NIOSH recommends individual fit-testing for hearing protection

Citing recent advances in technology, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has updated its policy on individual fit-testing for hearing protection. The new guidance recommends that employers use quantitative fit-testing to evaluate the level of noise reduction workers’ hearing protection provides.

NIOSH’s previous guidance stated that workers should receive individual fit-testing for hearing protection, though commercially available fit-test systems weren’t readily available. Technological advancements have now made it possible to rapidly check the attenuation each worker receives from their preferred hearing protection device (HPD), and there are also several hearing protector fit-test systems available that determine a personal attenuation rating.

NIOSH doesn’t support a particular fit-testing method but does recommend testing as an essential practice to ensure HPDs properly fit workers.