What (hearing protection) earmuffs are you using/recommend?
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Paco Pena
Well-known member
At the range its muffs and ear plugs.
Paco
Paco
My favorire muffs are 3m Peltor X5A at 31 NRR (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WMK9VM4/). Cheaper than going insane, comfortable, and cut out a lot of noise even with glasses making the seal perhaps less than perfect.
For cutting grass and other general extended small engine use I use Hearos 33 NRR foam plugs (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JXYH042/). Very comfortable for longer use, easy to go in, and cut out a lot of noise. They should be longer though. Occasionally I'll get a shorter one or put one in deeper and need needle nose to pull it out. Maybe I just have non-standard sized ears though. For super loud stuff I double up with these and the Peltor muffs.
My go to for typical loud tasks that may be brief is 3m 25 NRR silicon plugs (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BR29FVDY/). There last a long time and I have them hanging in a few spots in the garage and shed. Super convenient for quick in/out for brief loud tasks. I use these without the cord when I ride my big bore two stroke dirt bike. Always have a pair in my pocket because you never know when you'll need them. For these style silicon plugs I exhale on them (deep, like hhhhaaaa) to get some moisture so they go in quick and easy.
For daily use commuting on my bike I use Eargasm 16 NRR plugs (https://eargasm.com/products/eargasm-high-fidelity-earplugs?variant=44275577225517). These are always in my pocket along with the 3m 25 NRR silicon plugs. Never leave home without both. The Eargasm are great for live music as well.
Hearing protection is a very personalized thing. You need to find what fits your ears and head well and is comfortable.
Take care of your ears guys. I didn't and have tinnitus and hyperacusis. Tinnitus ***** but is a walk in the park after you get used to it compared to hyperacusis. Hyperacusis *****, feels like someone stabbing a hot pick in your ear for normal everyday decibel levels like talking, clanking dishes, microwave beeping, driving with windows down, and so forth. Some of us improve a bit and can still live our lives with precautions and giving up some activities but there's no going back to healthy normal ears.
For cutting grass and other general extended small engine use I use Hearos 33 NRR foam plugs (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JXYH042/). Very comfortable for longer use, easy to go in, and cut out a lot of noise. They should be longer though. Occasionally I'll get a shorter one or put one in deeper and need needle nose to pull it out. Maybe I just have non-standard sized ears though. For super loud stuff I double up with these and the Peltor muffs.
My go to for typical loud tasks that may be brief is 3m 25 NRR silicon plugs (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BR29FVDY/). There last a long time and I have them hanging in a few spots in the garage and shed. Super convenient for quick in/out for brief loud tasks. I use these without the cord when I ride my big bore two stroke dirt bike. Always have a pair in my pocket because you never know when you'll need them. For these style silicon plugs I exhale on them (deep, like hhhhaaaa) to get some moisture so they go in quick and easy.
For daily use commuting on my bike I use Eargasm 16 NRR plugs (https://eargasm.com/products/eargasm-high-fidelity-earplugs?variant=44275577225517). These are always in my pocket along with the 3m 25 NRR silicon plugs. Never leave home without both. The Eargasm are great for live music as well.
Hearing protection is a very personalized thing. You need to find what fits your ears and head well and is comfortable.
Take care of your ears guys. I didn't and have tinnitus and hyperacusis. Tinnitus ***** but is a walk in the park after you get used to it compared to hyperacusis. Hyperacusis *****, feels like someone stabbing a hot pick in your ear for normal everyday decibel levels like talking, clanking dishes, microwave beeping, driving with windows down, and so forth. Some of us improve a bit and can still live our lives with precautions and giving up some activities but there's no going back to healthy normal ears.
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I've had issues getting plugs in "correctly," so I switched to muffs - and in the shop I use the Howard Leight L0F (Honeywell). I like that they are lightweight and slim (they also fold, but I dont use that feature).
3M, Bluetooth. Great for mowing and working next to my air compressor/generator. 26 db drop.
3M Pro-Protect + Gel Cushions Electronic Hearing Protector with Bluetooth Wireless Technology, NRR 26 dB https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WK79727/?tag=atomicindus08-20
3M Pro-Protect + Gel Cushions Electronic Hearing Protector with Bluetooth Wireless Technology, NRR 26 dB https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WK79727/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I used AirPods pros. They have noise cancelling setting. I use them for work around the yard or the shop. Ive heard ppl complain about them slipping off their ears but Ive never had that issue. Work great but kinda pricey.
I have the 3m Worktunes as well, they are great, can listen to music with the leaf blower or chain saw at full blast. Also work for calls but they don't do any noise cancellation for the mics. Also very comfy.
