Which type of hearing protection should be used when sound energy levels cannot be reduced appropriately?

When sound energy levels are excessively high and cannot be adequately reduced through other means, double hearing protection is the appropriate choice. This typically entails wearing both earplugs and earmuffs simultaneously, providing a higher level of sound attenuation than either device could offer alone. The combination of the two types of protection ensures that the hearing is better shielded from potentially harmful noise levels, which is especially important in environments where exposure to loud sounds is prolonged or recurrent.

In contrast, standard ear plugs or foam ear plugs may provide some level of noise reduction but may not offer sufficient protection in high-noise situations. Noise-canceling headphones, while effective at reducing ambient sounds, are generally not designed to protect against occupational noise hazards and may not meet safety standards required in certain work environments. Therefore, double hearing protection is the best approach to ensure adequate safety in situations with high sound energy levels.