No duty and no risk to hearing
Below a daily noise exposure level of 80 dB(A), hearing protection is not required according to chapter 11 of the rule. According to current knowledge there is no risk of noise-induced hearing loss, and there is no legal obligation. That is the lower action value; the duties above it are under Hearing protection requirements. Individual loud impulses must be considered separately (impulse noise).
When it can still make sense
Hearing protection can make sense to reduce effects of noise that do not act through the ear, such as stress or problems concentrating. Other measures take priority, however, for example improvements to room acoustics under the German ASR A3.7. The STOP principle applies to the choice: substitution first, then technical, organisational and finally personal measures (order of measures).
What to bear in mind
- Avoid over-attenuation: the sound should not be attenuated more than necessary. By calculation, even the lightest EarProtect hearing protection attenuates more than necessary at 80 dB(A) (EP102BO banded earplugs: 80 − (24 − 5) = 61 dB(A)). See Overprotection.
- Hearing stays important: speech intelligibility and hearing warning signals must be preserved (warning signals and speech).
- Not allowed everywhere: there are activities for which such protection below 80 dB(A) is not allowed, such as driving vehicles in public road traffic.
Scope
This guide concerns the level range below the lower action value. If the daily value is above 80 dB(A) or the peak level above 135 dB(C), the employer must provide suitable hearing protection, and selection follows the residual level at the ear. Which levels typical activities reach is shown in the noise level table.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need hearing protection below 80 dB(A)?
No, there is no legal obligation, and according to current knowledge there is no risk of noise-induced hearing loss (DGUV Rule 112-194, chapter 11).
Can hearing protection below 80 dB(A) make sense?
Yes, to reduce effects of noise that do not act through the ear, such as stress or problems concentrating. Room acoustic improvements under ASR A3.7 and the STOP principle take priority.
What is over-attenuation?
The sound is attenuated more than necessary. It impairs speech intelligibility and warning signals and creates a feeling of isolation.
Where is hearing protection below 80 dB(A) not allowed?
For example when driving vehicles in public road traffic (chapter 11).