Inside the HML Method

Introduction
Unlike most occupational injuries, there is no visible evidence of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). It
is not traumatic and often goes unnoticed when it first occurs. Noise-induced hearing loss accumulates
over time, its effects realized long after the damage has been done. NIHL is permanent and irreversible.
With proper education, motivation and protection, however, it is also 100% preventable.
Hearing conservation is about more than supplying your employees with earplugs or earmuffs that block
the most noise. It is about finding the solution that’s right for your people. At Howard Leight, we realize
that the people who depend on our products to protect their hearing are as diverse as you can imagine.
And the ways people select the right hearing protection are just as diverse.
This guide provides you with insights and tactics to select appropriate earplugs and earmuffs for your
employees based on HML attenuation values. While there are several factors that should be considered
in the selection of hearing protectors, including comfort, convenience and communication, the HML
Method is an effective determinant of protection by High, Medium and Low frequencies of noise.

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Establishing Noise Measurements
As a component of European Union Directive 2003/10/EN, which outlines the
protocols for occupational Hearing Conservation Programmes (HCP), workers
may not be exposed to noise exposure limits of 87 dBA or higher (protected level).
In achieving this endeavor, HCP managers are required to determine and assess
noise risk in the workplace; reduce exposures through engineering or administrative
controls; provide training and appropriate hearing protectors to noise-exposed
employees; perform annual audiometry on employees; and assess the programme
on a regular basis. A sound level meter measures
area noise levels in decibels (dB).
In establishing noise risks in the workplace, HCP managers are required to — Photo courtesy of Larson Davis,
a PCB Piezotronics division.
collect representative noise samples through area and personal dosimetry.
A sound level meter is used when measuring area noise. It provides a mean
value of ambient noise level across all frequencies,
and uses a unit called decibel (dB) to measure A, B and C WEIGHTING CURVES
sound pressure level or volume. -10

The human ear is more advanced in how it 0

registers sound than a sound level meter. In

Sound Level in Decibels

10

fact, the ear does not register sound in the

same way as a sound level meter — the ear 20

is more sensitive to the frequencies that are 30 A-Weighting

most important to us, such as voices, signals B-Weighting
C-Weighting
and alarms. 40

50
To translate the sound measured by the sound 10 100 1000 10000 100000
level meter into the way the ear registers and is Frequency in Hertz
affected by the sound, a filter is applied (A-filter).
This A-filtered sound uses the measurement unit “dBA.” The dBA value is important to know when
determining a noise environment, because it tells us the extent to which the noise affects our hearing.
It is also important to know what frequencies are most prominent in the noise environment. This helps
us to select the most appropriate earplugs or earmuffs — many hearing protectors attenuate, or block
noise more than others at different frequencies.
To determine the most prominent frequencies, an additional filter is applied (C-filter). The C-filtered
sound level uses the unit “dBC.” If the noise environment consists of mostly low-frequency noise,
the C-filtered sound level becomes much higher than the A-filtered sound level.
By comparing the dBA-value with the dBC-value, you can determine if the area noise consists of
mostly high, medium or low frequency noise. Most sound level meters can be set to measure both
dBA and dBC.

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How to Apply the HML Method
In selecting the appropriate hearing protectors for your noise environments, you will need to know:
• Noise Levels — perform measurements with a sound level meter to determine area noise levels
• HML Attenuation Data — this information is printed on the hearing protector’s packaging and in its
user instructions
• HML Table — table of attenuation values across High, Medium and Low frequencies

Step Example

Determine the noise level by measuring

dBA and dBC with a sound level meter.
If you do not have access to the dBC
value on a worksite, you can estimate the
frequency range by listening. You can also
check the type of machines that are used,
and determine if they are typically low or
high frequency machines. Or you may refer
to the chart that displays some examples of
machines that have mostly medium to high
frequency noise and some that produce dBC = 117
typically low frequency noise. dBA = 112

Subtract dBA from dBC to determine

what type of noise environment you have.
If the difference is < 5 — Your noise
environment is mostly medium to high
frequency. Check the H and M value
dBC - dBA = 5
when choosing hearing protection.
If the difference is ≥ 5 — Your noise
environment consists of mostly low
frequencies. Check the M and L value
when selecting hearing protection.

Locate the dBC – dBA value on the bottom

of the HML table.

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How to Apply the HML Method — Continued
Step Example

Identify the attenuation data of the

hearing protector.
Start with making a line between the H
and M values, then continue to the L value
and throughout the whole table.
You will find the HML values on the
hearing protector’s packaging or in its
user instructions.

