Will INTEGRAfit measure a PAR for earmuffs?
Yes. To obtain a PAR on earmuffs, the INTEGRAfit headset is not used. Instead, INTEGRAfit delivers the 500 Hz signal through a small speaker. This presents the 500 Hz tone to both ears simultaneously, first with the Earmuffs On, then with the Earmuffs Off. Only one PAR is measured. Because relatively few people have significantly different hearing thresholds between their left and right ears at 500 Hz, the PAR measured is usually for the ear receiving the least hearing protection. Thus, the PAR measure for earmuffs is a conservative value. Because the PAR is for the least protected ear, this means that the other ear is likely receiving a little more protection than the measured PAR. If there is a large difference between the left and right hearing thresholds, then the PAR is for the ear with better hearing. In either case, it is not nearly as critical to measure individual left ear and right ear PARs with earmuffs as it is with earplugs. The reason is simple: there is more that can go
