Effect on sound attenuation provided by earmuffs of other safety gear worn in combination

Abstract

It is shown whether the sound attenuation afforded by hearing protective earmuffs is compromised, if the muffs are worn in combination with other safety gear. Seventy-two working-aged adults were tested. Speech understanding was assessed using the four alternative auditory feature test (FAAF) of constant discrimination. The results revealed that for young listeners the wearing of other safety gear alone or in combination significantly decreased the attenuation provided by class A muffs.