Leightning® L3 Earmuff,
SNR 34, H:33 M:32 L:27

Make a line from your dBC – dBA

value straight up until it meets the
attenuation line.
This is how much the hearing protector
attenuates in your sound environment.
It is called the Predicted Noise Level
Reduction (PNR) value, which is the
estimated attenuation of the hearing
protector in dB, when the protector is
used properly.

PNR = 30 dB

To estimate the attenuation offered by a

specific hearing protector in your specific
environment, subtract the PNR (Predicted dBA - PNR = 112 - 30 = 72dB
Noise Level Reduction) from the dBA noise
level measured in your area.

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Table 1. HML Table

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Using the HML Method Instead of SNR
Though the SNR is a laboratory estimate of protection that a hearing protector is expected to provide in
one fixed number, the actual attenuation of the protector at a frequency may be much higher or much
lower than the SNR value — especially in the low frequencies. The SNR value can make you believe
you are protected even if you are not. In table 2, below, we demonstrate the attenuation of four different
hearing protectors. All protectors have at least SNR 33 dB. As demonstrated in table 2, it is only in the
high frequencies that the attenuation reaches levels similar to the SNR value.

Table 2. HML Table with Attenuation Data of Earmuffs with High SNR Value

Howard Leight Clarity® C3

earmuff (SNR 33)

Howard Leight Thunder® T3

earmuff (SNR 36)

Sordin Left/Right large

earmuff (SNR 33)
Peltor Optime III earmuff
(SNR 35)

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Comparing Hearing Protectors
In comparing the attenuation values of different hearing protectors, the HML Method makes it is easy
to determine how hearing protectors will attenuate in different sound environments. Table 3 compares
three different earmuffs with low SNR values with the HML Method.

Table 3. HML Table with Attenuation Data of Earmuffs with Low SNR Values

Howard Leight Clarity® C1

earmuff SNR 25, Weight 194g.

Peltor Optime I earmuff

SNR 27, Weight 180g.

Sordin Left/Right low earmuff

SNR 24, Weight 200g.

Note that while the Howard Leight Clarity® C1 earmuff varies in attenuation between 24 dB and 19 dB,
the Peltor Optime I earmuff varies between 32 dB and 12 dB. When you have a small range in variation
of attenuation over the HML frequencies, you can be sure that you are protected even if you do not
know the frequency of your noise environment.

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 Table 4. HML Table with Attenuation Data of Earmuffs with Medium SNR Values

Howard Leight Leighthing® L1

earmuff SNR 30, Weight 194g.

Peltor Optime II earmuff

SNR 31, Weight 210 g.

Sordin Left/Right medium

earmuff SNR 28, Weight 237g.

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Avoiding Overprotection
Balancing the need to protect your employees without compromising their overall protection from
hazardous noise is a challenge for any safety manager. When employees utilize high attenuating
earplugs or earmuffs in marginal noise environments, they may be at an additional workplace risk.
Too much protection, or overprotection, may isolate employees from important communications,
including co-workers’ voices, machine sounds, alarms and signals. The risks of overprotection are
very real when dealing with hearing conservation, and the consequences can be catastrophic. A
worker who cannot hear the warning signal of a truck or piece of heavy equipment backing up can
be in serious danger.
But the consequences are more common and more far-reaching than safety. Workers who cannot hear
on the job are much more likely to make mistakes than those who can communicate naturally with
their supervisors and co-workers. Also, studies have shown that workers who cannot communicate
clearly or effectively with their fellows tend to feel more isolated on the job, and are less likely to be
happy or productive.
The International Standards Organization recommends that protected noise levels — that is, the noise
level under the earplug or earmuff — should fall within a manageable 70-85 dB range (ISO Guideline
EN-458). Protected noise levels over 85 dB indicate exposures that put the worker at risk for hearing
damage. Protected noise levels under 70 dB may indicate overprotection, and workers may feel isolated
from their work environment.

Table 5. Worker Exposure at the Ear with Hearing Protection, Based on ISO Guideline

When studying an HML table, speech and warning signals are most likely high frequencies. High
attenuation of high frequency sounds and moderate attenuation of low frequency sounds can
overprotect workers against important sounds. Be careful.

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Your Turn: Apply
the HML Method
Make your own analysis of hearing protectors
using the HML method. We have provided you
with a copy of the HML table and a worksheet
for your own analysis.

