We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Safety

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How Do I Choose the Best Hearing Protection Headphones?

By Alex Newth
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 8,743
Share

Hearing protection headphones are used by many people in hunting, construction, and other noisy environments to help reduce the chance that loud noise will damage the user's hearing. When choosing between different hearing protection headphones, you'll want to consider the amount of noise silenced, which often differs between units. The noise-cancelling material itself, which is usually plastic, foam, or rubber, will also be a large consideration. There are several types of noise-cancelling headphones, including ones that only silence, radio versions, and two-way radio headphones. Style is also important, as this will affect how comfortable the headphones are to wear.

All hearing protection headphones are rated for their ability to reduce noise, based on decibels. The more decibels the headphones block, the less sound that will get through to the wearer, with most cancelling out about 20 to 25 decibels. There are also two types of cancelling techniques: active and passive, and some headphones may use both. Passive noise-cancelling blocks the noise simply with the materials of the headphones are made of, and work whenever the headlines are worn. Active noise-cancelling works by using an anti-sound wave that is generated from the headphones, which cancels outside noise.

The three most common materials used in hearing protection headphones are foam, plastic, and rubber. Foam headphones are usually made to be disposable and wear out quickly, but they are inexpensive and good for infrequent use. Plastic is inexpensive and durable, but may become irritating after hours of wear. Rubber is usually found in large earmuffs, is the most expensive of the three, but tends to last longer.

Hearing protection headphones have different functions. There are some that are only made to silence noise; these headphones do nothing except cancel noise and are best for those who need to pay attention to their surroundings. Radio headsets are able to both cancel outside noise, and can play audio at the same time. Two-way radio headsets are used as transceivers to send and receive audio, and are used by radio and communication operators.

There are many different styles you can choose from in order to find those that are most suitable and most comfortable. Headphones are available that go behind the head, above the head, and clip into hardhats. You should pick the most comfortable design for you, especially if the headphones are going to be used continuously for job-related reasons.

Share
About Mechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.aboutmechanics.com/how-do-i-choose-the-best-hearing-protection-headphones.htm
Copy this link
About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.