Howard Leight VS110N VeriShield NRR 22 Behind-the-Neck Ear Muffs (Passive, Dielectric) — 1035112-VS
EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 WC Safety Review — HOWARD LEIGHT VS110N VeriShield Black Behind-The-Neck Earmuff, NRR 22 (1035112-VS) Editorial assessment by the WC Safety Editorial Team, based on published HOWARD specifi...
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Editorial assessment by the WC Safety Editorial Team, based on published HOWARD specifications and category fit. We did not laboratory-test this product.
Howard Leight VS110N VeriShield NRR 22 Behind-the-Neck Ear Muffs (Passive, Dielectric) — 1035112-VS Overview
The Howard Leight VS110N VeriShield (1035112-VS) is a passive behind-the-neck ear muff rated NRR 22 (ANSI S3.19-1974). The neckband routes behind the head rather than over the crown, which clears the space a hard hat, welding helmet, or face-shield headgear needs — making it a practical choice where a standard over-the-head muff simply will not seat. The VeriShield neckband design is also dielectric (non-conductive), so it is suited to electrical, utility, and arc-welding environments where metal-banded muffs are a hazard.
This is a passive muff: there is no Bluetooth, no AM/FM radio, no microphone, and no sound amplification. It blocks noise mechanically through its cushioned cups and seals — nothing to charge, pair, or replace batteries on. If you specifically want electronic sound-restoration or radio features, see our electronic ear muffs; for straightforward block-the-noise protection, this VeriShield is built for it.
One honest note buyers should plan around: the NRR 22 is a laboratory-derived number. NIOSH recommends derating muffs by 25% for real-world fit, and OSHA's standard method subtracts 7 dB before halving the remainder — so the protection you actually get on a noisy floor is lower than the label. To choose the right rating for your measured noise level, use our guides on how to calculate NRR and what is NRR. If your exposure exceeds the limits in OSHA 1910.95, hearing protection like this is required as part of a hearing conservation program. Browse the full ear muffs and hearing protection ranges to compare.
What It Is Built For
| Use case | Fit | Buyer guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Hard-hat / welding-helmet work | Excellent | Behind-the-neck band clears headgear that blocks an over-the-head muff; NRR 22 covers typical fab-shop and welding noise. |
| Electrical / utility / arc work | Excellent | Dielectric (non-conductive) neckband is built for environments where a metal headband is a hazard. |
| General construction & maintenance | Good | NRR 22 (derated) suits moderate noise; verify against your measured dBA per OSHA 1910.95. |
| Very high noise (>100 dBA sustained) | Limited | After derating, NRR 22 may be insufficient alone — consider dual protection (plugs + muffs) or a higher-NRR muff. |
| Range shooting / impulse noise | Limited | Passive only — no electronic sound restoration. For situational awareness on the range, choose an electronic muff instead. |
| Music / radio / phone calls at work | Not suitable | No Bluetooth, radio, or amplification. Pick a wireless or radio model if you need audio. |
Earmuffs reduce noise, but the labeled NRR is a laboratory number — real-world protection is lower (NIOSH and OSHA both derate it). The muff only protects if the cushions seal fully around the ear: long hair, eyeglass temples, and gaps under a hard-hat-mounted muff all break the seal. In very high noise, wear muffs and earplugs together (dual protection). Electronic muffs amplify quiet sounds and cut loud impulses but still protect only to their rated NRR. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95 sets the 85 dBA action level; size protection to your measured noise — see how to calculate the NRR you need.
Pros & Cons
- Behind-the-neck band fits under hard hats, welding helmets, and face shields where over-the-head muffs won't seat
- Dielectric, non-conductive construction suited to electrical and arc-welding work
- Passive design — no batteries, charging, or pairing to manage
- NRR 22 (ANSI S3.19) for moderate industrial noise
- Low-profile neckband stays clear of head-mounted PPE
- NRR 22 is a lab value — real-world protection is lower after OSHA/NIOSH derating
- Passive only: no electronic sound restoration, radio, or Bluetooth
- Behind-the-neck fit feels different from over-the-head and may need adjustment
- Lower NRR than over-the-head VeriShield siblings for extreme-noise tasks
How It Compares
Within Howard Leight's VeriShield 100 line, the VS110N (NRR 22) is the behind-the-neck model, chosen for fit under headgear rather than for the highest attenuation. Its over-the-head sibling, the VeriShield-class over-the-head muffs family, trades the neckband for a conventional crown band. If you need maximum block on the same platform, the over-the-head VS130 reaches NRR 30 — but it requires the over-the-crown band that the VS110N is specifically designed to avoid. In short: pick the VS110N when headgear compatibility and dielectric safety matter most; step up to a higher-NRR over-the-head muff when fit isn't constrained and you need more attenuation. For electronic situational awareness, compare against the MSA Sordin Supreme Pro X electronic ear muffs instead — a different category from this passive muff.
