Hearing Protection

Which Work Ear Protection is right for you?

• What is a decibel, and how loud is too loud?

  What is a decibel.

  A decibel (dB) is a unit used to measure the intensity of sound. It’s not a linear scale — every increase of 10 dB means the sound is 10 times more powerful. That means a 90 dB sound isn’t just a bit louder than 80 dB — it’s twice as loud. Everyday sounds like normal conversation sit around 60 dB, but lawnmowers (90 dB), concerts (100–110 dB), and construction sites (over 120 dB) can be dangerously loud.

  Hearing damage can occur after prolonged exposure to sounds above 85 dB, and the higher the volume, the shorter the safe exposure time. That’s why hearing protection — especially in workplaces or loud recreational settings — is so important. The right ear plugs reduce the sound level to within a safe range, helping you protect your hearing long term.

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• Your guide to hearing protection certification in Australia and NZ.

  Hearing Protection in Australia & NZ

  In Australia and New Zealand, hearing protection must comply with the AS/NZS 1270:2002 standard. This certification ensures that ear plugs and earmuffs have been independently tested and rated for their effectiveness in reducing noise. It’s a crucial requirement for workplace safety and helps consumers make informed choices about what level of protection they need.

  One key part of this standard is the SLC80 rating — which tells you how many decibels of noise the product will block out for 80% of wearers. Based on this number, products are also grouped into Class 1 to Class 5, with Class 5 offering the highest level of protection. This makes it easy to match ear plugs to specific environments, whether it’s a quiet workshop or a high-noise construction site.

  At Earjobs, we stock a wide range of certified hearing protection products — so whether you’re buying for yourself or your team, you can be confident they meet strict local standards.

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• What are electronic ear muffs and how do they work?

  Electronic Ear Muffs

  Electronic ear muffs offer active hearing protection, meaning they don’t just block sound — they intelligently manage it. These muffs use built-in microphones and speakers to amplify safe sounds like speech or ambient noise, while instantly compressing loud sounds like gunfire, power tools, or machinery.

  That makes them ideal for environments where you need to stay aware and communicate — without sacrificing protection. You’ll still hear range commands, co-workers, or natural sounds, but sudden loud noises are automatically reduced to safe levels.

  Whether you’re at the shooting range, on the job site, or in a tactical setting, electronic ear muffs give you the best of both worlds: situational awareness and serious protection.

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• Need help choosing? Take our handy quiz.