Ear plugs and ear muffs are easily the only two options when it comes to noise protection. Whether you need them at work or when working in your shed or backyard, these two are guaranteed to offer protection to your ears. And with harmful decibels being the leading cause of hearing loss, using any of these two options could help safeguard your hearing. However, do you know which is best? Find out below.
Noise protection
In regards to noise protection, ear plugs are a better option compared to ear muffs. This is because ear muffs simply cover the ears externally.
On the other hand, ear plugs cover the ear canal where it’s more effective to obstruct noise and hearing. If working in very loud environments, therefore, ear plugs are a better option.
Comfort
Ear muffs cover the ears externally, making them a great option for cold weather as they help to shield the ears from cold. However, in warm weather, they may cause sweating and heat discomfort.
Ear plugs are small and do not affect the user in regards to the weather. However, because they are fitted inside the ear, users with ear infections may find them difficult to wear for long periods.
Wearability
Ear muffs are easy to put on correctly. They simply need to be fitted over the ears like music headphones.
Ear plugs are not so easy to wear. They can be difficult to put on correctly and some level of training may be needed.
Portability
Ear muffs can be bulky, especially if you do not like carrying any luggage around. Luckily, some modern designs are foldable thereby making them easier to carry.
Ear plugs offer no portability issues. They can easily fit inside the pocket, even when already packaged inside a pouch.
Retainability
Once put in place, ear muffs will remain in position without causing too much difficulty. And should they fall off, they are easy to locate, thanks to their large size.
Ear plugs are not so easy to retain. Once they fall off or get lost, it can be difficult to reclaim them. If not fitted correctly, they can also fall off unexpectedly.
Fashionability
Ears muffs look bulky, traditional, and almost awkward. This relegates their fashionability to applications such as construction, lawn mowing and other outdoor manual tasks.
Ear plugs are more fashionable because they are not easy to spot. They can be worn indoors or on the move without ruining one’s appearance.
Cost
Ear muffs cost a little more than ear plugs. Their standard price ranges from $12-$60.
Ear plugs are cheap and can be purchases for a $1 or less a pair when sourced in packs – usually 10 pairs or more.
The verdict:
Both types of ear protection devices are good and at least one type should be worn when around harmful noise environments. As can be seen above, the right option will depend on a number of factors such as the environment, how long they are to be worn, how likely they are to get lost around the site, etc. Each application will determine what the best option is.
