors that impact sound quality include microphones, speakers, amplifiers, pcb’s and the programming. Cup shape and material can also impact sound quality. The specifications for each of these components impacts the final product sound quality. Just like you can purchase a stereo at a discount store and it will reproduce music, the sound quality will not be the same as a system bought from a high-end audio store. The difference is design and components. The way to compare is via specifications. High quality audio can be found in both earmuffs and earbud hearing protection.

Adjustability

Some electronic hearing protectors have separate amplification adjustments for each ear. Other models have a single adjustment control so the level of amplification is equal in both ears. The benefit of separate adjustment controls for each ear is the ability to balance the sound between each ear to fit your personal hearing profile. This may be important to individuals with unequal hearing loss in each ear. It also comes in handy to be able to turn down or off one side when it is particularly noisy to that side. Think about having someone two lanes down using a muzzle break. Wouldn’t it be nice to turn off that side of your hearing protection and not lose your situational awareness?

Interference

Whether sighting in a long gun or working in close-quarters, your hearing protection should not interfere with the job at hand. Bumping your ear muff against the stock of your gun or on other items in an industrial setting or not fitting properly when wearing a bump cap reduces your performance. The design of earmuffs, the larger the hearing protector the greater the noise attenuation. To block out more sound the interior volume of the cup needs to increase. When selecting an ear muff consider the trade-off between NRR level and the intended activity you will be participating in while wearing the protectors to get optimum performance.

Earbud stye protectors can be an effective alternative to earmuffs for certain activities where the size of the hearing protector is an issue. Some earbud style protectors have an NRR as high as 28 or 29 and are less obtrusive than earmuffs.

Connectivity

Electronic and passive hearing protectors can offer connectivity to radios, telephones, walkie-talkies and scanners. The most common type of connection is the 3mm mic jack. These hearing protectors will usually come with a cable to connect the hearing protector to the radio/phone. Newer telephones no longer include a mic jack so wired connection is not possible. Bluetooth may be the only alternative to connect to a telephone unless you have an older model phone. When connecting to other types of devices check the size of the mic jacks to be sure they are compatible.
Being able to connect to a radio may be job essential. Wearing a hearing protector with connectivity will allow the user to avoid the need to remove the hearing protector, remain in contact and not endanger hearing.

Passive protectors may have similar connections but without the ability to hear through for other ambient sounds. Basically, all sounds are attenuated except those emanating from the connected device. This type of hearing protector can be either via wire or Bluetooth. Earbuds tend to be Bluetooth connection only.

Battery Type

Typical batteries used for hearing protection include AAA, AA, N, CR123. Some hearing protection is rechargeable using either a micro USB, USB or USB-C port.

Battery life using a non-rechargeable battery will vary from 80 to 300 hours. A larger voltage battery such as the N style battery will generally extend the operating time of the hearing protector.

Hearing protection with a rechargeable battery will usually operate from 4 to 8 hours depending on use. USB-C chargers are usually much faster to recharge. A few newer models have rechargeable batteries that last over 20 hours.

Consider your expected use, your access to a port to recharge when not in use. Carry spare batteries in your kit bag so you avoid losing your electronics at an inconvenient time.

Warranty

Reliability is an important factor to consider. Hearing protection is a safety device and should be considered an investment in your hearing. Electronic hearing protection can be a big investment. Typical industry warranties go from nonexistent to 5 years. Select your hearing protection from a company that offers a longer warranty as they are likely to be of higher quality.

Price

Passive hearing protection ranges from a few dollars for foam ear plugs to $40.00 for high quality ear muffs and approximately $100.00 for custom molded ear plugs.

Electronic hearing protection can range from $30.00 to $500.00 and can cost even more for specialized communications headsets.

Sound quality, adjustability and features all impact price. Choose wisely!

Where it is made

Most hearing protectors are made outside the USA. Only a select few models are still made in the USA.

Features

• Some other features you may find on electronic hearing protection include:
• Auto shutoff
• Low battery warnings
• Self-diagnostics
• Adjustment for attack/release times in different noise environments

How can I protect my hearing at work?

