Best Hearing Protection for Woodworking
Discover the best hearing protection for woodworking, including what to look for in them, how to choose the best ear protection that works for you, and affordable options to keep your ears safe in the workshop.
Safety is the most important part of any woodworking project. You only have one body, and protecting your eyes, ears, and airways from long-term damage from all the generated dust is extremely important.
Today, let’s talk about hearing protection.
The problem with hearing loss due to loud noises is that it happens gradually. You don’t notice it until it’s too late. Nothing can restore lost hearing. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.
Table of Contents
Why Do You Need Hearing Protection?
Exposure to loud noises can significantly reduce human hearing. According to OSHA, 85 dBA is the limit above which hearing loss becomes permanent.
This means that being exposed to 85 dBA for 7 hours can cause permanent hearing loss. Not just that, with every 3 dBA of noise increase past 85 dBA, the time to hearing loss reduces in half.
What does this mean?
This means that without hearing protection, hearing loss at 95-100 dB (like a circular saw, table saws, etc.) would take 7 minutes, and at 112 dB (like a chain saw) would take only 2 minutes!
Protecting ourselves from hearing loss caused by loud noises is something in our control and should not be compromised.
How to Choose Hearing Protection
There are many factors that play a role in how you decide what ear protection you pick.
Noise Reduction Rating
This is THE most important feature to look at when picking ear protection. Every ear protection has an NRR (Noise Reduction Rating).
This number defines the amount of noise it blocks out. It can go as high as 33, with 23-27 being the most common. The actual effect of NRR isn’t a straightforward subtraction calculation.
How to calculate noise reduction
To calculate the actual noise reduction from your ear protection, you want to subtract 7 from the NRR and then divide by 2. Therefore, if the hearing protection is rated at NRR 27, the actual noise reduction is not 27dB. It is (27-7)/2, which is 10 dB. This is the reduction in the noise you will see.
If you are using shop tools, they are most commonly around 95dB; hearing protection will deduct 10dB from it, bringing it down to the 85dB safe zone.
Remember that the NRR only applies when the hearing protection is worn correctly.
Style of Hearing Protection
Ear protection comes in two primary styles –
- Over-the-ear style ( like ear muffs)
- In-ear styles (like earplugs)
They both have their advantages and drawbacks.
Over-the-ear styles are easy and quick to put on, but they can apply force to your ears and head and can become too hot in the summer months.
In-ear styles are smaller but can apply pressure in the ear canal and may not be comfortable for long periods of wear.
Which style you choose is ultimately your personal preference, but there are a few other factors to consider before making the decision.
Compatibility With Other PPE
When using shop tools, you need eye, breathing, and hearing protection. You want to make sure that all three work together and do their individual jobs. If not worn correctly, the respirator or safety glasses might push down on the ear protection, making it looser or vice versa.
Optional Features
Many newer ear protection devices come with built-in BlueTooth or FM radios. These are great features to add additional functionality if you need them, but they are totally optional. Obviously, the price goes up with these additional features as well.
Noise-Canceling vs. Noise Isolation
Noise-canceling headphones are trendy and commonly available in many varieties and brands. These do not work for noise reduction and are not intended for use in a workshop.
Noise-canceling headphones listen for sounds through a microphone and then neutralize them before they reach the ears by playing a different sound. However, this technology isn’t fast or accurate enough to cancel out the noise from power tools.
On the other hand, noise isolation devices simply don’t allow the noise to reach your ears, making them much more effective and accurate for use around workshop tools.
Best Ear Protection for Power Tools (My Recommendations)
Best NRR Rating: Decibel Defense
Most Budget-friendly: Corded reusable earplugs
Best earmuffs: 3M Peltor Earmuffs
Best behind-the-head earmuffs: Behind-the-head earmuffs
Disposable: 3M disposable Earplugs
Best BlueTooth Ear Protection:
- In-ear: ISOTUNES FREE 2.0. (Get $10 OFF with code ANIKA10)
- Corded in-ear: ISOTUNES PRO 2.0 (Get $10 OFF with code ANIKA10)
- Over-the head: ISOTUNES Link 2.0 (Get $10 OFF with code ANIKA10)
- 3M WorkTunes
Protecting your hearing is one of the most important safety measures you can take as a woodworker. I am sure you can find something in the list that works well for your ears and budget.
Prioritize your safety, find the gear that works for you, and keep building confidently!
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Anika's goal is to inspire and empower beginners with woodworking, DIY, home improvement, and home decor ideas.
She wants everyone to unlock their creative potential and experience the feeling that comes with making something. Nothing feels better better than seeing something and saying "I can make that!"
Good basic info, but as a retired safety manager from a manufacturing facility I would add a few comments.
While it is true that your PPE only works if worn, it is important that it is chosen correctly for the known hazard and fits! Hearing protection especially will only give you the noise reduction expected if it fits. Foam-type ear plugs need to be inserted and worn correctly – and often are not without instruction.
There are phone apps. to measure noise and I recommend deciBel. It will tell you the maximum and provide an average. It is not always best to choose the highest NRR if it isn’t needed. For example, over-the-head ear muffs with the highest NRR are generally bulkier and a bit heavier than a product with a lower NRR. And if uncomfortable – even with the potential for injury – PPE sometimes stays in the locker or on the bench.
One more mention regards using a product that basically protects from noise outside of the PPE, but offers the user the option for music/radio/podcasts. To drown out the machine noise, they turn up the volume and can be exposing themselves still to excessive “noise.”
Noise-induced hearing loss not only happens over time, but you cannot feel it happening.
Hi Bette, Thanks so much for the important pointers. And really great point about raising up volumes to drown out the sound of machines that totally defeats the purpose.
Anika