EN 352-9:2020+A1:2024

Hearing protectors - Safety requirements - Part 9: Earplugs with safety-related audio input

This document is applicable to earplugs supplemented by a safety-related audio input. The audio signal can be transmitted by electrical input or other communication like Bluetooth . It specifies requirements on construction, design, performance, marking and user information related to the inclusion of the safety-related audio input.
Earplugs with safety-related audio input are designed to provide speech information and warning signals, while providing attenuation of external sound. They may be selected for use in a number of different environments, for example in air traffic communication, in the police forces, in the broadcasting and entertainment industries.

Gehörschützer - Sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen - Teil 9: Gehörschutzstöpsel mit sicherheitsrelevantem Audioinput

Dieses Dokument ist anzuwenden für Gehörschutzstöpsel, die zusätzlich mit einem sicherheitsrelevanten Audioinput ausgestattet sind. Das Audiosignal kann über einen elektrischen Eingang oder andere Kommunikations¬systeme, wie Bluetooth , übertragen werden. Es legt für die Integration des sicherheitsrelevanten Audioinputs Anforderungen hinsichtlich Konstruktion, Gestaltung, Leistung, Kennzeichnung und Benutzerinformationen fest.
Gehörschutzstöpsel mit sicherheitsrelevantem Audioinput haben die Aufgabe, sowohl die Wiedergabe von Sprachinformationen und Warnsignalen zu ermöglichen als auch schalldämmend auf Umgebungsgeräusche zu wirken. Sie können in einer ganzen Reihe von Arbeitssituationen Verwendung finden, z. B. im Bereich der Luftverkehrskommunikation, bei der Polizei sowie in der Rundfunk- und Unterhaltungsindustrie.

Protecteurs individuels contre le bruit - Exigences de sécurité et essais - Partie 9: Bouchons d'oreilles avec entrée audio-électrique

Le présent document s'applique aux bouchons d'oreille dotés en supplément d'une entrée audio de sécurité. Ce signal audio peut être transmis par entrée électrique ou par tout autre moyen de communication tel que le Bluetooth . Il spécifie les exigences en matière de construction, de conception, de performances et de marquage ainsi que les informations destinées à l'utilisateur pour ce qui concerne l'incorporation de l'entrée audio liée à la sécurité.
Les bouchons d'oreille avec entrée audio de sécurité sont conçus pour restituer des informations orales et des signaux d'avertissement tout en assurant l'affaiblissement des sons externes. Ils peuvent être utilisés dans différents environnements de travail, dans les communications aériennes, par les forces de police, par les professionnels de la radiodiffusion et du spectacle.

Varovala sluha - Varnostne zahteve - 9. del: Ušesni čepi z varnostnim avdio vhodom (vključuje dopolnilo A1)

Ta dokument se uporablja za ušesne čepe z varnostnim avdio vhodom. Zvočni signal se lahko prenaša prek električnega vhoda ali druge vrste komunikacije (npr. Bluetooth). Določa zahteve glede izdelave, zasnove, delovanja, označevanja in informacij za uporabnike v zvezi z vključitvijo varnostnega avdio vhoda.
Ušesni čepi z varnostnim zvočnim vhodom so zasnovani za zagotavljanje govorjenih informacij in opozorilnih signalov ter dušenje zunanjega zvoka. Uporabljajo se lahko v različnih okoljih (npr. obveščanje o zračnem prometu, policija, radiodifuzijsko oddajanje in zabavna industrija).

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 02-Apr-2024
• ICS: 13.340.20 - Head protective equipment
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 159 - Hearing protectors
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 159/WG 2 - Amplitude sensitive hearing protectors
• Current Stage: 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
• Start Date: 03-Apr-2024
• Due Date: 16-Jul-2023
• Completion Date: 03-Apr-2024
• Directive: 2016/425 - Regulation (EU) 2016/425 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on personal protective equipment and repealing Council Directive 89/686/EEC
• Mandate: M/571 - COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION of 19.11.2020 on a standardisation request to the European Committee for Standardization and the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization as regards personal protective equipment in support of Regulation (EU) 2016/425 of the European Parliament and of the Council
• Mandate: M/571 AMD 1 - Personal Protective Equipement
• Ref Project: SIST EN 352-9:2021+A1:2024 - Hearing protectors - Safety requirements - Part 9: Earplugs with safety-related audio input

Relations

• Merged From: EN 352-9:2020 - Hearing protectors - Safety requirements - Part 9: Earplugs with safety-related audio input
• Effective Date: 07-Feb-2024
• Merged From: EN 352-9:2020/FprA1 - Hearing protectors - Safety requirements - Part 9: Earplugs with safety-related audio input
• Effective Date: 07-Feb-2024

Overview

EN 352-9:2020+A1:2024 is a European standard established by CEN that specifies safety requirements for earplugs equipped with safety-related audio input. These earplugs are designed to combine effective hearing protection with the ability to receive crucial audio information, such as speech and warning signals. The audio input can be delivered via electrical connections or wireless communication technologies like Bluetooth. This standard focuses on the construction, design, performance, marking, and user instructions related to the integration of safety-related audio input in earplugs.

Key Topics

• Scope and Application
  Applicable to earplugs that include an audio input facility for transmitting safety-related communications. This includes wired electrical audio input and wireless technologies such as Bluetooth and analog frequency modulated two-way radio.

