16 NOVEMBER 2026 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Protect Your Hearing Adapted from Information by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health When it comes to noise exposure, employers should implement engineering and administrative controls and not solely rely on personal protective equipment (PPE) alone to control hazards. PPE is generally less effective than elimination, substitution, and engineering controls. Hearing protection is often inadequately chosen, worn incorrectly, and used inconsistently. Here are the best practices when it comes to providing hearing protection: j Provide workers with a variety of options to reduce noise exposure to less than the recommended exposure limit of 85 decibels (Acoustic) (dBA). j Select hearing protectors that are comfortable and compatible with the job. j Train management as well as workers. Identify unique motivations for each group to prioritize hearing safety. Manufacturers often include a noise reduction rating on packaging; this often does not reflect the actual protection provided for each worker. However, individual fit testing is the best way to check if each worker is getting the amount of protection needed. Hearing protection comes in many styles, materials, colors, and sizes. The main types of hearing protectors include: j Earplugs which slide snugly into the ear canal. j Earmuffs completely surrounding the outer ear and held in place by a headband or attached to a hard hat. j Canal caps cover the entrance to the ear canals and are held in place by a lightweight band. With all these choices, how can you know which is best for your workers? The most basic consideration is the noise exposure level. Most workers need 10 decibels (dB) or less of sound reduction to bring exposure down to a safe level. Almost any hearing protector, when fit correctly, can reduce noise by 10 dB. Keep the following guidelines in mind: j Aim for just enough noise reduction to bring exposure down to 75-85 dBA. j Avoid overprotection. Too much sound reduction can make workers less aware of their surroundings. Workers might take off their hearing protectors to hear properly. j Provide double hearing protection (earmuffs over earplugs) for workers exposed to noise levels at or above 100 dBA. j Fit test workers to make sure their hearing protectors are providing the right level of noise reduction. While reducing noise to a safe level is necessary, other factors are more important for making sure workers will wear their hearing protection correctly and consistently. These factors include: j Comfort: No one wants to wear something uncomfortable, especially for a long shift. Comfort is the key to consistent use of hearing protection. However, comfort is a personal preference and no single protector will be the most comfortable for everyone. j Compatibility: Hearing protection must be compatible with other safety equipment, characteristics of the work area, and the type of work being done. j Convenience: Think about how workers will use their hearing protection during the day. Consider whether the noise is continuous or periodic, if workers move from place to place frequently during their shift, and the cleanliness of the work site. Workers are more likely to use hearing protectors if it is made easy for them. In addition, post signs in noisy areas to remind workers hearing protection is required and keep a supply of hearing protectors readily accessible. j Communication: How often will workers need to hear others' speech while wearing hearing protection and how far apart will the workers be when they need to communicate? In some cases, equipment sounds may also be important for workers to hear. j Cost: Cost is often a factor, but sometimes more expensive hearing protectors can be cost-saving in the long run. Always have several options available for workers to try. Let them choose the hearing protector they like best from those that meet all the needs of their job. Remember to fit test to make sure the hearing protector they choose provides enough noise reduction to protect them from their noise exposure.
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