What (hearing protection) earmuffs are you using/recommend?

[atch]

While perusing this PPE thread I got to thinking I should have more earmuffs in my shop. I have two pairs, both of which are over 30 years old. The foam inside of them is deteriorating badly. With grinding station, sand blast cabinet, a metal chop saw, RA saw, table saw, jointer, several other woodworking saws, etc., I think I'll put 6 or 7 (or more) sets around so each noise maker has a set handy. Buying a half dozen $100 sets just isn't in the cards moneywise. I keep foam earplugs around for riding H-D but like earmuffs better for shop & chainsaw use.

So my question is this:

What brand/specific item do you recommend that will cut down on the noise but still be affordable?

b-t-w; I've been wearing hearing aids for many years and have never ending tinnitus. I want to keep what little hearing I still have.

b-t-w 2; Yes, I've done searches and not found what I'm looking for.

 

[drmarkr]

I have multiple sets of the generic muffs spread around, like you mentioned. I also wear hearing aids and these fit well over my behind-the-ear aids.

I would not use these at the range, but for the decibel level in the shop, their reduction is just fine. Most of these were less than $10, if I recall.

 

[atch]

I have multiple sets of the generic muffs spread around, like you mentioned. I also wear hearing aids and these fit well over my behind-the-ear aids.

I would not use these at the range, but for the decibel level in the shop, their reduction is just fine. Most of these were less than $10, if I recall.

Do you recall what brand they are or where you purchased them?

 

[olytdi]

I remember seeing a review of hearing protection and among the top performers was the orange Harbor Freight muffs.

I've been using them for years and today I was using them interchangably with a much higher end pair (Husqvarna) and I quite frankly can't tell the difference. The point being, you can buy a bushel basket of the HF ear muffs and spread them all over the place. I just pair a pair with every power tool I have that would require hearing protection.

 

[atch]

I also see that noise reduction is measured in decibels and that what I've found on-line are from 24dB to 37dB reduction. What reduction are you guys using?

 

[drmarkr]

Do you recall what brand they are or where you purchased them?

A couple were HF. I think a couple were Sportsman Warehouse. One pair was left in the shop when I bought my last house and they're still around 20 years later, lol.

 

[cvairwerks]

We've got these at work, but you can find the non high viz ones for less.

3M PELTOR H10A Optime 105 Over-the-Head Earmuffs, Hi-Visibility Green, Universal, 1 Each

Ideal for noisy environments, the 3M PELTOR H10A Optime 105 Over-the-Head Earmuffs offers 30 dB noise reduction with a twin cup, double shell earmuffs for hearing safety. Enviro Safety Products is an Authorized Distributor of 3M Peltor Hearing Protection

www.envirosafetyproducts.com

dB reduction is a function of the muff itself, how it's constructed and how you wear it. Over the head units work better than the behind the head, and those are better than the ones that attach to a hard hat....

 

[CraigStu]

The electronic muffs I use for shooting are rated at 22. So I would think anything 22 or greater would be good.

 

[gba2331]

For me, the biggest factor is the ear pads. The gel pads are so much more comfortable that they are the ones I reach for first, plus they make a better fit.

 

[racecougar]

I have a mix of the typical HF muffs and much nicer Howard Leight models. I absolutely prefer the Howard Leight ones, but they also cost way more.

 

[highdeserthacker]

I too use the HF muffs for general shop use, mainly saws, but also with the shop vac. I like that I can have the band behind my head for use with a face shield and/or respirator. They hang from magnetic hooks around the shop.

Keep in mind that you can double up for the noisy stuff...foamies + ear muffs.

For riding, the plugs designed for rock concerts work well for me.

To keep my tinnitus from acting up, I started wearing noise canceling bluetooth buds while running the snowblower...surprised how well these are working out.

 

[engineer2]

Go to Menards in Columbia. They have several brands..

