Final answer:
You should wear insert-type ear plugs and circumaural-type ear muffs when noise exceeds 85 dB, as recommended by health associations and government agencies, to prevent hearing damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the recommendations by several government agencies and health-related professional associations, individuals should not be exposed to noise levels exceeding 85 decibels (dB) for 8-hour daily exposures without hearing protection. When noise levels exceed this threshold, it is advisable to wear insert-type ear plugs and circumaural-type ear muffs to prevent hearing damage. Loud noises such as those from rock music, a jet airplane at 30 meters, or a jackhammer can cause hearing damage in a much shorter time. It is also important to minimize exposure time and maintain a safe distance from the source of loud noise.