Hearing protection

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What the Standard Covers

The EN 352 series defines the safety and performance requirements for hearing protection devices such as earmuffs, earplugs, and communication protectors.
These standards ensure that hearing protectors effectively reduce noise exposure, are comfortable to wear for extended periods, and remain safe and durable in industrial use.

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Why It Matters When Choosing PPE

Exposure to excessive noise can lead to irreversible hearing damage.
In many workplaces — such as construction sites, factories, and workshops — daily noise levels can exceed 85 dB(A), the threshold at which employers must take preventive action.

Hearing protectors compliant with EN 352 guarantee that the equipment has been tested for real protective performance, enabling employers to select suitable devices for their environment and meet legal obligations under Regulation (EU) 2016/425 on Personal Protective Equipment.

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The EN 352 Series

The EN 352 series is composed of several parts, each dedicated to a specific type of hearing protector or electronic function.

Standard	Title	Description
EN 352-1	Earmuffs	Passive earmuffs that cover the ear and create an acoustic seal against the head.
EN 352-2	Earplugs	Pre-moulded, banded, or roll-down plugs inserted into the ear canal.
EN 352-3	Helmet-mounted earmuffs	For earmuffs designed to attach directly to industrial safety helmets.
EN 352-4	Level-dependent earmuffs	Allow perception of ambient sounds at low levels while blocking hazardous noise peaks.
EN 352-5	Active noise reduction earmuffs	Include electronic systems that generate anti-phase sound to reduce continuous noise.
EN 352-6	Earmuffs with audio input	Earmuffs incorporating wired audio communication.
EN 352-7	Level-dependent earplugs	Same as EN 352-4 but for earplugs.
EN 352-8	Entertainment audio earmuffs	Allow music or audio playback while limiting maximum sound output.
EN 352-9 / EN 352-10	Wireless communication protectors	Cover Bluetooth or similar communication-enabled devices.

All EN 352 standards require hearing protectors to be effective, comfortable, and robust, maintaining their protective qualities during normal use and cleaning.

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Understanding Attenuation Ratings

Unlike hand protection standards, hearing protectors do not have “performance levels.”
Instead, they are assessed by attenuation values measured in decibels (dB), which represent how much noise is reduced before reaching the ear.

The main indicators are:

• SNR (Single Number Rating):
  Overall noise reduction value in dB, providing a general indication of protection.

• HML Values:
  Separate attenuation values for High (H), Medium (M), and Low (L) frequencies.
  Useful for selecting protectors that best match the noise profile of a workplace.

• Octave Band Data:
  A detailed table showing attenuation at different frequencies (available in the product’s technical file).

Example:
A protector marked “SNR 32 dB, H 34 M 29 L 23” reduces overall noise by 32 dB on average, providing strongest protection at high frequencies.

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Selecting the Right Hearing Protector

Selecting the correct protector involves more than choosing the highest SNR.
The aim is to reduce exposure to a safe level, not to eliminate all sound.

Key factors include:

• The measured noise level and frequency content at the workplace
• Duration of exposure during the shift
• Compatibility with other PPE (helmets, visors, masks)
• Fit and comfort, since poor fit drastically reduces protection
• Avoiding over-protection, which can cause isolation or communication difficulties

As a rule, effective selection should bring the daily noise exposure to between 70–80 dB(A) at the ear.