We live in a noisy world. Some noises can damage our hearing, leading to hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and difficulty communicating especially in background noise. Permanent noise-induced hearing damage is incurable. If you cannot reduce your noise exposure by turning down the volume, moving away from the sound, or limiting the time you are exposed, hearing protection is your only option. But hearing protection comes in so many styles, materials, color, and sizes – how can you know which is best for you? National Protect Your Hearing Month is the perfect opportunity to discuss tips for picking the right hearing protector.
Figure 1: Selection of different hearing protection devices – Earplugs, Earmuffs, and Earbands
Obviously, the first consideration in choosing a hearing protector is whether it will block enough noise to reduce your exposure to a safe level. The good news is that most industrial noise exposures are less than 95 dBA, which means most workers require no more than about 10 dB of noise reduction to meet the NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit of 85 dBA. Almost any hearing protector, when fit correctly, can provide 10 dB of sound reduction. If you do not know the noise levels at your worksite, you can measure them with an app such as the NIOSH Sound Level Meter.
Louder environments demand higher levels of noise reduction, but beware of reducing sound too much. Just as too little light can make it just as difficult to see as too much light, too little sound can make you feel isolated and less aware of their surroundings. Overprotection can be counterproductive, as you may feel the need to remove your hearing protector to hear someone speak or listen to your equipment. Aim for just enough noise reduction to bring your exposure down to 75-85 dBA.
The Noise Reduction Rating on hearing protector packaging represents the amount of noise the hearing protector blocked when tested in a laboratory, but workers usually get much less noise reduction on the job. The best way to know how much noise reduction you are getting from a hearing protector is by fit-testing. If fit-testing is not available at your workplace, you can check earplug fit by counting out loud while slowly cupping and uncupping your hands over your ears; if you have a good fit, your voice should sound about the same as you cup and uncup your ears. NIOSH QuickFitWeb can also be used to check if you are getting more or less than 15 dB of sound reduction.
If you are exposed to noise levels 100 dBA or greater (such as chainsaws or jackhammers) or if you are exposed to impulsive sounds (such as nail gun or weapons noise), you should wear double hearing protection (earmuffs over earplugs).
Workplace characteristics beyond noise levels also need to be considered in choosing the right hearing protector. For example, do you have to wear other head-level personal protective equipment (PPE), such as eye protection, a hard hat, or a respirator? Eye protection (and even some eyeglasses) can interfere with the seal of an earmuff around the ear, allowing sound to leak into the ear. Earmuffs can interfere with the fit of hardhats or helmets; some muffs have a “low-profile” headband or are designed to be mounted directly onto a hardhat or helmet, eliminating this problem. Make sure that your hearing protection is compatible with other safety equipment you use at work.
Consider also whether the noise at your job is continuous or if it stops and starts at various times during the day. Do you stay in the same place for most of the workday, or move from one area to another? Earmuffs are easier to remove and replace than earplugs, so they may be better for intermittent noise exposures. If earmuffs are not an option due to other issues (e.g., compatibility with other PPE), pre-formed earplugs may be easier to remove and replace than foam plugs. Level-dependent or sound restoration hearing protectors can also be useful for intermittent exposures; these types of hearing protection allow sound to pass through when the background noise levels are low and become protective when noise levels increase.
Do your hands frequently get dirty at work? If so, avoid using foam earplugs which must be rolled down with your fingers before insertion, unless hand-washing facilities are readily available and you have time to wash up each time you need to insert the earplugs. Do you work in a tight space? Earmuffs may not be compatible when working in a confined area. Is it very hot or very cold where you work? Earmuffs can be uncomfortable in hot environments; earmuff cushions can become ineffective in very cold environments.
Finally, think about how frequently you need to hear speech while wearing hearing protection. If spoken communication is common, or if high fidelity sound is important for other reasons (e.g., musicians), flat attenuation hearing protectors may be helpful. Special communication headsets can also improve speech communication in very loud environments.