Specifications
| Brand / Model | Howard Leight by Honeywell VS110N VeriShield (1035112-VS) |
| Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) | 22 dB (ANSI S3.19-1974) |
| Form factor | Behind-the-neck (low-profile neckband) |
| Technology | Passive (no electronics, Bluetooth, radio, or amplification) |
| Dielectric | Yes — non-conductive, suited to electrical/arc work |
| Hard-hat / cap-mount | Worn with hard hats and helmets via behind-the-neck routing (not a cap-mount slot muff) |
| Color | Black |
| Compliance use | OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95 hearing conservation |
Related Resources
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NRR of the Howard Leight VS110N?
It is rated NRR 22 dB under ANSI S3.19-1974. That is a laboratory figure — your real-world protection will be lower after the OSHA/NIOSH derating, so size it against your measured noise level.
Is the VS110N a passive or electronic ear muff?
It is a passive muff. There is no Bluetooth, AM/FM radio, microphone, or sound amplification — it blocks noise mechanically. If you want electronic features, see our electronic ear muffs collection.
Why choose a behind-the-neck earmuff instead of over-the-head?
The behind-the-neck neckband routes behind your head instead of over the crown, so it fits with hard hats, welding helmets, and face shields that an over-the-head band would collide with.
Is the VS110N dielectric / safe for electrical work?
Yes. The VeriShield neckband is non-conductive (dielectric), which makes it suited to electrical, utility, and arc-welding environments where a metal headband would be a hazard.
Can I wear the VS110N with a hard hat?
Yes — that is the point of the behind-the-neck design. It clears hard hats and helmets, unlike standard over-the-head muffs. It is not a cap-mount slot muff, so it does not clip into helmet slots; it is worn around the back of the head.
Will NRR 22 be enough for my workplace?
It depends on your measured dBA. Apply the OSHA derate (subtract 7 dB, then halve) or the NIOSH 25% derate to estimate real protection, then compare to your noise level. Our 'how to calculate NRR' guide walks through the math.
Does the VS110N have Bluetooth or a radio?
No. It is a passive earmuff with no electronics of any kind. For Bluetooth or radio, choose a wireless or radio model from our electronic ear muffs range.
How does the VS110N compare to the VS130?
Both are VeriShield muffs, but the VS130 is over-the-head with a higher NRR 30, while the VS110N is behind-the-neck at NRR 22. Pick the VS110N for headgear fit and dielectric safety; pick the VS130 when you need more attenuation and fit isn't constrained.
Is this muff OSHA compliant?
Hearing protection is required under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95 when noise exposure reaches the action level. The VS110N is a rated muff you can use within a hearing conservation program; compliance also depends on proper fit, training, and exposure monitoring.
Can I use the VS110N for range shooting?
It will block steady noise, but as a passive muff it has no electronic sound restoration, so you lose situational awareness between shots. For the range, most shooters prefer an electronic muff — see our best electronic ear muffs guide.
Should I double up with ear plugs?
For very high or sustained noise where NRR 22 alone falls short after derating, dual protection (plugs plus this muff) adds attenuation. See our 'ear plugs vs ear muffs' guide for when to combine them. Combined protection is not simply additive — there is a standard formula for it.
What's in the box and what color is it?
It is the black VS110N VeriShield behind-the-neck earmuff (part 1035112-VS), a single passive muff. It ships as Howard Leight by Honeywell hearing protection; browse the full hearing protection range to add plugs or a second pair.
Written by Steven Eaton, WC Safety Editorial. Specifications sourced from HOWARD published data. Compare the range in hearing protection.
WC Safety is an independent PPE retailer and Amazon Associate; no paid placement. Match the product to your specific hazard and follow your site PPE program.
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