Hearing Protection - Simple SNR Table

The following table gives a quick guide to select the most suitable hearing protection based on a simple A-weighted noise measurement.

This table is provided by the UK Health and Safety Executive, who state that this is not a substitute for using one of the other three methods (SNR calculation, HML or Octave Band). This method will not be suitable if the noise is tonal or has a significant low frequency content.

A-Weighted Sound Level dB	Protector SNR

85 to 90	20 or lower
90 to 95	20 to 30
95 to 100	25 to 35
100 to 105	30 or higher

What is the SNR?

SNR stands for Single Number Rating. It is provided by the manufacturer of the hearing protector, often printed on the side of the box.

The SNR is usually used along with the C-Weighted Sound Level to calculate the level at the ear. The SNR is used by most European countries and is similar in principle to the NNR method used in the USA and some other regions, but the calculations are a little different.

Please visit our SNR Hearing Protector Checks page for more details, or use our SNR Hearing Protection Calculator.

Other Methods

The Simple SNR Table method is only intended as a guide and will not be suitable for all noise types. We recommend using one of the following three methods:

Suitable Sound Level Meters

Basic Sound Level Meter

Non-integrating meter
Both A and C weighting
Easy to use

Integrating Sound Level Meter

Basic noise at work meter
Both A and C weighting
Easy to use