Choose The Hearing Protection That's Right For You
- by Carol Merry Stephenson, Ph.D.

Expandable foam plugs
These plugs are made of a formable material designed to expand and conform to the shape of each person's ear canal. Roll the expandable plugs into a thin, crease-free cylinder. Whether you roll plugs with thumb and fingers or across your palm doesn't matter. What's critical is the final result—a smooth tube thin enough so that about half the length will fit easily into your ear canal. Some individuals, especially women with small ear canals, have difficulty rolling typical plugs small enough to make them fit. A few manufacturers now offer a small size expandable plug.

Pre-molded, reusable plugs
Pre-molded plugs are made from silicone, plastic or rubber and are manufactured as either “one-size-fits-most” or are available in several sizes. Many pre-molded plugs are available in sizes for small, medium or large ear canals.

A critical tip about pre-molded plugs is that a person may need a different size plug for each ear. The plugs should seal the ear canal without being uncomfortable. This takes trial and error of the various sizes. Directions for fitting each model of pre-molded plug may differ slightly depending on how many flanges they have and how the tip is shaped. Insert this type of plug by reaching over your head with one hand to pull up on your ear. Then use your other hand to insert the plug with a gentle rocking motion until you have sealed the ear canal.

Advantages of pre-molded plugs are that they are relatively inexpensive, reusable, washable, convenient to carry, and come in a variety of sizes. Nearly everyone can find a plug that will be comfortable and effective. In dirty or dusty environments, you don't need to handle or roll the tips.

Canal caps
Canal caps often resemble earplugs on a flexible plastic or metal band. The earplug tips of a canal cap may be a formable or pre-molded material. Some have headbands that can be worn over the head, behind the neck or under the chin. Newer models have jointed bands increasing the ability to properly seal the earplug.

The main advantage canal caps offer is convenience. When it's quiet, employees can leave the band hanging around their necks. They can quickly insert the plug tips when hazardous noise starts again. Some people find the pressure from the bands uncomfortable. Not all canal caps have tips that adequately block all types of noise. Generally, the canal caps tips that resemble stand-alone earplugs seem to block the most noise.

Earmuffs
Earmuffs come in many models designed to fit most people. They work to block out noise by completely covering the outer ear. Muffs can be "low profile" with small ear cups or large to hold extra materials for use in extreme noise. Some muffs also include electronic components to help users communicate or to block impulsive noises.

Workers who have heavy beards or sideburns or who wear glasses may find it difficult to get good protection from earmuffs. The hair and the temples of the glasses break the seal that the earmuff cushions make around the ear. For these workers, earplugs are best. Other potential drawbacks of earmuffs are that some people feel they can be hot and heavy in some environments.

Miscellaneous devices
Manufacturers are receptive to comments from hearing protection users. This has led to the development of new devices that are hybrids of the traditional types of hearing protectors. (Visit NIOSH searchable compendium of hearing protectors) Because many people like the comfort of foam plugs, but don't want to roll them in dirty environments, a plug is now available that is essentially a foam tip on a stem. You insert this plug much like a pre-molded plug without rolling the foam.

Scientists are developing earmuffs using high-tech materials to reduce weight and bulk, but still effectively block noise. On the horizon may be earplugs with built in two-way communication capability.

Still, the best hearing protector is the one that is comfortable and convenient and that you will wear every time you are in an environment with hazardous noise.
 

Hearing Protector Research Noise Reduction Characterization of Nonlinear Hearing Protection Devices Non-linear hearing protectors (NLHPs) have been developed to provide improved communication and ability to hear warning signals while protecting workers from hazardous noise. However, the existing American and international standards for testing linear hearing protectors cannot address the performance and effectiveness of nonlinear (level dependent and active noise cancellation) devices; the electronics are simply turned off for testing purposes. NIOSH is developing standardized laboratory test methods for acoustic and psycho-acoustic assessment of NLHPs which address the shortcomings of current ANSI and ISO standards. The information obtained from these new methods about the protectors’ performance will allow workers and employers to make an informed choice of NLHPs to achieve the best mix of hearing protection and hearing of speech and warning signals in noise. Development of a new standard laboratory protocol for estimation of the field attenuation of hearing protection devices Alternative Field Methods for Measuring Hearing Protector Performance Field Evaluation of Hearing Protection Devices NIOSH is addressing the need to realistically and accurately evaluate hearing protector attenuation as the devices are worn by noise-exposed workers at their jobs. Presently, hearing protectors are selected on the basis of the Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) label that is required by the U.S. EPA (a statistical value that may or may not reflect the noise reduction experienced by a given worker). NIOSH is field testing the effectiveness of various methods for determining hearing protector attenuation for each worker on the job. When completed, this project will provide qualitative and quantitative data that will lead to critical assessment of the real-world effectiveness and usability of each of these methods.