Proper Use of Hearing Protection

Your ears are often assailed by loud noises, and you must be vigilant to protect your hearing. It's important to remember that hearing can be damaged very easily, and you can never get back what you've lost. Understanding how to use hearing protection products properly will keep your ears safe.

Moldable Foam Earplugs

• Moldable foam earplugs are the most efficient way to protect your hearing. Most earplugs fit comfortably in your ear canals and block a large amount of noise. They also offer the advantage of staying in the ear easily. To prepare them for use, take one and roll it in your fingers. Roll it down as small as you can until it resembles a snake. Place this in your ear canal by holding the tip and lightly pushing it in as far as it can go. Hold the tip as the foam of the earplug expands to fit your ear canal. Repeat in your other ear.

Semi-Insert Earplugs

• Semi-insert earplugs are a set of hard plastic earplugs on a hard plastic headband. While moldable foam earplugs are small and easy to lose, semi-insert earplugs can be hung around your neck when not in use, and their larger size makes them easier to find if they are misplaced. They also do not need to be molded to fit into the ear. Simply put the headband on top of your head and stick the tips of the earplugs in your ears. There are downfalls to these earplugs, though. They don't go as far into your ear as moldable earplugs and they don't block as much noise. This makes them less efficient in conditions where high levels of noise are constant. They are much better in situations where noise levels fluctuate, such as at an airport or racetrack.

Earmuffs

• Sound buffering earmuffs are an efficient way to protect your hearing. Unlike moldable foam earplugs or semi-insert earplugs, they do not go inside your ear. They simply slip over your ears. The cushions are highly padded to keep them comfortable, and a sound-blocking material will keep your ears safe. Earmuffs are similar to semi-insert earplugs in that they have a headband to keep them in place. However, most earmuffs have an adjustable headband, while semi-insert earplugs do not. This makes them easier to slip on and off, and they make excellent sound-blocking devices in places where the noise level varies. However, earmuffs don't block as much sound as moldable earplugs or semi-insert earplugs. The ear canal blockage from the other two ear protectors stops more sound than earmuffs. However, this can be remedied by wearing moldable foam earplugs underneath earmuffs.