What noise level requires the use of single hearing protection?

The requirement for using single hearing protection is established based on the potential risk of hearing damage from exposure to loud noise levels. Noise levels greater than 84 dBA (decibels A-weighted) are considered to pose a significant risk to hearing and therefore necessitate the use of at least single hearing protection. This threshold is set by regulatory standards which indicate that sustained exposure to sounds at this level can lead to hearing loss over time.

This level of noise can be commonly found in various construction and industrial environments, making it critical to use protective equipment to minimize the risk. Hearing protection at this level can help reduce the intensity of noise reaching the ear, allowing for safer working conditions.

In contrast, while continuous noises greater than 104 dBA do require more stringent protective measures, such as double hearing protection, the key takeaway here is that the threshold for single protection starts at 84 dBA. Similarly, peak noise levels of 140 dBA indicate extremely loud and potentially damaging sounds requiring immediate protection, but this does not pertain to the necessity of single protection at lower continuous noise levels. The option mentioning all noises above 80 dBA is overly broad, as not all noise levels above this mark necessitate protection according to the established guidelines.