How to Improve Safety Compliance with Hearing Protection

When you work in a noisy environment like a factory, an airport, or a quarry, you're constantly exposed to extreme sound hazards. The machinery in a manufacturing plant, a boat engine, or heavy construction equipment all consistently exceed sound levels of 100Db or higher. When regularly exposed, these sound levels could lead to tinnitus, or even worse, permanent hearing loss.

Hearing loss from extreme, high-volume environments isn't something anyone wants. The good news is, for the most part, hearing loss resulting from a loud worksite is perfectly preventable. Better yet, there are several hearing protection options at your disposal, all affordable, and all effective in improving safety and regulatory compliance within a worksite.

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Making sure your workforce has the right hearing protection and using is it correctly is the next step when improving the safety of your worksite, and comfort is a key component to that. When a piece of equipment is uncomfortable, an employee may not wear it. Some employees may inadvertently wear their hearing protection incorrectly, defeating the purpose.

Why should I use earplugs at work?

The 3M™ E-A-R™ Classic earplugs were the first foam earplugs used throughout any manufacturing industry, offering a revolutionary option for hearing protection. Today, it's one of the most versatile options available on the market, offering a comfortable form for multiple functions to appeal to most users.

Compared to other hearing protection options, 3M E-A-R Classic earplugs come with unique features that industrial workers and safety professionals have preferred for over 30 years. 3M Classic earplugs are made out of a proprietary foam that offers a slew of benefits. These perks include:

Reduced canal pressure

High-pressure in the ear canals created by an earplug with the wrong foam density could lead to severe discomfort for your employees. 3M Classic earplugs have a low equilibrium pressure, so your team can wear them comfortably, as if they weren't even there.

Not too soft

3M Classic earplugs are firm when they're compressed for fitting, and soft when they set, creating a complete and comfortable seal for the ear canal to optimize noise reduction.

Resists sweat and moisture

The foam construction of the 3M Classic earplugs don't absorb any moisture or sweat while you're using them, making sure your team can get a consistent fit, even if they work in a humid environment.

Flame resistant

Tested and proven to be flame resistant, 3M Classic earplugs are safe, even in extreme heats. With 3M Classic earplugs, you can work safely, even if you're exposed to an arc flash or sudden flames.

A medical-grade rating

The 3M Classic foam earplugs have been tested and verified to meet the requirements for USP Class VI Medical Grade Material, the highest possible grade.

Easy recycling

The foam used in the 3M classic earplugs are constructed out of 100 percent recyclable materials.

Cylindrical shape

Cylindrical plugs have been found to perform better for in-use protection levels when compared to tapered earplugs.

One size fits most

The cylinder form used by 3M Classic earplugs has been designed to fit a wide variety of ear canals, while meeting the product dimensions specified in Mil-P-37407, the U.S. military requirements for foam earplugs.

Quick and easy fitting

With the 3M E-A-Rfit™ Validation System, you can fit test a 3M Classic earplug on-site, in your workplace. Testing takes less than 10 seconds per ear, and identifies a personal attenuation rating (PAR) that identifies the noise reduction level for a given fitting.

What are my earplug choices for hearing protection?

Available in options for virtually anybody, 3M Classic earplugs are available corded or uncorded. These include the original foam earplug, made out of the proprietary 3M slow-recovery foam. Other available options are:

Classic Small earplugs

Designed specifically to cater to smaller ear canals, the 3M Classic Small earplug offers a diameter that's 7% smaller than the Classic earplug to help provide optimized comfort and protection, with a noise reduction rating (NRR) of 29dB.

Classic Plus earplugs

For those who need increased attenuation within their ear canal, the 3M Classic Plus earplugs are 20% longer than the Classic earplug to fit deeper into an ear canal, while offering an NRR of 33dB.

Classic Plus Metal Detectable earplugs

For food processing or other industries that face potential contamination, the 3M Classic Plus Metal Detectable earplugs offer traceable hearing protection that offers a 33dB NRR.

Classic SuperFit Earplugs

Equipped with an exclusive fitting ring to deliver a visual element that helps confirm proper fitting, the 3M Classic SuperFit™ earplugs offer an NRR of up to 33dB.

Classic earplugs

As the original foam earplug from 3M, the Classic is available in 3M One Touch™ dispenser refills

For additional information about hearing protection and how you can equip your workforce with hearing safety equipment that could improve your entire worksite, please visit our Hearing Protection page today.

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