3M™ 1310 Banded Earplugs

3M™ 1310 Ear Band: Lightweight and high-performance hearing protection

The 3M™ 1310 ear band provides effective protection against noise pollution without being bulky. Lightweight and discreet, it rests around the neck between periods of noise exposure.

Its flexible band design allows for quick and repeated use, ideal for construction sites or workshops.

A reliable hearing PPE, by 3M, for working safely all day long.

Presentation of the 3M™ E-A-R™ 1310 ear band

The 3M™ E-A-R™ 1310 ear band is an individual hearing protection solution designed for industrial environments with moderate noise exposure. Compact and lightweight, it slips easily into a pocket or around the neck between uses.

Unlike disposable earplugs, the 1310 band can be put back in place in one second. This is a practical advantage for operators who frequently enter and exit noisy areas.

Design and technical features of the 1310 ear band

The band is equipped with foam pods mounted on a flexible plastic headband. The band adapts to the user's anatomy and can be worn under the chin, behind the neck, or over the head, useful when a safety helmet is already in place.

Its noise attenuation (SNR) is suitable for intermediate noise levels, typically between 80 and 95 dB. It is not sized for very noisy environments consistently exceeding 100 dB.

Key points to remember:

• Versatile wear: under the chin, behind the neck, or over the head
• Replaceable pods: extended service life for the band
• Lightweight and minimal bulk
• Compatible with most additional PPE (glasses, helmets)
• Reusable: economical and less waste than disposable plugs

Product	Type	Possible wear	Indicative SNR	Recommended use
3M™ E-A-R™ 1310	Ear band	Neck / chin / head	~23 dB	Moderate exposure, intermittent wear
3M™ E-A-R™ 1318	Reinforced ear band	Neck / chin / head	~26 dB	Higher exposure, heavy industry
3M™ E-A-R™ Classic (plug)	Disposable plug	-	~28 dB	Continuous wear, high attenuation
Honeywell Howard Leight MAX	Disposable plug	-	~35 dB	Very noisy environments

Noise attenuation level: up to 98 dB acoustic reduction

The 3M™ 1310 ear band offers acoustic reduction of up to 98 dB according to the EN 352-2 standard. This is serious protection for noisy industrial environments.

In practical terms, this attenuation level covers common exposures in workshops, on production lines, or in cutting areas. It effectively protects from 85 dB(A), the legal action threshold in Europe.

The 1310 band falls into the category of lightweight cervical-wear hearing protection. It is easily removed and replaced, making it suitable for intermittent exposure.

To put its performance in perspective, here is a comparison with other common hearing protections:

Product	Type	SNR (dB)	Typical usage
3M™ 1310	Cervical ear band	up to 98 dB	Intermittent exposure, workshop
3M™ Peltor X2A	Earmuffs	~31 dB (SNR)	Continuous exposure, high intensity
3M™ E-A-R Classic	Foam plug	~28 dB (SNR)	Continuous exposure, discreet
Moldex Spark Plugs	Foam plug	~35 dB (SNR)	Very high exposure, disposable use

The 3M™ 1310 is not the choice for continuous exposure to over 100 dB. In that case, earmuffs or high-SNR plugs will be more suitable.

However, for frequent movement into noisy areas without staying there for long periods, the cervical band remains unbeatable in terms of practicality while ensuring real, certified attenuation.

Comfort and ergonomics: a band designed for prolonged wear

The 3M™ 1310 ear band is designed to be worn for hours without discomfort. Its lightweight design and flexible band adapt naturally to the morphology of each user.

The band exerts soft and constant pressure on the ears. The result: no painful pressure points, even after several hours of consecutive wear.

The soft pods contour to the ear for a stable fit, whether the user is moving or standing at their workstation.

Another practical advantage: the band can be worn behind the neck, making it compatible with a safety helmet or other bulky PPE.

Compared to traditional earmuffs like the 3M™ Peltor™ X2A, the 1310 is significantly more discreet and cooler. It is better suited for environments where heat is a factor, or when the user must frequently put on and remove their protection.

However, for very high noise levels (heavy construction sites, foundries), earmuffs offer superior attenuation. The 1310 is ideal for moderate and repeated exposure: workshops, printing shops, food processing.

Comparison: The 3M™ 1310 ear band vs. other hearing protection solutions

The hearing protection market offers three main families: disposable earplugs, earmuffs, and bands. Each solution meets a specific need.

