Independent lab testing
Earasers have been tested by independent labs in the US, Australia, and Europe. Each test used a different standard, so the results are shown separately, along with what each one means and the full report.
Virginia Tech
The Standard filter was tested for a US Noise Reduction Rating (NRR). Testing used the experimenter-fit method, with each subject tested three times.
These attenuation data were obtained in accordance with ANSI Standard S3.19-1974 in an independent university testing laboratory at Virginia Tech.
- Filter
- Standard (−19dB)
- Result
- NRR −5
- Standard
- ANSI S3.19-1974
- Subjects
- 10 (30 trials)
- Report date
- August 6, 2012
Michael & Associates
The Max filter was tested for a US Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) by Michael & Associates, Inc. in State College, Pennsylvania. Ten listeners were each tested three times at nine frequencies, using the experimenter-fit method. The filter’s −31dB name comes from this test: its highest mean reduction was 30.5 dB at 3,150 Hz.
NRR 16
- Filter
- Max (−31dB)
- Result
- NRR 16
- Standard
- ANSI S3.19-1974
- Subjects
- 10 (30 trials)
- Report date
- August 31, 2016
| Frequency | Mean (dB) | SD (dB) |
|---|---|---|
| 125 Hz | 16.3 | 3.2 |
| 250 Hz | 16.8 | 3.0 |
| 500 Hz | 19.7 | 3.2 |
| 1,000 Hz | 22.5 | 2.5 |
| 2,000 Hz | 30.1 | 4.1 |
| 3,150 Hz | 30.5 | 4.3 |
| 4,000 Hz | 27.5 | 4.1 |
| 6,300 Hz | 25.1 | 3.5 |
| 8,000 Hz | 25.6 | 3.6 |
Use these laboratory-derived attenuation data for comparison purposes only. The amount of protection afforded in field use is often significantly lower depending on how the protectors are fitted and worn. The table summarizes reported results. The full report (Q4149A Rev. 0) is available on request.
National Acoustic Laboratories
Real-ear attenuation of the Standard filter was measured in two groups of 20 adults. Each subject’s hearing was tested without earplugs and then with Earasers fitted using only the included instructions.
- Filter
- Standard (−19dB)
- SLC80
- 6 dB (both groups)
- Calculated SNR
- 13.1 (Group A), 12.3 (Group B)
- Subjects
- 40 (two groups of 20)
- Test date
- July 2017
See the numbers
| Frequency | Group A mean (dB) | SD | Group B mean (dB) | SD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 125 Hz | 4.6 | 6.5 | 3.4 | 4.8 |
| 250 Hz | 5.4 | 5.7 | 4.0 | 4.9 |
| 500 Hz | 7.8 | 7.2 | 6.0 | 5.3 |
| 1,000 Hz | 8.9 | 6.8 | 8.0 | 5.2 |
| 2,000 Hz | 16.1 | 7.7 | 16.5 | 6.2 |
| 4,000 Hz | 19.1 | 5.6 | 18.6 | 5.6 |
| 8,000 Hz | 13.1 | 6.1 | 14.1 | 10.0 |
Both groups tested the Standard filter. Earasers were changing packaging at the time, and the two labels were tested as separate products. Results are statistical and do not apply directly to every individual. SNR values were calculated with ISO 4869-5 from AS/NZS 1270 test data and are not a certification.
CRITT Sport Loisirs
Four Earasers filters were tested against the European earplug standard, EN 352-2. The Euro, Max and Peace & Quiet™ filters met every requirement. The Standard filter fell just short on low-frequency reduction, so it isn’t CE certified. Its SNR 14 rating is historical only.
- Filters
- Standard, Euro, Max, Peace & Quiet™
- Passed
- Euro (SNR 20), Max (SNR 22), Peace & Quiet™ (SNR 26)
- Did not conform
- Standard (SNR 14)
- Report date
- April 10, 2024
| Filter Name | SNR | H / M / L | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (−19dB) | 14 | 17 / 11 / 7 | Not conform |
| Euro (−26dB) | 20 | 22 / 18 / 12 | Meets EN 352-2 |
| Max (−31dB) | 22 | 23 / 19 / 17 | Meets EN 352-2 |
| Peace & Quiet™ (−36dB) | 26 | 27 / 23 / 21 | Meets EN 352-2 |
EN 352-2 sets minimum requirements of H 12 dB, M 11 dB and L 9 dB. H, M and L are the expected reduction for high-, medium- and low-frequency noise. APV (assumed protection value) is the mean minus one standard deviation.
