atikovi
Well-known member
My 15 year old $8 SAS muffs broke. 99% of their use is standing next to my compressor using a blasting cabinet maybe 10-15 minutes a month on average. Anyone like these 3M muffs on Amazon for $21?
Suggestions for ear muffs
- Thread starter atikovi
- Start date
I have been using various Peltor (pre-3M) earmuffs for years and they always did OK. But recently I picked up a pair of the 3M Peltor X5A and I really, really like these. They are more comfortable than the old style, they seal to my head better (even when wearing glasses), and the noise reduction seems better. They are not cheap, but depending on your needs you can get the X2 for much less.
MovingAlong
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2013
- Messages
- 1,253
15 min per month? I'd think most any pair would work just fine..
I just bought a pair. Very comfortable and good noise reduction. Hopefully I don't drop these and run over them!
I needed a new set, so I bought the 3M Peltor X4A a few months ago and like them. I'm skeptical of the NR claim, but they are comfy. I think I bought them from Zoro.
I find that in really noisy environments the expensive (but very good) solution is active noise cancelling, but those can get very pricey. For shop work: I use earplugs or whatever my local safety supply store is selling for muffs and use both together in really noisy places.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
Im using the Peltor 21db X-Series on my arborist helmet. Lightweight, comfortable.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Plugs reduce noise far better than muffs and aren't compromised by eyeglasses/safety glasses preventing a seal.
I'd consider a box of push in plugs (so your dirty hands don't touch the part that go into your ears) next to the cabinet.
I'd consider a box of push in plugs (so your dirty hands don't touch the part that go into your ears) next to the cabinet.
I picked up 3M muffs with blue tooth so I can listen to music, protect my hearing while I work.... and women say men can't multi-task.
FWIW, I used rebates to pay for them too.
FWIW, I used rebates to pay for them too.
Tennessee Cattleman
Well-known member
I tried a pair of the Peltor X style, they are a little tight for large ears and the cushion on one side started popping off after a couple months. 3M was of no help in getting them replaced, so they were tossed. Went back to the older style Peltors.
That's only partially true. Good plugs do a decent job of straight decibel reduction, but hearing protection isn't that simple. Depending upon the environment, and the type of noise you're dealing with, pressure through the soft tissues below/behind your ear transmit through your skin and break down the small, inner ear bones causing hearing damage. Impulse noises like gunfire are the classic example of this. Even loud hammering can do the same thing. For really noisy environments it's not uncommon for both plugs and muffs to be necessary.
I have custom molded plugs that offer far better decibel reduction than the cheap foam plugs, but still wear muffs with active noise cancelling when I'm doing something really loud.
For a few minutes standing next to a compressor muffs would be just fine since duration is a factor in addition to how loud, and what type of noise is in the area.
RTM
Well-known member
I have the David Clark green ones, as seen on airport ground crew, think mine are the 10a. Was able to get all the soft parts to rebuild an old set, much higher NRR than my older 3m ? behind the neck set.
Unfortunately, appears they are no longer available direct.
Fortunately, others still have stock.
My main use is running my brush shredder.
Unfortunately, appears they are no longer available direct.
Fortunately, others still have stock.
My main use is running my brush shredder.
RickyPetite
Well-known member
I have the same set. On my zero turn, I can barely hear the engine. I listen to music through wired ear buds at a normal level. Really like them.
mjdarg
Well-known member
I've got these earmuffs as my garage set that gets abused, dirty, and they are comfortable enough for 30 minutes at a time. No complaints.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MXYJ2QP/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MXYJ2QP/?tag=atomicindus08-20
dr_clyde
Well-known member
I use "3M Peltor Optime 95 Series Headband Earmuff" and I love them.
At home I use the 3M Worktunes so I can listen to music on the lawn mower.
At home I use the 3M Worktunes so I can listen to music on the lawn mower.
VolvoRyan
Well-known member
Somehow I survived playing drums since I was a teenager with only minor hearing loss. Now, I have the 2-3 pairs of the 105's for using loud tools:
They're super comfy, even with glasses.
-Ryan
They're super comfy, even with glasses.
-Ryan
ez-duzit
Well-known member
toolenthusiast
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2017
- Messages
- 723
+1 for 3M Optime 105
+1 for foam earplugs
+1 for using them together in really loud environments, especially the range
PSA: if you haven’t been impressed by foam earplugs, you almost certainly aren’t donning them correctly. Twist one slightly to reduce the diameter. Reach behind your head with your opposite arm and pull your ear back. This straightens your ear canal and the foam plug will easily insert to full depth. Within a few seconds the plug will expand and you will immediately notice extreme noise reduction. Rinse and repeat.
