Stop irreversible damage from noise pollution before it starts with our wide variety of hearing protection earplugs, head bands and ear muffs.

Scroll down to the bottom of your page to learn more about Noise Reduction Ratings ( NRRs).

Types of Hearing Protection

• Disposable - An economical and convenient choice for work situations that demand a high degree of comfort, frequent changes, or where hygiene presents a problem for use.
• Reusable - Ideal for environments where workers can retain and store earplugs for reuse over time, reducing waste and saving money.
• Banded - Ideal for workers who are intermittently exposed to noise and/or frequently remove their earplugs, the band design allows for easy removal and insertion of plugs.
• Metal Detectable - Certain industries, including Food & Beverage Processing, require earplugs with visual and/or metal detectability features to prevent process contamination.
• Corded - In many environments, workers need to remove their earplugs during the course of a day's work. We offer a wide selection of products with cords that make removing and refitting more convenient, and reduce lost earplugs.

  How to use earplugs properly

  • Read and follow all earplug fitting instructions. If either or both earplugs do not seem to be fitted properly, remove the earplug and reinsert.
  • To safely remove earplug, gently twist while slowly pulling in an outward motion.
  • Inspect earplugs prior to wear for dirt, damage or hardness. Discard immediately if compressed.
  • For proper hygiene, discard disposable/single use earplugs after use.
  • With proper maintenance, reusable earplugs can last for two - four weeks; clean with mild soap and water and store in case while not being used.
  • Clean and replace pods on banded earplugs regularly.
  
  
  Browse our Hearing Safety signs and labels!

Understanding Hearing Protection What is NRR? Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) is the measurement, in decibels (dB), of how well a hearing protector reduces noise, as specified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The higher the number, the greater the noise reduction. What are decibels? Intensity of sound is measured in decibels (dB). The scale runs from the faintest sound the human ear can detect, which is labeled 0 dB, to over 180 dB, the noise at a rocket pad during launch. Decibels are measured logarithmically. This means that as decibel intensity increases by units of 10, each increase is 10 times the lower figure. Thus, 20 decibels is 10 times the intensity of 10 decibels, and 30 decibels is 100 times as intense as 10 decibels. Decibel Level Hearing Protection Required at 85 dB or more 0 dB Faintest Sound Heard By Human Ear. 30 dB Whisper, quiet library. 60 dB Normal Conversation, sewing machine, typewriter. 90 dB Lawnmower, shop tools, forklift, truck traffic; 8 hours per day is the maximum exposure to protect 90% of people. 100 dB Chainsaw, pneumatic drill, snowmobile; 2 hours per day is the maximum exposure without protection. 115 dB Sandblasting, loud rock concert, auto horn, crying baby; 15 minutes per day is the maximum exposure without protection. 140 dB Gun muzzle blast, jet engine; noise causes pain and even brief exposure injures unprotected ears. Maximum allowed noise with hearing protection. 185 dB Rocket pad during launch, loudest animal call on earth (Blue whale). Soft tissue damage from sound waves "burning" flesh, regardless of earplugs or other hearing protection. 194 dB One ton of TNT exploding. Loudest possible sustained sound, varying plus or minus one atmosphere, enough to rupture eardrums. 210+ dB Atomic blast, meteorfall. Although it is a matter of some debate whether or not this is true sound, it can easily be lethal. What are the laws for on-the-job exposure? The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), in its Hearing Conservation Amendment of 1983, requires hearing conservation programs in noisy work places. This includes a yearly hearing test for workers exposed to an average of 85 dB or more of noise during an 8-hour work day. What does OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.95 require? OSHA Action Level-85 dBA ('A'-weighted decibel) Monitor all noise levels Annual audiometric testing for exposed workers Annual training for exposed workers A variety of suitable hearing protectors must be made available at no cost to the employees OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit-90 dBA Hearing protectors required for noise-exposed workers OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit-90 dBA TWA Hearing protectors required for all exposures over these levels: Hours Per Day 8 6 4 3 2 1.5 1 0.5 Sound Level (dBA) 90 92 95 97 100 102 105 110