uvex-safety.com

hearingprotection

guide

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uvex-safety.com

hearingprotection

guide

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The appropriate form of hearing protection variesaccording to the wearer’s ear and the area of application.This guide contains information regarding noiseand hearing protection.

uvex hearing protection guideHow to choose the correct hearingprotection.

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What actually is noise?

Effects of noise on hearing and the human body

Noise-induced hearing loss

Adverse health effects of harmful noise

Protect your hearing!

Earplugs for every situation

It’s all about the correct choice

What should you know about noise insulationwith regard to ear plugs?

What level of noise insulation is required?

SNR method

Every ear is different

Long wearing periods – comfort is key!

Fitting and correct usage of disposable earplugs

Fitting and correct usage of otoplastic hearingprotection

uvex disposable earplugs

Other products

uvex reusable earplugs

uvex earmuff

uvex tailor-made hearing protection

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Contents

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What actually is noise?

Noise is not only loud sounds which damage hearing;sounds perceived as disruptive and burdensome are alsonoise.For example, a clock ticking or a dripping tap may impairour concentration.

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Our hearing is on permanent standby. It can never take abreak and cannot be "switched off".This means that our bodies are exposed to the full spectrumof noise every day. This might be noise at work, trafficnoise or when attending a concert in our free time. Ourhearing is under constant strain.

But it is not just our hearing that is affected. Noise alsoresults in stress which affects the whole body.Subconsciously, noise affects the entire human organism.This can lead to headaches and gastrointestinal illnesses,or even high blood pressure and noise-induced hearingloss.

Effects of noise on hearing and thehuman body

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Noise-induced hearing loss

We are exposed to noise every day, which is damaging toour hearing.Hearing loss develops gradually and painlessly.Sensory hair cells in the cochlea are irreparably damagedover time.The first signs of hearing loss can often be noticed in noisyenvironments. Those with impaired hearing will find itdifficult to properly follow conversations in such situations.They may need to ask for things to be repeated moreoften, they might constantly turn the radio up and theymight find that telephone calls lead to misunderstandings.Social withdrawal is often an effect of hearing loss.

(Noise-induced hearing loss)Cochlea

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85 dB 8 hours88 dB 4 hours91 dB 2 hours94 dB 1 hour97 dB 30 minutes

100 dB 15 minutes103 dB 7.5 minutes

Listed below are the maximum periods of time a personshould be exposed to harmful noise per day without wearinghearing protection.

Adverse health effects of harmfulnoise

106 dB 4 minutes109 dB 2 minutes112 dB 1 minute115 dB 30 seconds

Download the freeiOS uvex Dezibel app

to measure theambient noise level

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60 dB 80 dB 90 dB70 dB

Protect your hearing!Use uvex hearing protection to protect your hearing fromthe impact of harmful noise in the workplace.

Earplugs for every situationIt is essential to have effective acoustic insulation to protecthearing in noisy environments. With the right insulation,harmful or irritating noise can be isolated, while importantalarm signals are still audible and speech perception is notadversely affected – you don’t feel isolated.

• Wearing period• Noise situation• Precision fit (people with beards or glasses)• Efficacy (insulating earpiece pads)• Ease of use• Compatibility with other PPE• Individually adaptable hearing protection

Itís all about the correct choice

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100 dB 110 dB 120 dB

SNR is an abbreviation of single number rating. The SNRvalue represents the absorption figure of a product.The higher the SNR value of a hearing protection product,the higher the noise insulation provided.

What should you know aboutnoise insulation with regard to earplugs?

What level of noise insulation isrequired?To find out the absorption figure required, the noise situationof the workplace must first be established.For this, the professional association should measure noiseemissions to determine the equivalent continuous noiselevel and, where appropriate, the maximum noise levelreached. A noise register is established on the basis of this.Then, the appropriate hearing protection can be selectedin accordance with the SNR method.

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SNR method

(SNR) of the relevanthearing protection

Example:

The objective when choosing suitable hearing protectionis to achieve an effective residual noise level of between70 dB and 80 dB for the wearer.

If sound absorption is too high (over-protection), this canresult in an inability to communicate and cause feelings ofisolation.

Noise level – absorption figure = residual noise level

100 dB – 26 dB = 74 dB

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S M L

Every ear is different

Ear canals vary in size and shape. This means an earplugwhich fits properly is required.