Standard: results by frequency
| Frequency | Mean (dB) | SD (dB) | APV (dB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63 Hz | 11.0 | 4.7 | 6.3 |
| 125 Hz | 7.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| 250 Hz | 6.0 | 2.8 | 3.2 |
| 500 Hz | 10.5 | 3.3 | 7.2 |
| 1,000 Hz | 14.0 | 2.3 | 11.7 |
| 2,000 Hz | 20.4 | 3.2 | 17.2 |
| 4,000 Hz | 22.3 | 4.5 | 17.8 |
| 8,000 Hz | 17.2 | 2.4 | 14.8 |
H 17, M 11, L 7, SNR 14 dB. Mean values: Hm 18.6, Mm 12.7, Lm 8.8, SNRm 15.4 dB.
Euro: results by frequency
| Frequency | Mean (dB) | SD (dB) | APV (dB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63 Hz | 15.3 | 6.3 | 9.0 |
| 125 Hz | 13.1 | 3.5 | 9.6 |
| 250 Hz | 12.2 | 3.1 | 9.1 |
| 500 Hz | 16.4 | 2.5 | 13.9 |
| 1,000 Hz | 20.6 | 1.7 | 18.9 |
| 2,000 Hz | 25.6 | 2.1 | 23.5 |
| 4,000 Hz | 26.2 | 3.6 | 22.6 |
| 8,000 Hz | 20.0 | 2.3 | 17.7 |
H 22, M 18, L 12, SNR 20 dB. Mean values: Hm 23.4, Mm 18.8, Lm 14.7, SNRm 20.9 dB.
Max: results by frequency
| Frequency | Mean (dB) | SD (dB) | APV (dB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63 Hz | 19.5 | 5.8 | 13.7 |
| 125 Hz | 17.1 | 4.0 | 13.1 |
| 250 Hz | 18.0 | 2.6 | 15.4 |
| 500 Hz | 20.2 | 3.0 | 17.2 |
| 1,000 Hz | 21.4 | 3.3 | 18.1 |
| 2,000 Hz | 26.3 | 3.2 | 23.1 |
| 4,000 Hz | 27.9 | 3.5 | 24.4 |
| 8,000 Hz | 26.0 | 3.8 | 22.2 |
H 23, M 19, L 17, SNR 22 dB. Mean values: Hm 24.8, Mm 21.5, Lm 19.3, SNRm 23.7 dB.
Peace & Quiet™: results by frequency
| Frequency | Mean (dB) | SD (dB) | APV (dB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63 Hz | 24.9 | 5.9 | 19.0 |
| 125 Hz | 23.5 | 3.1 | 20.4 |
| 250 Hz | 20.6 | 2.8 | 17.8 |
| 500 Hz | 22.5 | 2.5 | 20.0 |
| 1,000 Hz | 24.5 | 2.7 | 21.8 |
| 2,000 Hz | 28.8 | 2.4 | 26.4 |
| 4,000 Hz | 32.9 | 3.5 | 29.4 |
| 8,000 Hz | 31.5 | 4.0 | 27.5 |
H 27, M 23, L 21, SNR 26 dB. Mean values: Hm 28.7, Mm 24.5, Lm 22.5, SNRm 27.2 dB.
What this means for the Standard filter
EN 352-2 doesn’t just look at how much an earplug reduces overall. It also sets a minimum for each frequency range. Earasers are designed to reduce sound selectively, most where your ear naturally boosts it (around 2,000–4,000 Hz) and less in the bass, so the reduction isn’t the same at every frequency. The Standard filter is the lightest of the four, and its low-frequency (L) value of 7 dB fell just below the 9 dB minimum.
That doesn’t mean the Standard filter doesn’t reduce sound, or that it doesn’t reach its −19dB peak reduction. It means it can’t be sold as certified hearing protection in countries that use the CE mark, where it’s offered as a comfort plug. The Euro, Max and Peace & Quiet™ filters met every requirement and are CE certified (see Aliénor Certification below).
Aliénor Certification
Three filters passed EU type examination and are certified personal protective equipment under Regulation (EU) 2016/425. Aliénor Certification is an EU notified body (2754).
CE certified
- Filters
- Euro, Max, Peace & Quiet™
- Ratings
- SNR 20, 22, 26
- Standard
- EN 352-2:2020
- Report
- Module C2, EVAL-C2 24-07-0792
| Filter | Rating | Certificate | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| −26dB Euro | SNR 20 | 2754/6067/159/08/24/0153 | Certified |
| −31dB Max | SNR 22 | 2754/6067/159/08/24/0154 | Certified |
| −36dB Peace & Quiet™ | SNR 26 | 2754/6067/159/08/24/0155 | Certified |
Certificates valid until 25 August 2029. Production is monitored under Annex VII, Module D of Regulation (EU) 2016/425. See the full Declaration of Conformity.
Reading the results
A few things to keep in mind when comparing numbers.
- Each result describes sound reduction under the conditions of that specific test.
- NRR, SNR and SLC80 come from different standards and methods. They aren’t interchangeable.
- Real-world protection depends on fit, insertion, your ear anatomy, and correct use.
- An older rating on its own doesn’t show current certification.