Environmental Health and Safety

HPD

Advantages

Disadvantages

Expandable Foam Plugs

• Good in hot, humid environments
• Can be easily worn with other equipment
• Inexpensive

• Less visible than earmuffs
• Requires skill and attention during application
• People with small ear canals may have difficulty rolling typical plugs small enough to make them fit

Pre-molded, reusable plugs

• Good in hot, humid environments
• Can be easily worn with other equipment
• Many are available in small, medium and large
• Inexpensive
• Reusable
• Washable
• Convenient to carry
• In dirty or dusty environments, you don't need to handle or roll tips

• Less visible than earmuffs
• Requires skill and attention during application
• Some people may need a different size plug for each ear

Canal Caps

• Convenient to wear around the neck when not in use

• The pressure of the bands can be uncomfortable to some people

Earmuffs

• Designed to fit most people

• Tight, bulky, hot and heavy
• Heavy beards, sideburns, or glasses can reduce attenuation
• Acoustical leaks may arise from employee modification
• Other PPE may make it hard to wear