Semi-Aural Devices
Description
Semi-aurals, also called canal caps, consist of pods or flexible tips on a lightweight headband. Because they are quick to put on and take off and easy to store around the neck, they are ideal for intermittent use. They provide less protection than either plugs or muffs and aren’t usually recommended for continuous long-term wearing.
Fit
- Hold the large ends of the pods and swivel them to direct the tips into the ear canal openings.
- Firmly push and wiggle the pods into the canals until a snug seal is obtained.
- Pulling on the outer ear while pushing on the pods will be helpful to most wearers.
Care
- Most semi-aurals can be cleaned in the same way earplugs are cleaned.
- Since the headband holds the tips in place to provide an acoustic seal, don’t tamper with it or the protection the device provides may be reduced.
Hearing Protector Fitting Tip
When either a plug or muff is properly fitted, the sound of your own voice should change, becoming deeper, hollow, or muffled. If you don’t hear the change, or if it isn’t the same in both ears, you haven’t obtained a proper fit and acoustic seal in either one or both ears.
Additional Information
- Increased protection can be reached by wearing earplugs and earmuffs together.
- It generally takes 10 days to get used to hearing protection, just as it takes a while to get used to a pair of new shoes.
- Improperly worn hearing protection devices may not reduce noise levels.
- Hearing aids are NOT hearing protectors.
- Persons with normal hearing always can detect some sound while wearing hearing protection devices.
(Source of Hearing PPE information: Cabot Safety, National Hearing Conservation Association and the Institute of Agricultural Medicine and Occupational Health)
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