What Does
Earmuffs Mean?
Earmuffs are a type of personal protective equipment (PPE) that is used to protect the wearer’s ears from excessive noise pollution, dust or temperature variations, especially cold. They are made of thermoplastics and sponge and are shaped like a pair of cups. These cups are usually attached on the outer-ends of a steel or plastic headband to fit over top of the ears and cover them tightly.
Earmuffs are also known as ear defenders or ear protectors.
Safeopedia Explains Earmuffs
There are two types of earmuffs. Thermal earmuffs, as the name implies, are used to protect against cold, while acoustic earmuffs are used against noise pollution. High levels of environmental noise is harmful for the people working in a noisy area. Noise causes mental stress, sleeplessness, poor cognitive function, cardiovascular problems, and temporary and permanent hearing loss. Earmuffs are used to protect the ears from environmental noises produced by machines, transports, equipment and nature.
In most communities, noise level is limited to around 55 decibels. In the workplace, earmuffs are generally required when noise levels are higher than 80 decibels.