Ear protection equipment is classified by its Noise Reduction Rating (NRR), a grading that determines a device’s ability to decrease sound exposure in an environment. NRR is sometimes referred to as “hearing protection rating.” Organized by their potential to reduce noise in decibels (dB), a term used to measure the power or loudness of sound, h...

Everyday sounds in our environment, such as those from our phones, televisions, radios, household appliances, and traffic, are normally at safe levels that don’t damage our hearing. But sounds can be harmful when they are too loud, even for a brief time, or when they are both loud and long-lasting. These sounds can damage sensitive structures in...