Noise doesn't just annoy: beyond a certain threshold, it can cause lasting hearing damage, and even well below that, it causes fatigue, distraction, and spoils comfort. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over a billion people aged 12 to 35 are at risk of hearing loss due to prolonged exposure to excessively loud sounds. However, the correct response is almost never to turn everything off: it's about adjusting the attenuation depending on where you are.
A concert doesn't require the same protection as an open-plan office, and a long-haul flight presents a different problem (pressure). This is exactly the logic behind an adjustable noise reducer: a single accessory, multiple levels of attenuation to choose from depending on the situation. Let's see how to apply it concretely in three everyday situations.
Concerts and Parties: Strong Protection, Without Losing All the Music
At concerts, festivals, or nightclubs, sound levels commonly hover around 100 to 105 dB, and frequently exceed 105 dB, the former regulatory ceiling for music venues. To put these figures into perspective: the WHO estimates that at 100 dB, the safe listening duration is only about 20 minutes per week. This means a single concert far exceeds this weekly budget.
French regulations themselves confirm this. Since the decree of August 7, 2017, the level in music venues is capped at 102 dB(A) over 15 minutes. But this legal ceiling remains well above the auditory risk threshold, which is around 80 to 85 dB(A) according to the INRS. Conclusion: even in a perfectly compliant venue, your ears are exposed to a level that warrants protection. And this is not trivial: both the WHO and INRS remind us that exposure to high levels can lead to tinnitus and auditory fatigue, sometimes right after leaving an event.
The right setting with Control: high attenuation (SNR 24 dB). According to the SNR formula, a concert at approximately 100 dB is reduced to around 76 dB perceived, meaning significantly less auditory fatigue and a level that approaches a much safer zone, while still keeping the music audible. This is the key difference compared to concert earplugs with fixed attenuation that can muffle the sound: here you lower the volume, you don't cut the sound. You continue to enjoy the live performance and converse, without your ears ringing when you leave.
Office and Open-Plan Office: Focus Without Isolating Yourself
In the office, the problem is reversed. The ambient noise in an open-plan office is generally between 50 and 60 dB(A), and can go up to about 70 dB(A) at a workstation equipped with a telephone headset. At these levels, there is no risk to hearing: danger only begins at 80 dB. The real issue lies elsewhere.
Because even moderate, this noise comes at a cost. The INRS clearly documents its so-called "extra-auditory" effects: cognitive fatigue, stress, irritability, decreased attention and concentration. And the strongest annoyance doesn't come from raw volume, but from intelligible conversations around you: it's hard to concentrate when you involuntarily follow your colleague's debate.
The right setting with Control: light attenuation (SNR 5 dB) or moderate attenuation (SNR 17 dB). The idea is not to cut you off from the world like active noise-canceling headphones, but to reduce the hubbub while remaining reachable. With 5 dB, you can still hear very well when someone speaks to you; with 17 dB, you filter out more of the background hum for intense concentration phases. These earplugs for the office and open-plan office are discreetly inserted and adjusted in seconds, depending on whether you are in a meeting or in "do not disturb" mode.
Airplane: Dampen Pressure and Cabin Noise
Airplanes combine two constraints. First, noise: the cabin hovers around 75 to 85 dB during cruise (a constant and tiring noise on a long-haul flight), and takeoff and landing phases can reach approximately 105 dB inside. Second, and most importantly, pressure.
The mechanism is well described by the MSD Manuals: during a rapid change in altitude, a pressure imbalance is created on either side of the eardrum. Normally, the Eustachian tube (which connects the middle ear to the back of the nose) rebalances the pressures. But if it is congested—due to a cold or allergies—the equalization doesn't happen properly: ears feel blocked, pain occurs, and sometimes temporary hearing loss. Descent and landing are often more difficult to compensate for than ascent.
To be precise: the foundation remains physiological. During ascent, yawn, chew gum, swallow; during descent, perform the Valsalva maneuver (pinch your nose, close your mouth, gently blow through your nose). Filtered airplane earplugs are not intended to treat barotrauma: they act as a complement, slowing down and equalizing the perceived pressure change to reduce discomfort.
With Control: the filter dampens the pressure change during takeoff and landing and reduces cabin hum for a more comfortable flight. Keep in mind: Control is not waterproof (unlike the Silence model); it acts on air pressure and noise, not as a barrier against water.
Summary Table: One Setting Per Situation
| Situation | Typical Sound Level | Main Issue | Recommended Control Setting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concert / Party | ~100–105 dB | Hearing risk (tinnitus) | Strong — SNR 24 dB |
| Office / Open-plan office | ~50–70 dB | Discomfort, fatigue, concentration | Light to moderate — SNR 5 or 17 dB |
| Airplane | ~75–105 dB | Pressure + cabin noise | Comfort — depending on sensitivity |
Why an ADJUSTABLE noise reducer?