 

[oldwino]

I also wear hearing aids. Have 3 sets of Walker shooting muffs. Works great but a little loud standing on the starting line next to fuel dragsters. Hand pressure over the muffs cures that.

they work great in the shop though

 

[niget2002]

Two sets of 3M muffs (don't remember which model) and 1 set of bluetooth 3M ear muffs.

 

[bluedog225]

I threw some more 1/2” soft foam in my harbor freights. Works great.

 

[kbeefy]

Several sets of plain janes and earplugs sitting around.

I picked up some 3m Workmate Bluetooth ear protection last year, they have gell pads and I can listen to music while I'm mowing the yard.
I often use them in the woodshop as they are comfortable but not with music.

Peltor electric w/ gell + foam plugs for shooting.

 

[Houdini5150]

I use some electronic Howard Leight Impact Sport. I turn down the volume as needed. They are comfy and I have had these pairs over 3 years. Use them for shooting, picked up a 2nd pair.

 

[nadogail]

I should have started using hearing protection about 70 years ago.

After significant hearing loss it no longer seems to be necessary.

 

[NUTTSGT]

No muffs, just plugs.

 

[Zeke]

I also wear hearing aids. Have 3 sets of Walker shooting muffs. Works great but a little loud standing in starting line next to fuel dragsters. Hand pressure over the muffs cures that.

they work great in the shop though

I have custom fitted ear plugs that I wear at the races WITH over the ear muffs. You're right that pushing on them a little helps a lot.
At home and on the job I use the HF ones. I used to have Bosse noise canceling ones but they died. As a muff alone they are useless. I can see the benefit of having a highly rated muff with the NC added. No music in my ears if I'm working. I need to concentrate and hear others even if faint.

 

[Jeff C]

I always thought the 3M peltor design was pretty comfortable. Outdoors I usually wear ear plugs to avoid sweating underneath the muffs.

 

[dave_dj1]

I have bluetooth Work Tunes and love them, from grinding, mowing to chainsaw work and running the log splitter. Listen to my music while working, they have excellent and great noise reduction (24db I think)

 

[PCMusicGuy]

I have two sets I use around the house and garage. 3M Peltor and Howard Leight and they both work well. For most other things (driving with the roof off, concerts, wedding receptions, etc.) I use Mack's flesh tone foam plugs. When I shoot I use both together.

 

[Nutria]

These have been way better than my generics:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CPCHBCQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[TonyG109]

My vote is also for the 3M Peltor X5A NRR 31 db ear muffs. I've tried several others that look similiar, but the 3M's are superior in every way. Better fit, noise reduction and ergonomics. I have some ear muffs that are just plain hard to put on and take off. The ear cups just seem to always flip around the wrong way or pinch my fingers between the head strap! That's just not something you see coming until you've wasted your money on them! I'm literally throwing out all my others and buying more 3M's. Nutria's link above will take you right to the correct item.

 

[atch]

These have been way better than my generics:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CPCHBCQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

My vote is also for the 3M Peltor X5A NRR 31 db ear muffs. I've tried several others that look similiar, but the 3M's are superior in every way. Better fit, noise reduction and ergonomics. I have some ear muffs that are just plain hard to put on and take off. The ear cups just seem to always flip around the wrong way or pinch my fingers between the head strap! That's just not something you see coming until you've wasted your money on them! I'm literally throwing out all my others and buying more 3M's. Nutria's link above will take you right to the correct item.

I just ordered a set of these. If I like them I'll order more sets.

THANX everyone.

 

[senlow]

I just ordered a set of these. If I like them I'll order more sets.

THANX everyone.

You'll like them, atch. Peltor is top notch.

 

[Metal-Marc]

I have a couple of these ear muffs. At that price point, they are great for light usage.

https://www.princessauto.com/en/orange-foam-padded-earmuffs/product/PA0005040514

 

[tester19]

I worked offshore oil and gas and wore hearing protection 24/7 for years. Many kinds and brands. My current ones are custom Silicon molded ear plugs. About $160 and you need to get your ear's foamed and then the silicon ones are made from that mould. Unbelievable comfort and the best noise reduction I have ever had.

