Ear Protection

[mcrame01]

Could anyone give me a recommendation for ear protection. I recently purchased a utility tractor and was looking for something reasonably priced for ear protection. I don't know which thread it was on, but I know I have seen recommendations before. I'm looking for something with a built in radio. An ipod connection would be ok, but a radio would be prefered. Your recommendation along with the price would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jimainiac]

I got an "earmuff" radio at Home Depot, called "Worktunes". I think it was around fifty bucks, AM-FM. Have had it a couple of years. I like it a lot, use it all the time on the tractor.

 

[teg]

"...reasonably priced..." No, not really but there are these:

QuieTunes™ AM/FM Radio Earmuffs, Safety - GEMPLER'S

They are not the cheapest company to order from...

 

[mcrame01]

Thanks. Those are both are pretty much what I'm looking for. I have been doing some research and the Peltor worktunes with Digital tuner look like they would fit my bill. I like the idea of a digital tuner. I get sick trying to dial in stations and they have an ipod plug which is nice. I will check out home depot to see what they have. Once again, thanks for the input and keep them coming. It is nice to know that you are satisfied with your worktunes. If anyone else has feedback it would be appeciated.

 

[sugarmaple]

I bought two pairs of rechargeable elvex Com 80 R fm stereo muffs about eight years ago. They were expensive at the time, but both are still ticking and the original batteries have stood the test of time and considerable abuse, certainly doing better than my various other cordless tools. I got the second pair as reconditioned from the distributor after having some minor snafu with the original pair. They were considerably less expensive than the retail pair. Service by the distributor was first rate. The distributor is Elvex Corporation; 13 Trowbridge Dr.; Bethel, CT; 06801. Customer service is 800-888-6582; phone 203 743-2488; fax 203-791-2278 and website is Elvex.com.

In the crazy expensive category are the electronic loud noise cancelling/soft sound amplifying type muffs that the military uses. If I remember correctly, they are a Peltor product, (the company that makes the Worktunes muff which did not have as good reception as my Elvex units, albeit at 1/3 the price.) I have many pairs of plain Peltor muffs of various noise reduction ratings and they are uniformly excellent, durable, rebuildable with fresh innards, comfortable and effective. I have been thinking in my dotage that amplifying earmuffs might be just the ticket for hunting the wily whitetail. These seem to start around 200 and go up from there. Don't remember if radio is an option...In either brand, it might do to inquire about reconditioned units. I made a mental note to do this the next time, but the need has not presented itself in the past 8 years. Happy shopping!

 

[daTeacha]

Midway USA, a shooting sports provider, offers some electronic noise cancelling earmuffs from Caldwell for $35. They sometimes have them on sale for less than half that. I got a pair for $15 not too long ago. They don't have a radio, but you can pretty much hear normal sounds and not loud ones. Put them on, talk to someone, and clap your hands hard. You hear the conversation but not the handclap. Run the chainsaw, and you can converse with someone without hearing the saw. It's weird, but they work great and don't break the bank even at the regular price. The company is almost totally catalog/internet sales. Put the name into one word and add a dot com for the website.

 

[chetorba]

I use my IPOD with the ear buds and then wear the $1.99 ear muffs from Harbor Freight over the ear buds. Listen to the music I like, no commercials and cheap!

Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

 

[jimainiac]

I use my IPOD with the ear buds and then wear the $1.99 ear muffs from Harbor Freight over the ear buds. Listen to the music I like, no commercials and cheap!

Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

That's a good idea. I think I'll try that when we move out of radio reception range.

 

[smfcpacfp]

I use shooting ear muffs and throw away ear plugs. When you get to my age, you will wish you did everything imaginable to save your hearing.

 

[RalphVa]

Ear muffs work A LOT BETTER than ANY ear plugs. Bought a set at an estate sale and was astonished at the difference. Both my ear have prosthesis. They get very rattled by high noise like from the shredder/chipper or chain saw. The ear muffs do a great job keeping the noise out. I'd NEVER be listening to LOUD music. It'll ruin your ears as surely as letting the machinery noise in.

Learn to revel in the silence. Take a walk through the woods and listen for the wildlife or just revel in the silence. Shed yourself of this junk once in a while, even the clothes.

Ear damage from having too much noise too long can't be fixed. Mine could, as it was due to otosclerosis (causing boney formations around the stapes bones and rendering them almost ineffective in transmitting noise to the nerves within).

Ralph

 

[mcrame01]

I agree Ralph. Sometimes it is nice to have total peace and quiet. For me, that time is in the deer stand. There is something about being behind a steering wheel and not having music that drives me crazy though. Good idea about the earbuds and regular earmuffs Chet. I never even thought of that.