• Construction and Performance Requirements
  Earplugs must meet the general hearing protector criteria as outlined in EN 352-2:2020 and additional requirements for sound output levels and input signal criteria described in EN 13819-3:2019+A1:2024. The standard sets limits on sound output to ensure safety while maintaining effective attenuation of hazardous external noise.

• Marking and Information
  Products must be marked according to EN 352-2:2020 with no additional markings required. Manufacturers must provide clear user information including references to this standard, details of the safety-related audio input, criterion input signal, output sound levels at various input levels, battery handling instructions, and important safety warnings.

• Safety Guidance
  Includes warnings that the audio circuit output may exceed exposure limit levels and that these earplugs are not intended for entertainment use due to potentially high sound levels.

• Compliance and Regulatory Context
  EN 352-9:2020+A1:2024 supports compliance with EU Regulation 2016/425 on personal protective equipment. It offers a presumption of conformity to essential safety requirements when used within its scope.

Applications

Earplugs conforming to EN 352-9:2020+A1:2024 are critical in environments where hearing protection and access to safety-critical audio information must coexist, including:

• Air Traffic Communication: Helping air traffic control personnel maintain situational awareness while protecting their hearing from loud operational noise.
• Law Enforcement and Police Forces: Allowing officers to receive dispatch and communication signals without compromising hearing protection.
• Broadcasting and Entertainment Industries: Enabling workers to hear instructions and warnings clearly in noisy environments while safeguarding hearing.
• Industrial and Construction Sites: Facilitating safe communication through safety-related audio inputs amidst high noise levels.

Related Standards

EN 352-9:2020+A1:2024 is part of a family of hearing protector standards including:

• EN 352-2:2020: General requirements for earplugs.
• EN 352-6: Safety requirements for earmuffs with safety-related audio input.
• EN 13819 series: Test methods for hearing protectors.
• EN 458:2016: Guidelines for selection, use, care, and maintenance of hearing protection devices.

These complementary standards ensure comprehensive safety and performance for a wide range of hearing protection equipment used in occupational and leisure settings.

---

Keywords: EN 352-9, hearing protectors, safety requirements, earplugs, safety-related audio input, Bluetooth earplugs, earplug performance, hearing protection standard, EN 352-2, noise attenuation, personal protective equipment, PPE compliance, sound output levels, hearing safety.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-junij-2024
Varovala sluha - Varnostne zahteve - 9. del: Ušesni čepi z varnostnim avdio
vhodom (vključuje dopolnilo A1)
Hearing protectors - Safety requirements - Part 9: Earplugs with safety-related audio
input
Gehörschützer - Sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen - Teil 9: Gehörschutzstöpsel mit
sicherheitsrelevantem Audioinput
Protecteurs individuels contre le bruit - Exigences de sécurité et essais - Partie 9:
Bouchons d'oreilles avec entrée audio-électrique
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 352-9:2020+A1:2024
ICS:
13.340.20 Varovalna oprema za glavo Head protective equipment
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 352-9:2020+A1
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
April 2024
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 13.340.20 Supersedes EN 352-9:2020
English Version
Hearing protectors - Safety requirements - Part 9:
Earplugs with safety-related audio input
Protecteurs individuels contre le bruit - Exigences de Gehörschützer - Sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen
sécurité et essais - Partie 9: Bouchons d'oreilles avec - Teil 9: Gehörschutzstöpsel mit sicherheitsrelevantem
entrée audio-électrique Audioinput
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 18 June 2018 and includes Amendment 1 approved by CEN on 27 February
2024.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2024 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 352-9:2020+A1:2024 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Introduction . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Requirements . 6
4.1 General . 6
4.2 Sound output levels and criterion input signal . 6
5 Marking . 6
6 Manufacturer's instructions and information . 6
Annex ZA (informative) Relationship between this European Standard and the essential
requirements of Regulation (EU) 2016/425 of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 9 March 2016 on personal protective equipment aimed to be covered. 8
Bibliography . 9

European foreword
This document (EN 352-9:2020+A1:2024) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 159
“Hearing protectors”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by October 2024 and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by April 2027.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document includes Amendment 1 approved by CEN on 27 February 2024.
This document supersedes !EN 352-9:2020".
The start and finish of text introduced or altered by amendment is indicated in the text by tags !".
This document has been prepared under a standardization request given to CEN by the European
Commission and the European Free Trade Association, and supports essential requirements of
EU Regulation(s).
For relationship with EU Regulation(s), see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of this
document.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta,
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and the United Kingdom.
Introduction
The requirements of this standard are concerned with the safety-related audio input performance of the
earplugs. Sound output levels and criterion input signals are reported in the user information.
EN 352-9 is part of a family of standards describing product requirements:
— EN 352-1, Hearing protectors — General requirements — Part 1: Earmuffs
— EN 352-2, Hearing protectors — General requirements — Part 2: Earplugs
— EN 352-3, Hearing protectors — General requirements — Part 3:Earmuffs attached to head
protection and/or face protection devices
— EN 352-4, Hearing protectors — Safety requirements — Part 4: Level-dependent earmuffs
— EN 352-5, Hearing protectors — Safety requirements — Part 5: Active noise reduction earmuffs
— EN 352-6, Hearing protectors — Safety requirements — Part 6: Earmuffs with safety-related audio
input
— EN 352-7, Hearing protectors — Safety requirements — Part 7: Level-dependent earplugs
— EN 352-8, Hearing protectors — Safety requirements — Part 8: Entertainment audio earmuffs
— EN 352-9, Hearing protectors — S
...