Electronic & Communication Hearing Protection
Regular earplugs and earmuffs block sound, which can make it harder to hear talking, alarms and approaching equipment. Electronic hearing protection uses small microphones and speakers to let useful sounds through and shut out harmful loud noise, and some models add radios and headsets. They can make workers more willing to keep hearing protection on.
- Construction
- General Industry
- Equipment Operators
Types
- Level-dependent (sound restoration) earmuffs and earplugs let normal sounds through at safe volumes and automatically reduce loud sounds to a safe level when noise spikes, like a nail gun or hammer.
- Active noise-cancelling headsets reduce steady low-frequency noise, such as engines, by creating opposing sound waves.
- Communication headsets have a built-in speaker and microphone for two-way radio or Bluetooth, for operators, spotters and crews.
- Passive plugs and muffs with no electronics, including those with a filter that lowers volume evenly.
Why use them
- Workers can hear instructions, back-up alarms and warning shouts while still protected.
- Radios and phone calls can go through the headset without taking protection off, which many workers do when they need to talk.
- Better comfort and awareness usually means people wear protection longer.
See Hearing Protection and Noise.
Know the ratings
- The Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) on the package comes from lab tests. Real-world protection is often lower. OSHA allows reducing the NRR by about half (and applies a different correction for some calculations) when estimating real protection. Ask your safety manager how your site estimates real-world protection.
- Electronic devices may carry an NRR for when the electronics are off or at max noise, and may show a separate “sound restoration” or “talk-through” level. Read the product label.
- Look for a maximum output limit that keeps sound reaching your ear within safe levels (often about 82 decibels at the ear for protective sound restoration).
- OSHA requires hearing protection at 90 dBA (8-hour average) and a hearing conservation program at 85 dBA. Electronic devices count as hearing protection only when they meet the noise reduction needed.
Using them well
- Fit matters. Earmuffs must seal around the ear. Long hair, glasses arms, beards and some hard hat designs can break the seal. Earplugs must be inserted deeply and correctly.
- Choose models that work with your hard hat. Some muffs clip to a helmet. See Hard Hats.
- Check batteries regularly. Dead batteries can leave the device with little or no talk-through, or may reduce protection. Carry spares.
- Keep ear cushions clean and replace them when they’re cracked or stiff.
- Adjust volume only to the level you need. Don’t turn it up so loud that it defeats the protection.
- Don’t use plain music earbuds as hearing protection.
- Don’t listen to music so loud you can’t hear alarms or coworkers, and follow your employer’s rules on headphones.
- Don’t assume electronic means more protection. Check the rating.
Limits
- Very loud continuous noise may need double protection (earplugs under muffs).
- Sound restoration won’t help you locate where a sound comes from as well as bare ears can. Use caution in traffic and around moving equipment.
- They don’t replace controlling noise at the source. See Hierarchy of Controls.
- Get regular hearing tests through your employer’s hearing conservation program.
Before each shift
- Device turned on, battery good, talk-through working
- Cushions and plugs clean and undamaged
- Good seal with hard hat and glasses
- Radio channel and volume set
- Know who to tell if something doesn’t work
Standards & references
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