Pro Choice Adder earmuff, Class 5 headband

Pro Choice builds the Adder as a headband earmuff for loud worksites. It carries a Class 5 rating with an SLC80 of 32dB, the top protection class for this kind of hearing protector, and it is rated for noise levels up to 116dB. If you work around heavy plant, grinders, or impact tools, that level of attenuation is the reason you would reach for this cup over a lighter one.

The cups sit on a padded foam headband, and the build uses steel wire so the band holds its shape and tension over time. Pro Choice has finished it in Hi Vis Orange, which makes it easy to spot at a glance when you are checking that everyone on site has their muffs on. The ear cushions are soft, which matters when the muffs stay on for a full shift.

The Adder is also compatible with the Pro Choice BG NH, so it can be set up as part of a visor combination rather than a standalone headband cup. To confirm the exact attenuation figures or the visor pairing before you order, the full detail sits on the Adder earmuff product page.

Matching the class to your noise level

Earmuffs are sorted into protection classes, and Class 5 is the top of that scale. The Adder sits there with an SLC80 of 32dB and a rating up to 116dB, so it suits the loudest tasks rather than light, occasional noise. Match the class to the noise you actually face. If your site has had a noise assessment, use that to confirm Class 5 is the right call; if you are unsure, the safer move is to size up rather than down.

Getting the fit right

Attenuation only happens if the cushions seal fully against the side of your head. Pull your hair clear, settle the cups so they fully enclose each ear, and use the adjustment system to set the band so it sits firmly without pinching. Check that nothing breaks the seal, such as the arms of glasses or a hood bunched under the cushion. The steel wire band is there to hold that tension, so if the cups feel loose, work the adjustment before you assume the muff is the problem.

Care, inspection and replacement

Wipe the cushions down and keep the muffs clean, since grit on the cushion line shortens its life and can hurt the seal. Before each use, look over the cushions and the foam for splits, hardening, or flattening, and check the band still holds tension. Cushions wear out well before the cups do, so replace them when they stop sealing softly. If you run the Adder as part of a BG NH visor combination, confirm the muffs still seat correctly each time you reconfigure the set-up.

All three are Class 5 headband muffs stocked by Done Right Safety, so the real separator is how much attenuation each delivers and how it integrates with other PPE. The Adder has the highest SLC80 of the three at 32dB and is rated to 116dB, which makes it the pick when you want the most headroom for very loud work. The Viper is the lighter Pro Choice option at 26dB and is pitched at general purpose high noise rather than the absolute worst of it.

If your crew already runs hard hats and you need the muffs to clip into a 30mm slot, the Force 360 Eco is built around that and uses hi-vis cups too. The Adder instead pairs with the Pro Choice BG NH for a visor combination, so the right choice often comes down to which head protection you already standardise on.

For a headband earmuff, the Adder's standout is the protection on offer. A Class 5 rating with an SLC80 of 32dB and a 116dB ceiling puts it at the high end of what a passive muff does, so it earns its place in genuinely loud environments rather than light noise. The steel wire band and soft cushions are the practical touches that decide whether muffs get worn for a full shift, and the Hi Vis Orange helps supervisors check compliance from a distance.

The confirmed facts from the listing are the class and attenuation figures, the steel wire build, the padded foam headband, the soft cushions, the lightweight cups, and the BG NH visor compatibility. What is worth verifying on the product page or datasheet is the formal standard the SLC80 figure is tested against, the exact attenuation across frequency bands, and any sizing or weight detail, since the pack does not list a marked standard.

Overall it is an easy recommendation where the noise is high and you want maximum class protection. If your noise levels are more moderate, a lower class muff may be more comfortable and still adequate, so check your assessment first.