ManUpOrShutUp
Well-known member
I have a set of Peltor Sport Tactical 500 that I picked up for just under $100 on sale last year. The battery life with my rechargeables is excellent. They offer sufficient protection for mowing, weed whacking and a day at the range with 9mm/22LR. However, they become uncomfortable in under an hour, the sound levels for music are a bit too low and if shooting 5.56 I have to double up with foam plugs. Overall, they're ok and I'm satisfied enough for < $100, but if I can find something better for a reasonable price, they will become the backup pair.
FadedGray
Well-known member
As stated, 3M work tunes. Can rock out and keep the noise out. And comfortable as well. 
hans109h
Well-known member
I have had these for 5 years because I wanted audio while doing boring stuff like blasting and grinding:
Howard Leight by Honeywell Sync Stereo MP3 Earmuff (1030110), Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004U4A5RU/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I think they're great, a bit pricy but these are my only ears.
When I was on mow crew it was always foam plugs with a connecting cord, as the muffs jumped around to much.
Lately I might just throw in my Google buds....
Howard Leight by Honeywell Sync Stereo MP3 Earmuff (1030110), Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004U4A5RU/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I think they're great, a bit pricy but these are my only ears.
When I was on mow crew it was always foam plugs with a connecting cord, as the muffs jumped around to much.
Lately I might just throw in my Google buds....
I have a set of Peltor 105's and recently swapped them for the Peltor X5A's, much nicer attenuation. One issue I find is that depending on the over the head compression band, is that wearing safety glasses the muffs make that portion of the temple piece sore from the muff pressure. The custom molded ones would alleviate that pressure point.
One of those things that it is easy to swipe off these muffs with dirty hands when I want to hear someone speaking. The in ear types my not be very hygiene conductive to do that.
One of those things that it is easy to swipe off these muffs with dirty hands when I want to hear someone speaking. The in ear types my not be very hygiene conductive to do that.
Schurkey
Well-known member
1. ANY hearing protection is better than NO hearing protection. Decades ago, there were some times I was desperate enough to cram cigarette-butts in my ears.
2. Hearing protectors that are left on the bench, or hanging on a hook on the wall, don't do you any good.
3. Little foam ear plugs work great. IF they're installed in your ears properly, IF your hands are clean when you put them in, IF they don't cause excessive ear-wax issues. They're a pain in the asp if you're in a work environment where you need to take them out frequently to talk on the phone, or with co-workers, or just to properly hear some machinery for a moment before putting the plugs back in.
4. There was a time I needed the lil' foam plugs AND ear-muff style, together.
5. Overall, I prefer the ear-muff style--easy on, easy off, don't make my ears itch. Doesn't work well when I have to be in tightly-confined spaces. I was recently drilling/tapping in the transmission tunnel of a vehicle--shoulder room was kinda tight, side-to-side head-room was almost non-existent.
2. Hearing protectors that are left on the bench, or hanging on a hook on the wall, don't do you any good.
3. Little foam ear plugs work great. IF they're installed in your ears properly, IF your hands are clean when you put them in, IF they don't cause excessive ear-wax issues. They're a pain in the asp if you're in a work environment where you need to take them out frequently to talk on the phone, or with co-workers, or just to properly hear some machinery for a moment before putting the plugs back in.
4. There was a time I needed the lil' foam plugs AND ear-muff style, together.
5. Overall, I prefer the ear-muff style--easy on, easy off, don't make my ears itch. Doesn't work well when I have to be in tightly-confined spaces. I was recently drilling/tapping in the transmission tunnel of a vehicle--shoulder room was kinda tight, side-to-side head-room was almost non-existent.
bbxlr8
Well-known member
I do a LOT of chainsawing, splitting, weed whacking, and mowing with a diesel tractor. Have gone from single to double per above and wish I did sooner. I don't do it for a living but suspect I get similar exposure at least for some periods of "days at a time". Tried all the usual brands but still mostly on a budget. The best option ended up with the foams combined with the premium Walker passive muffs from Cabela's. Still have some noticeable tinnitus after a few hours.
Recently tried the Bose Quiet comfort noise canceling buds (w reduction on 100%, music very low) inside the walkers while doing some extended hours of tractor loader work. It works well and very nice option for "seat" time but not active movement like other work
Recently tried the Bose Quiet comfort noise canceling buds (w reduction on 100%, music very low) inside the walkers while doing some extended hours of tractor loader work. It works well and very nice option for "seat" time but not active movement like other work
BruceMc
Well-known member
Been watching Ian Roussel's new YouTube channel and am wondering if anyone has experience with EyeMuffs? Kind of pricey, but they also seem pretty convenient by including eye protection as well.
www.eyemuffs.com
EyeMuffs | Safety Equipment
EyeMuffs, we are seriously passionate about our products. Discover the many impressive safety, comfort and practical features. Whether youre a tinker or a tradesman, Eyemuffs have got you covered.
www.eyemuffs.com
mark-NJ
Well-known member
At work, we had custom-molded in-ear 30dB unit made for us by CPE. The caveat was that if we lost them, we'd get one (1) set of replacements on the company. Beyond that we would have to pay for replacements. Seemed fair.
