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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ∙ National Institutes of Health

NIDCD Fact Sheet | Hearing and Balance

Hearing Protectors

What are hearing protectors? A single very loud noise or long or repeated exposure to sounds at
or above 85 dBA can cause hearing loss. Here are average decibel
The best ways to protect your hearing are to avoid exposure ratings for a few familiar sounds:
to loud sounds, move away from the noise, or turn down
} Normal conversation: 60 to 70 dBA
the volume. When these options aren’t possible, hearing
protectors—earplugs or protective earmuffs—can help. } Lawnmowers: 80 to 100 dBA
Hearing protectors are wearable devices that can lower the } Motorcycles and dirt bikes: 80 to 110 dBA
intensity of sound that enters your ears.
} Music through headphones at maximum volume, sporting
events, and concerts: 94 to 110 dBA
Why is it important to protect your
} Sirens from emergency vehicles: 110 to 129 dBA
hearing?
} Fireworks displays: 140 to 160 dBA
Loud sounds can damage sensitive structures in your inner ear,
causing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and tinnitus (ringing, The Sound Level Meter app developed for iOS devices by the
roaring, or buzzing in the ears). The louder the sound, the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
faster it can damage your hearing. (NIOSH) is one example of a free decibel meter app that can
help you evaluate sound risks in your environment. For more
NIHL is a significant health problem for U.S. youth and adults. information on the NIOSH Sound Level Meter app, visit https://
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise/app.html.
(CDC), self-reported hearing tests show that about one in
seven U.S. teens and nearly one in four U.S. adults (ages 20 to When should you wear hearing
69) have features suggestive of NIHL in one or both ears.
protectors?
Hearing damage can happen instantly. The sound of a
If you anticipate being in a loud setting or participating in a noisy
gunshot at close range, for example, can cause immediate
activity, wear earplugs or protective earmuffs to safeguard your
and permanent damage. Other types of very loud sounds
hearing. Hearing protectors are recommended for these settings
can cause hearing loss in less than 15 minutes. Exposure
and activities:
to repetitive loud noise—from machinery at a worksite, for
example—may result in hearing loss over time. } Auto races, sporting events, fireworks displays, and concerts.
} Motorcycle, dirt bike, and snowmobile riding, and when
How loud is too loud? operating an all-terrain vehicle or tractor.
} Band or orchestra rehearsals and performances.
Sound is measured in units called decibels. Sounds at or below 70
A-weighted decibels (dBA) are generally safe. For more information } Industrial, warehouse, farm, landscape, and other loud (or
on how sound is measured, visit: https://www.noisyplanet.nidcd. potentially loud) workplace settings.
nih.gov/have-you-heard/how-is-sound-measured. } Shooting sports.

NIDCD...Improving the lives of people with communication disorders

Make it a habit to wear hearing protectors when you expect to Consult a hearing health professional if you need help selecting
be in a loud setting, and keep earplugs or protective earmuffs hearing protection, or for information about custom-made
handy for unexpected loud noises. If loud noise happens earplugs.
suddenly or unexpectedly, cover your ears with your hands and
move away from the noise, if possible. Earplugs
Earplugs are inexpensive devices placed directly into your ear
What types of hearing protectors are canal. Earplugs come in various sizes, but can be hard to find in
available? sizes that fit children. Earplugs may have cords attached to help
you keep track of them. Specialty earplugs, including earplugs
Earplugs and protective earmuffs are available from retail stores that are custom-molded to your ears, are also available.
or online. Examples include formable foam earplugs, pre-
molded earplugs, canal caps, and safety earmuffs. “Musician } Formable foam earplugs are made of soft foam. Once
earplugs” are custom-made earplug molds intended to protect inserted, these earplugs expand to fill your ear canal snugly.
hearing while also allowing as much natural sound as possible Formable foam earplugs are meant for one-time use, but
to safely enter the ear. Choose a type of hearing protector that they can be reused if they are clean and still fully expand to
is comfortable and easy for you to use, so that you will use it their “like new” shape.
consistently and correctly. } Pre-molded earplugs are made from plastic, rubber, or
silicone. One type of pre-molded earplug is high-fidelity
(hi-fi) earplugs, also called uniform-attenuation earplugs.
They have the same effect as turning down the volume
on a stereo: the sound intensity is evenly decreased across
different pitches. You might find high-fidelity earplugs
especially helpful at movies or concerts and at other times
when you want to appreciate the audio quality while
protecting your hearing.
} Canal caps have a stiff band that provides a gentle force
to seal the earplugs, whether formable or pre-molded, into
Formable foam earplugs Pre-molded, high-fidelity earplugs your ear canal. When not in use, the band can be worn
around your neck.
How to use formable foam earplugs:
1. Gently roll the earplug between your fingers into a thin tube
shape, taking care not to crease the foam, which can create
tunnels for sound to enter.