Once you have narrowed your selection down to hearing protectors that are appropriate for your noise exposure and compatible with your worksite and job tasks, the choice is completely up to you! However, hearing protection only works if you wear it consistently and correctly every time you are exposed to hazardous noise, so choose a protector that is comfortable and convenient.
Many people find earplugs more comfortable than earmuffs, especially when worn for long periods of time or in in hot environments. Earplugs are lightweight, easy to store, and convenient to keep on hand for unexpected exposures. However, earplugs may be harder to learn to fit properly. Some earplugs come in different sizes, so you may need help determining which size is correct for you. If your ear canals are very narrow or very curvy, it may be difficult to find an earplug that will fit. Earplugs are usually inexpensive, but they need to be replaced frequently; some earplugs are designed to be used once only and then discarded.
Earmuffs, on the other hand, are generally one-size devices. Many people find them easier to fit properly and consistently. Earmuffs are easier to remove and replace quickly, so they can be preferable for intermittent use. They are bulkier than earplugs and may be uncomfortable in warm places or tight spaces. They are more expensive, but more durable and last longer than earplugs.
Hearing health relies on knowing how to protect your hearing and how to select the right form of hearing protection. This National Protect Your Hearing Month, take a few minutes to make sure you are using the best hearing protection for your work tasks. Then, wear it every time you are exposed to noise levels above 85 dBA. Your ears will thank you!
CAPT William J. Murphy, Ph.D., is a research physicist with the NIOSH Division of Applied Research and Technology.
Christa L. Themann, MA, CCC-A, is a research audiologist with the NIOSH Division of Applied Research and Technology.
CAPT Chucri (Chuck) A. Kardous, MS, PE, is a research engineer with the NIOSH Division of Applied Research and Technology.
CAPT David C. Byrne, Ph.D., CCC-A, is a research audiologist with the NIOSH Division of Applied Research and Technology.
Additional resources:
NIOSH Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Best practice bulletin: Hearing protection-emerging trends: Individual Fit Testing
Hearing protection – OSH WIKI
“The world is very noisy,” says audiologist Susan Terry, founder of Broadwater Hearing Care in St. Petersburg, Florida. And it’s not only the shrill of sirens and the clatter of restaurants: our hobbies, from skeet shooting to concert-going, along with our jobs, can be a source of loud sounds.
Molded and foam earplugs are easy andSound is measured in decibels. Over time, sounds that are louder than about 70 decibels—for example, nearby sirens, gas-powered leaf blowers, or a motorcycle engine—can damage your ears and lead to noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Earplugs help protect your ears, and are one of the most useful ways to prevent hearing loss.
“Earplugs basically are a device that is inserted in the ear to mitigate the sound that reaches the cochlea, the inner ear, to prevent hearing loss,” Terry says.
You’re likely familiar with disposable versions, made from brightly colored foam or silicone and plastic, from the drugstore. Custom options are also available. Here’s what you need to know.
The most readily accessible and cheapest earplugs can be purchased in drugstores, hardware stores and sporting goods stores. These disposable options are generally made from foam.
“You just roll them down, stick them in your ear, and they expand out to prevent hearing loss,” Terry explains. Disposable earplugs are available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and attenuation levels, Terry says. (Attenuation means how much they dampen sound.) The deeper you insert them, the more they'll muffle sound.
Pre-molded reusable options, made from studier materials, such as plastic or silicone, are also available. Some of these types of earplugs have filters in them that reduce the muffling sound that foam earplugs create, an appealing option for people who like to go to live music shows.
Disposable earplugs are a relatively unsubtle option, and sometimes people struggle with finding a comfortable fit. If your work environment, everyday activities, or hobbies expose you to frequent noises, you may want to invest in custom earplugs.
“There are [features] available as a custom product that we don't have for a disposable earplug,” Terry says.
