Earmuffs or earplugs? Ultimate hearing protection for ...

Whether working with machines on a daily basis or simply attending a brief visit to the production hall, as soon as employees are exposed to noise at work, they must be protected against hearing damage by means of the correct personal protective equipment (PPE). The two most reliable forms of hearing protection are earmuffs and earplugs. But how do you know which of the two is the right hearing protection for the situation at hand and what are the differences between them? In this blog article, we explain to you everything you need to know.

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Hearing constitutes one of our five senses. Although our ears are designed for hearing, over time, noise can become irritating and cause permanent hearing damage. In the worst cases, this can even lead to complete hearing loss. According to a study carried out by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), five percent of all respondents suffered from minor hearing difficulties. Meanwhile, six percent of people over the age of 65 were affected by major hearing difficulties. Generally, there is a distinction between noise that can generate risks if a person is continuously exposed to it and noise that is so loud that hearing damage can be caused when a person is exposed to it just once.

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Everyday noise exposure &#; in decibels (dB):

• 55 dB: Noise at this level makes it difficult to work on tasks that require a high and consistent level of concentration.
• 60 dB: Noise at this level is equivalent to the sound level of a standard conversation or standard office noise.
• 85 dB: The sound produced by devices such as vacuum cleaners and hand drills is around 85 dB. Being exposed to sound this loud for 40 hours per week over a long period of time will lead to hearing damage. This is why occupational health and safety prescribes mandatory hearing protection starting from 85 dB.
• 120 dB: Noise levels of 120 dB and over are above the ear&#;s pain threshold. This level of noise is immediately uncomfortable for people and can damage hearing even upon a single exposure. Noise caused by industrial and building machinery such as hammer drills, pneumatic drills and chain saws can reach this critical level.

This is why hearing protection at the workplace is laid down by law. Important regulatory points of reference include the German Occupational Safety and Health Act, the German Noise and Vibrations Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance and the German PPE Usage Regulation. When it comes to everyday work environments, both earplugs and earmuffs can be used to protect hearing.

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