HML Worksheet
Company

Department

Equipment

dBA dBC dBC – dBA

dBA

Predicted Noise Level Reduction (PNR) Value

Estimated Noise Level Under Hearing Protector

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Glossary
A-Weighting
A filter applied by noise measurement devices, intended to replicate the frequency sensitivity of the
human ear. Sound level meters set to the A-weighting will filter out much of the low-frequency noise
they measure, similar to the response of the human ear. In contrast, the C-weighting is a “flatter” filter,
allowing more low frequencies to be measured.

Attenuation
A reduction in noise level. Hearing protectors are rated for their attenuation; protectors with higher
attenuation reduce more noise.

C-Weighting
A filter applied to noise measurements. In contrast to the A-weighting, the C-weighting is a “flatter” filter,
and allows more low frequencies to be measured. The C-weighting was originally conceived to be the
best predictor of the ear’s sensitivity to tones at high noise levels. But the ear’s risk to damage from
noise has since been found to be predicted much better by the A-weighting scale. Noise measurements
made with the C-weighting scale are designated dBC.

Daily Noise Exposure Level

An 8-hour time-weighted average measurement of noise exposure. This measurement includes both
continuous and impulsive noise.

Exposure Limit
The maximum allowable daily noise exposure level, taking account of attenuation provided by hearing
protectors worn by a worker.

Frequency
The physical measurement of the oscillations in a sound wave (measured in units called Hertz).
Subjectively, we hear frequency as “pitch” of a sound. The frequency range that can be perceived by
human hearing generally extends from 20 – 20,000 Hertz, but the sounds that are most useful to us
(in the speech and conversation range) are in the narrower range from 300 – 3,000 Hertz. Audiometric
tests administered in industry generally test hearing at six or seven different standardized frequencies:
500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 6000 and sometimes 8000 Hertz. In noise monitoring and audiometric
testing, frequency is often measured in thousands of Hertz, or kilohertz (kHz).

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Glossary — Continued
HML
The High-Medium-Low (HML) calculation method is most commonly used in Europe. The HML system
is based on eight representative noise spectra. In practice, the HML method provides a sufficiently
accurate measure of hearing protector performance. When using this three number system, the first
number (H) represents the attenuation afforded in predominately high-frequency environments, the
middle number (M) represents the protection afforded in noise environments dominated by medium
frequencies and the third number (L) represents the protection afforded in noise environments dominated
by low-frequency sounds. The great advantage of HML calculations is that only dB(A) and dB(C) are
required as noise data input.

H — High frequency attenuation value

Represents the attenuation of a hearing protector in noise environments dominated by high
frequency sounds.

M — Medium frequency attenuation value

Represents the attenuation of a hearing protector in noise environments dominated by medium
frequency sounds.

L — Low frequency attenuation value

Represents the attenuation of a hearing protector in noise environments dominated by low
frequency sounds.

Lower Action Value (80 dBA)

The daily noise exposure level at which precautionary measures must be in place. If noise levels
exceed 80 dBA, then hearing protectors must be available to exposed workers (usage is voluntary)
and training must be provided to exposed workers.

PNR (Predicted Noise Level Reduction)

The expected attenuation of the hearing protector calculated by the HML Method.

Peak Sound Pressure

The maximum instantaneous value of a C-weighted noise measurement.

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Glossary — Continued
Single Number Rating (SNR)
The hearing protector rating used by the EU. Attenuation tests are conducted at independent laboratories,
using human subjects to determine the average attenuation achieved by the protector. The SNR is found
on the packaging of all hearing protectors.

Sound Level Meter

A noise monitoring device that measures instant area noise levels. Since noise monitoring with a
sound level meter is specific to the immediate area where the measurement is being taken, these
measurements are also referred to as area sampling. The input to a sound level meter can be filtered
through different weightings (see A-weighting and C-weighting) to mimic the reception of the human
ear. Optional attachments, such as Octave Band filters, can further restrict the noise measurement
only to specific frequency bands. Sound level meters used for regulatory compliance must meet
specifications in ANSI Standard S1.4-1971, “Specifications for Sound Level Meters.”

Upper Action Value (85 dBA)

The daily noise exposure level at which protective measures must be in place. If noise levels exceed
85 dBA, the employer must ensure the use of hearing protectors among exposed workers (usage
is mandatory).

Howard Leight
7828 Waterville Road, San Diego, CA 92154
ph. 800/430-5490 fax 401/232-3110
www.howardleight.com