Ear Protection

[petrops]

Hi All

Rleative newbie here and finding that the time on my rig may be causing trouble with my hearing. Is there a generally accepted practice of wearing hearing protection on the tractor? Has anyone else found the noise to affect their hearing?

Thanks

 

[Inspector507]

I use Peltor work Tunes. Listen to the radio while it cuts out the tractor noise.

 

[WCarlson]

I use the Peltor FM radio muffs most of the time. They cut the noise and allow FM radio listening while working. However, I avoid any type of hearing protection whenever I am transiting on the road. I wouldn't want to not hear someone coming up behind me. However, that being said, I probably don't have much hearing left. Forty-four months in Vietnam, as a portion of 33 years in the Navy listening to large guns has done a good job on the middle frequencies. The plus side is that it allows what the wife refers to as "selective hearing". I only hear what I want to hear. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Recommend hearing protection, however, not while transiting on a road.

Bill

 

[RanchMan]

All the time - I use E.A.R. Plugs. Protect your hearing - it's hard (if not impossible) to get it back once it leaves you - an ounce of prevention.....

 

[Bird]

I never wore hearing protection . . . so now I wear two hearing aids. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[bmac]

Here is a lively discussion that took place here about a year ago:

Pro-Ears Debate

 

[BigDave]

I always use earplugs when using the tractor & the weed-whacker. I use ear muffs when I use a chainsaw. I use both plugs & muffs when I use my brush-cutter. Now that's loud. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Also, I started using plugs while flying, and it's definitely an improvement.

 

[lynnmll]

<font color="green">I see that you use the peltor work tunes. How does that cut down the noise vs the friends that talk to you. Can you hear them or do you take the muffs off to talk? I have been looking for something that will cut out the diesel noise and mower, but will let me talk without removing the muffs. I see that peltor has out a new model M2RX7A which has both am/fm and electronic noise reduction. I suppose it is white noise, but I don't know for sure.
I would like to hear some remarks so that I can make a educated choice. </font>

 

[bigpete]

Yup...Peltor Worktunes. Best price can be found at Coastal Tool On-line . If you order through Todd, tell him Pete sent you.

 

[lynnmll]

bigpete
I have looked at Coastal Tool On-line and did see that they had the best price. But on your 2210 when mowing does it cut out the engine noise and let you talk to someone without removing the work tunes?

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I too use ear protection when I am operating the backhoe a lot. My backhoe is actually not NEARLY as loud as my boss's. I will probably get one of those that has a radio in it when I actually work for an excavation company soon and I'll be in a machine way more than I am now.

Blake
WA

 

[bmac]

Sounds like this is what you want:

Pro-Ears

Costly, but supposedly very effective at suppressing harmful noises and amplifying other, non-harmful sounds (like someone calling you for dinner).

 

[Alan L.]

Mrs. Alan L. got me a pair of Remington T2000 earmuffs for Christmas. I use them when shooting my .357 magnum, brushhogging, chainsawing, and weedeating. They work great. They are electronic so you can hear normal sounds, but loud sounds are blocked out. I only wish they had radio built in.

The only problem is that sudden loud sounds are suppressed, and this can be dangerous. I posted pics of the severe damage to my canopy, caused when my wife drove through a limb. She was wearing the ear protection and didn't hear what I heard 150 yards away.

You can hit stuff with the brush hog and the earmuffs make it all sound normal, because the sudden loud noises are taken out. Good on the hearing, and good on the nerves, but you have to be careful.

 

[GregJ]

I always wear ear protection. Tractor, chain saw, pressure washer, log splitter, blower and sometimes even the riding mower. It may be just me, but I find that is cuts down on fatigue as well.

Greg

 

[frank_f15]

any ear protection is better than none. it is mostly a habit u need to get into. i wish i could remember to use them more. eyeprotection i never forget.

 

[WCarlson]

lynnmll,
In response to your querry, when I am trying to carry on a conversation, I usally shut down the tractor and take off the muffs. In my experience the Peltor Work Tunes preclude conversation.

Bill

 

[Richard]

I too, use the Pro ears and in fact, can hear the Wifey talking to me BETTER with them on (and machine running) than with them OFF and it running.... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif sigh.... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I find I absolutly LOVE the silence they otherwise give me. When I got Brutus, I was amazed at how quiet it was for such a big machine... today, I can't belive how much noise it makes (after getting accustomed to the Pro ears being on)


/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[bigpete]

Lynnmll,

It deadens the engine noise but they are not "electronic" hearing protection that is selective for frequencies or responsive to sudden noises. I keep them on while mowing but don't wear them when I need to listen for people or other noises I might need to respond to. The electronic hearing protection models get to be very expensive if you are buying quality models ($300+).

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I've become partial to insta-mold formed protection.
The make them different ways plain or with electonics they are formfitted to your ears only and are very comforable for all day. The foam one seem to give me a headache after a while these have no pressure points. While they are not cheep I've had mine for over 7 years.

insta-mold

cheers
Tony

 

[BB_TX]

I use ear plugs if I operate the tractor more than a few minutes at a time. I tried my shooting muffs, but it is so hot here in the summer time, I found the plugs more comfortable. The plugs have a NRR of 26 so they do a good job. Years of hunting and shooting and my ears are not what they used to be.