Custom Hearing Protection for Data Centers

Noise at Data Centers

The rise of artificial intelligence, cloud services and Internet of Things (IoT) has created massive demand for data centers, and the industry is expected to grow 10.7% annually in the next five years.

While data centers are a major contributor to local and global economic growth, they also contribute to the rates of occupational hearing loss. Between servers themselves, cooling systems, generators and air-handling units, data centers are dangerously loud and put thousands of workers at risk of hearing loss every day.

While hearing PPE is a requirement in both the U.S. and Canada when noise exceeds 90 dB and 87 dB, respectively, many data management organizations choose the cheapest, most well-known option — foam earplugs — for their crews.

But, did you know that custom hearing protection is better equipped to handle the unique noise profile of data centers while saving companies money in the long run?

Why Custom is Best for Data Center Hearing Protection

Unlike some factories, where heavy machinery is only on intermittently, between all the machinery working around the clock in a relatively small space, data centers are constantly loud in nearly every area, making it critical that employees keep their protection on 100% of their shift.

Foam earplugs and over-ear headphones simply aren’t ideal for prolonged wear, and after a while, they get uncomfortable, which means employees are likely to take them off to give their ears a break from the discomfort, exposing themselves to hazardous noise instead

dB Blockers are molded to every individual’s unique ear shape and size, and they are designed to be comfortable when worn all day.

Another key challenge with disposable earplugs is that you can’t hear through them, making interpersonal communication and radio use impossible without removing the plugs. dB Blockers can be made with sound-filtering vents that block hazardous noise but allow speech to come through normally.

dB Blockers custom hearing protection can also be made to allow for radio connection through special dB Com line of cords and the same filtered vents, so crew members can communicate without removing their protection.

dB Blockers: Customizable Options for Data Centers

Between vents, radio communication, silicone color and other customizable options, there are thousands of possible combinations for dB Blockers, allowing us to create a highly customized option, no matter your needs and noise profile.

For data centers, in particular, popular dB Blocker options include:

Protect Ear: How it Works

Protect Ear has been providing custom hearing protection to dozens of different noisy industries for years, and though data centers are an up-and-coming work environment, the need is the same as any other noisy occupation: hearing protection that workers actually want to wear.

We make it easy to get custom hearing protection for all of your employees, whether you have a dozen employees or hundreds.