Florida Gulf Coast University – Environmental Health and Safety
When to Wear Hearing Protection
FGCU employees may encounter loud noises when performing their work. If employee believes
there is a noise problem in the work environment; the situation may merit a sound survey.
Basic questions that will assist the employee in requesting a sound survey are as follows: (1) Is
the noise louder than carrying on a normal conversation, (2) Do you hear ringing in your ears
after finishing a work task, and (3) Are sounds muffled after you leave your work site? It may
be that you will have to use hearing protection at your work site to protect yourself and reduce
the noise levels exposures entering the ear.
How to Protect Oneself with Hearing Devices
Common ways to protect your ears from loud noises include inserting personal hearing protectors
(earplugs) or wear earmuffs. Earplugs and earmuffs must have a noise reduction rating in order to be
effective in reducing the pressure of sound reaching the eardrums.
Depending on frequency of noise level, earplugs and earmuffs come in different shapes, sizes, and
material. Employees must keep in mind that earplugs and earmuff must have an airtight seal to
properly function.
Rev. 10/11 LJ