Ear protection refers to devices used to protect the ear, either externally from elements such as cold, intrusion by water and other environmental conditions, or specifically from noise. Measures to protect the ear from noise, and particularly from noise-induced hearing loss, may also be referred to as hearing protection. In the context of work, adequate hearing protection is that which reduces noise exposure to below 85 dBA over the course of an average work shift of eight hours.
Types of ear protection include: