Protection is of the utmost importance at any worksite but personal protective equipment doesn't just involve wearing boots and a helmet. If you happen to work in an especially noisy environment, then ear muffs should also be part of your PPE. Also known as ear defenders, ear muffs are able to protect your hearing from extremely high noise levels.
Ear muffs work by absorbing sound waves with the help of acoustic foam. These cushions are found inside hard cups which are placed on your ears. The outer covering of ear protection muffs is made either out of metal or a tough thermoplastic material. There's also some padding on the outside that helps keep the muffs resting comfortably on your head.
Types of Ear Muffs
Passive
If you happen to work in an environment where there are noises exceeding over 80 dB all the time, passive ear defenders are the best solution to get. Why? Because passive safety ear muffs are able to block loud sounds continuously. But beware they are not great when you want to have a conversation.
Active
The most versatile solution you can go for is active listening protective ear muffs. These are great in noisy workplaces but they are also aware of your environment. How so? Well, active listening ear muffs are able to filter loud sounds but also amplify quiet ones thanks to a set of sensors fitted inside.
With Microphone
You can also find ear defenders with a built-in microphone. These also provide the same level of protection as the rest, but they also allow you to have a conversation. You can adjust the level of sound that reaches your ears with these types of defenders.
With Headband
Ear muffs with a headband are made to sit comfortably on your head. If you don't have any need for another piece of protective equipment like a hard hat, these ear defenders are ideal. There are others that fit together with a helmet but they can't be worn on their own as they attach to the helmet itself.
Helmet Attachments
As you already know, ear defenders that attach to a hard-top helmet only work with it. But if your workplace requires you to wear a helmet, then there's nothing wrong with using these defenders. While some can be permanently attached to a helmet, other helmet defenders can be removed easily, thanks to their use of clips.
With Neckband
There are defenders that are made with neckbands. These can be used together with helmets and visors without impeding the level of safety provided by either.
With FM Radio
If you want to be able to listen to music, you should go for ones with built-in FM radio. The radio feature can be used to keep you more focused and provide additional protection from loud noises.
Bluetooth
When you want to be able to take in calls while wearing ear defenders it's wise to go with ones that have built-in Bluetooth. This way you can have a conversation with a customer or another coworker without taking off your defenders. Keep in mind that these ear muffs need to be charged or have their batteries replaced from time to time.
Electronic
The most advanced safety ear muffs are electronic ear muffs since they come with an electronic sound reproduction system. This system is able to isolate certain sounds and allow other sounds to come through.
What Factors to Consider
Comfort
An important factor of ear defenders that not everyone seems to focus on at first is their comfort level. Especially if you are going to wear a headset for an extensive period of time, you should go with one that has an extra soft padding. Also, keep in mind your hair and/ or glasses.
Attenuation Levels
Attenuation levels refer to the level at which noise energy is lost. Meaning the level at which you're hearing a certain noise has a time limit that you can listen to it until it starts being harmful. For example, a sound over 85 dB can be listened to for 8 hours max. With ear defenders, that time can be prolonged. The better the sound insulation they have the more you can listen to a certain noise level. Remember, though every increase of 3 dB halves the length of time you can listen to that noise safely.
Accessories
When you want to be able to do more with an ear defender than just keep your hearing intact, you need accessories. The most important accessory is an adapter that enables PTT so that you can communicate between headsets as well as radio devices. Whoever is wearing a headset with a PTT adapter can hear you and communicate with you. Just make sure you choose an adapter that is compatible with your ear muffs.
Conclusion
Nothing is worth losing your hearing for, even if it pays the bills. Wearing a proper ear defender headset will assure you that even the loudest of noises won't affect your hearing.
