NOISE AND HEARING LOSS PREVENTION

Hearing Protector Device Compendium

Go to the Hearing Protector Device Compendium

In 2000, NIOSH researchers initiated a new effort to collect data published by manufacturers of hearing protectors sold in the United States. The new data was sought to augment or replace the data last collected by NIOSH for the 1994 Hearing Protector Compendium (DHHS(NIOSH) Pub. No. 95-105). The data included the mean attenuations and standard deviations of the attenuations provided by the manufacturers on labeling required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Also provided were data about protector construction, materials, and other features that may aid in selection of protectors for specific situations. All companies listed in various industry, technical, and professional directories were invited to submit data. Many companies that were listed in the 1994 compendium have merged with other companies or have ceased to manufacturer or sell hearing protectors. The present compendium, as of June 2003, contains data from 23 manufacturers nationwide (down from 53 in the 1994 compendium) on 292 hearing protectors (up from 241 in the 1994 compendium). Although only 23 of the 67 companies contacted responded to the request for data, these 23 represent a majority of the market share. There are no data in the compendium other than those provided by the manufacturers. In the pursuit of completeness all other manufacturers are welcome to submit their data.

The complete database may be viewed and printed with Adobe Reader 4.0 or higher. Also viewable and printable with Adobe Reader is the complete tutorial on how the NRR and other rating systems are calculated. Development of this compendium was partially supported through an interagency agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (DW 75-9390401-3).

Disclaimer: Mention of any company name or product does not constitute endorsement by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.