Custom earplugs can be designed specifically for your hearing situation: For instance, Terry fitted a dental hygienist—who spends her days in the presence of high-pitched dental drills—with custom earplugs that block out the hum of dental tools but still let her hear patients.
People who use guns frequently can wear custom earplugs that block the loud gun noises, but still allow them to hear their surroundings. Musicians can opt for ones that preserve audio fidelity of the full dynamic range of sound. Doing so reduces a musician's risk of developing hearing loss and tinnitus.
“A custom plug is generally made from an ear impression that is taken by an audiologist and then sent to the lab to be made,” Terry says. Custom earplugs can be more comfortable—since they fit your ear precisely, the pressurized feeling that accompanies over-the-counter options is lessened.
Most hearing clinics near you can fit you with custom earplugs. They usually cost about $100, unless you have special needs, in which case they may cost more. Disposable ones, in contrast, can be as cheap as a dollar, Terry says.
When you’re making a purchase, check the packaging for the noise reduction rating (NRR). The higher the NRR number is, the more noise will be reduced, Terry explains. Choose according to your situation: If you’re going to be doing yard work with a loud lawn mower, you’ll want a higher NRR than if you’re trying to reduce restaurant noise (but still want to be able to hear your dining partners). The noise reduction rating is usually around 30 decibels, meaning they reduce sounds by that amount. If you're getting custom-fit hearing plugs, your hearing care provider can tell you what the NRR is.
People use earplugs when they’re sleeping—to cover up loud street noises or a partner’s snoring—as well as when using machinery around the house or yard, attending concerts or sporting events, hunting or skeet shooting, or riding motorcycles (the wind sounds can be damaging, even with a helmet on, Terry notes). Basically, if there are loud sounds, there’s cause to wear earplugs. More on how to know if sound is too loud.
If you work in a loud environment (think: construction or industrial settings), your employer will likely mandate that you wear hearing protection, Terry says. This could be earplugs, or it might be earmuffs, which fit over your outer ear, forming a tight seal, according to Creighton University. For really loud environments, you may want to wear both earplugs and earmuffs.
Fitting small ears with earplugs can be challenging, Terry notes. It can be easier to use over-the-ear muffs that are sized for small children—these are perfect for when you take children to concerts or sporting events. They work well, and they’re inexpensive, she says.
If you wear earplugs for a long time, such as while sleeping, they can make your ear canals sore. It also might mean the size is too big. Search for earplugs with a slimmer profile, Terry says. Often the bright pink earplugs sold in drugstores are smaller and a better fit for women and preteens.
Do you have hearing loss? You absolutely should still wear earplugs in noisy environments. Talk to your hearing care provider about how to balance your need to wearing hearings aids with the need to protect your hearing, if, for example, you work in construction or a hairstylist. Here's why you should protect your residual hearing.
Wearing earplugs or earmuffs is effective, reducing noise by about 15 to 30 decibels if worn correctly, according to the University of Rochester Medical Center. Doubling up and wearing both earplugs and earmuffs offers more protection, notes the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD).
If you’re only occasionally or situationally exposed to loud noises, the everyday disposable options from the drugstore are likely the right option.
“For most everybody with their daily noise exposure, a pair of foam plugs are a great place to start,” she says. Consider custom ones if you have a noisy hobby or job, Terry suggests.
Here’s one way to think of it: If you’re attending a concert every few months, think about carrying disposable earplugs in your pocket.
But if you’re a musician, or see live shows on a weekly basis, consider opting for custom-fitted musician earplugs to protect your hearing while also getting the full dynamic range of sound. For performances on-stage, consider in-ear monitors.
That same logic can apply to other activities: If you shoot skeet twice a year, go with disposable earplugs and earmuffs, but if it’s a regular activity, custom earplugs might be a better option.
Not sure what makes sense to you? Reach out to your local audiologist, Terry suggests. “I don’t know of any audiologist who wouldn’t be happy to talk to someone over the phone for a minute or two to guide them in the right direction.”