As reported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) affects 26 million individuals of all ages in the U.S.. NIHL is a result of contact with dangerous noise levels of 85 decibels or more, and may be permanent or temporary. The variety sounds that can result in NIHL cover anything from day to day city traffic at approximately 85 decibels to firecrackers, firearms and motorcycles which may top 120 dB. Luckily, there are many types of hearing protection devices sold at your local sports or hardware store to accommodate the diverse sound levels in a variety of situations.

The noise reduction rating system. In the US, hearing protection is rated based on its level of protection in a system known as the Noise Reduction Rating (NRR). This rating ranges from 0 to 33 dB with the larger rating offering greater ear protection.

Earplugs versus Earmuffs

Electronic earmuffs – Electronic earmuffs may resemble regular earmuffs, with soft insulating material that covers the ears, but they are really rather different. Certain earmuffs are manufactured especially for those who are exposed to gunshots on a routine basis, such as hunters, soldiers or police. Other earmuffs come with a built-in 2-way radio system that allows users to communicate with one another in dangerous working environments. Still others offer AM/FM radio reception, which can provide a bit of entertainment while you’re performing noisy work around the yard.

Electronic earplugs – Electronic earplugs are compact devices placed inside the ear to block extremes in external noise, while still allowing you to hear normal sounds in your vicinity. In addition, they react and adapt to deaden sudden noises, such as a gunshot or the crash from a cymbal. Some types of electronic earplugs can allow lower-decibel sounds including speech to reach the wearer while still blocking dangerous noises. These are especially useful for hunting and at industrial or construction sites where loud noises are frequent, but you still need to be able to hear directions.