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Hearing Protection – don’t risk over-protection

hearing protection over-protection

“I would like a hearing protector that blocks out all noise”

Why over-protection is just as bad as under-protection, or even worse!

If we got a dollar for every-time a client asks us: “Can I get the hearing protection that blocks out all sound?”, we would be very rich!

If clients call us, with a question to provide them with a HPD (Hearing Protection Device) that reduces the most sound in a workplace or similar environment, we usually advise against it. Instead we try to find out what the best or the optimal hearing protection is for the clients’ specific situation. This is more often than not, not the earbud that has the highest decibel rating.

Let us explain why...

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Easy Noise Calculation: How to calculate your 8 hour equivalent (LAeq,8h)

Noise exposure and Hearing Protection Class selection:

Selection of hearing protection is based on the eight hour equivalent (LAeq,8h) and not on a peak level. To find the right LAeq,8h you can use the calculator below, and fill in the noise levels at your workplace and how much time you spend in those levels. Please use realistic figures.

For example: An angle grinder that produces 110 dB, is not operated for 8 hours a day, but normally only a couple of minutes of time spread over the day, which can add up to, say 1 hour actively operating it. The time in between might be spent with changing work pieces, welding, reading drawings, communication etc.

The calculator, selection criteria and other recommendations are based on the same methods as recommended by the Department of Labour.

 

Click here to open the eight hour equivalent calculator.

 

It is important to select hearing protection from the correct class, as underprotection is unsafe and overprotection is unsafe as well! Overprotection causes discomfort and acoustical isolation as well as difficult communication.

If Hearing protection is not worn 100% of the time, effectiveness is reduced dramatically. I.e. 5 minutes in a full day not worn in the noise reduces the overall protection by 40%.

Noise does not only develop hearing damage, but also fatigue, sleeping problems, irritation, misjudgements, etc.

The Department of Labour uses 85 dB as an acceptable exposure level. This is not 100% safe and a percentage of the workforce will still develop a certain level of hearing damage.

At 80 dB Laeq,8h, which is in a lot of other countries the acceptable level, only around 2% of the workforce is expected to develop some hearing damage. Every 3 db increase in Leaq8h the allowed exposure time halves I.e. 8 hour at 85 dB is “acceptable” without hearing protection. At 88 dB this is only 4 hours. At 91 dB, 2 hours etc.

We can offer you a suitable product for evey situation as we have custom made earplugs from Class 1 and up, including Class 5 earplug