Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the main reason why people need ear protection for jackhammer usage and failing to use hearing protectors can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss.

Most of the time, people do not even notice that they are losing their hearing due to operating loud machinery, since the process is mostly painless and gradual. Sometimes you do not even feel that ringing in your ears, the tinnitus that many people report after being exposed to loud noise for extended periods.

The only sign that triggers the realisation that you lost your hearing is, for some people, the impression that everyone around them is mumbling.

Jackhammer Noise Levels- Why You Need Ear Protection

How Loud Is a Jackhammer in Decibels?

Labourers who jackhammer solid surfaces are constantly exposed to loud noise that reaches a level that surpasses the safe level of noise exposure, that is usually set at around 85 decibels.

The decibel level of a jackhammer is of 130 decibels. This means workers must endure almost double the safe level of noise exposure on a daily basis. As a result, using a jackhammer frequently without hearing protection can lead to noise-induced hearing loss, as it is constant exposure to loud, close noise, that can damage the auditory system.

Studies show that workers that are overexposed to noise and do not benefit from hearing protectors can lose their hearing at an early age. An average worker that jackhammers concrete surfaces can reach, by age 25, the hearing of a 50-year-old person who did not work in a noisy environment.

So, what can you do to protect your hearing in a noisy work environment, especially when using loud machinery such as jackhammers?

Best Ways to Protect Your Ears While Working with a Jackhammer

Shorter or longer exposure to very loud sounds can result in permanent damage to the nerves of the inner ear, especially when you work in a noisy environment, or work with jackhammers and other machinery that emit a high level of noise.

A jackhammer working concrete can easily and quickly damage your ability to hear, especially if you do not wear any kind of hearing protectors. The average standard jackhammer noise level is around 115 decibels, while some of these tools can be as loud as 130 decibels, so the best way to protect your hearing while working with a jackhammer is to wear either foam or plastic earplugs or earmuffs.

Ideally, workers that operate jackhammers should take steps to lower the maximum noise level of the work environment or the work equipment to 90 decibels or even less.

If you choose to protect your hearing with earplugs while jackhammering, make sure that they seal the entire circumference of your ear canal. It is also recommended to change them after each use, so you do not end up having an irritated canal or worse, an ear infection.

Disposable roll-down foam earplugs are best for this situation.  Based on your preferences, you can also choose custom-moulded earplugs, which are very comfortable, reusable plugs, that may be a bit more expensive, or canal caps, that do not extend into the ear canal. You should be aware that canal caps do not provide the same level of protection as the ones you insert into your ear canal.

The higher the NRR, the better!

Since earplugs are generally known to offer less hearing protection compared to earmuffs, you should pay close attention to the Noise Reduction Level mentioned by the manufacturer on the package. The higher the NRR, the better!

If you choose earmuffs, you will find that they are more comfortable, as they act as a seal around your ear and are held in place by an adjustable band. You can even find earmuffs that can be mounted on to hard hats that have an accessory slot to accommodate them. For an earmuff to be a good fit, you should feel that the rubber strip acts as a seal around your ear.

How to Choose the Right Hearing Protection for Jackhammer Usage and Construction Work

Selecting the right earmuff for jackhammer usage is easy when you know what to look for. Pay close attention to the Noise Reduction Rating, as it shows you how effective that product is when it comes to reducing loud noise levels.

If you find hearing protection with a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of at least 30, you should opt for that model, because the higher the NRR, the more protected you will be against noise-induced hearing loss. You may even find earplugs that feature an NRR of 33.

In extremely loud work environments, where workers are exposed to loud machinery for long periods, it is recommended to use both earmuffs and earplugs to get maximum hearing protection levels. Using a good pair of earplugs combined with a high NRR pair of earmuffs can up the noise reduction level with an extra 5 to 10 decibels, which may be exactly what you need to avoid noise-induced hearing loss.

Determining the Noise Level for Better Hearing Protection

Choosing the right earmuff for jackhammer usage may require a noise dosimeter, which offers you clear information about the overall noise exposure and signals if your hearing may be at risk.

You can wear a dosimeter while working with a jackhammer, to ensure that the noise levels do not reach a dangerous limit, which is over 85 decibels for an 8-hour shift.

If you do not have a noise dosimeter around, you can easily figure out how much noise reduction you need. If an average jackhammer can reach 115 decibels and you need to be below 85 decibels to protect your hearing from damage, subtract 85 dB from 115 dB and you will quickly find out the right noise protection level for your needs, which is an attenuation of at least 30 dB.

Experts say that you might not need that much protection if there is a shorter exposure, but for an 8-hour shift of working with a jackhammer, you should aim for at least 30 dB in noise level attenuation.

Please Note: Just because an ear defender is marked, for example, "Gunshot" - it will still cover other things, like "explosions"