Noise Exposure with Radio Earmuffs Explained In New Sound Source Bulletin

Smithfield, RI — The question of whether radio earmuffs provide protection or add damaging noise is addressed in a new Sound Source bulletin recently released by the Bacou-Dalloz Hearing Safety Group, makers of Howard Leight and Bilsom brand hearing protectors.

Authored by Audiology and Regulatory Affairs Manager, Brad Witt, MA, CCC-A, and available on the Hearing Safety Group website, Sound Source #3, “Radio Earmuffs & Noise Exposure,” discusses the difference between headset radios and hearing protector earmuffs equipped with AM/FM radios, and explains how to calculate effective noise exposure while wearing them.

“When headset radios first appeared in stores several decades ago, they were not marketed as hearing protectors,” says Witt, adding that this was, “a good thing, since they offered very little attenuation of noise. At some frequencies, the headsets were even found to amplify background noise (with the radio turned off) due to resonance in the earcup.”

To be a hearing protector, says Witt, an earmuff must be designed to be a hearing protector from the start. The volume settings of typical portable stereo headsets have been measured as high as 96 dBA at 100% volume, “a hazardous noise level if listened to continuously for several hours. Ideally, a radio headset should allow the enjoyment of music at safe levels, but also reduce the background disturbance in a noisy environment.”

Today’s new hearing protectors do just that, he reports. Built-in radios contain circuitry that limits their maximum radio volume. When the radio is turned on, for example, the sound output is electronically limited to 82 dB.

But the questions that concern many are: when using these earmuffs in an industrial setting, won’t the radio simply add more noise to damage hearing? And what are the noise levels under the earcup when the radio is turned on?

“When two noise sources are added together, the decibels are added logarithmically, not arithmetically,” Witt explains. “For example, the sum of two 90 dB sound sources would equal 93 dB.”

The Sound Source bulletin goes on to provide a chart, illustrating the effective noise exposure levels for a typical radio earmuff worn in 90 and 100 dB of noise.

“Since the radio output is limited to a safe 82 dB maximum, the radio adds very little noise to effective exposures in high noise levels,” Witt concludes. “In a high-noise job that is also repetitive or monotonous, a radio earmuff can add significantly to worker satisfaction and enjoyment, without sacrificing hearing protection.”

To download a free copy of Sound Source #3, go to:
http://www.hearingportal.com/hearingconservation/hc-snd-ame.asp

About the company:
Since its beginnings as a one-man operation more than 30 years ago, Howard Leight Industries has grown into one of the largest manufacturers of in-ear hearing protection in the industrial market and is widely recognized as an innovator in protection and fit. Since 2001 Howard Leight has been a part of the Bacou-Dalloz Hearing Safety Group.

Bilsom was founded in Sweden in 1968 and leads the industry in developing innovative sound management technologies that are used in some of the most challenging environments in the world.

Combining the innovation and expertise of Howard Leight Earplugs and Bilsom Earmuffs, the Bacou-Dalloz Hearing Safety Group is a world leader in hearing safety.

Bacou-Dalloz is the world leader in the design, manufacture and sale of personal protective equipment, offering a comprehensive range of safety products designed to protect people from hazards in the workplace. The Group specializes in head protection equipment (eye and face, respiratory and hearing protection), body protection equipment (clothing, gloves and footwear) and fall protection equipment. With a worldwide presence and over 6,000 people, Bacou-Dalloz endeavors to contribute to ongoing improvements in workplace health and safety by providing innovative, comfort-engineered products that workers want to wear. The Groups products are sold through a worldwide network of distributor partners for use in all sectors of activity (construction, manufacturing, telecommunications, homeland security, petrochemicals, medical, public services, etc.). Bacou-Dalloz is listed on the Premier March of the Euronext stock exchange in Paris, and is part of the SBF 120 index.

For additional product information, contact:
Bacou-Dalloz Hearing Safety Group
7828 Waterville Road
San Diego, CA 92154
Tel: 800/430-5490
Fax: 401/232-3110
email: rbessette@bacou-dalloz.com
http://www.hearingportal.com

Media Contact:
THOMAS RANKIN ASSOCIATES
Tom Rankin, APR
+1 (401) 884-4090
email: tomr@trankin.com