Ear Muffs / Hearing Protection while mowing?

[3v0]

It seems a lot of us have hearing loss. I can trace mine back to an IH806 with an egging cab and a mechanic that cranked up the fuel pump to get a bit more HP. My ears rang when I got off that thing. Dad finally picked up some muffs intended for shooting.

These days I wear them for everything.

 

[JimRB]

The LaserLite ear plugs already mentioned are sold as Leight Sleepers at Walgreens. They are the most comfortable earplugs I have worn. I used to have some silicone earplugs my brother had in the Army back between 76-82 but they got old and hard. I have not found them anywhere when you used to see that style in the stores. I wear earplugs whenever I am on the tractor for more than a few minutes, when running the chainsaw, weedwacker, leaf blower, circular saw, nail guns, concerts (if I am properly prepared), or any other noisy things. I am not big on ear buds and muffs over them as I hear music and voices in my head so I do not need an Ipod running.

 

[Clearingout]

Is this a good idea? I think it's time I wear this while mowing for hours at a time. Ebay? Can anyone suggest a basic value priced ear protection headphones?

the hearing protection I wear fits gear under a hat quite nicely and I wear them operating my tractors and when using the table saw. I like this style as well as when required I can taken them out and they are a rigid type that can hang around my neck until I need to wear them again. I keep loosing the loose individual type. I have attached the link to the style I prefer.

https://www.acklandsgrainger.com/AG...alProductDetailDisplay.do?item_code=HDLQB3HYG

 

[farmgirl19]

If I wear anything, which is rare, it is the foam plugs.

Max NRR Ear Plugs (ten pair) - Sporty's Pilot Shop

 

[EddieWalker]

I always carry ear plugs in my front pocket. I'm a contractor, so it's not unusual for me to have them in all day long, and sometimes I forget I have them in and I'm driving home when I realize it. On the mower, or tractor or even using anything that makes loud noise, I put them in. My dad can't hear a thing and one of my brothers is pretty bad. While I feel sorry for them and their hearing loss, it's so annoying having to repeat everything and talk super loud that if I don't have to, I sometimes don't bother saying anything.

Eddie

 

[flusher]

Is this a good idea? I think it's time I wear this while mowing for hours at a time. Ebay? Can anyone suggest a basic value priced ear protection headphones?

I use the earmuffs from Home Depot when using my string mower (weed whacker) and wrap-around safety glasses.

Don't wear ear protection when mowing with my brush hog or flail mower and the Mahindra 5525. But I generally wear a respirator mask with HEPA dust filter cartridges in April-May since the soil is pretty dry by then (our rainy season runs from Nov thru May, but most of the moisture comes in Nov-Feb). By June everything except the star thistle is dying in my hayfield and the fire season has officially started so I don't mow in the field with steel blade equipment (spinning blade plus rocks = brush fire + a CalFire visit + a big bill for services rendered). I stick to string mowers in the summer.

 

[troutsqueezer]

It's not only the hearing loss that you will lament if hearing protection isn't worn, it is the tinnitus that will drive you crazy that can result from it. Lots of us on here have it. Eventually, if it is not too bad, you adjust but it takes a l-o-n-g time.

 

[newbury]

Having gone deaf in one ear (which was finally diagnosed as EXCEPTIONALLY deep wax) and recovered I'm a big fan of hearing protection. For tractor, sawmill and chainsaw work I use shooting muffs, w/ a 29DB rating and often put in a pair of Milwaukee 49-17-3200 NRR 27 DB Corded Reusable Earplugs, Box of 50 - Amazon.com.

I bought a box on sale for like $20 over 5 years ago. I spread them around so even if I just pick up a circular saw to use they are there/

The foam earplugs always bugged me because I had to get them rolled just right. These plugs I can almost screw in, plus they are designed for reuse. With the plugs AND muffs I find I can run my 90CC chain saws at WOT with no problem. I don't know what the total DB reduction is but I like to listen to the sounds of silence.

I used to put a pair of earbuds in the earmuffs, but as I've gotten older I've found my memory of Grateful Dead songs is sufficient.

