Earplug & Noise Reduction Ratings Explained

Anyone who is frequently exposed to loud noises or is sensitive to noise should always carry earplugs. They’re not only useful for protecting your hearing, but can also aid with other health habits like getting good sleep. If you live near noisy neighbors, for instance, being able to get your eight hours each night without a long, protracted battle can be a lifesaver.

Earplugs are discreet, portable products that fit easily inside the ear and help to block out some of the noise before it reaches the eardrum. They can come in different styles, but the most common will be a foam or silicon insert.

Understanding the various noise reduction ratings that are used to describe earplugs can be challenging, though, because there are so many different kinds available on the market. Sometimes you need a specially-rated model to ensure you’re actually getting the protection you need, especially in professional environments.

In this post, we’ll look at the various noise reduction ratings that are applied to earplugs and discuss some advice on how to pick the best pair for your needs.

A Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) is what, Exactly?

An earplug’s ability to reduce noise is determined by its noise reduction rating (NRR). It measures the typical noise reduction that can be obtained while wearing earplugs correctly in terms of decibels (dBs). NRR is calculated through stringent lab tests, which involve testing various materials and earplug products against noise exposure. The NRR is the difference between the noise level that was measured with earplugs in and without them.

However, it’s important to understand that the NRR does not represent a guarantee of the precise level of noise reduction a person would experience when using earplugs, as there can be multiple factors at play in different environments – for instance, the fit in your eardrum matters.

What Types of Earplugs Are Available on the Market?

The market is replete with a variety of earplugs, including foam, silicon and wax varieties. Some may even be marketed with a sense of prestige, such as high-end memory foam. Be careful of being oversold through impressive packaging, however.

The most common of these are foam, easy to wear and can be squeezed, inserted and then expand to the size of your ear canal. They might not suit all ear sizes, though and they can be less comfortable to wear for extended periods of time.

Silicon earplugs are molded to fit the ear and consist of soft, malleable silicon. Although they may not offer as much noise suppression as foam earplugs, they are more comfortable to wear. That said you’ll need to find the right fit.

Wax earplugs are molded to fit the ear and are comprised of soft wax. They are comfortable to wear and offer good noise reduction, although they could be more challenging to put in and take out than other styles of earplugs. If you’re lucky, some may be custom-made for you.

Why Should NNR Count When I’m Buying Earplugs?

It’s crucial to take the NRR into account while selecting earplugs, as well as the style that will be most handy and pleasant for you to use. If you frequently work in a noisy environment, such as a factory or construction site, in event management or stage production near noisy musical equipment, you might wish to use earplugs with a greater NRR.

Foam earplugs may be the best option in these circumstances because they offer good noise resistance and are reasonably priced. You might choose to use earplugs with a lower NRR if you are sensitive to noise and need them for sleeping or other activities. Just remember that NRR cannot break physics, so you’ll feel heavy vibrations and won’t be able to block out 100% of all noise at all levels. Talk to your audiologist and ask if earplugs will be the right choice for you.

Remember that certain additions like the fit, how they mold to your ear and fit your ear canal, the density of the material and your proximity to loud noise will all be impacted. For sleeping at night, basic foam earplugs may be fine. If working in noisy environments, be sure to invest in a worthwhile multipack of premium-grade earplugs or opt for ear defenders.

With this advice, we hope you can find the best earplugs for your needs. From there, you may wish to speak to Flynn Associates to discuss your hearing health with a qualified and experienced audiologist. Please call us at Wellesley (781) 943-5040 and Concord at (978) 759-3540 to speak to our friendly team today!