The 8 Best Hearing Protection Options for Home DIY Projects

If you’re using a piece of power equipment, like a table saw, snowblower, lawn mower, or jackhammer, you need to make hearing protection a priority. NIOSH (The National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health) states that exposure to any noise above 85 decibels has the ability to be hazardous to your ears, a level that is probably quieter than you might think. Luckily, hearing protection has become more and more prevalent over the years, and there are a variety of ear plugs and headsets available to help mitigate any potential damage.

What to Consider

The most important factor to consider when choosing ear protection is the individual NRR (Noise Reduction Rating). This number will indicate the level of protection that model will provide, and the higher the number, the more protection you’ll be getting. For example, a model with an NRR of 30 dB, means that it will reduce the exterior noise by 30 decibels. So, if you’re using a jackhammer that is generating 110 decibels of noise, only 80 decibels will reach your ear.

The style of ear protection is something else to think about, whether that’s foam plugs that go into your ear, or earmuff-style headsets that sit over your ear. Plugs can be convenient for those who don’t want to wear heavier, bulky headsets, but they can also be less comfortable for extended use. Over-ear models typically use cushioned ear covers to keep them nice and comfortable, although they are usually more expensive than plug options.

Another thing to consider is the climate you’re going to be working in. As we learned in our time working construction in NYC, over-ear protection acts like earmuffs to keep your ears warm while you work, in addition to reducing any noise damage. Similarly, when working in hot and humid climates, over-ear headsets can quickly become sweaty and uncomfortable, and in-ear foam options might be a better choice.

How We Selected

I’ve used every type of hearing protection listed here during our time working in a busy woodshop, where it was common to be around noisy air compressors, planers, sanders, and table saws for hours at a time. This experience has given us the insight to know which products and brands are effective and useful enough to include on our list, and is why we’ve chosen almost exclusively 3M brand options. 3M has proven to be the gold standard when it comes to hearing protection, and offers an impressive variety of products, from foam plugs, banded plugs, and over-ear headsets.