NEN EN 458 : 2016

Foreword
1 Scope
2 Normative references
3 Terms and definitions
4 Types of hearing protector
  4.1 General
  4.2 Passive hearing protectors
      4.2.1 Ear-muffs
      4.2.2 Helmet mounted ear-muffs
      4.2.3 Acoustic helmets
      4.2.4 Ear-plugs
      4.2.5 Preshaped ear-plugs
      4.2.6 Individual custom moulded ear-plugs
      4.2.7 User formable ear-plugs
      4.2.8 Banded ear-plugs
  4.3 Function modes
      4.3.1 General
      4.3.2 Passive
      4.3.3 Non passive
      4.3.4 Level-dependent hearing protectors
      4.3.5 Flat frequency response hearing protectors
      4.3.6 Active noise reduction (ANR) protectors
      4.3.7 Hearing protectors with communication facilities
5 Selection
  5.1 General
  5.2 Conformity with relevant requirements for incorporated
      electronics
      5.2.1 Intrinsic safety
      5.2.2 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
  5.3 Selection of appropriate hearing protection for the
      noise environment
      5.3.1 Regulatory and general requirements
      5.3.2 Selection of passive hearing protectors according
            to their sound attenuation
      5.3.3 Selection of hearing protectors according to
            special needs or requirements
      5.3.4 'Real world' attenuation
      5.3.5 Effects of over-protection
      5.3.6 Combination of ear-muffs and ear-plugs
  5.4 Wearer comfort
  5.5 Environment and activity
      5.5.1 High and low temperatures and/or humidity
      5.5.2 Unclean working conditions
      5.5.3 Repeated short term noise exposure
      5.5.4 Recognition of informative sounds within the work
            environment
      5.5.5 Warning signals and speech communication
      5.5.6 Location of a sound source
  5.6 Medical disorders
  5.7 Compatibility with other personal protective equipment
6 Use
  6.1 General
  6.2 Period of use
  6.3 Hearing protectors designed for use in particular
      orientations
  6.4 Availability of protectors
  6.5 Compatibility of other personal protective equipment
      with ear-muffs and banded ear-plugs
      6.5.1 General
      6.5.2 Protective clothing
      6.5.3 Spectacles
      6.5.4 Goggles
      6.5.5 Face shields
      6.5.6 Hoods
      6.5.7 Safety helmets
      6.5.8 Respiratory protection devices
  6.6 Correct fitting of hearing protectors
      6.6.1 General
      6.6.2 Ear-muffs
      6.6.3 Ear-plugs
  6.7 Audibility of speech and/or warning and alerting sounds
      whilst wearing hearing protectors
  6.8 Leisure activities
  6.9 Guidance for use
      6.9.1 Information
7 Care and maintenance
  7.1 General
  7.2 Hygiene and cleaning
  7.3 Inspection and replacement
  7.4 Storage
  7.5 Disposal
Annex A (normative) Methods for assessing the sound attenuation
        of a passive hearing protector regarding equivalent
        continuous A-weighted sound pressure level
        A.1 General
        A.2 Octave band method
        A.3 HML method
        A.4 HML check method
        A.5 SNR method
Annex B (informative) Method for assessing the sound
        attenuation of a hearing protector for impulsive sounds
        B.1 General
        B.2 Method
Annex C (informative) Selection method for non-passive sound
        restoration level-dependent
        ear-muffs and ear-plugs using HML data
        C.1 Methods for predicting if the A-weighted L[eq]
            effective at the ear is less than 85 dB(A)
        C.2 Method 1: HML Method
        C.3 Method 2A: HML check method - Measurement check
        C.4 Method 2B: HML check method - Listening method
Annex D (informative) Selection method for active noise reduction
        ear-muffs and ear-plugs
        D.1 Method for continuous noises
Annex E (informative) Selection method for ear muffs with
        audio input
        E.1 Method
Annex ZA (informative) Relationship between this European
         Standard and the Essential Requirements of
         EU Directive 89/686/EEC
Bibliography

Provides recommendations for the selection, use, care and maintenance of hearing protectors.