Hearing protection

What is noise and what are its consequences?

Noise is one of the most common risk factors in the workplace that can have long-term negative effects on health. Continuous exposure to loud sounds leads to gradual hearing damage, and hearing loss is often not immediately noticeable, as it occurs gradually. Prolonged exposure to noise levels above 85 dB can cause permanent hearing damage, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), or even decreased concentration and increased fatigue. In extreme cases, excessive noise can contribute to stress, high blood pressure, or even cardiovascular problems.

There are various types of protective equipment that help reduce noise levels and minimize the risk of hearing damage. The most commonly used are earplugs, earmuffs, and helmet-mounted ear protection, which are designed to effectively dampen harmful sounds while allowing important signals or communication with colleagues to be heard. Proper hearing protection should be a standard part of safety equipment in environments where noise exceeds safe limits, and its use should not be underestimated.

Benefits of hearing protectors

Best protection against harmful noise

Active suppression of high-pitched sounds

Various forms of protection, from earplugs to earmuffs

Comfortable and non-restrictive protectors

Modern earmuffs offer Bluetooth connectivity

How to protect your hearing? You can choose earplugs and earmuffs

Hearing protection is essential when working in a noisy environment where the noise level exceeds safe values. There are several options for effectively protecting your hearing – earplugs, work earmuffs, and helmet-mounted earmuffs. Each of these types has its advantages and is suitable for different working conditions. The choice of the right protection depends on the noise level, comfort during wear, and the specific requirements of the workplace.

How many decibels are harmful? Noise levels at the workplace

To begin with, it is important to note that decibels increase logarithmically, not linearly! This means that when the noise level increases by 3 dB, the loudness doubles.

A level of 80 dB is already potentially dangerous. Of course, much depends on the duration – the longer our ears are exposed to noise, the greater the risk of damage. Regular concerts typically reach 100 dB, where hearing damage can occur within 7 minutes. A critical level of 140 dB can result in almost immediate deafness.

Moderate noise range

• 10 dB – distant rustling of leaves in a light breeze
• 20 dB – ticking of a wristwatch, quiet nature in still air
• 30 dB – soft whisper
• 40 dB – quiet apartment noise, rain, muffled conversation, quiet dishwasher
• 50 dB – daytime street, quieter washing machine
• 60 dB – normal speech
• 70 dB – car engine, noisy street, phone ringing

Risk range of noise

• 80 dB – shouting, busy traffic, hair dryer, vacuum cleaner
• 90 dB - moving train, loud music, leaf blower
• 100 dB – chainsaw, jackhammer, motorcycle at full speed

Critical noise range

• 110 dB - nightclub, loud concert
• 120 dB - jet engine startup, fireworks blast
• 130 dB - grenade explosion
• 140 dB - jet engine up close, gunshot at 1 m distance

We use our hearing continuously. It never takes a break and cannot be turned off. Every day, we are constantly exposed to noise – whether it's noise at work, traffic noise, or the noise at a concert we attend in our free time. Our hearing is thus under constant strain.

This daily exposure to noise can lead to irreversible hearing damage due to sound. However, it's not just about the adverse effects on our hearing – noise also represents a strain on our entire body. Noise affects the whole body on a subconscious level and can cause difficulties in concentration, gastrointestinal issues, high blood pressure, and an increased risk of heart attack.

You can measure workplace noise with your mobile

Want to check how noisy your workplace is? Measure the noise level at your workplace with a mobile app. You can use the simple Soundmeter app (Sound Meter) on Google Play or App Store.

Standards in the hearing protection category: List and definitions

Hearing protection is essential in environments with high noise levels to prevent permanent hearing damage. To ensure effective hearing protection, personal protective equipment is used, which must meet certain standards and requirements. In Europe, these standards are defined by the EN 352 series, which set general and specific requirements for various types of hearing protectors.

Work earmuffs with Bluetooth: Connect your phone or radio

Modern work earmuffs with Bluetooth provide a combination of hearing protection and comfort for communication or listening to the radio or music. They are ideal for workers who spend long hours in noisy environments but still need to stay in touch with their team or access important information without having to remove the earmuffs.

These earmuffs allow wireless connection to a mobile phone or other devices via Bluetooth, eliminating the need for cables that could restrict movement while working. Many models come with an integrated noise-canceling microphone, making it possible to make phone calls even in high-noise environments.

Shooting earmuffs are more compact and narrower

Shooting earmuffs are specially designed to protect hearing from impulsive noise created by gunshots. They are more compact, lighter, and narrower than regular work earmuffs, so they don’t interfere with handling firearms or wearing other protective equipment such as shooting glasses or helmets.

Unlike regular hearing protectors, they don’t block all sounds, but intelligently regulate them. Most modern shooting earmuffs are equipped with active electronic noise reduction, which allows hearing normal ambient sounds, such as communication with others or environmental noises, while instantly suppressing harmful sounds to a safe level during a gunshot.

Protective equipment is not just hearing protection, but also glasses and helmets

When working in hazardous conditions, it is important to protect not only hearing but also sight and head. Protective glasses provide protection against dust, splinters, chemicals, and other dangerous substances, with clear, smoke, or polarized lenses available depending on the work environment. Protective helmets are essential, especially in construction, industry, and forestry, where they protect the head from falling objects and impacts. Many modern helmets allow for the attachment of integrated shields, lights, or hearing protectors, offering comprehensive protection at the workplace. A combination of work earmuffs, protective glasses, and a helmet ensures maximum safety when working in demanding conditions.