 

[dougtrr2]

I wear earmuffs all the time when using power equipment on my acreage. I have tried several brands but prefer Leightning L3 earmuffs. I also bought several pairs of child earmuffs and the grandkids have to wear them if they are even riding in the trailer. I know that is overkill, but better to start the habit early. One granddaughter referes to them as her ear puffs.

Take Care,
Doug in SW IA

 

[creekbend]

I wear Ear Protection when I use the Riding Mower, Brush Cutter, and when operating our Tractor. I don't listen to music while working, so I don't require Headphones. I keep a pair of Muffs and extra ear plugs in the toolbox on the Tractor.

 

[the old grind]

I've been carrying North 'Comfit' plugs daily since the mid '70s (along with the chapstick and hangnail clippers that us 'lightweights' won't be without). These & other variations of the 'Christmas tree' style seem to clean up best and last the longest. Don't ride my bike (motor), shoot, mow, or do anything noisy without 'em. You can get spoiled for having protection 'on', but that's a sign you have some hearing left to protect.

Gotta wear protection at clubs with live bands, concerts, races, and truck pulls. They're not just for mowing, sawing & grinding. A downside I always hated was that at work they'd drown out the shop noise and someone's insipid radio racket would be more noticeable & annoying. :irked: (Guess they couldn't do their job and read the paper without that, too..)

 

[thecnwcaboose]

I wear muffs in the winter to keep the ears warm when using the tractor. In summer its generally a pair of foam plugs. Best deal I found was 200 pair for about $25 from AirGas (my welding gas distributor). Its their "home brand" but they work just as well. I have a pair of the Radio muffs as well and use them year round if I am working for a while and can withstand the sweating (in the summer).

I probably wear ear protection 95% of the time. Im only 30 but still want to be able to hear when Im old.

 

[timswi]

I use Worktunes...Can barely hear my BX diesel with them on and the volume won't allow blasting....I also have tenitus from walking past a metal cutting saw that was fired up before I could react...I got used to it but loud noises really aggrevates it for a few hours.

 

[Express]

Take my advice any ear protection is well worth. I've. a Aircraft Mechanic for 30 years and I did a lot of damage by not wearing ear protection

 

[vrmnthntr]

I never used to wear any hearing protection when I was growing up. That included shooting, mowing, chainsaw, etc. As time goes on (I'm 30) I eventually started wearing it shooting guns. Then I got married and my wife complained I don't hear anything she said or I have selective hearing. :confused3: So she contributed it to me using outdoor power equipment without hearing protection. So now she insists I wear them at all times. :mur: But I know I really should and I do believe I should have started long ago.

 

[MikeFarm]

Hi all

Good ear muffs are essential. There is awareness now about how hearing loss develops and most hardware stores have a range of good earmuffs so there is no excuse for not using them. Otherwise later in life you will be left out of conversations. You will have to see your friends smiles to know they are saying jokes about you I wear glasses and as most muffs don't fit well over the glasses arms I use the foam buds that shape into your ears.

Mike

 

[Richard]

I used to have some over ear muffs that would allow me to plug an Ipod into it. They died (and were something like $250) so I bought a couple pair of Peltor bright green (airport) over ears. In addition to the over ears, I use my Ipod and in-ear buds.

The Ipod/buds alone would seem to be enough to reduce the noise but adding the over-ear muffs, allows me to experience near silence while working. Of course, it's not really silent, but when compared to the surrounding noise, I can only hear a background drone as the tractor/backhoe/chainsaw/other is working.

As said above....when I get done, I don't feel anywhere near as worn out.

 

[Ted Summey]

+1 on hearing protection. Usually I wear foam ear plugs. We have 2 or3 pairs of muffs around. i wear them when it is cold. My dad never wore hearing protection now he wears $3000 hearing aids. He's 79.

 

[Treemonkey1000]

MSN Careers - America's noisiest occupations - Career Advice Article

 

[Turbys_1700]

My dad is 82 years old and has hearing aids and has had numerous skin cancers removed from his face, nose, and ears...
I always put in ear plugs and wear a big brimmed straw hat as a rule...
You really do not realize how loud a 6' RFM is at wide open throttle until you take out your plugs...