Hearing protection + Music

[Will_C]

I have used 2 pair of work tunes . I am not an audiophile, but they keep the noise andet me listen to the radio-and has been pointed out previously, if they get damaged I'll only be out $50.

Will

 

[Scott_F]

Look for some ear buds that accept Comply brand foam tips - they're essentially expandable foam ear plugs with an opening in them for the audio. I have a set, compliments of the USN, that are rewired for a standard mini plug and they work great. I'm pretty sure there are commercial alternatives that also take Comply tips. You do have to replace the tips after a few uses, but they provide pretty good noise attenuation.

 

[yankeerider]

After going through 2 pairs of worktunes I tried a pair of Howard Leight Sync stereo earmuffs. Although they are wired, I tuck the wire into my shirt connected to my phone in a waist holster and haven't had any issues. They claim a maximum NRR of 25, but are probably not so good if wearing glasses. Still, I can hear the music -and equipment sounds- fine without the volume being turned all the way up, regardless of whether I'm on my tractor or using the splitter or woodchipper. I like the idea of Bluetooth, but the Syncs were under $30 when I first ordered them. I have a second pair on hand just in case.

 

[N80]

Thanks guys. Will look into all of these options. I abused my ears when I was young (guns and rock music) so now I have hearing loss in my left ear and ringing in both ears (24/7). I now try to wear hearing protection for everything, even the shop vac and power drills, etc. Listening to music while mowing all day sure helps pass the time so a good combo will be nice.

 

[N80]

And here is the funny thing.....for us older guys: hearing going bad so need protection. Try ear plugs. Great but no music. Try ear muffs + ear buds, works okay but my glasses make ear muffs not work as well. Go without glasses. Now have trouble seeing iPhone to turn music on. Also, have sun damage on nose and cheeks. Don't want skin cancer. Need hat while mowing. Regular hat won't fit over ear muffs and has wide brim so ear muffs don't fit over hat. Find hat big enough to fit over ear muffs. Look like doofus.

Moral of the story: I need a cab. Which I would destroy within a day.

 

[mjw]

Just watch out for electronic muffs that amplify low threshold sounds along with the audio input.
Howard Leight Sports work Ok on the range, cutting out gunfire.
But a lawn tractor isn't loud enough to cut out, and the audio input and microphones are live at the same time.
Meaning that as you turn up the volume of your music, your also turning up the volume of the tractor noise.

Very useless in that application, I just keep my old school muffs around for that or turn the volume off on the HL's.

 

[N80]

Has anyone actually tried any of the high dollar models like the Bose while on a tractor?

 

[Greenland South]

Bose noise cancelling head phones work for me. Nice thing about them is you don't have to turn up the volume to enjoy the music. I was initially concerned about not being able to hear what the tractor was doing, however I developed a "feel" for what was going on with the tractor in pretty short order.

 

[N80]

Bose noise cancelling head phones work for me. Nice thing about them is you don't have to turn up the volume to enjoy the music. I was initially concerned about not being able to hear what the tractor was doing, however I developed a "feel" for what was going on with the tractor in pretty short order.

Good to know. I'm not exactly the guy your signature quote is referring to, but I'm close. I love finding a good value....especially the best bang for the buck. Sometimes you have to buy and experience the 'junk' before you find the best quality vs price point. I've always thought Bose stuff was overpriced and over-hyped but I've heard such good things about these headsets that I'm actually considering them. But the $300 price tag makes me feel faint ;-) . The Beats don't get as good reviews and cost about the same. I don't fly very often and I'm not an audiophile but I do like music and do fly occasionally so I might could justify the cost or find a used pair on eBay.

 

[TheSpoon]

I've got a few items on my Amazon list to pick up. These headphones come highly rated by some woodworkers I know who use them all day in the shop. Figure they should be good for tractor use:

Howard Leight 111 Sync Noise-Blocking Stereo Earmuff - Safety Ear Muffs - Amazon.com

Then use a male-to-male jack (Amazon.com: 3.5mm Stereo Male to Male Adapter: Cell Phones & Accessories) to connect to a bluetooth adaptor (Amazon.com: Outdoor Tech OT61 ADAPT - Bluetooth Adapter for 3.5mm Devices (Black): Electronics) so I can use my phone. If you want to stay wired to an iPod or something else without bluetooth, these won't be needed of course.