Hearing Protection

Noise-induced hearing loss is permanent and painless, so you don’t notice it until it’s too late. Hearing protection only works if it’s worn correctly, every time it’s loud.

• Construction
• General Industry

Is it too loud?

A quick rule: if you have to raise your voice to be heard by someone about 3 feet away, it’s probably loud enough to need hearing protection. Other signs: ringing in your ears or muffled hearing after work. See Noise & Hearing Loss for exposure limits.

Types

• Foam earplugs: high protection, cheap, disposable. Must be rolled and inserted correctly.
• Pre-molded reusable plugs: washable; come in sizes.
• Banded plugs: easy to put on and take off for short, on-and-off exposures.
• Earmuffs: easy to fit; can attach to hard hats. Glasses and hair can break the seal.
• Electronic or communication muffs: block loud noise but let you hear voices and alarms.

How to insert foam earplugs

1. With clean hands, roll the plug into a thin, tight cylinder.
2. Reach over your head with the opposite hand and pull the top of your ear up and back to straighten the ear canal.
3. Slide the plug in so most of it is inside the canal.
4. Hold it in with a fingertip for 20 to 30 seconds while it expands.
5. Check: your own voice should sound deeper and muffled. If half the plug sticks out, redo it.

What the NRR really means

OSHA tells its inspectors to estimate real-world protection like this: subtract 7 from the NRR, then divide by 2. A foam earplug with an NRR of 33 gives roughly (33 − 7) ÷ 2 = 13 decibels of protection in practice. When you wear plugs and muffs together, add about 5 decibels to the higher-rated one, not the two NRRs added together.

Some employers now do earplug fit testing, using a quick test to measure how much protection you actually get. It’s the best way to know your plugs work for you.

Hearing conservation programs

In general industry, when noise averages 85 decibels or more over an 8-hour shift, the employer must run a hearing conservation program, including:

• Noise monitoring to find out who is exposed
• A baseline hearing test (audiogram) and a test every year after
• A choice of hearing protectors at no cost, with help fitting them
• Yearly training on noise and protection
• Follow-up if a hearing test shows a significant change

Construction rules are less detailed but still require hearing protection and an effective program when noise exceeds the limits. See Noise & Hearing Loss.

Don’t over-protect

Too much protection can make it hard to hear warnings, backup alarms and coworkers. Pick protection that brings noise down to a safe level, not to silence. Electronic muffs and level-dependent plugs help on sites where communication matters.

Do’s and don’ts

• Put protection on before entering the noisy area, and keep it on.
• Replace foam plugs daily, or when dirty. Replace muff cushions when they are hard or cracked.

• Don’t use cotton balls or earbuds as hearing protection.
• Don’t listen to music in earbuds to drown out noise; it adds to your exposure and blocks warnings.

Last updated: October 1, 2026