hearing protection and baffling the brain

[jimg]

When I use my tractor for anything but moving in and out of the barn I use hearing protection in the form of muffs. I understand why this is good and agree w/ it. However, wearing such protection can have unexpected consequences (side effects). By that I mean the sound reaching your ears has been 'filtered' and is only part of what was created. In effect they alter normally recognizable sounds unrecognizable. It can also have the opposite effect screening out 'white noise' so your ears hear clearly what was previously 'unhearable'.

For instance, this last w/e I was moving a lot of dirt/gravel and there were times when I was hearing thumping noises from my tractor that I couldnt hear w/ the muffs off. I tracked it down to vibration noise....no problem. In fact the noise I heard w/ muffs on wouldnt have been the sound I expected to hear from the parts in question. So, the lesson I learned again is that attention w/ all senses is vital when operating a tractor. If theyre not agreeing its time to stop and understand the situation.

 

[fivestring]

Using hearing protection definitely gets you more in tune with sounds of a tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
I switched from muffs to plugs.
The average db drop with muffs is 23.
The average db drop with plugs is 28.
One set of muffs (I still own 2 pairs) cost $15-$35.
One box of 100 pairs of plugs -- $20.
Plus, muffs get too hot in the warmer months.

 

[jimg]

My muffs are multi-purpose...shop, range, tractor and as a ruse when I dont want any 'input' /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif.

I wonder, do plugs and muffs filter different ranges of sound?

Yes, muffs are hot in the summer but then again I couldnt come away from mowing w/o looking like Ive worked. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif They also keep the black flys away from my ears (and out of them).

I have the Peltor red type and theyre supposed to be good to 25dB or there abouts. Before I got the tractor I used them in a shop environment and they work really good for that. Guess Im just not a fan of stuffing spongy things in my ears. I will admit though there are times on the range the muffs get in the way...then I wished I had plugs. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Egon]

Iusually wear both plugs and muffs.

Egon

 

[Poppa]

I like Muffs just because they are easier to take on and off. Seems like when I use plugs and I need to remove them for a minute I look down at my dirty hands and those dirty plugs and if I don't have a new pair handy, I go without.

I definitely believe that hearing protection is the smart thing to do. My ears are too important to me. Also, I definitely agree with whoever said that the earmuffs go along way to stopping unwanted input /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Mike

 

[Boiler74]

I have a set of Worktunes made by Peltor that are rated at 25 db and have a radio in them. The radio is governed at a safe level, so you can't destroy your hearing while wearing the muffs. They work great. And when I'm working in the trees with lots of branches, I wear my chainsaw helmet with ear muffs and a face guard. It's saved me on more than one occassion from some pretty nasty cuts.

I find hearing protection a necessity any time I am running my tractor, simply due to the hydro tranny. I love it, don't get me wrong, but the whine drives me nuts. So I put them on even to move it a few hundred feet.

J.

 

[Inspector507]

Boiler,
I use the Worktunes as well. I can still hear the engine and the mower sounds, so I'll know right away if anything is wrong. The most important thing for me is enjoy the tunes without blocking everything else out. Keep your mind on what you're doing and let the music be in the background.

 

[jimg]

Oh, the radio adds an entirely new dimension to this discussion. So, w/ the radio on can you adequately hear your machine?

 

[Inspector507]

Yes I can........the Worktunes limits the volume limit and it works for me.

 

[txdon]

I use Pro Ears. I learned about them about a year ago on TBN from this thread .

 

[Soundguy]

I originally worried that wearing muffs would 'mask' important tractor noises i needed to hear. I too found out that it was the opposite. Most of the bad tractor 'feedback' info is vibration conducted anyway.. save squeals, etc.. which still seem to be audible thru muffs.

Soundguy

 

[Egon]

When working in a plant environment with many larger Natural gas compressors the hearing protection appeared to filter out many irrevant noises.

Talking from a non proven base I always had the impression the higher pitched sounds were deleted while the low end frequencies remained.

For me the hearing protection was a definet asset in determing problem sounds.

Egon

 

[Soundguy]

You can get custom muffs that filter in different ranges.. I have some for shooting that act as a 'band pass filter'
2-3khz comes thru for talking.. everything else is dropped a considerable amount.. I also have shooting muffs that don't do much exept for attenuate fast attack high spl's..

Soundguy

 

[Richard]

If you look closely at that thread... me thinks you will see someones signature there, that is awfully similar to someone here 'now'. Hmmm (other than it being painted pink maybe, but that's a whole different topic)

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Oh, and because of that thread, I also bought & use & LOVE my pro-ears. The ability to play music is kinda nice too...I"m in process of trying to find a portable DVD player (without screen) that will play MP3 files, as I've discovered I can put about 72 full CD's onto one DVD /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif and be able to take a vast variety of music with me when I'm cutting the fields. As I told my friend the other day, if this works, you might see me out there "playing the (air) piano, (to a classical type pianast) or air guitar to Deep Purple"

he just rolled his eyes.... (not UNLIKE my wife does)

/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[texbaylea]

Has anyone purchased the Pro-Ears on that deal lately? Is it still in effect? I, too have tinnitis, and want to continue to protect my hearing. My tinnitis came from taking naproxen sodium for my arthritis. Be careful you Aleve takers. After driving an Kubota L3130 compared to my old IH 444, switching to the L3130 will go a long ways to help.

 

[fivestring]

<font color="red">"Iusually wear both plugs and muffs." </font>

Ah, a safety man, eh, Egon?

Do you wear a belt AND suspenders? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Egon]

Gary:

No belt. No suspenders.

Coveralls --- comfort.

I do have documented hearing loss in certain frequency ranges. Need all the help I can get.

Spent a lot of time in environments of around 120 decibels.

Egon