Yes, you can use earbuds for hearing protection. I am of the double protection school of thinking, and I use a set of SafariLand Pro Impulse earplugs in combination with Walker&#;s Razor Slim Low Profile Earmuffs, AT THE SAME TIME.
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While it is not advised only to use earbuds as your sole protection against hearing loss, I know many people who do just that, contrary to the CDC&#;s advice on appropriate hearing protection when shooting.
If you are in that camp, please use a trusted hearing protection brand like Howard Leight, which tests its products to the correct ISO safety standards. Each product should clearly state the reduction in DB that can be expected when correctly using the earbuds.
I say correctly because that is imperative to getting the maximum benefit and stopping long-term hearing damage.
Follow the instructions for the model you are using for the letter. All too often, I see lazy people at the range with earbuds hanging out their ears, offering no security or safety benefits at all.
When I approach these people and tell them their earbuds are incorrectly inserted (yes, I&#;m that guy), the usual response is that they find the earplugs to be uncomfortable in the ear canal. Pushing further and asking why they don&#;t use earmuffs, the complaint is that they are bulky and uncomfortable.
Unfortunately, this is just one of the situations where you will have to choose one and use it the right way.
Trust me, having worked in the past with ex-soldiers who have hearing loss is heartbreaking. If you can prevent it, do so at all costs, irrespective of the temporary discomfort it may cause.
Employers are consistently failing to fulfill their duties to provide a safe workplace, with eleven per cent of construction workers not provided with hearing protection by their employer.
The shocking statistic comes from a Safe Work Australia report titled Work Health & Safety Perceptions: Construction Industry.
However the problem goes beyond the construction industry. In fact, Significant Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss (ONIHL) is also occurring in manufacturing, mining, transport, storage and utilities supply, according to a parliamentary enquiry.
Furthermore, 65 per cent of Australian farmers have a measurable hearing loss, compared to 22-27 per cent of the general population.
&#;Farmers aged 35-44 years had significantly worse hearing in their left ears &#; the ear closest to the tractor engine when the farmer is turned around watching behind him,&#; the enquiry states.
Around one million employees in Australia potentially being exposed to dangerous levels of noise at work. Hence, it is no wonder there are workers compensation claims for ONIHL each year.
And that number may not fully represent the problem. The enquiry finds it is likely &#;compensation statistics do not fully reflect the true incidence and cost of industrial deafness&#;.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Safety Hearing Protector Wholesale. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
Indeed, hearing loss has a significant financial impact on workers and their families as well as business owners, managers and the wider society.
It also has a significant emotional toll and is linked to annoyance, fatigue, hypertension and even dementia.
Employers are legally required to provide staff with a safe work environment, including protecting them from hearing loss. Methods should include using engineering controls, administrative controls and providing PPE.
Obviously, the preferred solution is to completely eliminate the source of loud noise. However if this is not possible, the legal requirement is to minimise exposure using the hierarchy of control. Steps may include:
Workplace noise assessments as well as training staff on the risks and their responsibilities &#; including the use of personal protection equipment (PPE) &#; is also essential.
Ear muffs provide hearing protection on a more permanent basis as opposed to ear plugs which are often single-use and can cause ear infections if not used appropriately.
Clearly, they are designed to suppress unwanted noise by completely covering the outer ear. In addition, wearing it in combination with ear plugs is also recommended to provide protection against extreme noise.
Nonetheless, the choice of ear muffs should be based on effectiveness, comfort, durability and personal preference.
Pro Safety Gear&#;s wide range of ear muffs will meet most personal preferences and workplace situations. It also comes with a variety of features, from adjustable headbands to hard hat attachments.
Of course, all meet strict Australian Safety Standards. Not to mention, it accommodates replaceable hygiene kits consisting of replaceable foam rubber seals and baffles. Some examples include:
Firstly, a strong and sturdy choice for the frequent wearer.
On the other hand, this one is designed for wearing with a wide range of hard hats. These ear muffs include hard hat attachments.
Finally, ear muffs designed for wearing with other PPE such as face shields, helmets, visors, and respirators.
For more information, please visit Woodworking Ear Protection Bluetooth.