Hear tomorrow

Our hearing is one of our most vital senses. That is why it’s important to protect it. There were an estimated 11,000 prevalent cases of hearing problems caused or made worse by work over during the period of 2019/20 – 2021/22. 

Damage to our hearing due to industrial noise can contribute to hearing loss now and/or in later life. Hearing damage can easily be prevented by following the hierarchy of control which can also include the use of suitable hearing protectors. 

Hearing protectors are available in different versions e.g., earmuffs and earplugs. Earmuffs include headband version that can be worn over the head, neckband version that can be worn around the neck or earmuffs that can be attached to head protection and/or face protection. 

The latter requires a suitable carrier which can include industrial safety helmet, climbing helmet, face shields or rigid headtop of powered and supplied air respirator system. 

Most safety helmets have a facility, usually an accessory slot at each side, to allow them to be fitted with earmuffs and other accessories such as face shields. Also, many manufacturers offer helmet mounted earmuffs specifically designed for this purpose. Often the fitting points of the helmet and earmuff are of a ‘standard’ size and style, however, each combination needs to tested and CE/UKCA approved which is typically achieved against the performance requirement of the European Standard EN 352-3 (or its equivalent designated Standard as applicable in the UK for UKCA approval). While it may be possible to physically attach earmuffs to safety helmets, it does not imply that the combination of helmet and hearing protectors in question are approved for use without appropriate testing as mentioned above. The approved combination typically lists the name and model identification of the safety helmet and earmuffs as well as information on sizing and adjustability i.e., small, medium or large size range, this information must be supplied with the product either on packaging or user instructions. It is perfectly acceptable to place a combination of helmet and earmuffs that fulfil one or two of the three size designations, so long as the packaging and user information features appropriate warning as per the European Standard EN 352-3 or its equivalent designated standard for UKCA approval.

To help ensure the earmuffs are correctly fitting the wearer and thus providing adequate protection, it is advisory to perform a fit check/fit test.

Fit Testing:

When selected as a control measure, hearing protector performance is critical to help ensure individual protection. There has been an emergence of commercially available systems that offer the capability of individually fit testing hearing protectors to assess how much attenuation an individual user is receiving based on the type of hearing protector, fitting technique and worker motivation. 

Hearing protection fit test systems either calculate a Personal Attenuation Rating (PAR) which is an estimation of the noise reduction obtained across test frequencies in one or both ears expressed as a single number or show a simple pass/fail with full attenuation characteristics. The time needed to conduct fit testing can range from a few seconds to 20 minutes dependant on test method. 

Recognised Fit Testing methods can be found in the ‘Hearing Protection fit Testing – An introductory Guide’ published by the UK Hearing Conservation Association (UKHCA)

Research suggests that users of hearing protection may receive less noise reduction than indicated by the attenuation value(s) on the packaging, due to variation in fit, fitting skill, and motivation of the user. To compensate for any poor fit, the label attenuation values are adjusted by applying a flat 4dB reduction to the overall laboratory data in the UK. An alternative and credible approach to address difference between field performance and laboratory generated data under controlled condition is to perform individual fit testing.

One of the key features determining the performance of earmuffs is the force produced by the spring arm. This is designed to maintain effective seal of the cushion around your ear. 

You may have selected the most suitable helmet for you or your workforce, and also the most appropriate earmuff for the noise hazard, taking into account ergonomics but without appropriate testing and approval of the combination system you cannot assume that the earmuff will provide the expected level of protection.

Both the helmet and the earmuffs should be CE and/or UKCA marked. This mark shows that a product meets the necessary regulatory requirements, however it does not tell you anything about its performance for any given application or task. 

There are different ways to gain the CE or UKCA approval mark but the most common is to have a product certified using a harmonised European or Designated Standard in the case of UKCA approval . For helmet mounted earmuffs the standard is EN352-3, and it requires products to be tested together and manufacturers to specify the models of helmet tested with the earmuffs.

There are many helmet manufacturers who produce earmuffs for use with their helmets. There are also many manufacturers who specialise in producing one or the other, and distributors will offer a range of both products to give you the best choice.

If you select products from different sources make sure the combined system is tested and certified against EN 352-3. In addition, it is advisory to perform Fit Testing of combination system..

Manufacturers are well aware of the situation and many co-operate to have their products tested together, so that the customer can select the combination they prefer as the most appropriate.

So, if you want to use an earmuff with a particular helmet, make sure they have been certified together. Remember, your ears may be covered but are you protected?

For more information the BSIF Special Interest Group for Hearing Protection have created more detailed guidance, look out for the ‘Just Because it Fits’ campaign that will be published during 2024.

This article has been supplied by the BSIF Hearing Protection Special Interest Group. For more information, visit www.bsif.co.uk