There are two basic types of hearing protection devices: Earplugs, and “earmuff” hearing protectors. Each of the two types has its advantages and disadvantages, and each is appropriate for various situations and according to your individual preferences. But to get the maximum possible level of hearing protection, there are times when you might want to double up and wear two types of hearing protection at once.
What Does Double Hearing Protection Consist Of?
Double hearing protection means wearing both earmuffs and earplugs at the same time. With Eastragon hearing protection, earplugs and earmuffs can be worn at the same time without conflict.
How Much Extra Hearing Protection Do You Get?
The degree of extra protection can vary widely, but typically the combined noise reduction rating (NRR) will be about 4 to 8 decibels (dB) higher than the higher of the two individual NRRs. For example, if the earplugs have an NRR of 25, and the ear muffs have an NRR of 21, the combined NRR might be between 29 and 33 dB. As a rule of thumb, an improvement of 5 dB is often assumed, for a combined NRR of 30 in this example.
This 4 to 8 dB of additional protection translates into a 60% to 85% reduction in sound intensity, a marked reduction in the risk of hearing damage.
Which One Is More Important, Plugs or Muffs?
Typically the earplugs will have a higher NRR than the earmuffs, so they are the more critical component of a double protection system. To get the best hearing protection from a dual system:
- First, choose an earplug with a high NRR (normally a foam earplug).
- Pick an earmuff that is comfortable for you to wear; it can be lightweight and inexpensive. Research has shown* that once an adequate earplug has been selected, the amount of further protection that the earmuff can contribute is about the same regardless of the specific muffs selected.
- Be sure to insert the earplugs properly, following the instructions.
If the noise being protected against is all in the high-frequency range (above 2000 hertz), most combinations of earplugs and earmuffs will give an equivalent level of protection.
Is There Any Benefit to Wearing Ear Plugs under Electronic Hearing Protectors?
Yes. Just as in ordinary ear muffs, the protection provided by electronic hearing protectors is due to the sound-blocking material in the ear cups, not the electronics. (The electronics are there to transmit and/or amplify low-level sounds so that you can still hear them.) So just as with regular passive earmuffs, earplugs can offer an extra level of protection (although the sounds that are electronically transmitted will lose some of their clarity).