Why Fit Testing Should Be Part of Every OSHA Hearing Conservation Program

Hearing protection fit testing measures how well an employee’s earplugs or earmuffs actually reduce noise exposure in real-world conditions. It provides a Personal Attenuation Rating (PAR) that reflects true protection, which often differs from the manufacturer’s Noise Reduction Rating (NRR). While not required by OSHA’s Hearing Conservation Standard (29 CFR 1910.95), fit testing verifies proper use, improves safety outcomes, and helps prevent permanent hearing loss.

Introduction

Many employers believe their hearing conservation programs are complete because they:

• Follow OSHA’s standard (29 CFR 1910.95)
• Provide hearing protection
• Run annual audiograms
• Monitor workplace noise levels

But one addition can take a program from compliant to best-in-class: hearing protection fit testing.

What Is Fit Testing?

Fit testing measures how well an individual’s earplugs or earmuffs block noise when worn in the field. The result is a Personal Attenuation Rating (PAR) — a personalized score that reflects actual protection, not just the lab-tested NRR on the box.

Why OSHA Doesn’t Require It (Yet)

OSHA does not currently mandate fit testing, but forward-thinking safety leaders are adopting it because:

• Many workers don’t receive the protection the label claims
• Improper fit leads to preventable hearing loss
• Fit testing provides measurable data for training and decision-making
• It strengthens safety culture by engaging employees directly

How Soundtrace Makes Fit Testing Easy

Soundtrace integrates fit testing directly into its digital hearing conservation workflow:

• Same equipment as our audiogram testing
• Employees insert their earplugs immediately after the hearing test
• System runs a few quick frequencies to calculate PAR
• Instant results show whether the fit is effective or needs adjustment

No separate appointment. No extra tools. No downtime.

Example: A Real Fit Test in Action

After completing a hearing test, an employee inserts foam earplugs and follows on-screen instructions. In minutes, results show:

• PAR: 20 dB in both ears
• Protection level: 71% of expected performance
• Adjusted noise exposure: 67 dBA — well below OSHA’s 85 dBA limit
• Outcome: PASS — safe to return to work

Why Fit Testing Matters

Fit testing isn’t just compliance — it’s confidence.

• Employees see their results, improving understanding and correct usage
• Safety managers track data to spot trends, optimize training, and reduce risk
• Documentation is automatically stored for easy reporting

Go Beyond the Standard

Fit testing may not be required, but it is rapidly becoming the new best practice. With Soundtrace, you can:

• Fit test in minutes with no extra equipment
• Train employees during the process
• Store results for safety tracking and compliance support

What Is Fit Testing and Why Isn’t It Required?

Fit testing is the process of measuring how well an individual’s earplugs actually reduce noise exposure. It results in a Personal Attenuation Rating (PAR) that reflects real-world performance—something a standard Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) on a box can’t tell you.

Right now, OSHA doesn’t require fit testing. But safety leaders are adopting it anyway because:

• Most workers don’t get the protection the label claims.
• Improper fit leads to preventable, permanent hearing loss.
• Fit testing provides measurable data for better decision-making.
• It supports safety culture and engagement at the individual level.

FAQ: Hearing Protection Fit Testing

1. Is fit testing required by OSHA?
No. OSHA does not currently require fit testing, but it does require employers to ensure hearing protection is effective. Fit testing helps prove effectiveness.

2. What is a Personal Attenuation Rating (PAR)?
A PAR is the actual measured noise reduction achieved by a specific worker wearing a specific hearing protector.

3. How does PAR differ from NRR?
NRR is the manufacturer’s lab-tested rating. PAR measures real-world performance for each individual.

4. How long does a Soundtrace fit test take?
Just a couple of minutes, using the same setup as the audiogram, with no extra downtime.

5. Can fit testing be used for training?
Yes. It’s an effective teaching moment to improve insertion technique and compliance.

6. How does Soundtrace perform fit testing?
After the audiogram, employees insert hearing protection, run a quick test, and the system calculates PAR and provides instant feedback.

7. Does Soundtrace store fit testing results?
Yes. Results are securely stored in the platform for tracking trends and compliance documentation.

8. Why is fit testing important if I already provide earplugs?
Because protection depends on correct fit, even the best earplugs fail if worn incorrectly.