Hearing Protection

Hearing damage often occurs without you noticing it. It starts with having trouble hearing, especially in noisy environments. If you regularly have to raise your voice at work, that’s usually a sign that the noise level is too high.

Noise-induced hearing loss is usually permanent. It can lead to tinnitus, hearing impairment, reduced concentration, and an increased risk of accidents.

Risks of Noise at Work

Prolonged exposure to noise is a major cause of hearing damage. Even short, loud noise spikes—such as gunshots, explosions, or nail guns—can cause immediate hearing loss. In extreme cases, they can even damage the eardrum.

The risk increases further when noise is combined with vibrations or with substances that are harmful to hearing, such as ototoxic substances and certain solvents.

Hearing Protection and Safety

Noise affects not only health but also safety. Poor audibility of alarm signals, warnings, or colleagues increases the risk of accidents, especially when combined with stress and a hectic work environment.

RI&E and Legal Limit Values

The RI&E determines whether hearing protection is necessary. It assesses the noise level, duration of exposure, and type of work.

Key thresholds:

• From 80 dB(A) or 135 dB(C) peak: provide hearing protection
• At or above 85 dB(A) or 137 dB(C) peak: wearing hearing protection is mandatory
• 87 dB(A) or 140 dB(C) peak: maximum exposure limit (including attenuation)

This limit value must never be exceeded. If it is exceeded, the employer must take immediate action.

Use and Responsibility

Employees are required to use the provided hearing protection correctly. Exposure to noise also requires periodic hearing tests (audiometry), often as part of a PMO.

Proper instruction and supervision are necessary to ensure correct use.

Actual attenuation in practice

The attenuation values listed on packaging are laboratory values. In practice, the level of protection may be lower due to fit, movement, eyeglasses, facial hair, or use in combination with other PPE.

A good guideline is a residual noise level at the ear of approximately 70–80 dB(A). Levels below 70 dB(A) can hinder communication and the ability to hear alarm signals.

Hearing Protection Standards

The basic standard for hearing protection is the EN 352 series:

• Earmuffs
• Earplugs
• Earmuffs for mounting on safety helmets

Electronic features, such as level-dependent attenuation or communication, are specified in supplementary parts of EN 352.

Hearing protection falls under PPE Category III (EU 2016/425). This means that there are risks of potentially permanent health damage and that additional certification and supervision are required. 

Types of hearing protection

There are three main types of hearing protection: earplugs, earmuffs, and custom-fit earplugs. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Earplugs

Earplugs are practical for varied work tasks and warm weather. Correct insertion is crucial but difficult to verify. As a result, the required attenuation is not always achieved.

Earmuffs

Earmuffs provide stable and reliable attenuation, especially at higher noise levels. Wearing them for long periods can feel hot and requires proper maintenance of the cushions and attenuation material.

Custom-Fit Ear Molds

Custom-fit earplugs are often equipped with filters. They offer a good balance between protection and communication and are very comfortable to wear. Regular inspection and maintenance remain important.

Combinations and Electronics

Combining hearing protection does not mean that attenuation values simply add up. Sound can also reach the ear through other pathways, such as bone conduction.

Level-dependent hearing protection helps keep speech and alarm signals audible while limiting harmful noise.

Effective hearing protection policy

A good policy goes beyond simply providing PPE. It requires collaboration between the employer, the safety officer, the occupational health and safety service, the supplier, and the user.

From source control and risk assessment to selection, instruction, fit testing, monitoring, and periodic evaluation. By properly organizing this process, the risk of work-related hearing loss is demonstrably reduced.