I found the true test of ear plugs is how well they work when you sleep with them. Do they come out? Do they move around?
.
.
.

 

[mrpizza]

Foam plugs properly inserted usually. Shooting i have a set of electronic walkers.

 

[earl84]

I don't have a specific recommendation, but I've been in high noise environment for a lot of my adult years. You only get one set of ears, and I've been fairly **** about wearing hearing protection. Still have good hearing.
Funny thing is, you don't have to spend much money to get very good hearing protection, yet people don't do it, and if they do buy something they don't wear it. I've always been baffled as to why.

 

[ericlar80]

I have a few different levels of the 3M pelator earmuffs, as well as the orange, silicone ear plugs. I start with the plugs but go up the chain pretty quickly if the noise bothers me whatsoever.

 

[Monza Harry]

I am a Peltor fan I have Peltor H7B (26db 27 for over the head I lost those ) behind the head [hard hat/face shield] and Peltor H10A (30db) over the head, for most other uses, their comfort is + 5-6x over the other Princess Auto (AO Smith?) ones I have. The Peltor are rebuildable gel rings and foams for about 1/2 of new price, they cut all harsh sounds and I can hear the radio that is quietly playing 25' away people talking to me or not can still be heard easily. Some cheapies and 2 good ones and you'll be covered upgrade the cheapest as they wear out which is my current approach. Harry

 

[Pen & Wrench]

I also have tinitis 24/7. I use 3M hearing protection ear muffs, I think they are rated at 30. When running the skid loader or my Grasshopper mower for extended times, I have a Walkers bluetooth ear muff setup so I can listen to music off my phone. I also use the 3M muffs, with Bose noise cancelling ear buds and they work even better to quiet things down. I also have foam ear plugs rated at 30.

 

[u2slow]

I have a few pairs of the Peltor Optime muffs.

The foam inserts/pads are renewable - they call it the 'hygiene kit'.

Edit: I had molded silicone plugs years ago and liked them. Don't have an affordable place around here that does them.

 

[Goikification]

The biggest thing with any PPE is it needs to fit well for 2 reasons - better it fits the better it works and the better it fits the more comfortable it is and the more likely you are to wear it for the duration of the noisy task.

That said try as many pairs as you can, find the ones that fit best.

I have a pair of ISOTunes Bluetooth enabled muffs I love for tractor work and weed whacking. I think they are around NRR of 25. Being able to listen to music or podcasts while doing mowing is really nice.

 

[goldtang]

I have the Peltor H10A 290 and Find them to be very good

 

[rayra]

Peltor is a premium brand, if the OP is fixated on labels or brands. You can get perfectly adequate muffs very inexpensively. And SHOULD.
They're ear muffs, not a capital investment that should last for decades. 3M, DeWalt, other basic muffs are <$15.

Save the $100++ Peltors for impressing old farts at the ***** range.

 

[jblnut]

I've been wearing some 3M Bluetooth ear muffs for a while now. I wear them everydamnwhere. In the barn doing chores, in the skiddy, in the shop, in tractors and all machinery. They're amazing. I also have a BlueParrot S450-XT that I sat on and am in the process of putting those guts into another 3M ear muffs. Hopefully the brains and mic from the BlueParrot will turn these 3M muffs into the ultimate headset. One that can suppress noise for me AND the other person when someone calls !!

 

[atch]

These arrived today. I haven't been to the shop with them yet but they feel really comfortable sitting here at the computer. At $37 each I think I'll snag a pair every 2-3 months for the next year or so.

Now I just have to come up with dustproof places to store them near saws, grinders, etc. I've been perusing this thread and still haven't decided yet.

They do, however, fit inside a gallon sized zip-lock baggie so for now I'll just keep them in a baggie on a shelf nearby.