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The surest method of preventing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is to eliminate the source or to reduce noise at the source by engineering methods. However, in certain situations, these measures are not possible. In such workplaces, workers may need to wear hearing protectors to reduce the amount of noise reaching the ears.

What are some things I should know about selecting hearing protection devices?

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People should wear a hearing protector if the noise or sound level they are exposed to is close to or greater than the occupational exposure limits (OEL) for noise. For most jurisdictions, this occupational exposure limit is 85 decibels (A-weighted) or dBA. Hearing protectors reduce the noise exposure level and the risk of hearing loss when worn correctly.

If hearing protection is required, then a complete hearing conservation program should be implemented. A hearing conservation program includes noise assessment, methods for controlling noise, 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, are not inserted or worn correctly, if they are worn only periodically, or if they are removed even for a short period of time. To maintain their effectiveness, the hearing protection should not be modified. Music earphones or 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. Refer to the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Standard Z94.2-14 (R2019) “Hearing Protection Devices - Performance, Selection, Care and Use” or contact the agency responsible for occupational health and safety legislation in your jurisdiction for more information.
• Adequate for the protection or noise attenuation required. Check the manufacturer's literature.
• 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 (e.g., the ability to hear alarms or warning sounds).

What types of hearing protectors are available?

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Earplugs are inserted in the ear canal. They may be premolded (preformed), moldable, rolldown foam, push-to-fit, or custom molded. 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 and soft ear cushions that fit around the ear and hard outer cups. They are held together by a headband.

How do I pick my hearing protectors?

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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 the environment. Most importantly, the hearing protector should provide the desired noise reduction. It is best, where hearing protectors must be used, to provide a choice of a number of different types and sizes to choose from.

If the noise exposure is intermittent, earmuffs 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?

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Manufacturers provide information about the noise-reducing capability of a hearing protector, referred to as an NRR (noise reduction rating) value. The NRR is based on laboratory conditions, therefore, calculations to de-rate the noise reduction rating should be done to reflect workplace conditions (see further below).

CSA Standard Z94.2-14 (R2019) “Hearing protection devices — Performance, selection, care, and use” defines noise reduction rating as “a single number rating that indicates the overall hearing protector attenuation, computed as the difference between the overall C-weighted level of a noise spectrum having equal energy per octave and the A-weighted noise levels under a hearing protector, using mean attenuation data less two standard deviations, derived from the experimenter-fit-procedure of the 1974 edition of ANSI Z3.19 (withdrawn) as defined in EPA (1979)”. 

How do I use Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) values to determine the protection provided by a hearing protector?

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The NRR, or other similar systems such as the single number rating (SNR), is a method to more accurately determine the effective exposure of a person when wearing a hearing protector. These rating systems attempt to estimate the actual sound protection provided by hearing protectors when worn in actual working environments (vs. laboratory testing situations). The “real world” results are often different than laboratory tests with the main reasons for this difference being poor fit, and lack of proper training, supervision, and enforcement. For these reasons, training on the correct fit, and making sure users have a thorough understanding of hearing loss are important elements of the hearing conservation program.

Detailed calculations of the protection provided by a hearing protector involve using octave band analysis of the workplace noise and the noise attenuation provided by the hearing protector for noise in each octave band. Attenuation is defined by CSA Standard Z94.2-14 (R2019) “Hearing protection devices — Performance, selection, care, and use” as “the reduction in sound pressure level incident upon the ear due to the application of a hearing protector or, specifically, the change in hearing threshold level that results when a hearing protector is worn.”

Calculating noise attenuation of hearing protection and de-rating noise reduction values (NRR)

Source: CSA Z94.2-14 (R2019) “Hearing protection devices — Performance, selection, care, and use” Table 2

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

The NRR used for dual-protection calculations is higher of the individual NRRs of the two devices. 
Note: Certain CSA Group standards are available for online viewing. To access these, you must first create an account with “CSA Communities”.

