AVIT Hearing protection

Product Code: AV13010

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Product Description

EN352-2

  • Cord attachment prevents accidental loss
  • Tapered foam for easy insertion and removal
  • Polymer foam compresses and expands for a perfect fit

How can I protect my hearing at work?

The surest method of preventing occupational deafness is to reduce noise at the source by engineering methods. However, in certain workplace conditions, there is very little or nothing one can do to reduce noise at the source. In such workplaces, workers wear hearing protectors to reduce the amount of noise reaching the ears.


What are some things I should know about selecting hearing protection devices?

People should wear a hearing protector if the noise or sound level at the workplace exceeds 85 decibels (A-weighted) or dB(A). Hearing protectors reduce the noise exposure level and the risk of hearing loss.

If hearing protection is required, then a complete hearing conservation program should be instituted. A hearing conservation program includes noise assessment, hearing protector selection, employee training and education, audiometric testing, maintenance, inspection, record keeping, and program evaluation.

The effectiveness of hearing protection is reduced greatly if the hearing protectors do not fit properly or if they are worn only part time during periods of noise exposure. To maintain their effectiveness, they should not be modified. Remember, radio headsets are not substitutes for hearing protectors and should not be worn where hearing protectors are required to protect against exposure to noise.

Select hearing protection that is:

  • Correct for the job. Refer to the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Standard Z94.2-02 (Reaffirmed 2007) "Hearing Protection Devices - Performance, Selection, Care and Use" or contact the agency responsible for occupational health and safety legislation in your jurisdiction for more information.
  • Provides adequate protection. Check the manufacturer's literature.
  • Comfortable enough to be accepted and worn.


What types of hearing protectors are available?

Ear plugs are inserted to block the ear canal. They may be premolded (preformed) or moldable (foam ear plugs). Ear plugs are sold as disposable products or reusable plugs. Custom molded ear plugs are also available.

Semi-insert ear plugs which consist of two ear plugs held over the ends of the ear canal by a rigid headband.

Ear muffs consist of sound-attenuating material and soft ear cushions that fit around the ear and hard outer cups. They are held together by a head band.


How do I pick my hearing protectors?

The choice of hearing protectors is a very personal one and depends on a number of factors including level of noise, comfort, and the suitability of the hearing protector for both the worker and his environment. Most importantly, the hearing protector should provide the desired noise reduction. It is best, where protectors must be used, to provide a choice of a number of different types to chose from.

If the noise exposure is intermittent, ear muffs are more desirable, since it may be inconvenient to remove and reinsert earplugs.


How can I find out how much a hearing protector can reduce a worker's exposure to noise?

Manufacturers provide information about the noise reducing capability of a hearing protector as an NRR (noise reduction rating) number. The NRR ratings are based on noise reduction obtained in laboratory conditions.


How do I use Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) value to determine the protection provided by a hearing protector?

NIOSH recommends using subject fit data based on ANSI S12.6-1997 [or most current edition] to estimate hearing protector noise attenuation.

If subject fit data are not available, NIOSH recommends derating hearing protectors by a factor that corresponds to the available real-world data. Specifically, NIOSH recommends that the labeled NRRs be derated as follows:

  • Earmuffs - Subtract 25% from the manufacturer's labeled NRR
  • Formable earplugs - Subtract 50% from the manufacturer's labeled NRR
  • All other earplugs - Subtract 70% from the manufacturers labeled NRR

1. When the noise exposure level in dBC is known, the effective A-weighted noise level (ENL) is:

ENL [dB(A)] = Workplace noise level in dBC - derated NRR

2. When the noise exposure level in dB(A ) is known, the effective A-weighted noise level is:

ENL = Workplace noise level in dB(A) - (derated NRR -7)

There are other single number ratings available. For details refer to the Canadian Standard CSA Z94.2. Another single number rating is based on (Subject Fit) Real Ear Attenuation measurements, known as Single Number Rating (Subject Fit 84th percentile) and abbreviated as SNR (SF 84) (for details see ANSI Standard S12.6). "SF 84" indicates that 84% of the users in a well run hearing conservation program are expected to receive at least that much protection.


What is a Single Number Rating (SNR)?

An SNR is a single number rating system determined according to International Standard ISO 4869. The tests are carried out by commercial laboratories that are independent of the manufacturers. Like NRRs, SNRs are expressed in dB's and are used as a guide for comparing the potential noise reduction capability of different hearing protection devices. Since the procedures for measuring NRRs and SNRs are different, the NRR and SNR values for an individual hearing protector are different. For further details please refer to the Canadian Standard CSA Z94.2 or American Standard ANSI S12.6.


What are the advantages and limitations of ear plugs and ear muffs?

There are advantages and disadvantages associated with the use of either ear muffs and ear plugs.

Ear plugs can be mass-produced or individually molded to fit the ear, and they can be reusable or disposable. On the positive side, they are simple to use, less expensive than muffs, and more comfortable in hot or damp work areas. On the negative side, they provide less protection than some muffs, and should not be used in areas having noise levels over 105 dB(A) (A-weighted decibels). They are not as visible as muffs and a supervisor cannot readily check to see if workers are wearing them. They must be properly inserted to provide adequate protection.

Ear muffs can vary with respect to the material and depth of the dome, and the force of the headband. The deeper and heavier the dome, the greater the low-frequency attenuation provided by the protector. The headband must fit tightly enough to maintain a proper seal, yet not be too tight for comfort. On the positive side, ear muffs can usually provide greater protection than plugs, although this is not always true. They are easier to fit, generally more durable than plugs, and they have replaceable parts. On the negative side, they are more expensive, and often less comfortable than plugs, especially in hot work areas. In areas where noise levels are very high, muffs and plugs can be worn together to give better protection.