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BS EN 458:2025 Hearing protectors — Recommendations for selection, use, care and maintenance — Guidance document, 2026
- undefined
- European foreword
- Introduction
- 1 Scope
- 2 Normative references
- 3 Terms and definitions
- 4 Symbols and abbreviations
- 5 Types of hearing protectors [Go to Page]
- 5.1 Design forms [Go to Page]
- 5.1.1 Earmuffs
- 5.1.2 Earmuffs attached to head protection and/or face protection devices
- 5.1.3 Earplugs [Go to Page]
- 5.1.3.1 General
- 5.1.3.2 Pre-shaped earplugs
- 5.1.3.3 User-formable earplugs
- 5.1.3.4 Banded earplugs
- 5.1.3.5 Custom moulded earplugs
- 5.2 Function mode [Go to Page]
- 5.2.1 Basic function mode
- 5.2.2 Level-dependent hearing protectors [Go to Page]
- 5.2.2.1 General
- 5.2.2.2 Passive level-dependent hearing protectors
- 5.2.2.3 Sound-restoration level-dependent hearing protectors
- 5.2.3 Active noise reduction (ANR) protectors
- 5.2.4 Hearing protectors with external audio input [Go to Page]
- 5.2.4.1 General
- 5.2.4.2 Hearing protector with entertainment audio input
- 5.2.4.3 Hearing protector with safety-related audio input
- 6 Selection [Go to Page]
- 6.1 Principles
- 6.2 Selection according to sound attenuation [Go to Page]
- 6.2.1 Guide to protection rating
- 6.2.2 Sound attenuation in practice
- 6.2.3 Acoustical selection methods [Go to Page]
- 6.2.3.1 Overview of applicable methods
- Table 1 — Applicability of acoustical selection methods to different types of hearing protector [Go to Page]
- 6.2.3.2 Methods for estimating the level effective to the ear when selecting a hearing protector based on the national regulation level L'NR
- Table 2 — Information on workplace noise required for assessing sound attenuation [Go to Page]
- 6.2.3.3 Method for estimating the level effective to the ear when selecting a hearing protector based on the national peak regulation level L'NR,peak
- 6.2.3.4 Selection method for sound-restoration level-dependent hearing protectors intended for all types of noise environment, using HML criterion values
- 6.2.3.5 Method for estimating the level effective to the ear for an active noise reduction hearing protector based on the national regulation level L'NR
- 6.2.3.6 Method for estimating the level effective to the ear for a hearing protector with audio input
- 6.2.4 Selection of combination of earmuffs and earplugs
- 6.3 Selection according to work environment [Go to Page]
- 6.3.1 Factors of work environment – overview
- 6.3.2 Acoustical factors [Go to Page]
- 6.3.2.1 Influence of types of noise
- 6.3.2.2 Exposure to continuous noise
- 6.3.2.3 Exposure to fluctuating noise
- 6.3.2.4 Exposure to intermittent or repeated short-term noise
- 6.3.2.5 Exposure to impulsive noise
- 6.3.2.6 Dominant low frequency noise
- 6.3.2.7 High frequency tonal noise
- 6.3.2.8 Informative sounds [Go to Page]
- 6.3.2.8.1 General
- 6.3.2.8.2 Warning signals
- 6.3.2.8.3 Localization of noise sources
- 6.3.2.8.4 Speech communication
- 6.3.2.8.5 Machinery sound
- 6.3.2.8.6 Live Music
- 6.3.3 Environmental factors (non-acoustic) [Go to Page]
- 6.3.3.1 General
- Table 3 — General guidance for selection of passive hearing protectors in relation to environmental factors [Go to Page]
- 6.3.3.2 Temperature (high and low temperatures and/or humidity)
- 6.3.3.3 Contamination and unclean working conditions
- 6.3.3.4 Moving machinery parts
- 6.3.3.5 Type of work being undertaken
- 6.3.3.6 Explosive atmospheres
- 6.3.3.7 Body movement
- 6.4 Communication [Go to Page]
- 6.4.1 Essential work or safety-related speech communication, especially speech intelligibility
- 6.4.2 Effects of excessive attenuation
- 6.5 Compatibility with other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- 6.6 Selection according to hearing protector type and situation of use [Go to Page]
- 6.6.1 Earmuffs – General
- 6.6.2 Earmuffs attached to head protection and/or face protection devices
- 6.6.3 Earplugs – General
- 6.6.4 Hearing protectors with additional function modes
- 6.7 Medical factors
- 6.8 Ergonomics and fitting
