Whether you’re looking for basic foam ear plugs or more advanced noise canceling earmuffs, you can protect your ears and your hearing while you build, create or renovate with top-rated ear protection from Ace.
Keep reading to discover what form of ear protection is right for you and how noise reduction ratings provide crucial and specific information for both earplugs and earmuffs needed for special tools and jobs.
What Form of Ear Protection is Right for Me?
There are different types of ear protectors available with varied protection depending on the amount of noise you’re exposed to and how often you need to use your hearing protection.
Protective ear equipment is divided into two major types: disposable and reusable. Find out more about each type below to decide which is right for you.
Disposable Ear Plugs
Disposable foam ear plugs are convenient in that you can quickly squash them into your ear where they conform to your ear canal and then easily dispose of them after your job is done. Their small size and lightweight foam design make them affordable and easy to transport and keep on hand as well. Most foam ear plugs help protect against harmful noises that are at 85 dB and above.
Reusable Ear Plugs
Reusable ear protection includes devices such as noise canceling earmuffs with Bluetooth capability, banded ear plugs that you can wash and clean and nylon or silicone ear plugs that offer excellent noise reduction. Many people find reusable earmuffs to be more comfortable than standard disposable ear plugs too, especially when the top-rated products include adjustable, vented headband designs that reduce heat build and improve comfort when worn with hats.
What is a Noise Reduction Rating?
The noise reduction rating (NRR) is the amount of sound that a given piece of equipment can effectively block out. The rating number lets you know how effective the form of protection is at reducing noise levels.
Different types of ear protection offer a range of noise reduction capabilities and ratings depending on the snugness of fit. If you need more noise reduction and protection, look for a higher NRR.
How Much Noise Reduction Do I Need?
The amount of noise reduction you need depends on the noise levels of your surrounding environment. A typical construction site has around 100 decibels of sound pressure (dB(A)), while your average city has roughly 50 decibels.
An ear protection device with an NRR of 22 is effective at reducing noise in reasonably loud environments, like stadium events, for adults and kids. In construction zones, you may want a higher NRR of 31 or 33 to make sure you’re appropriately protected.
Selecting Noise Reduction Equipment
The vast majority of ear protection equipment ranges between an NRR of 20–33 decibels of noise protection. The higher the number, the greater the amount of noise protection offered. Top brands including 3M, Milwaukee and Plugfones offer a range of products at different NRRs for every situation.
If you aren’t sure how high of an NRR you need to protect yourself in specific environments, you can consult the manufacturer of the protective tool or stop by your local Ace to chat with our helpful staff and determine the range of noise levels you may be exposed to during your next event or job.
Find More Safety Protection and Gear at Ace
While you’re protecting your ears, double up and protect your eyes with a pair of safety glasses that will help block loose debris from tools and machinery. Browse even more safety gear online or at your neighborhood Ace to ensure that you start your next home project with the proper protective equipment.
