Types of Ear Protection

According to GlobalSpec, ear protection is needed when a person is in a working or recreational environment that exposes them to sound levels that exceed 85 decibels. The most common of theses environments include construction or engineering sites, hunting arenas and racecar tracks. According to the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), 17 percent of American adults have some degree of hearing loss. Ear protection is also available for everything from concerts to indoor hunting.

Earplugs

• Earplugs fit directly into the ear canal in order to block sound and appear somewhat invisible to the naked eye. They come in numerous shapes and sizes, or they mold into the ear's size and shape. On average, earplugs reduce noise 15 to 30 decibels. Options include expansion plugs, which are made of foam and mold to each individual ear's size and shape, or pre-molded plugs, which are made of silicone, plastic, or rubber, and which come in variable sizes. Button plugs still allow you to hear everything around you, but in a lower volume. Porous plugs are made from porous foam and provide the highest level of noise protection, while regulating the air flow and pressure release in the ear, too.

Earmuffs

• Earmuffs completely cover the external ears, and they are lined with acoustic foam, in order to block 15 to 30 decibels of sound. The tighter and more securely they fit, the better they will work to block out sound. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), people with glasses or beards may have difficulty keeping the seal around the earmuffs tightly secured. People also might find the earmuffs hot and heavy, depending on the environmental conditions. In cold weather conditions, earmuffs can also keep the ears warm.

Electronic Hearing Protection

• Electronic hearing protection allows noise to be regulated at all times, depending on the intensity of the sound. These systems are used in environments where sudden, unsafe noises become evident. Electronic protection devices look much like a set of earmuffs, but they reduce hearing from 19 to 31 decibels.

  Some electronic systems will electronically shut off all sound from reaching your ear when they detect a sound too loud or unsafe for the human ear. After the sound passes, they will resume to a regular hearing mode. Other systems merely reduce the unsafe sound to a safe level, while still allowing you to hear the sounds around you.

Canal Caps

• Canal caps look much like earplugs, but are attached by a plastic or metal band. These devices cap off the canal opening. These are used in less severe situations, and according to the Environmental Health & Safety Committee of North Carolina State University, are not recommended in use around dangerously high noise levels. For convenience, they are attached by a band and allow you to easily take them off and rest them across your shoulders when noise levels are safe.

Choosing a Type

• Your choice of ear protection should suit your situation, your financial ability and your ear's shape and size. The electronic protectors are the most expensive, the earmuffs are the most obvious, the earplugs take the most trial-and-errors to find a suitable size, and the ear caps provide the least amount of protection. If your situation consists of often communicating in between loud sounds, choose a device that you can easily lift up or take off.

Choosing a Size

• To make sure your ear protection is securely and correctly sized, test your choice of ear protection before using in dangerously noisy situations. If you feel any outside air reaching your ear, the seal isn't well secured and will allow noise and debris to enter. Make sure the device is as tightly secured as possible, but not too tight, or it could damage your ear.