2. Pull the top of your ear up and back with your opposite
hand to straighten your ear canal and make it easier to
insert the earplug.
Canal caps Protective earmuffs
3. Continue to roll the earplug and gently slide it into your ear
Hearing protectors don’t block all sound. Most hearing canal. It should fit evenly across the opening of your ear.
protectors have a noise reduction rating (NRR). In general, the 4. Gently hold the earplug in place with your finger for 20–30
higher the NRR, the more sound is blocked (if you are wearing seconds to give it time to expand.
the device correctly). Choose hearing protectors that allow
you to communicate well in a noisy environment, so that you 5. Check the fit to make sure the earplug is comfortable and
don’t have to remove them during conversation. Even briefly properly inserted in your ear canal. The earplug should barely
removing your hearing protectors in a very loud environment be visible when positioned correctly.
puts your hearing at risk.

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 6. Repeat steps to insert the earplug into your other ear.

7. Do not cut or tear foam earplugs to make them fit. Cutting

the foam reduces its effectiveness. If foam earplugs can’t be Always make sure your
inserted properly, consider another kind of hearing protector.

8. To remove foam earplugs, slowly twist to break the seal with

hands and the earplugs are
your ear canal, and then gently take them out of your ear.
How to use pre-molded earplugs:
clean before inserting the
1. Gently pull the top of your ear up and back with your opposite earplugs into your ears.
hand to straighten your ear canal.

2. Use the other hand to firmly grip the stem of the earplug and
gently slide the earplug into the ear canal, using a rocking
motion until you have sealed the ear canal. Protective earmuffs
3. To remove pre-molded earplugs, slowly rock them back and Protective earmuffs are easy-to-use, padded plastic and foam cups
forth to break the seal with your ear canal, and then gently joined by an adjustable headband. (They aren’t the soft earmuffs
pull them out of your ear. worn for warmth.) They reduce noise by completely covering both
How to use canal caps: ears. Sizes for adults and children are available. Earmuffs are easier
than earplugs to use correctly, especially for young children.
1. Place the band around your head so that the earplugs are
accessible to your ears. Earmuffs might not work as well for people who wear glasses
because the arms of the glasses can create gaps between the
2. Insert one earplug at a time.
earmuff cushion and the skull. If you wear glasses, check to make
3. Gently pull the top of your ear up and back with your opposite sure the earmuffs seal properly. Hairstyles, hats, and facial hair can
hand to straighten your ear canal. create gaps that make protective earmuffs less effective.
How to use protective earmuffs:
4. Insert the tip of the cap into your ear and gently apply pressure
until the cap is firmly in place. 1. Grasp one cup of the earmuffs in each hand and gently
pull apart.
5. If the tips are made of foam, use gentle pressure to roll the
foam tip between your fingers into a thin tube shape before 2. Place the band over the top of your (or your child’s) head
inserting. and slowly release the cups, making sure they completely
cover the ears and fit snugly. Some earmuffs have adjustable
6. Using the same process, insert the second canal cap into your headbands to help secure the fit.
other ear.

Proper fit is important for successful hearing protection. What research is being done on
After inserting earplugs, your voice should sound different to hearing protection?
you—possibly louder and/or muffled. The earplugs should feel
comfortable and secure in your ears. Ask a friend or use a mirror The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication
to check positioning. You may need to practice for a comfortable, Disorders (NIDCD), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH),
secure fit. Wearing earplugs shouldn’t be painful. Never force supports research on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and
earplugs into your ears. If you can’t secure a comfortable fit, prevention of NIHL. The NIDCD also supports research to increase
consider using protective earmuffs instead. accessible, affordable hearing health care. For more information on
NIDCD research, visit https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/research/improve-
hearing-health-care.

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Where can I find more information on For more information, contact us at:

hearing loss and protection?

NIDCD Information Clearinghouse
The NIDCD’s national public education campaign, It’s 1 Communication Avenue
a Noisy Planet. Protect Their Hearing.®, increases Bethesda, MD 20892-3456
awareness among parents of preteens about the causes Toll-free Voice: 800-241-1044
and prevention of NIHL. Using tips from Noisy Planet, Toll-free TTY: 800-241-1055
Email: nidcdinfo@nidcd.nih.gov
parents, teachers, school nurses, and other adults can
help children adopt healthy hearing habits. Visit Noisy https://www.nidcd.nih.gov
Planet at https://www.noisyplanet.nidcd.nih.gov for
more information. Follow the NIDCD on Twitter at @NIDCD

The NIDCD maintains a directory of organizations that

provide information on the normal and disordered
processes of hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, The NIDCD supports and conducts research and
speech, and language. Visit the NIDCD website at research training on the normal and disordered
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/directory to see the directory. processes of hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice,
speech, and language and provides health information,
More NIDCD fact sheets on hearing and balance: based upon scientific discovery, to the public.
} Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
} Tinnitus

Visit the NIDCD website at https://www.nidcd.nih.gov to

read, print, or download fact sheets.

Hearing Protectors
NIH Pub. No. 20-DC-8122
November 2020

NIH...Turning Discovery Into Health®