Hearing Protection

Articles to help understand hearing protection.


  1. What does SNR stand for and how do you use it?

    SNR stands for Simplified Noise Level Reduction (often referred to as Single Number Rating). It is a rating given...

  2. What is HML?

    A method of estimating the attenuation of hearing protection based on 3 parameters. H = High M = Medium L = Low...

  3. What does dB stand for?

    Decibel - the unit of sound level and noise exposure measurement.

  4. What is category III?

    Category III – complex PPE Category III as defined in the PPE Regulation ‘includes exclusively the risks that may...

  5. What do ear defenders do?

    Ear defenders form a physical barrier between the noise energy and the ear. Bypassing through the ear defender the...

  6. How do I choose the right ear defenders, I thought one was much the same as another?

    Due to the huge range of noise energy levels we need a range of ear defenders to match. The...

  7. What are Electronic Ear Defenders and how do they work?

    Electronic ear defenders are ear defenders incorporating an electronic sound reproduction system. At low levels of noise, the sound...

  8. I know what my noise exposure is, do I need any other information?

    Yes. Not only do you need to know the noise level, but you also need to know the noise...

  9. What are the action levels for noise?

    In accordance with the 2006 Noise at Work Regulations The action levels are: - First Action Level A daily...

  10. What is Tinnitus?

    Tinnitus is the term used for hearing noise in the ear, such as ringing, that comes from inside the...

  11. Explain the difference between 80 and 83dB's?

    The decibel scale is a logarithmic ratio between any two sound levels. The addition or subtraction of decibels is...

  12. I need to wear ear defenders and a safety helmet at the same time. How can I meet both these requirements?

    JSP produces a range of helmet-mounted ear defenders specifically designed to be worn with industrial safety helmets. The universal...

  13. Do ear defenders have a 'working life'?

    If the ear defender is treated with care and kept in suitable conditions, it can be expected to last...

  14. How do you test ear defenders to ensure that they are suitable for use?

    JSP ear defenders are made in batches. From each batch, we will take samples for testing. The first test...

  15. Preventing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL)

    Approximately 16% of disabling hearing loss in adults is attributed to workplace noise. Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) may develop...

  16. How are helmet mounted ear defenders tested?

    Mounted ear defenders must be tested with compatible helmets. Both physical and acoustic tests are required to make sure...

  17. The impacts of a noisy workplace

    High noise levels at work can have devastating consequences for employee health. World Health Organization figures reveal that approximately 16% of...

  18. Electric arc hazards and protection

    Electrical arcing poses extreme danger to workers. An arc incident presents a number of different hazards, requiring specialist equipment...

  19. How to implement noise control measures

    Before introducing hearing protection, there are other steps to be taken to control noise exposure. Starting in the planning...

  20. Are your helmet and ear defenders compatible?

    Compatible head and hearing protection means more than being able to fit ear defenders to a safety helmet. Products...

  21. Selecting hearing protection for the real world

    Hearing protection needs to perform at the intended level in real-world applications to effectively reduce workers’ exposure. When selecting...

  22. Award-winning Sonis® Comms by JSP brings better productivity to sites

    On hazardous sites with harmful noise levels, the requirement for adequate hearing protection can be at odds with the need for...

  23. How can ear defenders overprotect the wearer?

    Noise is one of the few hazards that people can be overprotected against. Whilst loud noise can be harmful,...

  24. Sound advice: Hearing protection in the workplace

    From the alarm clock in the morning, to chatting with family, friends and colleagues, and navigating our environment, for...

  25. Increasing productivity with effective communication

    Prioritising effective communication increases productivity, accuracy and efficiency, but this is not simple to achieve for all organisations. Strategies...

  26. Mounted ear defender compatibility

    Mounted ear defenders work with compatible helmets or faceshields to create the intended level of headband force. Hearing protectors are tested...

  27. What are the differences between continuous and impulse noise risks?

    Noise exposure in the workplace can be continuous or intermittent, called ‘impulse’. The type of exposure affects the type...

  28. How ear defenders are tested at JSP

    Consistent testing and inspection ensures that every JSP product meets strict standards of quality. In addition to independent testing...

  29. How to clean and maintain ear defenders

    Cleaning and maintenance helps to keep ear defenders in good condition, maximising product life and performance. User instructions supplied...

  30. Hearing protection standards explained

    Hearing protection products are covered by a number of European and national standards. The suite of European standards under...

  31. How to understand attenuation for ear defenders

    Hearing protectors form a physical barrier between noise energy and the inner ear. Passing through the ear defender cup or earplug causes the sound...

  32. How can teams safely and effectively communicate in high-noise environments?

    High-level noise damages the hearing, leading to life-changing conditions such as noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and tinnitus. The Labour Force...

  33. How do Level-Dependent Ear Defenders Provide Protection?

    Level-dependent ear defenders incorporate an electronic sound reproduction system, enabling the wearer to hear safe ambient sounds while protecting against dangerous...

  34. Sonis® Comms breaks down barriers to effective team communication

    Sonis® Comms brings new ways of teamworking. The embedded DMC® technology enables teams of up to 15 people to communicate...

  35. Why is compatible hearing protection important?

    Hearing damage can be undetectable, and it is vital to ensure PPE is fitted correctly with compatible products to ensure protection. Hearing...

  36. Hearing protection in the workplace

    As seen in BSIF Guide to the UK Safety & Health Industry 2022. Written by Louise Charlton, technical specialist....

  37. What are the hazards for welding and what are the requirements for protection?

    Welding and allied processes present a multitude of risks due to the use of high-heat, light-emitting equipment and materials...

  38. How to fit your JSP Ear Plugs

    Ear plugs work by blocking the ear canal to limit noise level at the inner ear. The ear plugs...

  39. Ultimate protection, fully compatible – JSP’s EVO®VISTA® Helmet and Force™8 half mask

    Compatibility in PPE is not only about products fitting correctly, but also working correctly when worn together. Some products...

  40. Compatible high-performance protection with EVOGuard® visor systems

    EVOGuard® maximises compatibility, offering seamless integration with safety headwear and ear defenders for combined protection. One-piece moulded visors are supplied...

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