Why is compatible hearing protection important?

Hearing damage can be undetectable, and it is vital to ensure?PPE?is fitted correctly with compatible products to ensure protection.?Hearing protectors?form a physical barrier between the noise energy and inner ear to provide attenuation. When a proper fit cannot be achieved, or is compromised by incompatible products, the level of hearing protection can be reduced.?

Selecting suitable and compatible products prevents undetectable and irreversible damage that can present in life-changing conditions such as Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) and?tinnitus.?

Ear defender?fit

Ear defenders create a tight seal around the outside of the ears, meaning sound must travel through the ear cup, causing it to lose energy and become quieter. Items passing under the ear defender cushion, such as hair or ear jewellery, can break the seal and reduce protection.?

To create and maintain this seal, ear defenders are designed to exert a certain amount of force. The force exerted is called ‘headband force’ for all types of ear defenders, including helmet and faceshield mounted products.

Mounted ear defender?compatibility

Mounted ear defenders work with compatible?helmets?or faceshields to create the intended level of headband force. Hearing protectors are tested on the products they are designed to be compatible with, to assess the performance of the products working together. Change in headband force is also assessed to ensure the products continue to perform at the intended level throughout foreseeable use.?

Wearing mounted ear defenders with incompatible products means the level of hearing protection offered is unknown. Even if the products can be fitted together, the force exerted by the combination has not been verified.?

The headband force of incompatible products can be significantly lower than intended, meaning the attenuation level is reduced. The headband force can also be too high, causing discomfort and overprotecting the wearer. Without testing to assess change in headband force after simulated wear, the hearing protectors can become looser over time, reducing protection further.?

Certified compatibility

Choosing certified compatible hearing protection means the products are designed to work together and have been independently tested to ensure the correct attenuation. As category III products under the PPE Regulation, mounted ear defenders are assessed in combination with compatible helmets and faceshields on a regular basis to ensure conformity is maintained.

JSP head and hearing protection is designed, tested and certified to work together, offering combined high-performance protection.?

Register?for the JSP Head & Hearing Compatibility webinar to find out more about the importance of compatible head and hearing protection.

Have any more hearing protection questions? Take a look at our?hearing?protection faq!

Find out more about our?range of hearing?protection.?

How can we help?

If you have any questions please?contact us?and our team will be happy to help with supply, usage or correct application of our products.