- 7 Use [Go to Page]
- 7.1 General
- 7.2 Availability of hearing protectors
- 7.3 Correct fitting [Go to Page]
- 7.3.1 General
- 7.3.2 Earmuffs
- 7.3.3 Earplugs
- 7.4 Simultaneous use of hearing protectors with other PPE [Go to Page]
- 7.4.1 General
- 7.4.2 Protective clothing
- 7.4.3 Spectacles
- 7.4.4 Goggles
- 7.4.5 Face shields
- 7.4.6 Hoods
- 7.4.7 Head protection
- 7.4.8 Respiratory protection devices
- 7.5 Speech intelligibility and signal audibility
- 7.6 Instruction and training [Go to Page]
- 7.6.1 General
- 7.6.2 Information
- 7.6.3 Special instructions for use including training
- 7.7 Period of use
- Figure 1 — Effective protection provided by hearing protectors with decreased usage time over an 8 h shift [Go to Page]
- 7.8 Leisure activities
- 8 Care and maintenance [Go to Page]
- 8.1 General
- 8.2 Hygiene and cleaning
- 8.3 Inspection and replacement
- 8.4 Storage
- 8.5 Disposal
- 9 Sustainability
- Annex A (informative) Methods for estimating the level effective to the ear when selecting a hearing protector based on the national regulation level L'NR
- A.1 General
- Table A.1 —Octave band attenuation data for a hearing protector
- Table A.2 — H, M, L and SNR data for a hearing protector
- Table A.3 — Continuous noise environment throughout the day
- Table A.4 — Example of assessment on the basis of a national regulation system
- A.2 Octave band method
- Table A.5 — Example of calculation of L'p,A using the octave band method (using data given in Table A.1 and Table A.3)
- A.3 HML method
- Figure A.1 — Graph showing how the PNR value is read across without calculation
- A.4 HML check method
- Table A.6 —Examples of noise sources — Noise Class HM (middle to high frequency noises) (Lp,C – Lp,A < 5 dB)
- Table A.7 —Examples of noise sources – Noise Class L (dominant low frequency noises) (Lp,C – Lp,A ≥ 5 dB)
- A.5 SNR method
- Annex B (informative) Method for estimating the level effective to the ear when selecting a hearing protector based on the national peak regulation level L'NR,peak
- B.1 General
- B.2 Method
- Table B.1 — Types of impulsive/impact noise
- Table B.2 — Modified sound attenuation value
- Annex C (informative) Selection method for sound-restoration level-dependent hearing protectors intended for all types of noise environment using HML-criterion values
- C.1 General
- C.2 Method 1: HML method
- Figure C.1 — Example plot of H, M, and L criterion levels against the Lp,C – Lp,A value
- C.3 Method 2A: HML check method – Measurement check
- C.4 Method 2B: HML check method – Listening method
- Table C.1 — Examples of middle to high frequency and low frequency noise
- Annex D (informative) Calculation method for hearing protectors with audio input
- D.1 General
- D.2 Method
- Table D.1 — National regulation levels and corresponding K values
- Annex E (informative) Improving field performance and special instructions for use
- E.1 Improving field performance
- Table E.1 — Tips for improving field performance of hearing protectors
- E.2 Instructions for use
- Figure E.1 — Rolling down of the earplug
- Figure E.2 — Straightening of the ear canal
- Figure E.3 — Insertion in the ear canal and fixation
- Figure E.4 — Correct fitting of the earplug
- Annex F (informative) Further guidance on individual fit testing methods
- F.1 General information
- F.2 Available individual fit testing methods
- Annex G (informative) Noise types
- Figure G.1 — Continuous noise
- Figure G.2 — Fluctuating noise
- Figure G.3 — Intermittent or repeated short-term noise
- Figure G.4 — Impulsive noise
- Annex H (informative) Sustainability
- H.1 General
- H.2 Manufacturer evaluation (sourcing)
- H.3 Product attributes (sourcing and safety)
- H.4 Instruction and training (supervision)
- H.5 Cleaning, maintenance and disposal (correct use)
- H.6 Transportation, distribution and storage (safety and sourcing)
- Annex I (informative) Significant technical changes between this document and the previous edition EN 458:2016
- Table I.1 — Significant technical changes
- Bibliography [Go to Page]
