Hearing Protection
Hearing Protection
Devices for aural protection against irritating or harmful noises in the workplace and laboratory. Includes ear plugs, muffs, bands, dispensing stations, and more.
Hearing protection devices (HPDs) reduce the amount of noise that enters the ears and can help protect against tinnitus, hyperacusis, and other negative effects of noise exposure. Various types of HPDs are available, including ear muffs, ear plugs, electronic devices, and semi-insert products.
Many countries require interventions to control noise exposure risks in workplaces. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) prescribes hearing conservation programs and the use of HPDs, along with signage to warn workers about noise level risk.
The U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and healthcare professionals recommend HPDs when noise levels exceed 85dB.
What Is the Best Type of Hearing Protection?
The effectiveness of HPDs also depends on physical fit. Devices with airtight seals or deep ear canal placement provide the most noise attenuation. Barriers to achieving optimal protection include comfort, convenience, training, and beliefs and attitudes toward PPE.
Different Types of Hearing Protection
Many HPD options exist:
- Ear muffs typically consist of two ear cups and a headband
- Ear plugs fit in the ear canal; ear plugs may be pre-molded, formable, or roll-down style
- Electronic HPDs reduce the sound that reaches the eardrum using a combination of electronic and structural components
- Hearing enhancement protection systems provide sound protection while transmitting speech and other sounds
- Canal caps are semi-insert devices with soft tips and are inserted or sit at the ear canal opening; these caps are connected by a lightweight band
- The use of ear plugs under ear muffs is called dual hearing protection and is used for extremely high noise levels
3M™ E-A-R™ Push-Ins™ Ear Plugs
A gentle push is all it takes for consistent insertion with E-A-R™ Push-Ins™ ear plugs. Blue stem makes insertion and removal easy and helps keep the tips clean when the wearer’s hands are dirty.
3M™ E-A-R™ UltraFit™ Silicone Ear Plugs
UltraFit™ Silicone ear plugs offer convenient, corded comfort. Made from durable, medical-grade silicone this ear plug includes a cloth cord and helps provide in-ear comfort and convenience with a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 25 dB.
3M™ E-A-R™ One Touch™ Pro Dispenser Refills
Convenient refill container for One Touch™ dispenser 391-0000. Uncorded foam ear plugs offer a soft, low-pressure solution for comfortable wear.
3M™ E-A-Rsoft™ Yellow Neons™ and Yellow Neon Blasts™ Ear Plugs
E-A-Rsoft™ Yellow Neons™ ear plugs have a smooth texture for in-ear comfort and are made of an advanced foam for all-day wear.
3M™ E-A-R™ Express™ Corded Metal Detectable Ear Plugs
E-A-R™ metal detectable ear plugs have a stainless steel bead encased in the ear plug. Popular in food manufacturing industries, when contamination prevention is critical.
3M™ E-A-R™ Yellow Neons™ Metal Detectable Ear Plugs
E-A-R™ metal detectable ear plugs have a stainless steel bead encased in the ear plug. Popular in food manufacturing industries, when contamination prevention is critical.
3M™ E-A-R™ Express™ Corded Metal Detectable Ear Plugs
E-A-R™ metal detectable ear plugs have a stainless steel bead encased in the ear plug. Popular in food manufacturing industries, when contamination prevention is critical.
3M™ E-A-R™ Classic™ SuperFit™ Ear Plugs
SuperFit™ ear plugs feature a unique ring to help identify how deeply the ear plug is inserted. When minimal to no orange color is visible, the proper insertion is achieved.
3M™ E-A-R™ Pistonz™ Ear Plugs
Pistonz™ ear plug tips look like metal, but are constructed with a specially formulated foam to feel ultra-soft. The stem is stiff enough to insert and is designed to flex sideways if impacted during wear.
3M™ E-A-Rfit™ Dual-Ear Validation System
E-A-Rfit™ Dual-ear Validation System helps determine whether workers are receiving adequate protection from their hearing protector by measuring across 7 standard frequencies in under five seconds, providing a detailed report on the noise attenuation performance of ear plugs or ear muffs and a pass or fail rating for each individual person based on the employee's personal attenuation rating.
