4C's of Hearing Conservation

Comfort

Ears come in all shapes and sizes. The right hearing protector should feel comfortable in the ear or on the head — that means different products for different workers.

How to select the most comfortable earplug

For long-term wear		Choose Single-Use or Multiple-Use earplugs
For workers who are exposed to intermittent noise, such as supervisors and visitors		Choose Banded earplugs that can be inserted and removed as needed
To eliminate that feeling of "tightness" in the ear canal		Use low-pressure foam earplugs that expand gently to create a seal, such as Howard Leight® Max Lite®
For workers who have difficulty inserting foam earplugs		Select Howard Leight Matrix™ No-Roll earplugs or Multiple-Use which do not require rolling prior to insertion
For better fit with pre-molded earplugs		Choose a product that comes in a variety of sizes, such as Howard Leight Fusion® or SmartFit,® which adapts to the contours of the ear canal for a more personalized fit
To simplify choices and ensure a custom fit for each worker		Choose Howard Leight SmartFit earplugs with Conforming Material Technology™ that adapts to the shape of the ear canal, for a comfortable, personalized fit, or MultiMax,® which offers two sizes in one earplug and can reduce inventories

How to select the most comfortable earmuff

For workers who are exposed to hazardous noise over the entire workday and demand a high degree of comfort		Choose lightweight Bilsom® earmuffs such as Leightning® L1, Thunder® T1 or Clarity® C1 earmuffs
Fot hot/humid or extreme cold conditions		Add Cool II Pads to Bilsom earmuffs to absorb perspirationor provide additional warmth in cold climates
For use with hard hats, faceshields, welding helmets, or respirators		Choose Bilsom Cap-Mounted, Multiple-Position, or Neckband earmuffs that can be worn with other personal protection equipment (PPE) without compromising protection from noise

Convenience

At work, give employees easy access to hearing protectors — and make sure that the choices are specifically matched to the work environment.

How to make earplug use more convenient

To provide a centralized, convenient HPD source		Install user-friendly Earplug Dispensers throughout your facility — a cost-effective solution
For workers who need to remove their earplugs during the workday		Choose earplugs with attached cords so they stay within easy reach and won't get lost
To meet strict hygiene requirements		Offer Matrix No-Roll earplugs or other Single-Use earplugs that can be disposed of often, or easy to maintain Banded earplugs
For workers whose hands get dirty		Choose Multiple-Use or Matrix No-Roll earplugs which prevent dirt from transferring from the fingers to the earplug
To meet inspection and visibility requirements		Choose brightly colored earplugs that can easilty be spotted during compliance checks
To meet process industries' zero-tolerance requirements during production		Choose Detectable earplugs that offer both visual and metal detection for food/beverage processing, pulp and paper, tobacco and other process industries

How to make earmuff use more convenient

For workers who use other personal protective equipment, such as hard hats, faceshields, and respirators		Choose Bilsom Cap-Mounted, Multiple-Position or Neckband earmuffs that can be worn without compromising hearing protection
To make sure earmuffs are always close at hand		Offer compact folding earmuffs with a belt case
To ensure high visibility and enhanced safety for construction workers, transit workers, airport crews or other worker who are exposed to additional risks		Choose Bilsom Leightning Hi-Visibility earmuffs with brightly-colored earcups and reflective headbands
To meet dielectric requirements		Choose earmuffs with robust nondeforming dielectric construction that will retain headband force, such as Bilsom Thunder, Viking, and Clarity series

Communication

The right hearing protector reduces noise to a safe level, but avoids overprotection that compromises communication and worker safety on the job.

To protect workers and prevent overprotection, especially in marginal noise environments		Choose Hearing Protectors that match the noise levels in your workplace, such as Howard Leight Matrix No-Roll earplugs or Quiet® Band series Banded earplugs, or Bilsom Leightning, Thunder, Viking, and Clarity earmuffs which offer multiple attenuation levels
To block loud noise while allowing important communication to be heard more naturally		Choose Howard Leight Matrix earplugs or Bilsom Clarity series earmuffs that offer uniform attenuation, blocking low and medium frequencies while voice and other high frequency sounds can be heard more naturally and without distortion
To enhance communication for workers with a pre-existing hearing impairment		Select sound amplification earmuffs, such as the Bilsom Impact™ series that can raise ambient sound to a safe volume, while protecting wearers from hazardous noise
To protect workers exposed to impulse noise		Choose electronic earmuffs that limit sound amplification to a safe volume, and revert to passive hearing protection when noise reaches unsafe levels, such as Bilsom Impact and Electo® series earmuffs

Caring

Many people don't realize that hazardous noise has cumulative effects. Demonstrating the importance of hearing protection is an important step in a successful hearing conservation program, and an important factor in maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle.

How to motivate your workers to move beyond compliance and wear hearing protection on the job and at home

Train workers on the proper use and fit of earplugs and earmuffs — when they start with the company and on an annual basis

Offer a wide veriety of earplugs and earmuffs to fit a range of ears, not just one style for everyone

Allow your workers to be a part of the HPD selection and motivation process — worker input and enthusiasm will set an example across your workforce

Display informational/motivational posters about hearing conservation throughout your facility, not just in the safety office

Offer public recognition and praise for workers who always wear their HPDs

Make sure managers set the right example by wearing their HPDs in noisy areas. This sends a clear signal that from the top down, the company cares about everyone's hearing safety

Encourage workers to take their earplugs home to prevent additional noise exposure — when they mow the lawn, use power tools, attend rock concerts or auto races, or participate in shooting sports

The best hearing protection is worn 100% of the time and worn properly in hazardous noise.

4cs of Hearing Conservation Poster PDF


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Intelligent Protection

Earplugs

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