If I recall correctly the maximum Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) for earplugs and earmuffs is around 30db. You can combine the two for a slight increase in hearing protection but you still hit a limit because of bone vibration.

Is there PPE out there to go even further beyond this? Where would it be commonly used?

    • laughterlaughter@lemmy.world
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      6 months ago

      You’re so wrong about this. ANC pretty much eliminates pressure inside the ear canal. That’s how ANC works. No pressure waves, no sound, no damage.

    • HelixDab2@lemm.ee
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      6 months ago

      You’re not adding more pressure anywhere; you’re cancelling that pressure out.

      • numberfour002@lemmy.world
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        6 months ago

        Except that’s exactly how nose canceling ear phones work.

        Mine work like this: “Got your nose. Neener neener neener.”

        • laughterlaughter@lemmy.world
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          6 months ago

          Bro. It’s not “just more pressure.” It’s literally less pressure.

          If there are water waves moving a boat up and down, and you actively apply some movement (ha! pressure!) to the water so you generate waves that cancel the existing ones so that the boat stands still, would you say “but you don’t understand, the boat is getting MORE PRESSURE!!! It’s being damaged!!!”? Of course not. It’s pretty much the same principle.

          Get a highschool physics book, read the chapter about sound, and come back. Otherwise, just stop.