EN 352-2 covers ear-plugs — disposable foam, reusable silicone, corded and banded types. Their advantages are comfort in hot environments, compatibility with helmets and spectacles, and good attenuation at low frequencies.
Correct fitting is decisive
Real-world attenuation depends more on fitting than on the product. A foam plug must be rolled into a thin cylinder, the ear pulled up and back with the other hand, the plug inserted quickly and held until it expands. A badly fitted plug can deliver 10 dB where 33 dB is declared.
Choosing between muffs and plugs
- Plugs — long shifts, hot environments, compatibility with helmets and masks, low-frequency noise.
- Muffs — frequent entry and exit from the noisy area, wet or dirty hands, ear infection risk, or where fitting quality is hard to supervise.
- Both together — only in very high noise (>110 dB); the attenuations do not add up, expect roughly +5 dB.