Quick answers
Why do firefighters need hearing protection?
Sirens, pumps, generators and power tools are loud enough to damage hearing over time, and hearing lost to noise cannot be brought back.
Earplugs or earmuffs, which is better?
Both work if they fit. Earplugs suit long noisy jobs, earmuffs are quick to put on and check, and canal caps suit short jobs where noise comes and goes. The best one is the one you keep on.
What does NRR mean on hearing protection?
NRR is an American laboratory rating, in decibels, of how much noise a protector can cut. A higher number generally means more reduction, but real protection is usually lower, especially with a poor fit.
Can I still hear the radio while wearing hearing protection?
Yes, with electronic earmuffs or headsets linked to two-way radios, which cut harmful noise but let speech through. Otherwise agree hand signals with your crew.
Do I need a hearing test?
If you work around loud noise, ask your employer for regular hearing tests. See a doctor promptly for any sudden or one-sided hearing loss.
Sirens, pumps, generators, power saws and cutting tools are part of almost every fire and rescue job. The noise does not hurt the way a burn does, so people ignore it. But hearing lost to noise builds up slowly over the years, and it does not come back.
Where the noise comes from
Sirens and air horns, fire pumps and generators, rescue cutters and power saws, and the roar of a large fire. Some of these run for hours. If your ears ring after a shift, the noise was loud enough to do damage.
Types of hearing protection
- Earplugs fit inside the ear canal. Foam ones are cheap and disposable; reusable ones can be washed.
- Earmuffs cover the whole ear. They are quick to put on and easy to check, but helmet straps and spectacle arms can break the seal.
- Canal caps are pads on a band that sit at the entrance of the ear. They are handy for short jobs where the noise comes and goes.
Choose by how loud the noise is, how long you are exposed to it and whether you need to hear the radio.
The Noise Reduction Rating (NRR)
Many hearing protectors carry a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) in decibels (dB). NRR is an American rating. A higher number generally means more noise reduction, but it is a laboratory figure, and real protection is usually lower, especially if the fit is poor.
Custom-moulded earplugs
Earplugs moulded to your own ears fit snugly and are more comfortable for people who work around loud noise every day. They cost more, but people are more likely to keep them in.
Still hearing what matters
On a fire ground you must still hear your crew, the radio and warnings such as a BA low-air alarm. Blocking out every sound is dangerous. Electronic earmuffs and headsets linked to two-way radios cut harmful noise but let speech through. If you cannot hear the radio, use agreed hand signals.
Working with other PPE
Hearing protection has to work with your helmet, BA mask and eye protection. Some earmuffs clip onto the helmet itself, and some are built to take knocks. Check the combination before a job, not during it.
Comfort decides whether it gets worn
An earplug that hurts or earmuffs that press too hard come off within minutes. Let people try different types and sizes. A protector with a slightly lower rating that stays in all shift protects better than a stronger one sitting in a pocket.
Fitting earplugs properly
Roll a foam earplug into a thin cylinder. Reach over your head with the other hand, pull the top of your ear up and back, then push the plug in and hold it for a few seconds while it expands. If your own voice sounds muffled and the outside noise drops clearly, it has sealed.
Training and hearing tests
Teach staff where the noise risks are, how to fit and look after their protection, and the early signs of hearing damage, such as ringing ears or struggling to follow speech in a crowd. Regular hearing tests (audiometry) for staff exposed to noise pick up damage early, while there is still time to protect what is left.
If you notice a problem
Do not ignore ringing in the ears after a shift. See a doctor promptly if you notice sudden hearing loss, or hearing loss in one ear only.
Tonight, put a spare pair of earplugs in your kit bag. Next time you start the pump or the saw, put them in before you start, not halfway through.
What needs attention
- Sirens, pumps, power tools and generators can damage hearing over time
- Hearing loss from noise builds slowly and cannot be reversed
- Earplugs, earmuffs and canal caps suit different noise levels and tasks
- The NRR shows how much a device can reduce noise, but only when it fits well
- Responders still need to hear radios and warnings, so electronic or communication earmuffs help
Controls that reduce risk
- Identify the noisiest tasks: pumps, sirens, cutting tools, generators
- Choose protection by noise level and the need to communicate
- Train people to fit earplugs properly and check the seal
- Keep spare, clean earplugs on every vehicle
- Check that earmuffs work with helmets and respirators
- Arrange regular hearing tests for staff exposed to noise
Common unsafe practices
- Skipping hearing protection because the job is short
- Pushing earplugs in loosely so they do not seal
- Wearing earmuffs over a helmet strap or spectacle arm that breaks the seal
- Blocking out all sound so you miss radio calls and alarms
- Using dirty or damaged earplugs
- Never getting a hearing test
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