Hearing Protection: How Loud Is Too Loud, and What SNR Means
Noise damage is painless, gradual and permanent. A worker exposed to loud machinery day after day loses hearing slowly, and by the time they notice, it does not come back. Good hearing protection costs little, but only if it is the right type, worn correctly, for the whole time the noise is on.
The short answer: if people have to shout to be heard at one metre, the noise is probably loud enough to need protection. Choose earplugs or earmuffs by their SNR rating so the level reaching the ear is around 70–80 dB. More protection is not always better: workers still need to hear alarms, vehicles and each other.
How loud is too loud?
Noise is measured in decibels, dB(A). The scale is logarithmic, so small numbers mean big differences: every 3 dB more doubles the sound energy, and halves the time a worker can safely spend in it.
European rules, which many companies in Egypt follow, set two action levels for a working day:
- 80 dB(A): employers must make hearing protection available.
- 85 dB(A): hearing protection must be worn, and the area marked as a hearing protection zone.
Typical levels, as a guide:
| Source | Approximate level |
|---|---|
| Normal conversation | 60 dB |
| Busy workshop, forklift | 80–90 dB |
| Angle grinder, circular saw | 95–105 dB |
| Jackhammer, concrete breaker | 100–110 dB |
| Chainsaw, heavy press | 105–115 dB |
For accurate numbers, measure with a sound level meter. See the noise hazards guide.
What SNR means
Every hearing protector sold in Europe is tested to EN 352 and carries an SNR (Single Number Rating) in decibels. It is the average reduction the protector gives across all frequencies.
To estimate the level at the ear: noise level minus SNR. Real-world protection is usually lower than the lab result, because fit is never perfect, so many safety professionals add 4 dB as a margin.
Example: a workshop at 100 dB(A) and earmuffs with SNR 30: 100 − 30 + 4 = 74 dB at the ear. That is in the target range.
American products show an NRR instead. It is calculated differently and is not directly comparable with SNR.
Earplugs or earmuffs?
| Earplugs | Earmuffs | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical SNR | 25–37 dB | 25–35 dB |
| Comfort in heat | Better | Hotter in summer |
| With glasses | No problem | Glasses arms can break the seal |
| Easy to see if worn | Hard to check | Easy for supervisors to check |
| Fitting | Must be inserted correctly | Quick and consistent |
| On and off often | Awkward with dirty hands | Easy |
Choose earplugs for long, continuous exposure, hot conditions and people who wear glasses. Choose earmuffs where workers go in and out of noisy areas, where hands are dirty, and where supervisors need to see protection is on.
For very loud work (above about 105 dB), use both together.
Helmet-mounted earmuffs
Earmuffs tested to EN 352-3 clip into the side slots of a compatible safety helmet, so workers who need a helmet are not wearing a headband over or under it. Choose the model made for your helmet. See our helmet guide.
Browse earmuffs and hearing protection
Wearing them correctly
- Foam earplugs: roll them into a thin tube, pull the top of the ear up and back, insert, and hold for a few seconds while they expand. A plug sticking half out gives a fraction of its SNR.
- Earmuffs: cups fully over the ears, hair pushed back, headband snug. Thick glasses arms, hoods and caps under the cushions let noise in.
- Wear them the whole time. Taking protection off for just a few minutes in a very loud area removes much of the day's benefit, because of how decibels add up.
- Replace cushions when they go hard or cracked, usually every six months with daily use, and replace disposable plugs daily.
Too much protection is a hazard too
A protector with a very high SNR in a moderately noisy area cuts workers off. They cannot hear reversing vehicles, alarms or warnings, and they are more likely to lift a cup to talk. Aim for 70–80 dB at the ear, not silence.
Questions buyers ask us
Are cotton or tissue in the ears enough?
No. They give almost no protection. Use tested earplugs or earmuffs.
Can workers listen to music with hearing protection?
Only with protectors designed for it, which limit the volume. Ordinary headphones under earmuffs add noise and break the seal.
How often do we need to check noise levels?
Measure when you set up a new area or machine, and again when equipment or work patterns change. Hearing checks for exposed workers help catch damage early.
Buying for a team
Order a mix: earmuffs for people who move between areas, earplugs for long shifts and hot work, and helmet-mounted earmuffs for site teams. Order replacement cushions and plug dispensers at the same time. Send the list through For Companies and we will quote within 24 working hours, with bulk prices from 20 pieces.