Earmuffs
Earmuffs (also called acoustic earmuffs or ear defenders) are thermoplastic or metal head-band objects, similar in appearance to headphones, designed to cover a person's ears for hearing protection.
Thermal earmuffs are used to cover ears to keep warmth during winter, but that type is not discussed here.
Contents
General
Earmuffs consist of a pair of two foam padded cups, connected with a flexible metal or plastic band, giving them a shape similar to that of a pair of headphones. More advanced models tend to also include actual headphones. Some earmuffs employ active sound protection, in which a microphone mounted in the headset picks up ambient sounds and transmits them through a dynamic range compression circuit to earphones inside. Thanks to the dynamic compression, the headset can be adjusted to allow the wearer to hear sounds at ordinary volumes normally, while attenuating louder sounds.
Availability
Earmuffs can be bought from most hardware or construction stores, as well as home-improvement retailers. More sophisticated models can be purchased from various companies that make protection equipment. They can also be purchased online.
Handling and safety
Headphones offer good protection against loud noises. Always inspect them before use, for any cracks or torn foam padding. Headbands may also lose their tension or ability to properly adjust to the head. Poorer quality ones might even snap after repeated uses.
