Ear Plugs: SNR and Noise Limits

Date: 10.10.2026 20:45

How to read the SNR noise reduction rating of ear plugs, how to calculate the remaining sound level at the ear, the 80, 85 and 87 dB(A) limits in noise regulations and how to fit ear plugs correctly. Includes a calculator.

Contents

1. Regulations: at what decibel level is hearing protection mandatory?
2. What is the SNR value and how is it used?
3. Over-protection is a problem too
4. How do you fit ear plugs?
5. Are they single-use?
6. Standards and products
FAQ

Short answer

How much an ear plug reduces noise is shown by the SNR value on the packaging. Using the HSE method, the level remaining at the ear is roughly calculated as the C-weighted level of the environment − SNR; for real-world conditions, 4 dB is added to the result. The target is 70–80 dB(A) at the ear; below 70 is over-protection. In Türkiye, under the Noise Regulation, hearing protection must be made available at 80 dB(A), and its use must be ensured and enforced at 85 dB(A); the 87 dB(A) limit value must not be exceeded under any circumstances.

Level-at-ear calculator (HSE SNR method)

C-weighted noise level of the environment, dB(C)SNR value of the protector, dB

Formula: effective level at the ear = LC − SNR, +4 dB for real-world use (HSE L108). The C-weighted value is given in the noise measurement report. The result is an estimate and does not apply to peak noise.

1. Regulations: at what decibel level is hearing protection mandatory?

Value (8-hour)	Level	Employer's obligation
Lower exposure action value	80 dB(A)	Makes hearing protection available for employees to use (Art. 9/1-a).
Upper exposure action value	85 dB(A)	Ensures and enforces the use of hearing protection (Art. 9/1-b); these areas are marked and access to them is restricted (Art. 8/3).
Exposure limit value	87 dB(A)	Must not be exceeded under any circumstances (Art. 10). The effect of the protector is taken into account for the limit value but not for the action values (Art. 5/2).

Source: Regulation on the Protection of Employees from Noise-Related Risks, Türkiye (Official Gazette 28.07.2013, No. 28721), original text.

2. What is the SNR value and how is it used?

Protectors conforming to EN 352 are supplied with an SNR (single number) and H, M, L (high, medium, low frequency) values measured to ISO 4869-2. The HSE SNR method:

Effective level at the ear = LC − SNR (LC: C-weighted noise level of the environment).
To bridge the gap between manufacturer data and real-world use, +4 dB is added to the result (not applied to peak noise).
The North American NRR value is not used in this calculation.

If you only have a dB(A) measurement, the HSE's rough selection table can guide you (provided low-frequency noise is not dominant):

Ambient noise dB(A)	Recommended SNR
85–90	20 or less
90–95	20–30
95–100	25–35
100–105	30 or more

Note: the PPE portal of Türkiye's Ministry of Labour and Social Security (ÇSGB) explains SNR in terms of dB(A) and uses the phrase "70–75 dB(A)"; the HSE, by contrast, uses the C-weighted level and a target of 70–80 dB(A) at the ear. The calculation on this page is based on the HSE method.

3. Over-protection is a problem too

HSE: protection that reduces the level at the ear below 70 dB(A) is "over-protection"; the wearer may struggle to hear warning signals and traffic.
Using ear plugs and ear muffs together adds at most about 6 dB of extra protection on top of the higher-SNR product (HSE).
Hearing protection must fit the wearer properly and, where hygiene requires it, be issued for personal use only (Noise Regulation in Türkiye, Art. 9/2).

4. How do you fit ear plugs?

Clean your hands, then roll the foam plug between two fingers to compress it.
With your other hand, pull your ear up and back to open the ear canal, then insert the plug.
Hold the plug in place for about 30 seconds until it expands and seals (ÇSGB, JSP).
ÇSGB (Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Türkiye) states that the whole plug must be inside the ear canal for full protection; also check the product's own user instructions.

5. Are they single-use?

According to HSE, some ear plugs are reusable and others are disposable; check the manufacturer's instructions. Disposable ear plugs are used once and must not be shared. ÇSGB requires disposable plugs to be replaced with a new pair once they become dirty.

6. Standards and products

Type	Standard	Products
Ear plugs	TS EN 352-2	Starline 1453-T · Teo 3110 · Delta Plus CONICCO2V2 corded
Ear muffs	TS EN 352-1	Starline MK-06 · Starline MK-08Y · Essafe GE 2630-2
Helmet-mounted ear muffs	TS EN 352-3	Starline BT-03

Annex 3 lists examples of work where hearing protection may be required: working with metal forming presses, pneumatic drills, pile driving, and woodworking and textile work. All products:

Hearing protection.

FAQ

How many decibels do ear plugs reduce noise by?

There is no single figure; the product's SNR value is what matters. The level at the ear is estimated as roughly LC − SNR + 4 dB (HSE).

From what dB level are ear plugs mandatory?

At the upper exposure action value of 85 dB(A), the employer must ensure hearing protection is worn and monitor its use; at 80 dB(A), hearing protection must be made available.

What SNR value should I choose?

Choose according to the environment; the aim is to leave 70–80 dB(A) at the ear. A very high SNR can cause over-protection.

Sources:Noise Regulation, Türkiye (Official Gazette 28.07.2013/28721) · HSE L108 (2021) · ÇSGB PPE Portal – Hearing · JSP ear plug fitting instructions · PPE Regulation and annexes, Türkiye (mevzuat.gov.tr)

This guide was prepared by Vitrin Online on 10.10.2026. It provides general information only and is not legal advice. Always follow the product's user instructions and your workplace risk assessment.