Did you know that 40% of employees incorrectly select or use hearing protection? According to the HSE Research Report RR720 ‘Real world use and performance of hearing protection’, this is a significant issue. Hearing protection falls under the high-risk Category 3, alongside respiratory and fall protection. To address this critical safety challenge, we offer a comprehensive assortment of 3M products in our inventory, which meet all needs and ensure the highest standards of protection in these crucial areas.
Choose the Right Hearing Protection for Optimal Safety
Selecting the correct hearing protection is essential to ensure safety and comfort in high-noise environments. This guide explains the types of hearing protection available and what factors to consider.
Types of Hearing Protection
Passive
Earplugs: These include disposable, reusable, push-to-fit, and banded options like the 3M™ E-A-Rsoft™.
Earmuffs: Available in headband, neckband, or attachable versions such as the 3M™ PELTOR™ Optime™ series.
Electronic
In-ear solutions: Level-dependent earplugs like the 3M™ PELTOR™ EEP-100 series.
Over-the-ears: Options include two-way communication or wireless accessories like the 3M™ PELTOR™ WS™ ALERT™ series.
Considerations When Choosing Hearing Protection
Effective hearing protection involves maintaining safe noise levels, ensuring a proper fit, prioritizing comfort, balancing protection with communication needs, and ensuring compatibility with other PPE. These factors are crucial for reducing the risk of noise-induced hearing loss in high-risk environments.
1. Attenuation & Protection
Ensure the daily A-weighted noise exposure value over 8 hours is below 80 dB, ideally below 75 dB.
Target an effective A-weighted sound pressure level between 70 and 75 dB at the protected ear.
2. Fit Checking
Proper fit is crucial. Conduct objective or subjective fit tests to ensure correct fitting and achieve the desired attenuation level.
3. Comfort & Ergonomics
Comfortable hearing protection is more likely to be worn consistently, reducing the risk of exposure to harmful noise.
4. Situational Awareness & Communication
Balance speech intelligibility with protection. For users needing radios or Bluetooth® devices, electronic over-the-ear headsets are recommended.
To mitigate feelings of isolation in noisy environments, opt for electronic over-the-ear headsets.
5. Compatibility with Other PPE
Ensure hearing protection does not impair the functionality of other PPE components when used together.
Ensuring Safety with Compatible PPE Solutions
At Kramp, we prioritize your safety by providing top-quality products from 3M. Designed for compatibility, 3M products integrate seamlessly with other PPE, such as the 3M™ G3000 safety helmets and 3M™ SecureFit™ safety glasses. Their integrated solutions help customers select the right products that are both job-appropriate and user-friendly. It is crucial to use only tested and certified combinations of earmuffs and carriers (e.g., safety helmets) in accordance with the PPE Regulation 2016/425 (EU) to ensure maximum protection and compliance, as hearing is irreplaceable and must be safeguarded with the right equipment.
Need a printout on selecting the right hearing protection? Find 3M's SELECTION GUIDE here >>
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Any Questions?
Our team is there to provide expert guidance, answer any questions, and assist in selecting the most suitable 3M charger for your customers' requirements. Please feel free to reach out to our product specialists or send an email to Knowledge Center if you need any further assistance. You don't have a Kramp account and are looking for products mentioned in this article? Then find a dealer near you.
