Ear Muffs Reduces Exposure To Noise And Protects Hearing

The best way to prevent work-related deafness is to decrease the noise at the source using engineering technique. However in some workplace environment hardly anything can be done to lessen the clatter at the source. At such places, employees wear hearing muffs to cut down the rattle reaching the ears.  

When to wear hearing protector?

Wear hearing muffs, if the sound or noise level at work place surpasses 85 decibels. These ear protectors cut the noise exposure intensity as well as the possibility of hearing loss. In case hearing muffs are essential then a comprehensive hearing protection program must be introduced.  

Hearing protection plan includes –

• Noise assessment
• Selecting safety ear muffs
• Training and educating employees
• Audiometric testing
• Inspection
• Maintenance
• Record keeping
• Program assessment

The success of hearing safety is reduced, if the muffs do not fit appropriately or if you wear them partially during noise exposure periods. To preserve their efficiency you should not modulate them. Remember that radio headsets are not good alternatives as hearing protectors. They should never be worn as hearing muffs to get protected against the exposure to clatter.

Select hearing plugs that:

• Is appropriate for your job
• Offers sufficient protection
• Is comfortably accepted and worn

Types of hearing protectors available are:  

Ear plugs – These must be properly inserted to jam the ear canal for sufficient protection. Custom moulded, pre-moulded or mouldable ear plugs are available. They are available in reusable or disposable forms. Moreover, they are less expensive, easy to use, and more comfortable in damp or warm work areas than muffs.

Semi–insert plugs – It comprises of two ear plugs that can be held on the ends of ear canals using a firm headband.

Ear muffs – It comprises of sound attenuating material with soft ear cushions, which fits around your ears and outer cups held firmly by headband. They vary in material, dome depth, and headband force. The headband should fit snugly to maintain proper seal but not be too tight. Muffs are more protective than plugs but are very expensive.

Picking a suitable hearing protector is a personal choice and depends on many factors like noise level, comfort, and suitability for both the employee and work environment. The most vital thing is that the muffs must offer the required noise reduction.

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