Online Hearing Protection Calculator
You don’t have to be continuously or regularly exposed to loud noises to damage your hearing. Even something as simple as attending a concert or carrying out a few DIY tasks around the house can require hearing protection. It’s always important to protect your hearing, no matter how young you are.
The expert audiologists at The Hearing Excellence Clinic have created this hearing protection calculator to help you choose the best hearing protection to protect your ears. Simply choose your activity and how often you’re in this environment, and we’ll recommend the best hearing protection for you to use.
Book An Appointment
Our Appointments
Book an appointment at our Sheffield or Barnsley clinics to come in and see us! Both of our clinics offer ear wax removal, hearing protection fittings, and hearing aid consultation.
Book online now using our booking form on the right!
Wheelchair Accessible Appointments
The clinic room at both the Sheffield clinic and Barnsley clinic are based based on the first floor up a flight of stairs so is not suitable for those with disabilities. We are able to accommodate those with disabilities but you will need call the us on 0114 4701213 (Sheffield) or 01226 899005 (Barnsley) to organise a downstairs appointment.
There is also free parking available at both clinics.
For Sheffield we have a large car park located in front of the premises which is accessed off the Wilkinson Street entrance and we have a smaller car park at the rear of the premises that is accessed off Wilkinson Lane.
For Barnsley we have a large car park located to the side of the premises which is accessed off Day Street.
Hearing Protection Calculator FAQs
1. How Do I Use This Hearing Protection Calculator?
Our calculator is very simple to use. All you need to do is choose the activity you need to protect your hearing from (music, hunting & shooting, motorsports, DIY & trade work, flights, swimming or sleep). Then select how often you do this activity (every day, once per week, once per month or less often). Our useful calculator will then suggest the most appropriate hearing protection to keep your ears safe.
2. How Do I Use This Hearing Protection Calculator?
This hearing protection calculator is the best way to ensure your ears are adequately protected for the specific activity you’re doing and the frequency. Different types of hearing protection have different SNR (Single number rating) or NRR (Noise reduction rating) which makes them suitable for different types of activities, so it’s essential to choose the right type to avoid damaging your hearing.
3. How Do Earplugs Protect Your Hearing?
Earplugs are very effective at protecting your hearing against Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). They work by reducing the amount of sound that reaches your inner ear. Earplugs are made from a sound-absorbing material, such as dense foam or silicone, which blocks sound vibrations from travelling to your eardrum.
4. What Level of Noise Requires Hearing Protection?
In the UK, noise regulations require employers to provide employees with suitable hearing protection when their average daily or weekly exposure to noise is 85 dB(A) or higher. This noise level is comparable to a food blender. If the exposure is 80 dB(A), employers must assess the risk to workers’ health.
5. How Many Kinds of Personal Hearing Protection Are There?
There are two main types of personal hearing protection: ear muffs and earplugs. We’ll go over these types in more detail below:
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Ear muffs or defenders - these cover the entire ear and seal against the head with pressure from the overhead band. Some types clip to a hard hat rather than having a band. They work by muffling the sound that enters the ear canal.
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Earplugs - these plug your ear canal and are a better option for regular low-frequency noise than ear muffs. There are several types of earplugs:
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Disposable ear plugs - these are designed to be worn once and then thrown away.
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Instant-fit earplugs - these are designed to be re-worn and offer higher quality hearing protection than disposable earplugs
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Custom-fit ear plugs - these are individually made to fit your ears and offer the highest standard of hearing protection and comfort.
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At The Hearing Excellence Clinic, we offer a wide range of hearing protection suitable for the most common loud activities.
6. What Is the Highest Decibel Rating for Hearing Protection?
The highest Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) is approximately 30 decibels (dB). However, such a high rating is only typically required for people regularly working in extremely loud environments who need the highest-rated hearing protection.
7. Are Noise-Cancelling Headphones Good for Hearing Protection?
No, noise-cancelling headphones are not an effective substitute for proper hearing protection. Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) technology can help to reduce background sounds, but it will not cancel out loud or sudden noises that might affect your hearing.
8. Can AirPods Be Used as Hearing Protection?
AirPods Pro 2 now offers active Hearing Protection. However, this does not mean that they are replacements for proper hearing protection. AirPods can be useful in certain situations, such as at fitness classes or sporting events, but if you’re going to be exposed to loud sounds regularly, it’s best to choose professional hearing protection. Use our hearing protection calculator to find out which hearing protection is right for your activities.