Go to: "https://community.csagroup.org/login.jspa?referer=%252Findex.jspa" 
Once you are logged in, click on the text below the “OHS Standards / View Access” graphic. 
Click on the jurisdiction of your choice to see the CSA Standards as referenced in that legislation. 
Standards may also be purchased from CSA Group: "https://store.csagroup.org/"

As an example:

Measured workplace noise time-weighted average (TWA) exposure = 98 dBA 
Earplug with NRR = 29 dB 
Estimated noise exposure = 98 – [29(0.5) - 3] = 86.5 dBA

CSA Standard Z94.2-14 (R2019) provides further guidance on how to apply NRR calculations.

What is a Single Number Rating (SNR)?

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Both types of hearing protection offer advantages and disadvantages.

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 muffs, and often more comfortable to wear when in hot or damp work areas. Some disadvantages are they provide less noise protection than some muffs, and should not be used in areas exceeding 105 dBA. Earplugs are less visible than  muffs, 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, yet not be too tight for 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. 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 table summarizes the differences between earplugs and earmuffs.

Comparison of Hearing ProtectionEarplugsEarmuffs 

Advantages:

• small and easily carried
• convenient to use with other personal protection equipment (can be worn with earmuffs)
• more comfortable for long-term wear in hot, humid work areas
• convenient for use in confined work areas 
   

Advantages:

• less attenuation variability among users
• designed so that one size fits most head sizes
• easily seen at a distance to assist in the monitoring of their use
• not easily misplaced or lost

• may be worn with minor ear infections

 

 

Disadvantages:

• requires more time to fit
• more difficult to insert and remove
• requires good hygiene practices
• may irritate the ear canal
• easily misplaced
• more difficult to see and monitor usage

Disadvantages:

• less portable and heavier
• more inconvenient for use with other personal protective equipment.
• more uncomfortable in hot, humid work area
• more inconvenient for use in confined work areas
• may interfere with the wearing of safety or prescription glasses: wearing glasses results in breaking the seal between the earmuff and the skin and results in decreased hearing protection.

Why is user preference so important?

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The human aspects of hearing protection are particularly important since the only useful kind of protection is the protection that is actually worn. Some people do not accept particular kinds of protectors; every human being is different, and the anatomy of the ear and ear canal can vary significantly from person to person.

It is a good idea for the employer to provide a number of different types and sizes of hearing protection from which workers can choose, keeping in mind any safety or hygienic reasons for not providing a particular kind of protector. That is, a particular type of protector should not be used if noise levels are too high or if it proves to be inadequate from a hygienic point of view. For example, earplugs which 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.

The bottom line on hearing protection is worker preference. If the workers do not like the type of protection (for example, if it is uncomfortable, does not fit well, or is impractical), they will not wear it.

What should I know about the fit of my hearing protectors?

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 Follow the manufacturer's instructions. With earplugs, for example, the ear should be pulled outward and upward with the opposite hand to enlarge and straighten the ear canal, and insert the plug with clean hands.

• Ensure the hearing protector tightly seals within the ear canal or against the side of the head. Hair and clothing should not be in the way.

What happens to the protection level when hearing protectors are removed for short periods of time?

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In order to get the full benefit, hearing protectors must be worn all the time during noisy work. If hearing protectors are removed only for a short duration, the protection is substantially reduced. The following table gives a maximum protection provided for non-continuous use of an ideally fitted 100% efficient hearing protector. 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.

Impact of removing hearing protectorTime removed (in 1 hr)Maximum 25 dB protection is reduced to (dB)0 minno reduction1 min175 min1110 min830 min360 min0

Source: Removal of hearing protectors severely reduces protection. Health and Safety Executive, UK (no date)

Hearing protectors must be used ALL THE TIME to get the full benefit.

How should I care for my hearing protection device?

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• Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
• Check hearing protection regularly for wear and tear.
• Replace ear cushions or plugs that are no longer pliable.
•  Replace the device when headbands are so stretched that they do not keep ear cushions snugly against the head.
• Disassemble 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.)
   

 

 

• Fact sheet last revised: 2023-06-08