Bluetooth Hearing Protection:
Safety at its Coolest

Why is it important?

Whether you're operating a leaf blower, driving a skid steer or working a jackhammer, you're probably in a dangerously loud environment. If you are, you need to include hearing protection as part of your daily routine.

When it comes to noise levels, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that workers shouldn't be exposed to sound levels above 85dB in an eight-hour workday to minimize noise-induced hearing loss. If you're exposed to more than 85dB for extended periods of time, you should use adequate hearing protection.

Here's a tip: If you can't hear a normal tone of voice from a distance of about three feet, noise probably exceeds safe levels and you should use hearing protection.

Traditionally, hearing protection has been passive, blocking out all sounds. You typically have had two choices: earplugs that fit into the outer ear canal, or earmuffs that fit over the outer ear so the entire ear is blocked. While these types of protection have been great for blocking out all sounds, they have also prevented you from hearing instructions or warnings called out by co-workers.

Today's innovative hearing protection

While earplugs and earmuffs work well to reduce noise, advances in technology now provide more comfortable and productive options.

Enter the world of Bluetooth and electronic hearing protection.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth hearing protection combines traditional methods with Bluetooth technology that wirelessly sends sound directly to your ears. The best part is that you select what you listen to.

Bluetooth technology lets you listen to any digital media including internet radio, AM/FM radio, iTunes, MP3's, podcasts and audiobooks. You can even take important phone calls from customers, employees ... or anybody else. That's the best of all worlds: proper safety, increased productivity and more enjoyment on the job.

Bluetooth-enabled hearing protection has been available in earmuff (aka headphone) form for a while. Now there are earbud versions hitting the market for even better user comfort and productivity.

Earbud versions can be great for jobsites and tasks where sound levels do not exceed 85dB, as is the case with many smaller handheld leaf blowers, for example. (NOTE: Always check the sound level of any piece of equipment you're operating per the manufacturer's specifications.)

Electronic

With electronic hearing protection, most widely available in earmuff (headphone) form, sound is picked up by microphones mounted outside the ear cups and sent to the inside. This allows you to hear normal sounds, such as conversation, around you. When loud sounds are detected, the system is switched off and the cups block the excessive sound from reaching your ears.

The biggest advantage of electronic hearing protection is that you hear normal sounds while your ears are protected from loud noises, such as machinery or other equipment. The obvious advantage is that you can talk with co-workers—and hear warnings—without taking off your hearing protection.

Check out these electronic earmuffs that also allow you to listen to the radio or MP3's, wirelessly sync to your phone, and more.

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