Global Hearing Protection Equipment Market Size, Share, Opportunities, COVID-19 Impact, And Trends By Type (Earmuffs, Earplugs, Others), By End-User Industry (Mining, Oil And Gas, Construction, Chemical, Pharmaceuticals, Others), And By Geography - Forecasts From 2022 To 2027

The global hearing protection equipment market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.19% to reach US$1.650 billion by 2027, from US$1.160 billion in 2020.

The demand for hearing protection equipment is increasing due to the increase in noise pollution in the world. The manufacturing sector, in particular, contributes significantly to noise pollution in developing countries. The worker can suffer hearing loss due to being exposed to a single loud noise or repeated exposure to consistent noise. If a worker is exposed to noise louder than 85 decibels (dBA) for an average of eight hours a day, it can permanently damage hearing, and the higher the level of noise can result in permanent damage. The increasing incidence of hearing loss due to high noise levels in manufacturing plants and other construction sites has led to an increase in the adoption of hearing protection equipment.

The increasing government regulations and rules regarding workers' safety and security are also increasing the use of hearing protection equipment in the workplace. The hearing protective gear worn by employees helps in preventing hearing loss and makes them comfortable working in high-noise areas. The hearing protection equipment helps in protecting workers from noise-related injuries and helps in reducing background noise to safe levels, allowing customers to communicate more clearly and easily.

The global hearing protection equipment market is segmented by type, end-user industry, and geography. Segmentation on the basis of type is done as earmuffs and earplugs. The segmentation based on the end-user industry is done as mining, construction, manufacturing, aerospace and defence, and others.

Earmuffs and earplugs are used in industrial areas

Most industries provide workers with earmuffs and earplugs for hearing protection, especially in places where there is a large amount of noise generated, usually in manufacturing. The earmuffs help to keep the ear warm and protect them from loud noises. There are various types of earmuffs like thermal earmuffs, acoustic earmuffs or defender earmuffs, and passive and active earmuffs. Defender earmuffs are used in industries to protect from loud or extreme noises. The protection comes from acoustic foam that absorbs sound waves by increasing air resistance, thus reducing the amplitude of the waves and transforming the energy into heat. The earplugs are inserted in the ear canal to protect the user's ears from loud noises, an intrusion of water, foreign bodies, dust, excessive wind, etc. The earplugs help in reducing the sound volume. The workers use earplugs to prevent hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). There are four types of earplugs foam, wax, flanged, and custom moulded. The earplug is mostly useful when the user is trained in its use and insertion. Earmuffs and earplugs are used in industries according to their requirements.

Increased use by the Defense sector is driving the market

There has been an increase in the usage of hearing protection equipment by defence personnel, leading to an increase in demand for hearing protection equipment. The increase is attributed to defense due to an increase in joint military exercises across the globe. The growing number of international defence agreements among various nations. The increasing industrialization in developing countries like India and China is also increasing the market for hearing protection equipment. The growing manufacturing and heavy industries in the country require a large number of hearing aids for the protection of their workers. The hearing protection equipment needs to be made according to the standards set by international organizations. Hearing protection in the workplace in the United States is regulated by organizations like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

By geography, North America has a significant share of the market

Regionally, the global hearing protection equipment market is classified into North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and the Asia Pacific. North America is expected to have a significant market share in the hearing protection equipment market due to the high awareness among people of the harmful effects of listening to loud noises and the early adoption of hearing protection equipment in the region.

The Asia-Pacific region is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the hearing protection equipment market. It is due to an increasing number of manufacturing facilities across various end-user industries like energy and power, oil & gas, mining, construction, and pharmaceuticals. Industrialization in developing countries like India and China further increases the demand for hearing protection equipment in the Asia-Pacific region. There are increasingly stringent rules and regulations regarding the safety of workers in the workplace.

Key Developments

• May 2022: Racal Acoustics and Invisio teamed up to launch the RA5100 tactical communication headset for the military. The new headset integrated the duo's operational knowledge and technical expertise to offer consumers optimal hearing protection in hybrid missions and protect the troops from extreme noise exposures. Furthermore, the product also features hear-through and situational awareness modes, including digital noise compression, enhanced hearing in quiet surroundings, and adjustable volume controls, offering optimized communication solutions.
• May 2021: QuiteOn Oy, the Finlan-based noise-cancelling buds developer, launched the smallest ever noise-cancelling earbuds, QuietOn3. The new offering is alleged to minimize low-frequency sounds to offer a calm sleeping environment effectively. These are the only earbuds that could fit completely inside the ear, offering a pleasurable experience even to side-sleepers.
• October 2020: Honeywell International Inc. announced a new smart hearing solution, the VeriShield Smart Hearing solution, which comprises a protective headset that helps companies better protect workers from noise-induced hearing loss. This solution would help workers protect themselves from noise-related injuries.
• July 2018: Amplifon acquired Gaes Group, a hearing care retailer with a strong presence in Spain. The Gaes group has over 500 stores in Spain and a large number of stores in Portugal and Latin American countries like Argentina, Chile, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, and Mexico.

COVID-19 Impact on Hearing Protection Equipment Market

COVID-19 had a significant impact on the global hearing protection market. The closure of manufacturing facilities across the globe and low staffing amid the pandemic had significantly slowed down the market growth. Furthermore, the border restrictions across multiple countries impacted the supply chain, causing delays in shipments. Such factors significantly affected the market growth. 

Global Hearing Protection Equipment Market Scope:

Segmentation

• By Type
  • Earmuffs
  • Earplugs
  • Others
• By End-User Industry
  • Mining
  • Oil and Gas
  • Construction
  • Chemical
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Others
• By Geography
  • North America
    • USA
    • Canada
    • Mexico
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Others
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • France
    • United Kingdom
    • Spain
    • Others
  • Middle East and Africa
    • Saudi Arabia
    • UAE
    • Others
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • Japan
    • South Korea
    • India
    • Indonesia
    • Thailand
    • Others

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What are the growth prospects for the hearing protection equipment market?
A1. The hearing protection equipment market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.19% during the forecast period.

Q2. What will be the hearing protection equipment market size by 2027?
A2. The global hearing protection equipment market is projected to reach a market size of US$1.650 billion by 2027.

Q3. What is the size of the global hearing protection equipment market?
A3. Hearing Protection Equipment Market was valued at US$1.160 billion in 2020. 

Q4. What factors are anticipated to drive the hearing protection equipment market growth?
A4. The demand for hearing protection equipment is increasing due to the increase in noise pollution in the world.

Q5. Which region holds the maximum market share of the hearing protection equipment market?
A5. North America is expected to have a significant share in the hearing protection equipment market due to high awareness among people harmful effects of listening to loud noises and the early adoption of hearing protection equipment.