The 3M™ E-A-Rsoft™ Grippers Corded Earplugs, Hearing Conservation, seal the earcanal with soft, slow-recovery foam for excellent noise reduction and reliable hearing protection. These earplugs offer unique grip rings that help block noise, especially in persons with larger earcanals. The earplugs are easy to roll down and insert, then expand within the earcanal for a comfortable, secure fit. Recommended applications include assembly and mechanical, chipping, chiseling, cleaning, drilling, furnace operations, grinding, heavy equipment operations, machining, metal repair, painting, pouring/casting, power fastening, riveting, sanding, sawing and welding. These earplugs are commonly used in the following industries: agriculture, automotive, chemicals, construction, general manufacturing, healthcare, oil and gas, and pharmaceuticals. These earplugs have a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 31 dB. Earplugs are made of a polyurethane. Test compatible with 3M™ E-A-Rfit™ Validation System. The NRR may overestimate the hearing protection provided during typical use. 3M™ recommended reducing the NRR by 50% for estimating the amount of noise reduction provided. Not only is noise present in our daily routines and recreational activities, but upwards of 5 million Americans, possibly as many as 30 million, work in hazardous noise on a daily basis. Estimates from the National Institutes of Health suggest that hearing loss afflicts 28 million Americans. About one third of those cases are at least partially attributable to noise. Hearing loss due to noise is almost entirely preventable by judicious use of hearing protection. Hearing protector effectiveness is specified by a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR), typically ranging from 15-35 decibels.