Block Sound With The Best Hearing Protections
-
3M WorkTunes Connect + Gel Cushions Wireless Hearing Protection -
Peltor Sport Ultimate Hearing Protector -
3M Kids Hearing Protection -
Howard Leight Ear Protection for Shooting -
Howard Leight Ultra Lightweight Hearing Protection -
Pro Mag Gold NRR 33 Electronic Ear Muffs -
Buyer's Guide
Protecting your hearing is just about one of the most important things in life that you can do. Constant exposure to loud noises above 85dB can cause gradual degradation in your hearing, leading to eventual permanent hearing loss. Exposure to sounds around 120dB and above can instantly damage your hearing. You'd be surprised at what kinds of sounds register above damaging levels, from the obvious examples such as gunshots and jet engines at close range to more mundane activities such as running a lawnmower or walking in city traffic.
There are different styles of hearing protection from cheap foam plugs inserted into your ear to noise-blocking muffs that cover your ears completely. Plugs are not recommended for long-term hearing protection, as damaging vibrations and waves can still enter your ear canal through areas around your ear. Muffs do a better job of preventing soundwaves from doing damage. The costlier units offer varying degrees of electronic amplification, which means that those earmuffs use built-in microphones to amplify low-level noise while still cutting out sound above 82dB which can damage your hearing. We've compiled a list of best hearing protections in 2022.
Here are the best hearing protections of 2022
3M WorkTunes Connect + Gel Cushions Wireless Hearing Protection - Best Hearing Protection Overall
3M WorkTunes Connect is one of the best-performing hearing protectors on the market today with a high NRR of 23. These muffs fit comfortably without being overly snug. These headsets are great for any activity that requires noise protection: construction, lawn mowing, home/garden work, and even listening to music. The Bluetooth technology lets you connect the headset to any smart device, so you can stream music or podcasts while on the job. The headband and cutouts make the set comfortable and practical because you can easlily wear with a hat.
Peltor Sport Ultimate Hearing Protector - Runner Up
The Peltor Sport Ultimate Hearing Protector is a multi-purpose hearing protection ear muff with a high noise reduction rating (NRR) of 30 dB. These muffs can be used for protection in loud industrial settings as well as occasional impulse noises, such as from impact drivers or gunshots. The cup seals are made of soft, lightweight foam, and the headband is adjustable which makes it comfortable to wear for long periods of time. These hearing protectors are also extremely affordable, making them an excellent value proposition.
3M Kids Hearing Protection - Best For Kids
The amazing noise reduction features of these hearing protectors allow your kids to enjoy fireworks, truck shows, or concerts without being scared by loud sounds. If you have a child aged 3+ who is afraid of loud music or noise, you can trust the 22 dB noise reduction rating of this set. These premium quality hearing protectors are padded to cushion your little ones ears while providing long-lasting comfort.
The flexible headband allows you to adjust for a secure fit on your child's head. The foldable design transforms the protector into a compact size, allowing you to keep it in your car or bag.
Howard Leight Ear Protection for Shooting - Honorable Mention
If you've gone shooting or hunting before, you've probably seen at least a couple people wearing Howard Leight Impact Sport muffs. These earmuffs are popular because of their low-profile design which interfere less with rifle and shotgun stocks. They also include built-in microphones which allow normal conversation, as well as acute hearing capabilities when the volume knob is turned up. The aux input means you can connect music players or other devices to the muffs and use them like noise-reducing headphones. However, the Impact Sport muffs are ranked below the Leightning L3 because of the lower NRR of 22. While still adequate for most tasks that require hearing protection, you may want to double up with ear plugs when shooting indoors or firing magnum caliber pistols and rifles.
Howard Leight Ultra Lightweight Hearing Protection - Consider
If you like the form factor of the Howard Leight Impact Sport muffs but prefer higher noise reduction over the electronic noise management, the smallest and lightest model from the Leightning line should be your top pick. Featuring a similar lightweight, low-profile folding design as the more expensive Impact Sport muffs, the L0F reduces interference with shouldering long guns. These muffs provide up to 23 dB of noise reduction, and the lack of complicated electronic circuitry allows the price to come down to about half that of the Impact Sport.
Pro Mag Gold NRR 33 Electronic Ear Muffs - Consider
Many sport shooters find themselves in situations where both maximum hearing protection is required and important conversation needs to happen. Where other electronic muffs simply shut off noise amplification in the event of a loud noise, the Pro Ears Pro-Mag Gold muffs allow normal, uninterrupted conversation while providing up to 33 dB of noise reduction. This is done through expensive, complicated circuitry and sound processing which explains the huge price tag, though ultimately it's up to you to decide whether the extra cost is worth it. The padded leather seals are vastly more comfortable than plastic or vinyl used in cheaper units and allow the muffs to be worn all day without concern for sweat or fatigue.
Buyer's Guide
If you are working at a place where noise levels are of high frequency, then the ambient sound can surely damage your sense of hearing. It is a matter of concern in construction areas, woodworking, demolition, textile manufacture where there's a lot of hazardous noise that can lead to permanent loss of perceiving sounds. In such cases, you need hearing protection devices to protect yourself from being deaf.
