Page 24 - 2025 - Q1 - Minerva in Focus

MINERVA IN FOCUS Stay Safe

Examining different

hearing protection solutions

PROS CONS

Ear defenders
or earmuffs

Cover the entire ear and can be helmet-
mounted or have a head/neck band. They can have poor
compatibility with other
Easy to use, comfortable in PPE, e.g., safety eyewear,
cold environments, flexible and can be bulky, heavy,
range of fits and uncomfortable in hot
environments

Ear plugs

Inserted into and blocking the ear canal; They can be easily
they can be disposable or reusable. misplaced, are difficult to fit
Reusable types must be washed regularly. Compatible with other PPE, properly, cannot be used by
lightweight and easy to someone suffering from an
carry, comfortable in warm ear infection and may cause
environments ear infections if hygiene is not
maintained

Semi-insert
or canal caps

Cover the entrance to the ear canal. These can be useful in work
areas that are subject to They generally do not provide
infrequent high noise levels, as much protection as the
where the swift application other types and are not as
and then removal of ear common in a shipboard
protection is required environment

22 ISSUE 31 / Q1 2025