For this reason, uvex offers a number of forms of hearingprotection, appropriate for the many different shapes andsizes of ear canals. Or you can even choose individuallyadapted otoplastic hearing protection.

Individualadaptation

I.C.

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Long wearing periods – comfortis key!

Comfort is essential if you rely on hearing protection atwork for most of the day.

When we develop our products, we place great importanceon ergonomics and optimal fit in the ear canal.

Individually adaptable otoplastic hearing protection offersmaximum comfort.

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Briefly roll andcompress the earplug

With one arm, reachover the head and pullthe ear slightlyupwards, so that theear canal is straight.Place the earplug in theear and hold it in placefor a short time

Perfect fit

Hearing protection must be inserted correctly in order toensure the protective function.If protection is not used correctly, there will be minimal, ifany, protective effect. Read the instructions for use carefullyto make sure that the hearing protection is correctly fitted.

Fitting and correct usage ofdisposable earplugs

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Fitting and correct usage ofotoplastic hearing protection

An otoscopy is carriedout to inspect the earcanal.

Next, an otoblock isinserted to protect theinner ear.

After this, siliconeimpression material isinserted slowly into theear canal and thesurrounding area of theouter ear.

The ear impression canbe removed after a fewminutes.

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Please make sure thatthe otoplastic device isinserted comfortably.

Hold the otoplasticdevice by its grip. Thepart which inserts intothe ear should pointdownwards.

Position the otoplasticdevice at the entry to theear canal. With your otherhand, reach over yourhead and pull the earslightly upwards.

Gently rotate theotoplastic devicebackward when insertingit into the ear canal.

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33 dB 37 dB

S, V, W, E1 S, V, W, E1

36 dB

S, V, W, E1

24 dB

W

uvexcom4-fit2112.004

uvexx-fit

2112.001

uvexxtra-fit2112.060

uvexhi-com2112.100

SNR

uvex disposable earplugs

with cord with cord

detectable

Other productswith cord

detectable

Signalrecognition

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26 dB 23 dB 27 dB 30 dB

W S, W S, V, W, E1 W

uvexxact-fit2124.001

uvexwhisper2111.201

uvexwhisper+

2111.212

uvexwhispersupreme

2111.235

uvex reusable earplugs

detectable

banded earprotectors

detectable

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28 dB 32 dB 33 dB

uvex K12600.001

uvex K22600.002

uvex K32600.003

SNR

35 dB

uvex K42600.004

uvex earmuffs

lengthadjustment

paddedheadband

lengthadjustment

paddedheadband

memoryfoam

lengthadjustment

paddedheadband

memoryfoam

suitable forloud noise

levels

hi-viz designfor visual

recognizability

lengthadjustment

paddedheadband

memoryfoam

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28 dB 27 dB 30 dB

uvex K2002600.200

uvex K1H2600.201

uvex K2H2600.202

lengthadjustment

optimum fit360° rotation

dielectric

Option:

compatiblewith bump cap

lengthadjustment

standby andresting

positions

optimal helmet-visor

combination

lengthadjustment

standby andresting

positions

optimal helmet-visor

combination

A variantcompatible

with the uvexpheos helmet

is available

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20 dB26 dB

23 dB26 dB28 dB

24 dB28 dB

24 dB28 dB32 dB

20 dB: –26 dB: S,W,

E2

23 dB: –26 dB: S,W,

E2

26 dB: S,W,E1

24 dB: –28 dB: S,W,

E2

24 dB: –28 dB: –32 dB: S,W,

V, E1

uvexhigh-fit

u-cut HC

uvexhigh-fit

flex

uvexhigh-fit

temp flex

uvexhigh-fit

duro

SNR

uvex tailor-made hearingprotection

detectable detectable

Signalrecognition

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28 dB23 dB26 dB

28 dB: S, W23 dB: W26 dB: S,W,

V, E1

uvexhigh-fit

flex com

uvexhigh-fitflex forImpulse

uvexILC

uvexetyBlu

Can beadapted tothe uvex ILCand etyBlucommunica

tion units

detectable

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UVEX ARBEITSSCHUTZ GMBHWürzburger Straße 181-18990766 FürthGermany

Tel: +49 911 9736-0Fax: +49 911 9736-1760E-Mail: safety@uvex.deInternet: uvex-safety.com