A classic earplug has fixed attenuation: it always removes the same amount of sound, whether you're in the middle of a meeting or in the front row of a concert. This is practical for a single use, but unsuitable as soon as your needs change throughout the day.
To objectively compare hearing protection, we use the SNR (Single Number Rating), an average attenuation index expressed in decibels, defined by ISO 4869-2. The general rule of thumb is simple:
Perceived Level ≈ Ambient Level − SNR
Concretely, at 90 dB ambient with an SNR of 24 dB, you only perceive about 66 dB. SNR remains an average (actual attenuation depends on the sound spectrum and fitting quality), but the order of magnitude clearly shows the benefit of adjustability. Control offers three levels to choose from:
- SNR 5 dB — light attenuation: you remain fully attuned to voices (meetings, open-plan offices, reception).
- SNR 17 dB — moderate attenuation: you filter out the hubbub while remaining reachable (concentration, transport, noisy café).
- SNR 24 dB — strong attenuation: you protect your ears in very noisy environments (concerts, nightclubs, events).
This versatility is based on a solid technical foundation: Control is CE certified as personal protective equipment, according to standard EN 352-2:2020 which governs earplugs inserted into the ear canal. It is reusable, made of soft silicone, and supported by a French brand distributed in pharmacies. Thus, a single accessory covers your three situations, whereas otherwise you would need several pairs of fixed earplugs.
You can find details and pricing (€49.90) on the Control product page, and compare the entire range in the anti-noise earplugs collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you still hear with a noise reducer?
Yes. That's the whole point of adjustable attenuation: you lower the volume without cutting out the sound. At the light setting (5 dB), you can effortlessly follow a conversation; at the strong setting (24 dB), music remains audible but brought down to a level that no longer strains the ear. Unlike active noise-canceling headphones, you don't completely isolate yourself.
What's the difference between these and foam earplugs?
Foam earplugs have fixed attenuation and tend to "block everything out," which makes voices sound muffled and indistinct—and they are designed for limited use. Control offers three adjustable levels, maintains a more natural listening experience, and is reusable, made of soft silicone. You adapt the attenuation to each situation instead of just enduring it.
At what decibel level does noise become dangerous?
According to INRS and WHO, the risk to hearing begins at approximately 80 to 85 dB(A) over an 8-hour day. And every 3 dB increase halves the tolerable exposure duration: being exposed for 8 hours at 80 dB is equivalent to 1 hour at 89 dB. This is why a concert at 100 dB becomes risky in just a few tens of minutes.
Can they be worn on an airplane?
Yes. On an airplane, Control dampens the pressure variation felt during takeoff and landing and reduces cabin noise, thus reducing discomfort. However, be realistic: they do not treat barotrauma. Physiological maneuvers (swallowing, yawning, chewing, or the Valsalva maneuver during descent) remain the basis, with earplugs serving as a complement.
Can they be worn in the office all day?
Yes, especially since the noise in an open-plan office (50–70 dB) does not pose a hearing risk: it's about reducing discomfort, not a danger. The light or moderate setting allows you to remain reachable while reducing the hubbub. As with any earplug, ensure clean hands when inserting and regular cleaning of the tip.
Are they reusable?
Yes. Control is designed to be reusable: it's made of soft silicone and is easy to maintain. You can use it from a concert to a plane trip, then to a workday.
What about sleeping better despite the noise?
Hearing protection isn't just for daytime. If your concern is sleep (neighbors, snoring, noisy city), consult our dedicated article: sleeping with earplugs.
In Summary
Three situations, three distinct challenges—auditory risk at concerts, discomfort and concentration in the office, pressure on airplanes—and one simple solution: an adjustable noise reducer that you adapt to each moment. To discover the three attenuation levels and take action, visit the Control page or browse the anti-noise earplugs collection.
Sources
- WHO — Deafness and hearing loss: safe listening (weekly listening durations by level, 80 dB threshold)
- WHO — New standard to tackle rising threat of hearing loss (1 billion 12-35 year olds at risk, 100 dB standard)
- INRS — Noise: health effects (80-85 dB(A) thresholds, extra-auditory effects, tinnitus)
- INRS — Noise: risk exposure (3 dB rule, open-plan office levels)
- INRS — Press release: noise in open-plan offices
- Bruitparif — Regulations for music venues (regulatory ceilings, former 105 dB ceiling)
- Légifrance — Decree n°2017-1244 of August 7, 2017 (102 dB(A) / 118 dB(C))
- MSD Manuals — Ear barotrauma (pressure mechanism, prevention maneuvers)
- Hearing protection — SNR (ISO 4869-2) and EN 352-2 standard