What is the level for single hearing protection?

What is the level for single hearing protection?

• A. >=104dB(A) OR >=165db(P)
• B. >=85dB but <104dB(A) OR >=140db but <165db(P)
• C. >=80dB with no upper limit
• D. <85dB

Answer: (B)

The level for using a single hearing protector is the range where protection is needed but still allows safe exposure with one device. In practice, that means noise exposure above the action level but not so high that one protector isn’t enough to keep you under the limit. Specifically, you use a single protector when exposure is between 85 dB(A) and 104 dB(A) (time-weighted average), or when peak exposures are between about 140 dB(P) and 165 dB(P). Below 85 dB, protection isn’t required, and above the upper bound, double protection is necessary. That’s why the correct choice matches the 85 to 104 dB(A) range (and the corresponding peak range), making it the best fit for single hearing protection.

The level for using a single hearing protector is the range where protection is needed but still allows safe exposure with one device. In practice, that means noise exposure above the action level but not so high that one protector isn’t enough to keep you under the limit. Specifically, you use a single protector when exposure is between 85 dB(A) and 104 dB(A) (time-weighted average), or when peak exposures are between about 140 dB(P) and 165 dB(P). Below 85 dB, protection isn’t required, and above the upper bound, double protection is necessary. That’s why the correct choice matches the 85 to 104 dB(A) range (and the corresponding peak range), making it the best fit for single hearing protection.