Q. As a motorcyclists which ear plugs should I have?

It does all depend upon the type of motoring you do and your preference to whether you wish to hear speech. Non filtered ear plugs cut out more sound but filtered allow speech to be heard. You may need to hear speech though your helmet that has an intercom or just when visiting a garage to refuel but not wanting to remove the ear plugs. When we see you for impression taking we will always go through your requirements to help you make the best choice for your needs.

Q. Will the ear plugs damage my ears?

Physically no, and certainly not custom made ear plugs if correctly positioned in the ears (see our instruction sheet for guidance in putting in the ears). However, if you wear standard ear pieces attached to MP3 players or ipods, excessive high volume over long periods of time could possibly cause long term hearing damage. When you are fitted with custom made ear pieces, they shield you from external noise so there is really no need to listen to audio at excessively high levels.

Q. What is the difference between ER and Non-ER earplugs?

ER rated plugs have been clinically tested to ensure the meet the exacting standards as set out in the EN352-2:1993. Ear plugs with ER filters incorporate individually calibrated filters (usually 9,15 or 25 dB) designed to attenuate all sound frequencies at the same level. Thus giving you a reduced volume but without losing the clarity of what you are listening to. Non filtered plugs give a flat attenuation across the whole frequency spectrum, as a result they give an approximately 30dB attenuation.

Q. How much noise can a person tolerate?

The strength of a sound is determined by the pressure of the sound waves and is expressed in decibels: dB(A). dB(A) measurements are corrected to the sensitivity of the human ear. The quietest audible sound is 0dB(A). The threshold of pain is at 120dB(A).

dB(A) recommended maximum exposure:

85dB = 8 hours
88dB = 4 hours
91dB = 2 hours
94dB = 1 hour
97dB = 30 minutes
100dB = 15 minutes
103dB = 7.75 minutes
106dB = 3.75 minutes

Noise Sources – Examples:

Safe Area:

• 60dB
  Normal Office Noise
  Conversation
  Quiet Office
• 70dB
  Car Driver
• 80dB
  Busy Traffic
  Loud Radio
  Vacuum Cleaner

Risk Area:

• 88dB
  Diesel Truck
• 90dB
  Large Heavy Goods Vehicle
  Drilling Concrete
  Sandblasting
  Mill Worker Crushing
  Food Industry – Bottling
  Food Industry – Packaging
  Food Industry – High Boiling
  Food Industry – Bread Slicing
  Band Saws
• 100dB
  Tube Stations
  Machine Shop
  Grinding and Cutting Wheels
  Pig House at feed time
  Concrete Pouring
  Food Industry – Blast Chillers
  Food Industry Homogenisers

Harmful Range:

• 106dB
  Nightclubs
• 110dB
  Nail Gun
  Blasting
  Foundry Rumbling
• 120dB
  Propeller Driven Aircraft
  Punch Presses
  Chainsaws
• 125dB
  Jack Hammer
• 130dB
  Rivetting Hammers
  Gun Shot
• 132dB
  Rock concert
• 140dB
  Aircraft Jet Engines

Tags: ear defenders, noise protection

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