 

[Botabill]

I use shooting ear muffs and throw away ear plugs. When you get to my age, you will wish you did everything imaginable to save your hearing.

I'm with smfcpacfp but with an add on. Forget about a radio in those muffs. What you are doing by closing in sound while similtaneousltrying competing with outside sound sources may be worse than operating a tractor without hearing protection. I don't know what decibel level of noise is generated in radio ear 'protection?' but it must be significant. I have tenitus (constant whistling, roaring, buzzing and white noise in my ears) caused by a life of moderate music and machines. It ain't pleasant and if I could go back I'd make some changes but they wouldn't include radio ear 'protection?' . I will never again be able to hear silence so listen to Ralph, get the best muffs possible and enjoy the silence while you can.

 

[Squeak n Itch]

Strongly advise, in addition to earmuffs, to have disposable earplugs in several locations including the cars, tractor and shop. Can't believe how many times I have had to go to the car to retrieve the ear protection during wedding receptions!

It always seems that the loud noises happen when I least expect.

My business income depends on my ability to discern subtle sounds.

 

[EddieWalker]

I buy the disposable ear plugs at Lowes that have about a hundred or more of them in the package. I keep a pair in my pocket at all times due to work or just doing stuff around the house. I also have them in my jacket pockets and in a couple of my tool boxes.

I've tried a few brands of ear muffs that have been cheap to fairly pricey. They all seem to do the job, but after a few hours, tend to squeeze my skull, which begins to hurt.

There are hearing places that make custom molded ear plugs that are supposed to be rated at almost totally effective. From what I'm told, the soft, foam ear plugs are almost as good since they mold to the ear cavity.

Eddie

 

[jsborn]

Ear muffs or plugs will work fine but you may want to think of all the sounds you drowned out with music that you should be hearing. I can tell more about how my equip is operating by the sounds it makes than i can by watching it.

Just a thought ???

 

[toddler]

I'm going to chime in and disagree with using electronic shooting earmuffs. I have a pair from Peltor, and they're great for shooting where they basically turn off the amplifier if you clap your hands or there's a loud sound. But on a tractor, it's a constant high sound level.

So you'd have the same results if you turn the earmuffs off while you're on the tractor, as you would if you have them on. I just use regular set of Peltors 99% of the time.

If you plan to listen to music under your hearing protection, I'd opt for the highest level of protection available so you don't have to play the music too loud.

Peltor H10 ! ! ! 30 Db. At your door for $30.

Peltor H10 H10A Earmuffs Ear Muffs Optime 105 Hi-Viz - eBay (item 280176886933 end time Apr-21-08 15:20:13 PDT)

If you don't want to just lift the earcup to speak, you can get these:
Peltor Muff H7: Peltor® PTL™ Over-the-head Earmuff H7A-PTL, H7A-PTL SHIPS FREE on orders $29.95 & up

But they are less effective.

Less protective earmuffs like the Worktunes AM/FM are only 19db protection. The better Peltor Worktunes FM are 24db, but I'd want more if I wanted to be able to hear music at a safe level.

Regards,
Todd

 

[jbrumberg]

I use NRR 32 earplugs sometimes with my safety helmet earphones. A bottle of NRR 32's (40 pairs) costs about $8.00 at a pharmacy. Cheap insurance in the long run, and like many of the "elderly" posters , I too suffer from the effects of long term noise exposure . Save your hearng while you can. Jay

 

[zapper]

Does anyboby know who sells the digital worktunes earrmuffs?

 

[WarrenF]

Heck, just break the filters off of unsmoked cigarettes....stick them in your ears and they will work just fine. That is what we used when I was in the military.

 

[mab]

Wow! Its great to read of so many people wearing hearing protection; I thought I was the exception. Like earlier posters, I keep several pairs of the yellow E.A.R foam cylinders in most of my work jackets, toolboxes, and scattered around the shop. If I'm doing something particularly noisy, I will sometimes throw on a pair of Peltor P9's AND foam plugs. The plugs have a NRR of 22, which I figure cuts the top 22 dB off the long term ambient noise. I have also found them useful in Hotels and for travelling, where peace and quite can get you a good nights sleep. I find that I can re-use the foam plugs (throwing them in a mesh bag and into the washing machine when they get really grimy!) As for hearing the machinery, yes its important, but I find that I can still hear through the plugs. On the flip side, studies have shown constant loud noise is fatiguing. And to that end, I'm more relaxed (but still alert) when I don't have the 110 dB Husqvarna whailing in my ear! Interesting thread. My $0.02.