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Measuring noise levels and employees' noise exposure is an important part of a workplace noise control and hearing conservation program. A wide range of professional instruments can be used to measure noise levels. We carry a complete line of sound measuring devices: noise indicators, sound examiners, sound level meters, outdoor measuring systems. A noise indicator shows if the noise level is above the non-harmful 85 dB and if it is necessary to start using hearing protection such as ear plug …

Average adults spend over 10.3 years (90,000 hours) at work in their lifetime. People's ears have different levels of sensitivity to loud sounds, especially at certain frequencies. Noise is one of the most common occupational hazards in workplaces: it causes hearing loss, creates stress, and contributes to work-related accidents. In industrial settings, where there is a constant background noise in addition to impulse noise, the danger of losing hearing increases. Most experts believe that …

Every year, approximately 30 million people in the United States are occupationally exposed to hazardous levels of noise according to OSHA. Since 2004, the Bureau of Labour Statistics has reported nearly 125,000 workers have suffered significant, permanent hearing loss. Surgery and hearing aids can only help with hearing loss, not correct it. OSHA's permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 90 dBA for all workers for an 8 hour day. For each additional 5 dBA, the exposure time is cut in half. NIOS …

Hearing protection is a necessity for many of our customers, and for a variety of reasons. Some of the folks shopping at PK Safety are looking to drown out the sound of a snoring spouse, others need protection from industrial manufacturing equipment or other heavy machinery; still others are hunters looking for protection from gunshot noise. The common thread among all of them is they want protection that is also comfortable. Each piece of hearing protection must be test …

The Moldex Battleplugs are a new type of reusable earplug. These patented, baffled hearing protection devices have two modes which provide completely different noise reduction ratings. A small hinge on the outside part of the earplug allows a cap to be either open or closed depending on the expected noise level. If the caps are closed, the Battleplugs have a noise reduction rating (NRR) of 24. In the open position, they have an NRR of 9. When the caps are open, the wearer is still pr …

Work sites are often noisy places. If you're looking for high-quality disposable hearing protection, you can be sure your team will be satisfied with the Pura-Fit 6800 Earplugs from Moldex. But there are other events this summer that may also require hearing protection, and they're probably more fun than work. If you have never been to car races, for instance, I can tell you, it's one place where earplugs are absolutely necessary. And the same earplugs that protect you at work will work pe …

Airports have many hazardous work environments that require both vigilance and the correct personal protective equipment (PPE). Workers at both busy metropolitan airports and smaller, private fields need to abide by the safety protocols in place, but should also look to their own safety by making sure the equipment they are given is in good repair. It may be wise for them to consider buying their own PPE when better options are available. Noise protection is one of the biggest considera …

Your ears are pretty incredible if you consider what they can do. They can hear a wide range of noises from a cricket in the field to the roar of a jet engine. But they do have their limits, and even short exposure to very loud sounds will permanently damage the nerves of the inner ear. In the working world jackhammers are a great example of a really useful tool that can quickly damage an ear's ability to hear. A jackhammer working concrete is about as bad as it gets in terms of hearing …

Noise levels will be high around the San Francisco Bay this weekend. Fleet Week is here and with it the loud, loud sound of six F/A-18 Hornets flying overhead at Mach 1. It's something you can feel through your whole body, but it's your ears that are in the greatest danger. Maximum decibel levels for spectators has been measured between 100 and 115dB, which is pretty darn high. While this level is still in the realm of the acceptable for short doses during fly-over, it is still incre …

Worn properly an earplug like the Howard Leight Max NRR 33 can be used in noise up to 110 dB(A).  110 dB is roughly equivalent to someone blowing a whistle a couple feet from your ear.  Aside from being extremely irritating, it’s very dangerous for your ear.  120dB is typically recognized as the pain threshold and the point where damage to your ear can happen very quickly. On their website, the Howard Leight company writes that the best earplug is the one that is worn …