A Tester to Evaluate the Correct Placement of Earplugs

Emil Kozlowski, Rafal Mlynski, Leszek Morzynski and Adam Swidzinski
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Emil Kozlowski: Department of Vibroacoustic Hazards, Central Institute for Labor Protection—National Research Institute, Czerniakowska 16, 00-701 Warsaw, Poland
Rafal Mlynski: Department of Vibroacoustic Hazards, Central Institute for Labor Protection—National Research Institute, Czerniakowska 16, 00-701 Warsaw, Poland
Leszek Morzynski: Department of Vibroacoustic Hazards, Central Institute for Labor Protection—National Research Institute, Czerniakowska 16, 00-701 Warsaw, Poland
Adam Swidzinski: Department of Vibroacoustic Hazards, Central Institute for Labor Protection—National Research Institute, Czerniakowska 16, 00-701 Warsaw, Poland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 14, 1-15

Abstract: The use of hearing protection devices is one possible way of reducing the negative impact of noise on hearing. However, it is important to keep in mind that only properly used hearing protection devices provide adequate hearing protection. The aim of this article is to describe a newly developed tester to verify the correct placement of earplugs in the ear canal. This tester was developed using easily accessible and low-cost components. It implements the real-ear attenuation at threshold (REAT) method by which the sound attenuation of hearing protection devices is determined. The headphones with a greater low-frequency attenuation value were selected for use in the tester. The results of the sound attenuation measurement performed with the use of the tester did not differ by more than 5 dB compared to the measurements performed with the use of the Norsonic NOR838 system dedicated to this purpose. The developed tester is considered to be a device that will obtain reliable sound attenuation values. Thus, it can also be used as a device with which the correct placement of earplugs in the ear canal can be assessed.

Keywords: hearing protection devices; earplugs; personal protective equipment; fit testing; sound attenuation; noise (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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