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Earplugs or earmuffs?

Both types can attenuate enough. What matters is where and how people work. This guide summarises the criteria of DGUV Rule 112-194 and shows when earplugs and when earmuffs fit better.

As of 17 October 2026, DS SafetyWear Arbeitsschutzprodukte GmbH

Attenuation is not a reason to choose

According to DGUV Rule 112-194 (section 6.2.8), earmuffs and earplugs are in principle equivalent in attenuation; both are available with high and low attenuation. Earmuffs usually attenuate low frequencies less than earplugs. The choice depends on the work situation and environment, not on attenuation. For EarProtect, the L value for low frequencies is 30 dB for the EP1227 disposable earplugs and between 18 and 23 dB for the earmuffs (all values).

Decision aid by working environment

Notes from DGUV Rule 112-194, sections 6.3 and 6.4
SituationRather earplugsRather earmuffs
Continuous noise over the whole shiftEarplugs are mostly found more comfortable when worn for long
Frequently putting on and taking offBanded earplugsEarmuffs
Heavy sweating or heatEarplugs (sweating under earmuffs)
Glasses or safety glassesEarplugsSpectacle arms can disturb the seal (glasses wearers)
Other PPE such as respiratory or face protectionEarplugs
Gloves, helmet and hearing protection at the same timeEarmuffs are easy to handle even with gloves; only approved helmet-earmuff combinations
Directional hearing relevant to safetyEarplugsEarmuffs make it harder to locate sound sources
Narrow ear canals or tendency to ear canal infectionsEarmuffs

Comfort and wearing trials

Comfort decides whether hearing protection is worn regularly. For earmuffs, material, mass, clamping force, adjustability and size count; light earmuffs are preferable. Clamping force and contact pressure can only be judged in wearing trials. For earplugs, material, easy insertion and removal and a size that matches the ear canal width count. Too much attenuation is mostly felt as a burden (overprotection). Before deciding, the rule recommends wearing trials with a small group of workers under conditions such as dust, heat, body movement, other protective equipment and hearing of signals (section 6.12).

On weight: the EarProtect earmuffs weigh between 151 g (EP905) and 262 g (EP902).

Speech and signals

If speech, signals or information-bearing sounds must be heard, the rule recommends hearing protection with a flat frequency response and a listening test. According to table 3 of the rule, far fewer earmuffs than earplugs carry the marking W. Details are in Warning signals and speech with hearing protection.

Both at once

At very high levels, earplugs and earmuffs can be combined, but only tested combinations. In the mid-frequency range, up to about M = 40 dB is then possible; at LEX,8h of 110 dB(A) and above, special training is mandatory. The earplugs must not slip when the earmuffs are put on (section 7.9.1).

Recommendation for purchasing and operations

  • Keep both types and run wearing trials with the workers instead of deciding on SNR alone.
  • Issue earplugs from dispensers at the entrances to noise areas.
  • Check the residual level: the values at the ear should be in the suitable range, not below it (finder).

Frequently asked questions

What attenuates better: earplugs or earmuffs?

Both types are in principle equivalent in attenuation. Earmuffs usually attenuate low frequencies less than earplugs (DGUV Rule 112-194, section 6.2.8).

Which hearing protection is better in heat?

The rule recommends earplugs for heavy sweating under earmuffs (section 6.4.4).

What is better for glasses wearers?

For glasses or safety glasses the rule recommends earplugs. Spectacle arms can disturb the seal of earmuffs.

What is better if I wear a helmet and gloves?

Earmuffs are advantageous when gloves, head protection and hearing protection are needed together. Only approved combinations may be used (section 6.4.3).

Sources

Further reading