+1 for foam earplugs
+1 for using them together in really loud environments, especially the range
PSA: if you haven’t been impressed by foam earplugs, you almost certainly aren’t donning them correctly. Twist one slightly to reduce the diameter. Reach behind your head with your opposite arm and pull your ear back. This straightens your ear canal and the foam plug will easily insert to full depth. Within a few seconds the plug will expand and you will immediately notice extreme noise reduction. Rinse and repeat.
RTM
Well-known member
I've been working in industry for 40+ years, and am still amazed at the number of people walking around with earplugs installed improperly, and complaining how they don't work.
And the pros with their plugs and muffs, or custom fitted plugs.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
What you say is generally true, however there are some of us with convoluted ear canals for whom those tricks just don't work. About the only ear plugs that I can insert with one try are the ones with the little plastic stiffening tubes. Regular foam earplugs sometimes take me ten tries to insert fully. And then after about an hour my ears start to give me considerable discomfort.
I'll take over-the-ear solutions any time; just wish they would fit in my pocket!
I have DC for aviation. Friend noted that they looked old (we bought them IIRC at OSH 1974) so he offered to upgrade them to active noise supression. DC is dead serious about supporting what they sell (sold).
ez-duzit
Well-known member
For the noisiest things I like plugs and muffs. Only trouble with that is for things like angle grinders - where I want them most - the muffs aren’t great because they interfere with wearing a face shield.
Foam plugs can be very effective, but I find the rubber ones more comfortable and more consistent (less adjustment to get inserted properly for me).
Foam plugs can be very effective, but I find the rubber ones more comfortable and more consistent (less adjustment to get inserted properly for me).
I second this recommendation. Makes mowing the lawn a much better experience to be able to listen to music and protect what little is left of my hearing.I picked up 3M muffs with blue tooth so I can listen to music, protect my hearing while I work.... and women say men can't multi-task.
FWIW, I used rebates to pay for them too.
Some of the foamy plugs are challenging to use. I was commenting to the wife that the dirtier/waxier/oilier my ear canal was the better those plugs stuck. LOL The Howard Leight Laser Lite and Max 1 foam plugs for foamy types and Peltor X5A and H10A muffs here.
paulsomlo
Well-known member
Does the active noise cancelling work with all types of machinery and power tools? I've heard that high frequency noises don't cancel as well.
The kind I have does, but I'm not sure all will. I have something like half a dozen different pairs of noise cancelling headsets but only two pair I use regularly. One pair is/are Peltor TacticalPro and the other MSA Sordin Supreme Pros. I've used them around all kinds of noise sources without issue. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the less expensive versions don't cover everything.
I have a couple of pair of Peltor Optime 105s that I keep in the shop where I'm less concerned with being able to hear anything at all. When I run my tractor and skid steer I like the noise-cancelling headsets because I'm more likely to hear if someone yells at me, or if the machine makes an odd noise.
Have rebuilt IIRC twice before, but that is what DC is all about - performance and support.
Yeah, Air Venture as a side trip. We were actually in Appleton for first meeting of AYA.
Look at the DC website.
Something to the effect of “effective immediately, hearing protector models are discontinued”.
disappointing.
My ancient speaker/early tech noise cancelling mic sets were supported. will have to look into that.
thanx
For all those recommending the 3M Peltor Optime 105, I'm going to recommend that you consider the 3m X5 or similar.
I've been using the Optime style earmuffs for decades, but recently had a friend show me his X5s, and ended up with a pair myself.
The Optimes have now been relegated to backup status. The X5s are more comfortable, are better ventilated, hold their adjustment better, and seem to have better noise reduction. The only downside is that the ear cups are a bit bulkier.
I've been using the Optime style earmuffs for decades, but recently had a friend show me his X5s, and ended up with a pair myself.
The Optimes have now been relegated to backup status. The X5s are more comfortable, are better ventilated, hold their adjustment better, and seem to have better noise reduction. The only downside is that the ear cups are a bit bulkier.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Spend the money and get name brand (Bose) active noise cancelling muffs.
Shoves wax and dirt in my ear hole and plugs them up.
Bose are great and I use mine religiously for airline travel. However noise cancellation is *not* the same as hearing protection. Noise cancellation works well for steady, continuous waveforms, for example engine noise. It works quite poorly for loud irregular noises, for example gunshots, hammer blows, or impact wrenches.
As far as I know Bose does not even publish an NRR rating for their noise cancelling headsets. And there's a reason for that - they are not nearly as protective as quality earmuffs designed for hearing protection.
RTM
Well-known member
The ones I have are pure ****. Give me a headache wearing them. Would not trust them in an industrial setting.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
I hated and had tons of pain and problems with my small ear canals and ear plugs. Howard leight laser lites changed that. I still have to reach over the head and grab my ear to put them in but they are so comfortable when I worked nights and slept in the day with small children at home I wore them to bed and 12 hours a shift so most of the day without any discomfort. They sure reduced loud noise better than my david clarks ear muffs. Some found it gross but its my ear, I lubed them up with a little spit to help inserting them.