What are the Most Common Types of Hearing Protection

Generally, hearing protection products fall into three broad categories: earplugs, earmuffs and semi-insert earplugs. Hearing protection is made to fit a multitude of individual needs, whether you like seeing music shows or prefer swimming. 

Earplugs are small buds, usually made of foam, that you insert directly into the ear canal. Because they provide immediate protection of the eardrum, they tend to be the most effective at canceling out excessive noise in the environment.

Earmuffs look a little bit like traditional headphones. These use large round, noise-canceling plates that fit over the outer ears and offer a moderate-to-high level of sound protection. They are most popular in commercial applications where being able to put on and take off noise protection devices are essential. 

The final type of hearing protection are the so-called semi-insert earplugs. On a traditional earplug, you have to insert the device directly into the ear canal, either by twisting the end and then inserting it (for foam earplugs) or pushing it in (for most other materials). 

Semi-inserts, on the other hand, connect to each other by a rigid headband. The headband then provides a small amount of tension allowing the budded ends to plug the outer section of the ear canal. 

Noise-Canceling Headphones

The above types of hearing protection are all passive, meaning that the devices do not do anything to actively mitigate the level of noise reaching the eardrum. Noise-canceling headphones, however, take an active approach, helping to reduce the total amount of noise entering the ears. 

Sound travels as a wave through the air, with patches of high-intensity followed by low intensity. Like other waves, you can amplify sound as well as mute it. Noise-canceling headphones work by emitting sound wavelengths that cancel out incoming noises, essentially neutralizing them. Thus, this option, when combined with earmuffs, is often the best for sound mitigation. It can provide ample protection even in extreme noise environments. 

Applications Of Hearing Protection

There are all sorts of hearing protection products on the market, branded to appeal to people for certain applications. 

Sleep

Some people, for instance, like to use earplugs or other hearing protection to help them sleep. The goal here isn’t to block out loud noises but to control annoying small noises that could disturb their peace, such as birds chirping outside or roommates moving around in the night. 

Swimming

People also go to the audiologist for hearing protection for swimming. Placing plugs in the ear prevents water from entering the ear canal and irritating the eardrum. It also helps to maintain a constant pressure for divers, again helping to make their sport more enjoyable. 

Hunting

Hunters may also require hearing protection because of the nature of their sport. Loud rifle sounds can cause damage to the ear with repeated exposure. 

Festival-goers

Festival-goers will sometimes use ear protection if they are standing close to speakers where the sound energy is at its most intense. 

Musicians

Lastly, musicians can also benefit from using hearing protection – especially DJs and other professionals operating in sustained loud environments. Earbuds allow some sound to get through while preventing the most energetic wavelengths from entering the ear.