Earplugs naturally dampen and muffle incoming sounds, meaning you don’t need to crank up your headphone volume to hear clearly. By keeping the volume at a lower, safer level, you reduce the risk of noise-induced hearing loss over time. Essentially, earplugs act as an extra layer of protection for your ears.

While measures such as selecting quieter equipment, installing engineering controls like silencers, or rearranging the workspace to distance employees from noise sources can reduce noise levels, hearing protection becomes essential when noise cannot be completely eliminated.

Passive Earmuffs: The most common type, passive earmuffs use insulation materials to physically block sound waves. They are effective in environments with consistent noise levels.

NRR is an abbreviation for Noise Reduction Rating. The NRR is a number measured in decibels (dB). Its intended use is to help consumers compare the amount of noise being reduced by hearing protection devices.

Hypoallergenic: The earplugs' silicone material is hypoallergenic and safe for sensitive people. Moreover, because they don’t contain latex, they are safe for people allergic to it. Ideal for swimming and water-related activities: Silicone is waterproof, which makes these earplugs the best choice for swimmers.

Staying Informed: Consistent exposure to loud noise poses a threat to your hearing. Monitoring sound levels during performances can mitigate the risks associated with excessive exposure.

Since earplugs fit right in the ear, they're better at noise reduction than earmuffs. This makes earplugs better in loud workspaces such as factories and airports. Their compact size makes them ideal for people who use them recreationally. Earplugs work more effectively in combination with other safety gear.

Active hearing protection devices usually provide higher protection as they come with electrical or digital components attenuating the surrounding sounds, complete with independent volume controls. However, that doesn’t necessarily make them a better option every time.

Exposure to high levels of noise can lead to permanent hearing damage. Whether you're working in a noisy environment, attending loud events, or participating in noisy hobbies, proper hearing protection is essential. Both earmuffs and earplugs are designed to reduce noise exposure and prevent hearing loss.

The first consideration when choosing a hearing protector is ensuring it provides enough noise reduction to lower your exposure to a safe level. Fortunately, most industrial noise exposures are below 95 dBA, meaning most workers only need about 10 dB of noise reduction to meet the Exposure Limit of 85 dBA.