What type of PPE protects an assembler's outer ear and hearing?

Earmuffs are designed specifically to protect both the outer ear and hearing from excessive noise levels in various environments, including manufacturing and assembly settings. They create a seal around the ears, providing effective noise isolation, which is vital for preventing hearing loss due to prolonged exposure to loud sounds. This type of personal protective equipment (PPE) is particularly useful in environments where noise levels exceed safe thresholds, as it not only helps in reducing ambient noise but also offers comfort to the wearer.

In contrast, earplugs are primarily inserted within the ear canal, making them a different form of hearing protection. While they also help reduce noise exposure, they do not cover the outer ear, which is an additional protective feature of earmuffs. Helmets provide head protection but do not specifically address hearing protection. Safety goggles protect the eyes and are unrelated to ear protection.