How to choose professional noise canceling headphones?

The professional earmuff is PPE in the same category as the Personal Protectors Against Noise (PICB). Following European Directive 2003/10/EC, it has been imposed on workplaces where the noise level exceeds 85 decibels.

Small definition of professional noise reduction headphones

To put it simply, the noise-canceling headphones is a device equipped with a headband and large insulating headphones on each side. Depending on the model, it can attenuate or eliminate noise pollution above a certain limit.

Risks related to noise in the workplace

The hazard level of noise largely depends on its intensity and frequency. In addition to these parameters, certain criteria such as the sensitivity of each person's ears, the duration of exposure and the distance of the victim from the source can also make it a significant threat to workers.

Staying too long exposed to noise can cause a temporary or permanent loss of hearing. The same applies to deafening noises exceeding 150 decibels, which can cause tearing of the eardrum and perhaps even permanent loss of the sense of hearing.

Standards and regulations on professional noise canceling headphones

Like any risk related to the professional environment, exposure to noise is subject to certain regulations defined by article L. 4121-2 of the Labor Code. The maximum durations, stipulated by law, are:

• 8 hours for an intensity of 80 dB;
• 4 hours for 83 dB;
• 2 hours for 86 dB, one hour for 89 dB;
• 30 minutes for 92 dB, 15 minutes for 95 dB;
• And no more than 7.5 minutes for a noise of 98 dB.

It is important to specify that these values ??already take into account the use of protective equipment such as noise reduction headphones and earplugs.

In order to optimize the safety and comfort of workers, the manufacture and wearing of professional earmuffs are also governed by certain specific European standards such as:

• The EN 352-1 standard: defining the essential requirements for headband-type protective equipment;
• The EN 352-2 standard: determining the conditions imposed on earplugs of all kinds;
• The EN 352-3 standard: having the role of delimiting the specifications for the headbands of protective helmets, as well as criteria on the design process and the performance of PPE .

Questions to ask yourself to find the best noise-isolating headphones for work

Before pulling out the wallet, it's important to ask yourself a few questions about the noise-canceling headphones that suit your activity.

What is the level of protection provided by pro noise canceling headphones?

To determine the level of protection offered by professional noise-cancelling headphones, you must refer to the SNR, an acronym for Signal to Noise Ratio. It indicates the level of attenuation applied by the equipment to the intensity of external noise. By way of example, headphones with a 30 dB SNR index will allow you to perceive only 60 dB out of the 90 dB produced by your work environment.

The frequency attenuation rate is defined by the HLM index. According to this indicator, a sound is considered to be high frequency, therefore acute, if it exceeds 2000 Hz. Mid-frequency sounds or medium sounds are between 400 and 2000 Hz. Low-frequency sounds or bass sounds then include all noises below 400 Hz.

Passive, non-communicating or active headset?

hearing protection equipment comes in several models, and among them is the noise reduction headphones passive or non-communicating. This model is intended to attenuate external noise pollution by covering the ears of workers with its earphones and pads made of absorbent foam, polyether, etc. It can offer a considerable reduction of 20 to 37 decibels. They are a good choice if you plan on alternating and discontinuous use such as a static shooting session in the range or a brief passage in a noisy environment.

Also called hunting noise canceling headphones or communicating noise canceling headphones, the active model is generally more leaning towards sound modulation. It uses microphones to intercept and amplify surrounding noise. These sensors cut off automatically if the intensity of the sound becomes too great. Items in this category are particularly recommended for continuous use throughout the day, such as when working on construction sites. Their main advantage is to prevent the risks of the trade while remaining receptive to sound signals deemed harmless.