Within 3 months I managed to misplace my original set, so a replacement set was made. About a week later I found set #1 under the driver's seat in my truck. Now I have a set at home in my shop!
- If I'm doing extended work (several hours) with machinery running, I grab for these custom-molded protectors. They're a 10 on the sonic scale, about a 7.5 on long-term comfort.
- If I'm running an angle grinder for 10 minutes, I usually just grab my 3M H10A muffs. They perform a "10" on sonic attenuation, but are not as comfortable as the in-ears because they squeeze on my ears enough to pinch my safety glasses between my ear & head. That gets uncomfortable over time
Also:
- I have a pair of noise protection / audio earbuds (wired) that I found on line...the gel-foam seal provides 25dB reduction and I get music. I put my iPod in my back pocket and run the wire down my back (so it can't get caught up in machinery). If I'm in a "listen to music" mood, these are great. I'm not convinced that they provide the the 25dB attenuation that's advertised, so sometimes I'll put the 3M muffs over top. "Belt & suspenders"....
That's my story & I'm sticking to it!
Within 3 months I managed to misplace my original set, so a replacement set was made. About a week later I found set #1 under the driver's seat in my truck. Now I have a set at home in my shop!
- If I'm doing extended work (several hours) with machinery running, I grab for these custom-molded protectors. They're a 10 on the sonic scale, about a 7.5 on long-term comfort.
- If I'm running an angle grinder for 10 minutes, I usually just grab my 3M H10A muffs. They perform a "10" on sonic attenuation, but are not as comfortable as the in-ears because they squeeze on my ears enough to pinch my safety glasses between my ear & head. That gets uncomfortable over time
Also:
- I have a pair of noise protection / audio earbuds (wired) that I found on line...the gel-foam seal provides 25dB reduction and I get music. I put my iPod in my back pocket and run the wire down my back (so it can't get caught up in machinery). If I'm in a "listen to music" mood, these are great. I'm not convinced that they provide the the 25dB attenuation that's advertised, so sometimes I'll put the 3M muffs over top. "Belt & suspenders"....
That's my story & I'm sticking to it!
paredown
Well-known member
I've been using the Peltors (non high viz) since I worked with my dad in his metal stamping shop -- so probably 50 years. My brother started wearing them at this other job (big azz sawmill) and brought them to our place. We all started wearing them--it wasn't just impact from the presses, but also the shot of compressed air blowing the finished part clear of the die--pretty damned loud.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 Protectionwww.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....
I've tried the in-ear ones (don't work for me, but I may have weird ears), the light wire frame ones (also don't work for me). I used them in the wood shop, nailgun, grinder, running outdoor equipment like the splitter and lawnmower and the chainsaw.
Now I'm an old git, I have tinnitus (thanks Lyme disease) and I've lost some of the high end (can't hear the beep from the washing machine for example)--but my hearing is still pretty good.
Put me on the list of 3M Bluetooth ear muffs owners. Just awesome I'll admit.
Picked them up at Menards for $45 and used rebates to cover the cost.
Picked them up at Menards for $45 and used rebates to cover the cost.
Mike65
Well-known member
Once I started setting up my woodworking shop I could not find the two sets of earmuffs we packed when we moved 1 1/2 years ago so I purchased theses. They are Hyper Tough folding compact earmuffs model # - HTMUFF, that I purchased at the local Wal Mart. They are very comfortable & will block out the noise from any of my woodworking machines to almost nothing.
Fav Onefour
Well-known member
I had to look up the CPE product. It looks interesting.At work, we had custom-molded in-ear 30dB unit made for us by CPE. The caveat was that if we lost them, we'd get one (1) set of replacements on the company. Beyond that we would have to pay for replacements. Seemed fair.
Within 3 months I managed to misplace my original set, so a replacement set was made. About a week later I found set #1 under the driver's seat in my truck. Now I have a set at home in my shop!
- If I'm doing extended work (several hours) with machinery running, I grab for these custom-molded protectors. They're a 10 on the sonic scale, about a 7.5 on long-term comfort.
