Noise attenuation of hearing protectors against heavy weapon noise

This study evaluated the noise attenuation of earplugs and earmuffs or their combined use against heavy weapon noise in field conditions for military personnel. The noise attenuation was measured with a miniature microphone inserted into the ear canal. The subjects (13) were tested against pink noise and against the noise of explosions and bazooka, mortar, cannon, and howitzer. The attenuation (insertion loss) was 16 to 23 dB for earplugs, 10 to 20 dB for earmuffs, and 24 to 34 dB for the combined use of plugs and muffs. The transfer function of an open ear was 5 to 7 dB when measured as the C-weighted peak level. The combined use of earplugs and earmuffs gave smaller attenuation values than expected. If the limit for the C-weighted peak level is 140 dB for unprotected ears, then protection against low-frequency noise is provided for up to 156 dB by earplugs, up to 150 dB by earmuffs, and up to 165 dB by the combined use of plugs and muffs.