• The two main types of hearing protectors are ear plug and earmuffs.
• Employers should consider what level of noise employees are exposed to, and what the right hearing protection devices are for those conditions.

Some types of hearing protection include:

• Single-use earplugs are made of foam, silicone rubber, or fiberglass wool. They are self-forming and, when properly inserted, work as well as most molded earplugs.
• Pre-formed or molded earplugs must be individually fitted by a professional and can be disposable or reusable. Reusable plugs should be cleaned after each use.
• Earmuffs require a perfect seal around the ear. Glasses, facial hair, long hair, or facial movements (such as chewing) may reduce the protective value of earmuffs.

What are the criteria for hearing protection?

Hearing protectors reduce only the amount of noise that gets through to the ears. The amount of this reduction is referred to as attenuation, which differs according to the type of hearing protection used and how well it fits. Hearing protectors worn by employees must reduce an employee’s noise exposure to within the acceptable limits. Thus, employers must ensure that hearing protection meets the criteria to reduce noise exposure to acceptable limits.