Hearing protection at work is a fundamental element within occupational risk prevention, especially in environments where workers are exposed to high noise levels. Sectors such as industry, construction, logistics, maintenance, or mechanical workshops require specific hearing protection equipment that helps reduce noise exposure and protect hearing health throughout the working day.
Prolonged exposure to noise can cause fatigue, communication difficulties, loss of concentration, and even irreversible hearing damage over time. Therefore, using appropriate hearing protectors is key to preserving workers' health and ensuring a safer working environment.
When selecting professional hearing protection, it is important to consider factors such as the noise level in the environment, the duration of exposure, or the type of activity performed. In this article, we analyze from which decibel level hearing protection becomes mandatory, which regulations these devices must comply with, and which types of protectors are most commonly used in the workplace.
From how many decibels is hearing protection mandatory at work?
In Spain, noise exposure in the workplace is regulated by Royal Decree 286/2006, which establishes the minimum health and safety requirements related to workers' exposure to noise. This regulation sets the noise levels from which preventive measures must be taken and hearing protection equipment must be used.
The regulation establishes three key noise exposure thresholds:
- 80 dB(A) – Lower exposure action value: From this level, the company must provide workers with hearing protectors and offer information and training on noise-related risks.
- 85 dB(A) – Upper exposure action value: When this level is reached, the use of hearing protection becomes mandatory. Additionally, technical or organizational measures must be implemented to reduce noise exposure.
- 87 dB(A) – Exposure limit value: This is the maximum permitted limit, taking into account the attenuation provided by the hearing protectors used by the worker.
In practice, this means that the selection of hearing protection must always be based on the noise level present in the workplace, ensuring that the equipment’s attenuation reduces the worker’s actual exposure below the established limits.
What regulations must hearing protection comply with at work?
Hearing protection used in the workplace must meet a series of legal and technical requirements that guarantee its safety and effectiveness as personal protective equipment (PPE). In Europe, the main regulation is Regulation (EU) 2016/425, which governs personal protective equipment and requires hearing protectors to have CE marking and pass the corresponding conformity assessment procedures.
Hearing protectors are classified as Category III PPE, as they protect against risks that may cause serious and irreversible health damage, such as hearing loss due to prolonged noise exposure.
In addition, these devices must comply with specific technical standards that establish their safety and performance requirements. Among the most relevant are:
- UNE-EN 352-1: earmuff-type hearing protectors.
- UNE-EN 352-2: earplug-type hearing protectors.
- UNE-EN 352-3: earmuffs attached to safety helmets.
- UNE-EN 352-6: earmuffs with electrical audio input (such as Bluetooth).
- UNE-EN 352-8: earmuffs with audio or entertainment systems.
Likewise, standards such as UNE-EN 458 or the UNE-EN ISO 4869 series provide recommendations and methods for selecting and measuring the acoustic attenuation of hearing protectors.
In short, when purchasing hearing protection for work, it is always advisable to check the product regulations, its noise reduction rating (SNR), and the H-M-L values, as these parameters help choose the appropriate equipment according to the workplace noise level.
Types of hearing protection in the workplace
There are different types of hearing protection designed to reduce noise exposure and protect workers' health. The most commonly used in industry, construction, maintenance or workshops are earmuffs and earplugs, two effective solutions that help reduce noise levels and improve safety throughout the working day.
Noise protection earmuffs
Noise protection earmuffs fully cover the ears and create a seal that reduces sound entry. They are especially recommended in industrial environments with constant noise and when comfortable and easy-to-wear protection is required.
Key features of good noise protection earmuffs:
- Appropriate attenuation level (SNR)
- Comfortable cushions and good sealing
- Adjustable or foldable headband
- Lightweight for prolonged use
- Compatibility with other PPE
- Compliance with UNE-EN 352-1 standard
Below, we present some outstanding earmuff models for professional use:
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PELTOR OPTIME I H510A EARMUFFS |
UVEX K10 30DB PROTECTION EARMUFFS |
HONEYWELL BLUETOOTH ELECTRONIC WIRELESS 1034510 EARMUFFS |
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| Key features |
Lightweight earmuffs for moderate noise · Very comfortable · Slim profile compatible with other PPE · Liquid and foam cushions · SNR 27 dB · Weight 180 g. |
Earmuffs with foldable headband · Viscoelastic cushions · Custom fit · Hermetic sealing · SNR 30 dB · Weight 185 g. |
Electronic earmuffs with Bluetooth® · Allows answering calls · Integrated microphone · Battery life +16 h · High attenuation · SNR 32 dB. |
| Standards |
UNE-EN 352-1 · CE · PPE Cat. III. |
UNE-EN 352-1:2020 · CE · PPE Cat. III. |
UNE-EN 352-1 · UNE-EN 352-6 · UNE-EN 352-8 · CE · PPE Cat. III. |
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21.80 €/unit (VAT not included)
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21.85 €/unit (VAT not included)
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247.25 €/unit (VAT not included)
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Hearing protection earplugs
Earplugs are inserted into the ear canal and provide lightweight and discreet protection. They are widely used when compatibility with other PPE is required or when the worker must wear protection for long periods.
Features that good earplugs should have:
- Good attenuation level (SNR).
- Ergonomic design for greater comfort.
- Easy insertion and removal.
- Available in reusable or disposable versions.
- Optionally with cord to prevent loss.
- Compliance with UNE-EN 352-2 standard.
Below, we highlight some earplug models recommended for the workplace:
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3M EARPLUG 1271 WITH CORD |
UVEX X-FIT LIME EARPLUG WITHOUT CORD |
E-A-R TRACERS DETECTABLE EARPLUG |
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| Main features |
Reusable earplug with cord · Case with clip · Moisture resistant · Ergonomic fit · SNR 25 dB. |
Disposable soft foam earplug · Very comfortable · X-Grip technology · High attenuation for very noisy environments · SNR 37 dB. |
Detectable reusable earplug · Ideal for food industry · Tri-flange design · Washable TPE material · PVC cord · SNR 29 dB. |
| Standards |
EN 352-2 · PPE Cat. III. |
EN 352-2 · PPE Cat. III. |
EN 352-2 · PPE Cat. III. |
| Price |
€77.50 / pack of 50 (VAT not included)
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€40.00 / pack of 200 (VAT not included)
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€137.50 / pack of 50 (VAT not included)
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The choice between earmuffs or earplugs will depend on the noise level, the type of activity, and the comfort required by the worker during their workday.
Experts in hearing protection for the workplace
As we have seen, choosing the right hearing protection is essential to reduce noise exposure, prevent hearing damage and ensure workers' safety in noisy environments. The correct selection of earmuffs or earplugs allows the level of protection to be adapted to each activity, also improving comfort and efficiency during the working day.
At Reysan, as specialists in personal protective equipment and occupational safety, we offer a wide range of professional hearing protection solutions, with products designed for sectors such as industry, construction, maintenance, logistics or food. Our catalogue includes earmuffs, earplugs and other equipment that comply with current regulations and guarantee a high level of protection.
If you need advice to choose the most suitable hearing protection for your company or sector, our team of specialists can help you select the solution that best fits your working environment, always ensuring maximum safety, comfort and performance.