Currently, there are a host of ear protection devices available in the market, but choosing one that fulfils your requirements and suits your profession is a daunting task. In this article, we will shed light on the types of ear protectors and points to consider before getting your hands on the best hearing protection.
Which Type of Hear Protection is Ideal For You?
Hearing protection devices are meant to reduce the amount of noise exposure to our ears. This reduction of noise level is known as attenuation and is measured in Decibels(dB). Different ear protection devices have different Noise Reduction Ratings (NRR). Here are the types of ear protections based on their NRR and other factors.
Earmuffs
If you don't like the idea of something stuck into the ear for an extended amount of time, then earmuffs are the best choice. Earmuffs seem similar to headphones and are designed to cover the outer area of the ear. These ear protectors are cushioned with foam or liquid connected by an adjustable headband. They can give NRR up to 31dB.
Advantages:
- Frees up from “plugged up†feeling
- Reusable
- Ready to wear (No customization or fitting required)
- Comes in different sizes and styles
Disadvantages:
- Expensive
- Needs to be cleaned daily
- Less Portable
- Heats up after sometime
Disposable Earplugs
Disposable earplugs are normally made of soft, flexible foam that can be compressed in a tube with hands to adjust in the ear canal and then it expands automatically to form a noise-resistant layer. The maximum NRR of disposable earplugs is 33dB.
Advantages:
- Low-cost
- Ready to wear (No customization or fitting required)
- Low maintenance
- Available online and in stores
Disadvantages:
- Cannot be reused as it catches dirt and oil after first use
- Hands should be cleaned properly before use to avoid germs entering the lobe
- Have to use it patiently to avoid deforming
Reusable Earplugs
Reusable earplugs are designed by making the use of silicone or rubber. It comes in a pre-molded shape to fit the ear. These earplugs come in different shapes and sizes and are commonly in cone or flanged shape. The highest NRR of reusable earplugs is 33dB.
Advantages:
- Easy to use
- Reusable
- Available in different sizes
Disadvantages:
- Must be washed and dried properly before next use.
- Pre-molded shape
What Things Should You Keep in Consideration Before Buying Hearing Protection?
Proper Fit and Comfort
When it comes to the best hearing protector, the most valuable feature is comfort and fit. Since you have to work for longer intervals, looking for what makes you feel comfortable and fits your ear properly is important. If hearing protection is large enough to fit in your ears or let in too much noise, then spending on them is the wrong approach. Hence, you need to grab a pair that feels right to you without being hassled by the trends, shapes and sizes.
Noise Reduction Rating (NRR)
Noise reduction rating denotes the number of decibels of sound that your ear protection can potentially reduce. Though it is difficult to consider the exact Noise Reduction Rating due to the different noise levels, it is recommended that the total noise under the ear protection must be less than 85 decibels.
However, expecting your ear protection gear to suppress much noise level would not be a good idea. Any noise protectant can decrease the noise only by 35-40 decibels, but that doesn't mean they are of no use. Suppose you are working at a construction site where the sound pitch is 100 decibels. Using earplugs or earmuffs can reduce the noise level by 40 decibels. So the effective noise is 60 decibels, which is way less than 85-90 decibels.
Light in Weight, Compact and Portable
Choose a lightweight hearing protection gear that your neck and ear can easily handle. Otherwise, it can strain your neck. Earplugs can be carried effortlessly as they are compact and light in weight. However, earmuffs are not compact, making them difficult to carry around. It is recommended to buy earmuffs that can be easily folded to fit in your work bag.
Durability
Investing in hearing protection gear over and over again can be quite expensive and frustrating. So, always pick one that lasts long and is budget-friendly. Though disposable earplugs are meant to be used only one time, people still don’t hesitate to reuse them. If you are also one of them, then we suggest purchasing a pair of reusable earplugs that have a durability of at least one month and can be used on a regular basis.
While purchasing earmuffs, check their band pliability. If you find a metal one within your budget, grab it without a second thought. Avoid earmuffs made of plastic as they are more prone to breakage. Last but not least is the earpads of the earmuffs that get defected in the first place. Therefore, while spending on earmuffs, check if the earpads are replaceable so that you don't have to purchase the pair again.
Final Words
Good health is the basic requirement of human life. If you are employed at a place where the noise frequency is high, it is crucial to opt for the best hearing protection for your healthy present as well as future. We hope this article has provided you with tons of information to find the best product according to your preferences.
Hearing Protection FAQ
Q: How much should be the Noise Reduction Rate?
A: The best NRR is considered to be 30 decibels, which you can easily get using earplugs. But for the safe side, if you cover them up with earmuffs that offer 31 decibels of noise reduction, you can get an average NRR of 36dB.
Q: What noise level can damage the sense of hearing?
A: The recommended noise level is below 70 decibels. But if it exceeds 70 dB, then it can be hazardous for your ears.
Q: Are earmuffs better than earplugs?
A: Earmuffs and earplugs have their own pros and cons. It completely depends on your comfort zone and workplace. If your earmuffs fit perfectly, but they don’t suit your profession, then they are of no use. The same goes for the earplugs
