Active Hearing protection with Bluetooth

[rockyridgefarm]

I am looking for a good active hearing protection with Bluetooth designed for a continuous noise environment. I have tried a few without BT. Corded ones don't co-exist with tractor work. Passive noise reduction is too dangerous for me - i am legally blind and must hear ambient sounds (...screams). Given the option - I'd accept lower noise reduction to allow greater ambient awareness.

I like hearing music, podcasts, and notifications. I don't care about speaking into a phone with the machine running. I can shut it off. I don't really want an FM radio as none have actually worked and just add bulk - especially the rubber duck antenna.

I'd rather it cost less - but needs to hold up well. There are lots of junk options. But, I have had other operators lose expensive Peltor Alerts and Elvex Aware sets while mowing. As in, they were shredded.

If needed, I could add bluetooth listening to a set if it has an audio input. I will probably make a tether setup to keep them from flying off under the mower. I would consider either over-ear muffs or good in-ears.

Any ideas what would work? Thanks!

 

[rockyridgefarm]

There are some similar products which are close; I don't think that they will be satisfactory.

Impulse ANR sets designed for shooting.
"Bose" ANR which cuts out ALL outside noise, not just harmful racket.

 

[BigBlue1]

I bought a pair of Bose QuietComfort 35 active noise cancellation headphones last year. Used them for mowing my 7 acres of lawn all summer. Way better than my previous method of standard passive muffs with earbuds. Was able to listen to music happily and the roar of my x758 diesel engine and 60" deck was tamed well. Certainly not 'silenced', but well toned down. Not a cheap solution but now that I have these headphones they get used for a bunch of other things too so they have been a great investment.

In my quest for this solution I actually tried out three models: the QC 35 bluetooth ones, Bose QC 25 corded, and Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2 bluetooth. The QC 25 was pretty good but I realized I wanted a cordless set so they were ruled out. The Plantronics were almost on par with the QC 35 but didn't do as good of job cancelling the tractor noise. A year ago they were a lot closer in price to the Bose so I decided to go with the Bose. Today they are much cheaper ($139) so if I was doing the compare now they might win out.

As for losing them, I've never had them come off, even when mowing under one of the trees and a branch catches them. Not a major worry for me, I guess.

Rob

 

[prichard]

Is that possible with ANR? I thought they were based on frequencies. To block machine noise and not voices I don't know if they can do that.

 

[BigBlue1]

Is that possible with ANR? I thought they were based on frequencies. To block machine noise and not voices I don't know if they can do that.

Noise cancelling headphones most effectively attenuate 'continuous' noises. Things like engines, fans, etc. They do less well with random noise like a dropped item, a clap, a voice, etc. You can hear someone talking to you with them on, it is just quieter than normal. But they can tune out a computer fan, airplane noise, etc. pretty well. And make no mistake, they don't eliminate outside noise, they just reduce it. But it is effective at something like reducing engine/mower noise to the level you can listen to music without having it cranked.

Rob

 

[rockyridgefarm]

I have had Peltor Alerts. The ANR Suppresses only the noises which are above a certain threshhold. While wearing them, you still hear the tractor (actually better than without) but it is much softer. But, you also hear ambient noises. Birds tweeting, a dog bark, my wife saying 'dinner is ready'.

The Bose system will block the engine; I don't think I'd get the other sounds and can't allow myself to be that isolated. But, I may try that.

What I want is the Alerts but with bluetooth capability.

 

[Redlands Okie]

I have the Bose QC 30 Bluetooth noise cancelling ear buds and like em a lot.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

I have the Bose QC 30 Bluetooth noise cancelling ear buds and like em a lot.

I assume they do a great job with blocking the equip,emt noise and music sounds great; can you hear normal conversation with the tractor running?

 

[prichard]

Interesting, I'm not sure if any of this has helped the OP, but y'all have helped me. Thanks

 

[woodlandfarms]

I have the Bose 35... could not bring myself to use them on my tractor at $300 a throw. I have lost one set of headphones (got off the tractor, must have put them down) I have also run over a pair (tree branch tugged them off, didn't hit the brake in time) Both of those headsets where just muffs. Also, I work in the rain a lot.

I do have a Ryobi ANR. Its pretty cool. Blocks out a lot of noise but the built in microphone pics up conversations. THey are NOT bluetooth.

As noted, I just bought a pair of 3M Bluetooth Worktunes. I am VERY impressed by these. They are not active noise reduciton but they feel quieter and the are much more comfortable than my other worktunes. The version I have doesn not have a radio (we do not get radio in my hood).

3M™ WorkTunes™ Wireless Hearing Protector with Bluetooth(R) Technology | 3M United States

Also, at under $50 if I wreck them I won't be happy but I won't chuck myself down a ravine either.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Come top think of it, I actually have the Ryobi's. They were $7 at the company store. They work pretty well, and I could try adding bluetooth. They are pretty cheaply made and not very comfortable. May be worth modding.

 

[woodlandfarms]

On my Ryobis I velcroed this on.

Amazon.com: Aduro BTA1 Bluetooth Adapter Wireless Receiver with A2DP Technology - for Home Stereo , Portable Speakers , Headphones , Car Music Sound Systems , & More 3.5mm Media Devices: Home Audio & Theater

Works great, but the new 3M are much more comfortable.

 

[newbury]

Another poorboy or redneck solution is to just take a pair of small bluetooth stereo earbuds or a pair of sport bluetooth earbuds and combine them with the ANR muffs of your choice.

For 4 decades I've used highly rated 29dB+ muffs with a varity of earbuds and sound sources.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

I appreciate the suggestions! It is amazing that there isn't already something for industrial applications like this.

 

[woodlandfarms]

OSHA governs all of this. Rules for hearing protectors are pretty crazy and tend to kill technology.

 

[Redlands Okie]

I assume they do a great job with blocking the equip,emt noise and music sounds great; can you hear normal conversation with the tractor running?

Probably or at least close to it. Not used to having anyone close to the tractor when operating the tractor.

They also allow adjustment on how much of the background noise is allowed thru. Not used that function much in my case.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

While working this weekend - I realized that the hearing protection is really important while mowing. Regular landscaping and chores, not so much. So, that makes the 3M Worktunes with BT and no FM radio a clear winner. They really are nice and at a good price point.

For active hearing protection, I asked some owners of MSA Sordin headsets. They are military grade and are priced from about $120 to $500+ . I was told that they work well for tractor and chainsaw work. They seem to be very well made, and comfortable. But, these things have a way of getting lost or shredded. I will try the 3M's