3M™ E-A-Rflex™ 28 Banded Hearing Protector
A comfortable, effective, lightweight alternative to ear muffs E-A-Rflex™ helps provide excellent noise reduction. Great for people who fit and remove their hearing protection frequently. Soft tips pivot to help maintain a comfortable, noise-blocking seal. Band may be worn in multiple positions.
3M™ PELTOR™ Welding Ear Muff, Behind-the-Head
Designed to deliver comfortable hearing protection in a wide range of welding environments, PELTOR™ behind-the-head ear muffs are for use with 3M™ welding helmets.
3M™ PELTOR™ ComTac™ V Hearing Defender Headset
PELTOR™ ComTac™ V protects users from hazardous steady-state and impulse noise featuring a more natural sounding headset with excellent sound clarity.
3M™ PELTOR™ LiteCom FRS Headset
PELTOR™ LiteCom FRS Headset features a built-in analog two-way communication radio programmed to operate on the 22 FRS channels.
3M™ PELTOR™ CH-3 Listen Only Hearing Protector
PELTOR™ CH-3 Listen Only Hearing Protector helps workers stay protected in noisy environments while enabling them to hear incoming audio from handheld devices.
3M™ PELTOR™ ProTac III Slim Headset, Black, Headband
The ProTac III hearing protector helps protect against hazardous and nuisance noise, while also allowing environmental sounds to be reproduced by the electronic circuit. Limited to 82 dB.
3M™ PELTOR™ EEP-100 Electronic Ear Plug
3M™ PELTOR™ EEP-100 Electronic ear plug protects hearing and can help improve situational awareness and communications in challenging environments. Kit includes a protective charging case and an assortment of ear tips.
3M™ Foam Ear Plugs
Foam ear plugs are an economical choice for disposable hearing protection. Hypoallergenic and a tapered design help provide a noise-reducing seal in the ear canal.
3M™ Tri-Flange™ Earplugs P3000
3M™ Tri-Flange™ corded reusable earplugs feature a proven, triple-flange design and pliable, premolded material to provide clean and comfortable hearing protection. Fits flexibly in most earcanals.
3M™ PELTOR™ ProTac III Headset Hearing Protector
3M™ ProTac III Headset protects against hazardous and nuisance noise, while allowing environmental sounds to be reproduced by the electronic circuit, limited to 82 dB.
3M™ E-A-Rsoft™ Yellow Neons Blasts™ Earplug Dispensing Box
3M™ E-A-Rsoft™ Yellow Neons Blasts™ Earplug Dispensing Box in a Rapid Release Box.
3M™ E-A-R™ Express™ Pod Plugs™ Ear Plugs
Express™ Pod Plugs™ ear plugs allows the foam to compress so the ear plug slides gently into the ear and expands slowly. Flexible stem makes inserting easy.
3M™ PELTOR™ Optime™ 101 Ear Muffs
PELTOR™ Optime™ 101 Ear Muffs are recommended for TWA noise exposures up to 101 dBA.
3M™ Peltor™ PTL™ Ear Muffs
Allow workers to listen safely—no need for removal
3M™ Tri-Flange™ Ear Plugs
Tri-Flange™ flexible flanges adapt to the shape of the ear canal to comfortably reduce exposure to noise. The plastic stem allows the wearer to insert the ear plugs quickly and easily without touching the premolded tips.
3M™ No-Touch™ Foam Ear Plugs P2000
No-Touch™ foam Ear plugs create a noise-reducing seal in the ear with its soft foam, smooth tapered shape and paddle stems. Push-to-fit design makes inserting easy.
3M™ PELTOR™ X4 Series Ear Muffs
PELTOR™ X4 Series Ear Muffs combines high attenuation with a sleek, low-profile and lightweight design. Available in over-the-head or hard hat-attached styles.
3M™ PELTOR™ Earmuffs, Green
3M™ PELTOR™ Earmuffs X1 are our lightweight hearing protectors with comfortable, soft ear cushions.
3M™ Peltor™ E•A•R• bud™ Noise Isolating Headphones Need - in E•A•R•
In-ear noise isolating headset for MP3 players