What is the level for double hearing protection?

What is the level for double hearing protection?

• A. >=85dB
• B. >=104dB(A) OR >=165db(P)
• C. >=140dB(P)
• D. Only when exceeding 110dB

Answer: (B)

Double protection is used when the noise is high enough that a single hearing protector may not keep exposure safe, and this decision looks at two measurements: the steady, A-weighted level and the instantaneous peak level. The guideline says to use two protections when the continuous noise reaches 104 dB(A) or higher, or when a peak impulse reaches 165 dB(P) or higher. The A-weighted value reflects how loud the sound is to the human ear over time, while the peak value guards against sudden, very loud bursts that can cause immediate damage even if the average level isn’t extremely high. Two protections—such as combining earplugs with earmuffs—provide greater attenuation across frequencies and better protection against impulsive noises than any single device.

Double protection is used when the noise is high enough that a single hearing protector may not keep exposure safe, and this decision looks at two measurements: the steady, A-weighted level and the instantaneous peak level. The guideline says to use two protections when the continuous noise reaches 104 dB(A) or higher, or when a peak impulse reaches 165 dB(P) or higher. The A-weighted value reflects how loud the sound is to the human ear over time, while the peak value guards against sudden, very loud bursts that can cause immediate damage even if the average level isn’t extremely high. Two protections—such as combining earplugs with earmuffs—provide greater attenuation across frequencies and better protection against impulsive noises than any single device.