Protect Your Hearing
The Hocks Noise Braker® with an acoustic filter, is available as Custom Hearing Protection (shown), or as Standards, over-the-counter earplugs
One loud noise exposure can cause permanent hearing damage, resulting in a lifetime of hearing loss, tinnitus, or hyperacusis.
Invest in quality hearing protection.
Carry earplugs and use them whenever your environment is too noisy.
If you are going to be exposed to loud noises on a constant basis, or encounter brief bursts of extreme noise (such as power tools or a gun shot), you need hearing protection.
The strength of hearing protection is shown as NRR (noise reduction rating).
The NRR indicates the average number of decibels sound will drop with hearing protection. The actual number that decibels will drop varies greatly, depending on the pitch (the highness or lowness of sound) and volume.
With filtered plugs, like the Hocks Noise Braker®, the actual amount of sound reduction increases as volume increases. The amount of sound that is filtered out depends on the volume. As the noise level increases, so does the amount of hearing protection.
Protect your hearing before suffering a hearing loss!
Earmuffs
Earmuffs are worn over the ears and function consistently.
They have a NRR of up to 30 dB, and may be worn with other ear plugs for even greater sound protection.
Custom Solid Earplugs
Custom ear plugs are made from an impression of an individual person's ear for an exact fit.
They function consistently and have a NRR of up to 31 dB.
Disposable Earplugs
Disposable ear plugs are made of foam or other soft material. Actual noise reduction varies greatly between people, depending on individual ear shape, determining how well the plug fits.
Hocks Noise Brakers®
Hocks Noise Brakers®, with an acoustic filter, do not block sound; they let it in at a reduced volume. Hear conversation while protecting your hearing.
Available as Standards (shown) or custom earplugs.
Common Activities
Showing Decibel (dB) Levels
and Typical Physical Responses
Activity Approx. dB Level Typical Response
Threshold of hearing 0 Not audible
Threshold of sound perception 10 Just audible
Leaves rustling; very soft music 30 Very quiet
Living/dining/bedroom 30
Light car traffic; noisy office; normal conversation 60 Speech interference
Loud conversation; roadside traffic; Restaurant; vacuum 70 Annoying, with elevated speech interference
Average factory 85 Very annoying
Permanent damage of auditory nerves usually commences at about 90 dB
Busy city street; motorcycle; lawn mower; screaming child 90 Can damage hearing after 8 hrs of exposure per day
Jet take off; train horn; jackhammer; diesel truck 100 Can damage hearing after 2 hrs of exposure per day
Squealing pigs; inboard motor; typical night club 110 Maximum vocal effort; 30 min of exposure per day
Amplified rock music (volume varies) 110-130 30 - 3.75 minutes exposure per day
Heavy destruction of auditory nerves and sharp pain are not uncommon
Car horn; propeller aircraft; air-raid siren 120 7.5 minutes exposure
Military jet; shotgun; hydraulic press 130 3.75 minutes exposure per day
Gun shot; jet engine taking off 140 Danger level
Rocket launching 180 Danger
At 150+ dB: severe pain, immediate massive destruction of Auditory Nerves, and persistent ringing of the ears
lasting for days is usually the result. Ringing can become permanent.
At this level of sound it won't take much, and you won't have to worry about your hearing... you won't have any!