Hearing Protection

[jatoxico]

There's a current thread that veered into this topic but was looking for recommendation on hearing protection. I have a pair of over the ear type that don't fit that well and are not too comfortable so I end up not wearing them.

What do you use? Anything out there good for warm weather? I find the ones I have are too hot as well. Is that just part of the deal?

 

[johneh]

This is what we used at work and I still use for the equipment at home
But I have muffs for the really load stuff

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/...t-Catalog/?N=5023197+3294529207+8690968&rt=r3

 

[Sean McGillicuddy]

I use the ones on my helmet.

 

[jb6l6gc]

I have custom made ones from work i bring home to use. "Db Blocker". Whats nice about them is they only cut out the harmfull frequencies but its relatively easy to hear someone close to you talking without shouting

 

[jatoxico]

I use the ones on my helmet.
View attachment 167715

Nice! Look pretty funny while cutting the grass but my neighbors already think there's something wrong me. I have the plug types but never remember to grab them. I like the muff types but have only used one or two different types so not sure what to get.

 

[Sean McGillicuddy]

That would be funny ... I didn't realize you weren't cutting wood.

 

[TreePointer]

I wear these year round:
3M Peltor H10A Optime 105 Earmuff
Very comfortable, 30db NRR

Maybe it's just me, but I don't have an issue of getting too hot when wearing them.

If I need more noise reduction, I wear these underneath the earmuff:
3M 80-Pack Ultra Soft Disposable Earplugs

 

[bad news]

I use Surefire EP4 ear plugs with muffs over them - the muffs on my helmet if I'm running a saw or a stand alone pair.

It's worth noting that plugs and muffs do not work with maximum efficiency at the same frequencies, and that the noise reduction ratings do not "stack" in a linear manner. In other words, if you're wearing 20 dB NRR muffs on top of 20 dB NRR plugs, that does not give you a 40 dB NRR. However using both at the same time helps protect you from a wider range of frquencies than either alone.

I have a bit of tinnitus and I'm 30. For others out there, don't fool with this stuff. There's no cure.

Edited to add: funny this topic comes up this week. I just spoke with the folks at work today and they're paying the cost of custom ear plugs for me. I'm hoping to see a significant improvement in performance over the stuff I've been using.

 

[jb6l6gc]

I use Surefire EP4 ear plugs with muffs over them - the muffs on my helmet if I'm running a saw or a stand alone pair.

It's worth noting that plugs and muffs do not work with maximum efficiency at the same frequencies, and that the noise reduction ratings do not "stack" in a linear manner. In other words, if you're wearing 20 dB NRR muffs on top of 20 dB NRR plugs, that does not give you a 40 dB NRR. However using both at the same time helps protect you from a wider range of frquencies than either alone.

I have a bit of tinnitus and I'm 30. For others out there, don't fool with this stuff. There's no cure.

Edited to add: funny this topic comes up this week. I just spoke with the folks at work today and they're paying the cost of custom ear plugs for me. I'm hoping to see a significant improvement in performance over the stuff I've been using.

The customs are nice trust me, you will find them somewhat uncomfortable at first but then they get better. Now I hate having to wear any other kind.
They arent cheap I think my company payed like $300 per person

 

[bad news]

The customs are nice trust me, you will find them somewhat uncomfortable at first but then they get better. Now I hate having to wear any other kind.
They arent cheap I think my company payed like $300 per person

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.

 

[Babaganoosh]

In warm weather nothing and I mean nothing beats custom or semi custom plugs.

You can get custom ones done at an audiologist for the best. You can get custom done at gun shows or some of the cabelas stores.

I've got a pair of diy custom ones from radians. I can wear them for hours and not even notice them. You can pick up the kit for 20 bucks. They are like epoxy where you mix 2 different compounds and then stuff it in your ear and let it set. You can order them right off Amazon if you want.

 

[jeffesonm]

I just use the cheap foam ones you roll between your fingers and stuff in your ears.

