ear plugs

[kerr]

Do soft ear plugs work?Or is it a false sence of security ?As in doing damage will you wear em thinkin you are doing good.Or do you sure enough have to lay out large dollars for real protection?

 

[rmorgan]

Kerr--

I use the soft ones all the time on the tractor, mowing, or weedwhacking, and use earmuffs when shooting or usually with the chainsaw. I also use the soft ones when I get stuck in the seat right next to the engine on an airplane, which seems like about every other time I fly. I don't think it's a false sense of security at all, or at least I sure hope it's not; the soft earplugs cut out a big bunch of noise, so how could that be bad?

 

[kerr]

Well,Way high ones ,way low ones I guess.There Is some real sharp fellas around TBN ,maybe something we dont know could be hurtin our hearing.I know I most always have a head ake If I leave em in more that an hour or so at a time.

 

[RanchMan]

They definitely work. Those made by e-a-r (yellow - commonly found sold at shooting ranges & the such) claim a 29 db reduction. When I do things REALLY noisy, I use them and a set of shooter's muffs too. I buy about 250 pair at a time. (~$25). (That many will last me several years)

Dad lost most of his hearing due to shooting without ear protection during his youth. Would like to be a lot like dad in most departments, just not when it comes to hearing. /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://e-a-r.com/html/products/hearing/plug01.htm>http://e-a-r.com/html/products/hearing/plug01.htm</A>

 

[Mrwurm]

RanchMan, I thought I was the only one that uses ear plugs and the headset at the same time. I experienced a bit of hearing loss when I was about 18yrs old from using power tools in a small shop. I don't plan to loose anymore hearing.
Jerry

 

[skipperbrown]

I have moderate hearing loss and I used to shoot a lot. It was really scary to hang out at the shooting range and talk to the old timer highpower shooters. The most frequent thing they say is, What's that again?

I went to an audiogist and discussed my hearing loss w/ him. He told me that the plugs do great *if worn properly* to about 30dB reduction. He prefers them to muffs b/c you can insure a better seal. Adding muffs to plugs in theory will give you up to 55dB+ protection. However, according to my doc, once you get to about 35-40dB protection you have reached the limit. At that point, the sound waves are traveling through your boney head vs. the ear canal so you don't get any further attenuation. That said, I always wear plugs and muffs when shooting. Can't hurt, might help.

For REALLY LOUD situations, you can buy a helmet that encases your whole head and protects your hearing.

Finally, my doc sez if you have to talk loud to be heard, you should be wearing hearing protection. Problem is, you won't know it for 20 to 30 yrs.

mark

 

[kerr]

Thanks all,just thought It couldn't hurt ta ask.The head phones type kinda squeez the ol mellon and are way hot in the summer to me.
happy trails. "TEAM GREEN" Rocks!

 

[deepsnow]

IMO ear & eye protection along with seat belts in a ROPS equiped unit is required operating gear. I leave a pair of the soft plugs(the type with a string attaching left & right) dangling from the steering wheel. Always available for use ,inexpensive and they work.

 

[gordon]

I wear ear plugs, been wearing them for years. In summer the muffs are just too darn hot. In winter the muffs can be a blessing, they keep the ears warmer and also cut out noise.

But summer is earplug time for me anyway.
Gordon

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I worked for Shell for years and the soft type are the ones that offer the most protection over the muff type,a lot more comtorable to wear too(in my opinion).I would buy a box,200 prs in a box.