Disposable plugs offer high attenuation but prove restrictive when frequently entering and exiting noisy areas. Earmuffs provide more protection but add weight to the equipment and interfere with wearing other PPE.

The 3M™ 1310 ear band occupies an intelligent middle ground: it can be removed and replaced in a second, hangs around the neck between exposures, and remains lightweight all day.

Comparison table of market ear bands

Product	Manufacturer	SNR	Tip type	Neck wear	Recommended use
3M™ 1310	3M	23 dB	Reusable soft pods	✓	Intermittent exposures, light industry
3M™ 1311	3M	26 dB	Foam tips	✓	Noisier environments, prolonged use
Howard Leight Quiet Band	Honeywell	25 dB	Semi-insert tips	✓	Short and repeated exposures
Moldex 6100	Moldex	24 dB	Reusable soft pods	✓	General industry, all-day comfort
3M™ Peltor™ H510A Earmuffs	3M	35 dB	Circumaural cups	✗	Very noisy environments, continuous wear

The 3M™ 1310 stands out for its ideal practicality/protection ratio for short and repeated exposures. It does not claim to replace earmuffs in very noisy environments, but it significantly outperforms disposable plugs in terms of everyday convenience.

At Dagobert Industrie, we recommend the 1310 ear band to operators who move regularly between quiet zones and areas with moderate hearing risk.

Application fields and recommended environments

The 3M™ 1310 ear band is designed for industrial environments where noise exceeds 85 dB(A), the legal daily exposure threshold.

Its lightweight design and under-the-chin positioning make it particularly suitable for workstations where the operator frequently removes and replaces their protection. No need to remove a helmet or search for plugs: a simple gesture is all it takes.

It is also very suitable when wearing hearing protection earmuffs is incompatible with other PPE: glasses, hoods, construction helmets, or face shields.

Typical sectors and uses:

• Manufacturing: presses, machine tools, assembly lines
• Construction: grinding, drilling, pneumatic nailing
• Food processing: noisy packaging workshops
• Logistics and handling: loading docks, forklifts
• Maintenance: occasional interventions on noisy equipment

The ear band is suitable for intermittent exposure rather than very noisy continuous environments (greater than 105 dB(A)), where earmuffs provide more robust attenuation.

It is an ideal solution for workers who alternate between quiet and noisy areas throughout their day.

FAQ - 3M™ 1310 Ear Band

1. What is the noise attenuation of the 3M™ 1310 ear band?

The 3M™ 1310 ear band offers an SNR of 23 dB, placing it in the category of lightweight to moderate hearing protection.

It is suitable for environments where the noise level remains below 100 dB(A), such as assembly workshops, logistics areas, or production spaces with low noise levels.

2. What is the difference between an ear band and traditional earmuffs?

An ear band is worn around the neck or under the chin, and easily slides into the ears in a few seconds.

Unlike rigid earmuffs, it is much lighter and more discreet. However, it generally offers lower attenuation. For high noise levels (>105 dB), 3M™ Peltor type earmuffs remain more suitable.

3. Can the 3M™ 1310 ear band be worn with other PPE?

Yes, that is one of its main advantages. The ear band can be worn without interfering with a safety helmet, glasses, or a mask.

It slides under the chin or behind the neck, making it compatible with most simultaneously worn personal protective equipment.

4. Are the 3M™ 1310 ear band pods replaceable?

Yes. The pods are replaceable, which extends the life of the ear band and maintains a proper level of hygiene for shared use.

At Dagobert Industrie, we recommend replacing the pods as soon as they show signs of wear or deformation to ensure the effectiveness of the acoustic attenuation.

5. What frequency of use is the 3M™ 1310 ear band suitable for?

It is designed for intermittent use: frequent trips into noisy areas, short interventions, regular back-and-forth.

Its ease of insertion makes it an ideal tool when you need to put on and take off your protection several times per hour. For prolonged and continuous exposure, custom-molded plugs or earmuffs will offer better long-term comfort.

6. Is the 3M™ 1310 ear band CE certified?

Yes, the 3M™ 1310 ear band is compliant with the EN 352-2 standard regarding earplug-type hearing protectors and bears the CE mark.

It meets the requirements of the European PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425, ensuring its suitability for professional use in full regulatory compliance.