Vented vs Solid Ear plugs

Depending on your unique working environment, different levels of protection may be required in different working situations. With ProtectHear® you have a choice of Vented vs Solid ear plugs, and both are suitable for different reasons.

Vented ear plugs

ProtectHear® vented ear plugs are a 29 SNR (Single Number Rating) product. This attenuates noises to a safe level, allowing users to hear warnings, alarms and conversation. Operatives can work safely and effectively whilst not being over protected nor under protected. With the vented system wearers can connect communication accessories to the ear plugs, so they can communicate via phone/radio. Vented ear plugs are seen as the best solution when needing to hear colleagues/warnings. Hence they are great for teams working together. ProtectHear® 29 SNR ear plugs are ideal for working environments such as Rail, Engineering and Steel.

Solid ear plugs

ProtectHear® solid ear plugs are a 31 SNR (Single Number Rating) product. They block out more of the external noise in the industrial environment. This product is used in higher noise environments to give better protection, lessening the noise your workers can hear. The performance level of solid ear plugs is similar to the protection your workers would get from a pair of ear defenders. Solid ear plugs are used for environments with particularly high noise levels, such as ship engine compartments and compressor houses.

Let’s get Technical

For our vented ear plugs ProtectHear® use a design which allows air to pass through the ear plugs carrying the external noise as sound waves, before entering a passive acoustic filter. Whereas solid ear plugs have no vent or filter, so do not allow air or external noise to pass through the ear plug.

Both products are CE Marked to EN 352-2:1993 and tested by Salford University School of Acoustics. You can find more detailed technical information here, regarding the difference in attenuation ratings.

Communicate Safely

You can communicate with ProtectHear® vented ear plugs through conversation with colleagues whilst in a noisy environment. There is no need to take out your hearing protection and be exposed to the noise. As well as conversations with ProtectHear® vented you can communicate through radios/phones, ProtectHear® supply a wide range of communication accessories called SpeakHear®.

ProtectHear® solid has no vent giving you extra protection but communication accessories cannot be connected.

What are the advantages?

Whether you choose vented or solid, ProtectHear® ear plugs give users maximum comfort, with a great fit and allows the ears to ‘breathe’. ProtectHear® ear plugs can be worn with all types of Personal Protective Equipment such as hard hats and safety glasses. With a 5 year lifespan there are significant cost savings to be had compared to disposable earplugs, calculate your savings on our cost savings calculator here.

Take our Trial

For any Health & Safety Executive considering vented vs solid ear plugs, don’t Forget if you’re unsure which option would suit for your factory environment best, you can trial ProtectHear®.  The trial is for an 8 week period within your organisation’s unique environment, and you can include up to 10 people to participate.

Contact us now to find out more about ProtectHear® products/services. You can book your no obligation ‘Try Before you Buy’ trial today.

Read our full terms and conditions here.