The initiative, pioneered by Police Scotland, follows a review prompted by the PSNI’s £135 million bill paid to former officers with damaged hearing.

Ear protectors have already been issued to police officers covering pop concerts and Orange marches, The Times reports.

The high-tech solution protects officers’ hearing but allows them to speak to members of the public without removing the ear protection.

Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor said examples of noise levels exceeding regulations are “nightclubs, road traffic noise, parades, domestic disputes, etc”.