Earplug and Noise Reduction Ratings Explained

You might be familiar with the term noise reduction rating (NRR) if you are frequently exposed to loud noise and regularly use hearing protection devices such as headsets, earplugs or muffs. The noise reduction rating is a unit of measurement that is used to quantify how efficient a hearing protection device is at minimizing the amount of sound exposure someone is subjected to.

If a hearing protection has a higher NRR rating, this indicates that it is more effective at minimizing background noise. Decibels are the units used to measure sound. The decibel level indicates how loud the noise is. A greater number indicates a louder noise. The noise reduction ratings tell you by what percentage the product will bring down the overall decibel level.

Why Loud Noise Is Bad

The negative impacts of noise pollution on health are numerous. Noise-induced hearing loss is the first and most noticeable side effect. Some employees may experience tinnitus in addition to hearing loss. Unfortunately, noise pollution can have serious consequences for human health beyond just hearing loss. Overly loud environments have far-reaching effects.

The effects of noise on cognition are well-documented, as are the negative effects of noise on sleep and the discomfort it can produce. It has been shown to harm cardiovascular health, increasing the risk of hypertension and even stroke.

Therefore, it is safe to say that noise has significant negative effects on people’s physiological and psychological well-being. Given this, it is vital to take all precautions necessary to safeguard those who are subjected to loud noise. Because of this, learning about NNR is crucial. Once you understand it better, you can take the right measures to protect your hearing and your health.

How to Determine the Noise Exposure Level

If you use earplugs or a similar device, how can you work out how well it’s going to reduce the noise around you? There is a calculation to make in order to get the result you need. Firstly, take the NRR of the earplugs and deduct seven. Then, you would half that number. Finally, deduct that number from the decibel reading of your initial noise exposure.

The noise level in a building site, for instance, may approach 100 decibels (dBs). When a worker uses earplugs with an NRR of 30, the exposure does not drop below 70dBs. Instead, using the calculation above, noise levels would drop to 88dBs. In order to choose the most effective hearing protection for the current noise level, this information is crucial.

What Is a Good NNR?

There is no such thing as the best rating, despite the fact that all ratings for noise reduction are beneficial because they help lessen the amount of background noise you are exposed to. As was stated earlier, the noise reduction rating indicates how effective the product is at lowering the decibel level. The higher the value, the better. The NRR grade that you should aim for should be determined by the kind of setting you are in.

The decibel level that firearms produce when used in close proximity to a shooting range is 165. In this scenario, the best way to safeguard your hearing is to search for an NRR rating that is as high as you can get it, for example.

If you want the highest level of protection, you should examine the NRR ratings of your device and select the one that has the highest rating. Different types of devices have different NRR ratings. For example, the maximum NRR rating for earmuffs is only 31, while the maximum NRR rating for earplugs is 33. This means that earplugs will give better noise reduction results, but of course, they may not always be necessary.

The Device Needs to Be Worn Correctly

In order for the NNR to actually be accurate, you must wear the device you’ve opted for correctly. Ill-fitting earmuffs or earplugs won’t give you the full benefit of the NNR, no matter what it is. In some cases, not wearing these items properly would be as bad as not wearing them at all.

Make sure you understand how to wear anything you are given or told to wear. If you’re not sure, it’s crucial that you ask in order to protect your hearing as much as possible. For the best advice about anything related to hearing loss, contact Big Thicket Hearing Aids & Audiology at (409) 751-2590. You’ll be able to have all your questions answered.