Hearing Protection

Safety hearing protection is essential in workplaces where employees are exposed to loud noise levels, which can lead to hearing damage or loss over time. Choosing the right hearing protection is crucial to mitigate the risks associated with excessive noise. The most common types of safety hearing protection are earplugs and ear defenders.

 Earplugs are often made from foam, silicone, or rubber. Each material has its own advantages, such as comfort and durability. Foam earplugs, for example, are compressible and expand to fit the ear canal, providing a snug fit. Some earplugs are designed for single-use (disposable), while others can be reused. Reusable earplugs are typically made of durable materials and can be cleaned between uses. Disposable earplugs are convenient for one-time use.

 Ear defenders have ear cups lined with sound-absorbing material and are designed to block out or reduce noise. Ear defenders can have a headband, neckband or be helmet fitted ensuring the correct protection when needed. All hearing protection has an SNR (Sound Noise Reduction) rating, this tells you by how many decibels the hearing protector should reduce the noise level. The hearing protector should bring the noise to a level that is not harmful to health whilst avoiding over- protection which would isolate the worker. Hearing protectors that reduce the level at the ear to below 70 dB should be avoided.

 It's important to regularly assess the noise levels in the workplace, and if necessary, update hearing protection to ensure it provides adequate protection. Following safety regulations and guidelines is essential to protecting workers from noise-induced hearing loss.