 

[rwhite]

I suppose that something is better than nothing. I spent a lot of years in a hurry and cranking up tools without a worry of my ears (and my eyes for that matter). Now I have safety glasses and foam plugs in every nook and cranny of my truck. They are way to cheap not to use them and have multiple sets. I dont even swing a hammer any more with out glasses on. I use the foam plugs but if you can afford the custom go for it. I don't like the muffs and sweaty ears but they do work.

 

[cachunko]

I just use the cheap foam ones you roll between your fingers and stuff in your ears.

I use the cheap foam plugs too. I also have had tinnitus since probably my 20's from growing up on a farm and my grandpa never believed in ear plugs. Now he has hearing aids that barely even work. I 100% use ear plugs all the time now. Like others, I have a box of maybe 250 sets of plugs in my basement, then scattered just about everywhere else so it's convenient. I have a helmet with attached ear muffs, but I sweat under the muffs, and I don't care for that. Plugs work better for me.

 

[jatoxico]

That would be funny ... I didn't realize you weren't cutting wood.

Yes it's safety man cutting his grass! Actually I intend to use them for cutting and weed wacking and everything else I should be protecting my ears while doing.

 

[jatoxico]

So what I'm getting is the plug types are good in the summer and the customs are best. 3M makes a good pair of the muff type which I have heard before.

I have a decent set of plugs that I picked up while at Limerock Park. Have to dig them out. Main thing is to actually use them.

 

[cachunko]

Custom plugs sound pretty sweet, but I know I'd lose them. I'm guessing you could buy a lifetime supply of foam plugs for one set of custom ones. Then, I don't feel bad about losing them

 

[Timberwolf530]

I use the Howard Leight foam plugs with the cord on them in a box of 100. Great for summer when it's hot. Great for winter when I'm wearing a winter hat.

 

[barmstrong2]

I have 80% hearing loss at the high end of the scale and 40% - 60% loss over the rest. I've had tinnitus as long as can remember. Just got hearing aids a month ago. I'm hearing stuff that has been long forgotten. The noise of leaves rustling on the trees, waves washing up on the rocks, loud birds... It's like finding things all over again.
The aid can be more and, when I mute then, they are effective earplugs. I also use my muff type from my shooting range bag. All a little late, but, it is what it is, I guess.

 

[rowerwet]

(broken link removed to http://www.howardleight.com/earplugs/qb2hyg) I work around jet engines all day, my employer buys us these. They are comfortable in the heat and ride around your neck the rest of the time. I forget I have them there until I need them, then pop them on one handed. Unlike every other band type I've tried, these are comfortable enough to wear in all day
They work great for sawing in the heat also.

 

[jlightning]

I use the same ear plugs as I do when I shoot. I may get a pair of the banded ear plugs that rowerwet suggested though. That style is nice if you are taking them on and off alot.

 

[Babaganoosh]

Both custom and diy custom can have a string added so you can wear them around your neck and not lose them.

 

[D8Chumley]

I get the cheap roll between your fingers type from work, they are convenient and seem to work ok. What I'm surprised to see is several here with tinnitus. I have it also, probably from running heavy equipment for all these years. My wife says it's just my selective listening but I really have a constant ringing in my ears that doesn't come from her

 

[peakbagger]

I use the 3M foam plugs for work and around the house. Most of the tapered plugs are too small. Its important to learn how to put them in. Roll up the plug, reach up over your head with one hand and pull up on your earlobe, insert the plug and then keep holding the ear lobe until you feel the plug expand. I also have some super ear muffs that attach to my hardhat for work. In some plants I need to put in foam ear plugs first and then my super muffs over the ears. The plugs with the strings are handy as you can leave them hanging around your neck when you are not using them

No need to throw away the foam plugs just run them through the wash.

 

[CentralVAWoodHeat]

Get yourself a forestry helmet/eye shied/ear protection all in one. They are made by several major manufacturers. Get one that gets good reviews. In addition, get yourself a pair of ear muff style protectors by themselves, also made by a reputable major manufacturer. This way you have the choice of just ear protection or the whole package. You can even add soft inside the ear plugs along with the ear muff protection for really good decibel protection.