Which hearing protection is right for your workplace?

Hearing protection is Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). It protects your ears from harmful noise levels and is essential wherever machinery, tools, or equipment generate high sound pressure levels—whether continuously or for brief periods.

Occupational safety regulations dictate clear exposure action values: starting at 80 dB(A) daily noise exposure level, suitable hearing protection must be provided. From 85 dB(A) onwards—and in designated noise areas—wearing hearing protection is mandatory. Plainly put: at 80 dB(A), it gets serious. At 85 dB(A), it becomes compulsory.

At Fitzner, you will find different types of hearing protection for various applications:

• Earplugs: Ideal for extended wear, easily combined with hard hats, safety glasses, or respiratory protection, and easy to store compactly.
• Ear defenders (Earmuffs): Perfect for frequent putting on and taking off, short stays in noisy areas, or working in harsh, dirty environments.
• Banded earplugs: Great for intermittent noise exposure when protection needs to be readily accessible.
• Accessories & Hygiene kits: For care, storage, and ensuring long service life.

SNR rating: Important, but not the only deciding factor

The SNR (Single Number Rating) indicates the average noise attenuation provided by hearing protection. This helps with the initial selection. However, not all noise is created equal. A screeching angle grinder sounds very different from a dull, thumping compressor. That is why, alongside the SNR rating, High, Medium, and Low (H, M, L) values matter as well. They describe attenuation at high, medium, and low frequencies.

The goal is to achieve a reasonable residual sound pressure level under the hearing protection—ideally between 70 and 80 dB(A). Too little attenuation puts hearing at risk. Too much attenuation can muffle speech, warning signals, and critical machine sounds. And when workers feel isolated, the hearing protection usually ends up left in their locker.

And the locker doesn't need hearing protection anyway.

Hearing protection must be worn. Not just purchased.

The best hearing protection is useless if it's only worn "every now and then." Even brief interruptions in wearing time during noise exposure significantly reduce overall protection. That is why—beyond attenuation ratings—comfort, fit, hygiene, and ease of use are crucial.

Good hearing protection fits comfortably, works seamlessly with other PPE, and holds up in real daily work conditions. With sweat. With dust. With hard hats. With safety glasses. Under time pressure.

In other words: exactly where protection isn't just needed in theory. But in reality.