- If I'm running an angle grinder for 10 minutes, I usually just grab my 3M H10A muffs. They perform a "10" on sonic attenuation, but are not as comfortable as the in-ears because they squeeze on my ears enough to pinch my safety glasses between my ear & head. That gets uncomfortable over time
Also:
- I have a pair of noise protection / audio earbuds (wired) that I found on line...the gel-foam seal provides 25dB reduction and I get music. I put my iPod in my back pocket and run the wire down my back (so it can't get caught up in machinery). If I'm in a "listen to music" mood, these are great. I'm not convinced that they provide the the 25dB attenuation that's advertised, so sometimes I'll put the 3M muffs over top. "Belt & suspenders"....
That's my story & I'm sticking to it!
I agree with the comfort level long term with ear muffs. I use them with plugs in long term bad noise environments. They get downright painful and sweaty.
My hearing is something I think about quite a bit. I used to be quite an audiophile and my ears were an important tool. But, I also worked in loud environments before anyone thought about saving hearing. To be honest, growing up around farming, I thought all old men were nearly deaf. It took years before I realized that wasn't normal for everyone.
My ears started ringing years ago and I've been trying to slow the progression. The first ringing I noticed was after long days of driving those old tractors with the exhaust right at ear level. I didn't do anything. Quiet cabs came along and I noticed that turbo whine made my ears ring after a long day. I started trying to quiet some of the noise with cotton balls around that time. It helped a little. I also started to notice ringing from the other work. I had a couple factory jobs that made my ears ring every day. Air impacts around the shop were also brutal. Ear muffs were **** in those days. Some of the hard plastic was painful and the band/springs were junk. (Anyone use the headband trick in the old days?)
I have been using custom silicone for years. They are not cheap, but with custom fitting I use them more because they are comfortable.
I have three different sets and each operates a little differently.
There is a range of softness in the silicone which matters for the type of use in my situation. The ear canal depth and outer ear cavity fill are also part of the customization.
I use the bigger softer version for long term high pitch machinery stuff. The softer silicone absorbs some of that sound and the larger size helps block clangers. My largest set essentially fills the whole outer ear. The large size makes them harder to insert and they also tend to catch on stuff when I'm climbing around tight spots. They are difficult to keep in position when putting on tight helmets.
I use my medium soft, medium fill plugs most of the time. The do fairly well for most average stuff like yard work and shorter tool use. I keep that set with my work gear all the time.
The hardest silicone set is also a bit more compact. I can keep those in my pocket without a case. They also stay in place a little better. The noise control is different. The block quick percussion sounds well, but they conduct some bone vibration. I tend not to use these with long duration impact type tools.
One of my big challenges has been play time with helmets. Wind speed is nasty and airflow can create vibration. A majority of helmets come with large ear cavity openings that have little more than the outer shell over the ears. The design inherently feeds sound to the ears. The custom plugs helped a lot with helmets, but harder silicone also transmits bone and helmet vibration. I make soft foam inserts to fit the helmet ear cavities. I hold them in place with adhesive velcro. That allows me to pull the foam easier to shape it properly. The foam trick has helped a ton by holding ear plugs in place better and helping reduce the helmet noise feed.
The reason I mention the foam trick is because I've also started to make the foam inserts for ear muffs. I use the combination with silicone plugs when I'm doing the nasty clanger stuff all day. I.E. demolition hammer tuckpoint cleaning. That sound and vibration is like using an impact inside tractor rims. It doesn't take long before the ears start singing.
I know that was a bit long winded. In all reality, I don't even mind a little ear ringing. It's almost like white noise when I'm trying to sleep.
Sometimes it gives me an excuse to ignore nagging.
I'm mainly trying to protect my remaining hearing because I still have a choice. If I lose what's left, I'm stuck without many options.
Monza Harry
Well-known member
I would add to my previous post that, handy and worn is better than nothing by a deafening tinnitus ring or no sound at all! So buy those cheap ones and litter up the shop, this will help way more the the expensive ones that you are not wearing. Oh and put safety glasses with them! And F#%^!&G wear them ALWAYS! Harry the old nearly deaf guy.
www.garagejournal.com
What (hearing protection) earmuffs are you using/recommend?
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...
www.garagejournal.com
ChevyEFI
Well-known member
Any votes for BIG ear-compatible models? I am shopping for someone else and everything that surrounds my ears sets against theirs.
Any measurements of these below?
Thanks.
Any measurements of these below?
Thanks.
3M, Bluetooth. Great for mowing and working next to my air compressor/generator. 26 db drop.
3M Pro-Protect + Gel Cushions Electronic Hearing Protector with Bluetooth Wireless Technology, NRR 26 dB https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WK79727/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Right around 3" wide and 4" tall.
