Hearing protection
Use when noise risks hearing damage, and even with some permanent loss, to stop further damage.
All devices:
- Attenuate noise before it reaches the eardrum.
- Work mainly on high-frequency noise.
- Make speech clearer, not harder to hear.
| Device | Key point |
|---|---|
| Earplugs | Need an air-tight seal in the ear canal |
| Active noise reduction (ANR) headset | Cancels low-frequency noise by coupling it with its exact mirror image |
| Earplugs + earmuffs or headset | Very loud noise |
| Earplugs + ANR headset | Maximum protection |
Trap: earplug without an air-tight seal does not protect properly.
References
- FAA CAMI, Hearing and Noise in Aviation (AM-400-98/3)