Technical Notes. Earmuff Noise Leakage Measurements and Evaluation

Abstract

This paper reports the quantitative effect of leakage on the noise attenuation of earmuff hearing protectors. The technology used in this study to measure the noise leakage is considered to be a new contribution to this topic. An array of sensors placed between an earmuff and a dummy human head or flat surface was used to measure the contact area. Areas of no contact are considered as the leakage elements. Eight earmuffs varying from high quality/high cost to low quality/low cost were tested, the leakage areas were measured and the reduction in the noise attenuation due to leakage was calculated.

Individual Fit Testing of Hearing Protection Devices Based on Microphone in Real Ear

“…They also indicated that a Vaseline coating between the head surface and the cushion improved the noise ILs at low frequency. The quality and ergonomic aspects of the cushion of the hearing protector are responsible for the comfort in the contact between the cup and head of the worker, so it is necessary to try to produce new materials for the cushion along with less noise leakage [23] . The lack of speech intelligibility is another reason why workers may not fit hearing protection completely.…”