Hearing Protection

Noise damage is permanent

Unlike many workplace injuries, noise-induced hearing loss cannot be repaired. Once the hair cells in your inner ear are damaged, they do not regenerate. The damage accumulates over years — workers often don't notice until they're trying to follow a conversation in a noisy room and can't.

When it's required

OSHA requires hearing protection when workers are exposed to noise at or above 85 decibels as an 8-hour average. For reference: a table saw runs about 100 dB, a jackhammer 110 dB, a running engine 85–90 dB. If you have to raise your voice to be heard by someone three feet away, the noise level is likely at or above 85 dB.

NRR and real-world protection

The Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) on hearing protector packaging is a laboratory figure. Real-world protection is typically about half the labeled NRR after accounting for improper fit. An earplug labeled NRR 33 provides roughly 16 dB of real-world attenuation when inserted correctly. Fit matters.

How to insert earplugs correctly

Roll the foam earplug into a tight cylinder. Reach over your head with the opposite hand to pull your ear up and back — this straightens the ear canal. Insert the rolled plug and hold it until it expands to fill the canal. If you can hear normally immediately after inserting earplugs, they are not inserted correctly.

Discussion question

What's the noisiest piece of equipment or operation in our work area, and is everyone who works near it wearing hearing protection?

Documentation Reminder

Record this meeting: date, topic ("Hearing Protection"), names of attendees, and facilitator. A signed attendance sheet filed with your safety records is your training documentation. OSHA treats documented safety meetings as evidence of good faith.