2 ms·

But you can’t! Sound waves have many paths to the eardrum and related tiny bones.

• Retric 3y ago
  That applies when sound has a secondary path through the body. But not all noise reduction just cover the ears. Someone standing in a box with earmuffs could see 30 + 30 = 60db drop for some frequencies. As would someone standing far enough from a sound to see 30db drop off who then uses non distance related ear protection.