{"id":40272,"date":"2025-07-02T04:44:38","date_gmt":"2025-07-02T02:44:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uvex-safety.com\/blog\/?p=40272"},"modified":"2025-07-03T06:52:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T04:52:09","slug":"what-proper-wearing-time-actually-means-for-your-hearing-protection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uvex-safety.com\/blog\/au\/what-proper-wearing-time-actually-means-for-your-hearing-protection\/","title":{"rendered":"What proper wearing time actually means for your hearing protection"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/1″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”125029″]You may be familiar with the terms \u201cwear-time\u201d or \u201cwearing time\u201d when it comes to hearing protection, but what does it actually mean? We wanted to break it down to help ensure you understand just why these terms are so important when it comes to protecting your hearing.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”117148″]Safe Work Australia states that workers must not be exposed to noise of 85 decibels or higher over the course of an 8-hour day or 40-hour week. Workers must not be exposed to a noise level above 140 decibels. Any exposure above this level could instantly damage hearing.<\/p>\n

Examples of noise events along with their maximum duration of exposure before the daily noise limit is exceeded can be seen in the table.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image media=”40326″ media_width_percent=”100″ uncode_shortcode_id=”922610″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”914954″]A PCBU (Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking) has a duty to keep employees safe from the negative risks associated with noise exposure. They must:<\/p>\n

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  1. Identify, control and assess noise hazards.<\/li>\n
  2. Conduct noise assessments within the workplace if there is more than one source of noise above 85 decibels.<\/li>\n
  3. Provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to workers and to ensure they are adequately trained on its use<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    It\u2019s about time \u2013 and decibels<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The key to adequate hearing protection is compliance \u2013 and that means keeping your hearing protection in or on your ears the entire time of exposure to noise.<\/p>\n

    WorkSafe Victoria has created a helpful table to demonstrate how quickly the \u201ceffective\u201d protection of hearing protectors drops when they are removed, even for short periods. The table shows how a hearing protector with a 30 dB rating can provide significantly less protection if not worn consistently. You can view more on this information regarding hearing protection at: WorkSafe Victoria \u2013 Hearing Protection<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image media=”40280″ media_width_percent=”100″ uncode_shortcode_id=”997870″][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”355940″]The table highlights how even short periods without hearing protection can significantly reduce its effectiveness:<\/p>\n