Earplug and Noise Reduction Ratings Explained

Earplugs and other types of hearing protection can be used to protect your hearing in a variety of environments, from noisy concerts to workplaces with loud machinery. This makes them particularly useful for anyone who experiences high noise levels at work or engages in a hobby with a lot of noise.

When you are choosing the right form of hearing protection, you will find that they have a noise reduction rating (NRR). This rating is used to indicate how much the product can reduce noise for both earplugs and earmuffs. They are classified by their potential to reduce sound in decibels to give people an easy way to compare the capacity for noise reduction in different products. There are also different types of earplugs that you might want to explore to find the right product for your needs.

Different Earplug Options

There are different types of earplugs that you can explore when you want to get the right ones for any purpose. Understanding the different types that are available will help you to make the best choice.

Some earplugs are cheap and disposable. They can be useful if you need some on occasion but don’t expect to use them often. Disposable earplugs are typically made of foam and are rolled and pinched to fit them into your ears so that they expand and block out noise. Reusable earplugs can be used multiple times and are made from more durable materials. Wax earplugs offer another moldable option, which are designed to block the entrance to the ear canal. Silicone putty earplugs are a similar option.

You can also get quality reusable earplugs that are designed to be used by musicians or anyone else who is regularly exposed to high levels of noise. These can be bought in both custom or premade types and are useful for a range of professions and hobbies to provide ear protection. Custom-made earplugs are designed to fit deeply and provide a good seal for better hearing protection.

Another option is in-ear musician monitors (IEMs), which protect the hearing while still allowing musicians to hear the music they are playing. These can also be custom-molded to the wearer’s ears, although IEMs with a universal fit are available too.

About noise reduction ratings

Earplugs and other wearable noise reduction products feature a noise reduction rating (NRR), which tells you how much they can reduce noise. The NRR is a representation of how much earplugs can reduce noise in decibels (dBs), although it’s not a straightforward matter of the NRR representing the exact decibel reduction. The NRR is represented in decibels, but it’s not the exact number of decibels the sound will be reduced by for the wearer,

To find the decibel reduction from the NRR, take the NRR and subtract seven, then divide it by two. For example, if you have an NRR of 33, you would perform the sum (33-7)/2 to get 13. So if noise levels are at 100dBs, the level of noise exposure would be reduced to 87dBs when wearing earplugs with an NRR of 33.

Excessive noise is defined as exposure to 85dBs or more over a period of eight hours. This is when OSHA requires hearing protection for all employees. Of course, you might also want to wear hearing protection outside of work. If you are a musician in your spare time or enjoy other hobbies with a lot of noise, wearing earplugs can protect your hearing.

Combining Two Hearing Protection Types and NRR

To increase the level of protection for their hearing, some people choose to use two different forms of protection. You can wear earplugs and use earmuffs at the same time to double up on ear protection. But how does this affect NRR?

Combining two forms of hearing protection doesn’t mean you can just add two NRRs together. Instead, add five to the higher rating to get the total level of protection. So, if you wear earplugs with an NRR of 29 and earmuffs with an NRR of 27, the total NRR would be 34, or a total noise reduction of 13.5dB.

Noise reduction rating can be a useful tool when you are choosing earplugs. However, it’s not the only thing to consider when you’re looking for suitable earplugs. You should also think about the style of the earplugs, how they fit and how comfortable they are. If you want reusable earplugs, it’s often better to have them custom-molded. This ensures they are a perfect fit for your ears and will provide better protection.

If you need help finding the right hearing protection for your needs, contact the professionals at Grusecki Audiology & Hearing Aid Services by calling 623-583-1737. We will be happy to help you better understand your options and which solution will be most beneficial to your preferences.