Hearing protection

[normanb]

I use a set of over the ear peltor's I use for shooting with a pair of bose in-ear active noise-canceling headphones. It works well.

 

[skipperbrown]

I put a pair of orange foam ear plugs in my pocket every day. I wear them every time I do something that is going to be noisy. Most of the time when I'm cutting a lot of wood, I just keep them in all day. When I'm going to do something extra super loud, I put in the ear plugs and also put on a set of head phones. This is for shooting, using a grinder or cutting metal. I've been doing it for 30 years and feel that my hearing is better then most people my age. I plan to continue doing this the rest of my life. You just have to get used to doing it every time you are dealing with loud noise, and most importantly, have the ear plugs with you. They may not be considered the very best at stopping noise by some people, but they are better then nothing, and when installed properly, I feel that they do a great job.

This is just smart. Hearing loss is progressive. You lose a little bit every time you are exposed to noise that requires you to yell to be heard. If you use plugs or muffs every time you are around a loud environment such as chainsaws, small engines, gunfire, tractors, grinders, etc etc, you will have noticeably better hearing in your 50s, 60s, and beyond. Even with hearing protection, you will lose some hearing. If you don't believe me, just hang out with the high power old timers at any gun range. They are either yelling at each other or saying, "Huh?" Start early protecting your hearing and make sure your kids always have hearing protection available if they are going to be around loud stuff.

According to my audiologist, about 30-33 dB of protection is the best we can achieve without going to a helmet style hearing protector. Once you hit this ceiling, the noise simply finds its way to your inner ear through your head/bone instead of your ear canal. 30 to 33 dB of protection is what a good set of cheap foam plugs provide IF IF IF they are placed properly in the ear canal. Since we don't always get a good fit with plugs, my audiologist recommends muff with plugs if the sound exposure is really loud. That way you get the best noise reduction at a reasonable cost.

 

[gsganzer]

I wish I took better care of my hearing over the years. From my early days running a tractor during the weekends/summers, to doing tree/forestry work through college to working in power plants and refineries as an adult. Every industry I've ever worked in has been an assault on my hearing and years ago there was never an emphasis on hearing conservation like there is today.

I've used foam plugs regularly for years, but I also bought some molded ear plugs a few years ago. They cost me about $150 and have interchangeable noise reduction filters (9db, 15db and 25 db). I wear the molded ones for long duration jobs like tractor mowing.

 

[Jstpssng]

I have foam inserts scattered throughout my buildings, and several pair in each truck. I put then in and often forget that they are even there. When running chainsaw I use the inserts but also wear the muffs on my hardhat. Otherwise I will still hear it running long after I shut it off.

 

[Richard]

I notice a lot of the professionals with loud å±*obs (like shooters) will have foam ear plugs in and then put on ear muffs. I could see some ear buds for music under some ear muffs helping.

That's what I do. I have some ear buds going to my little Ipod in my pocket. Have various tunes on it. That situation alone, will knock out a lot of noise however, I then put my bright lime green (bought color because wife likes it)

3M PELTOR Optime 15 Earmuffs H1A HV, Over-the-Head, 1 EA/Case | 3M United States

I think they reduce noise by about 30 db's.

Even with all that, you can still hear the thrum of the machinery and if something happens (run over a branch, blow a rod...) you will still hear it. My brother in law told me once he didn't believe in hearing protection because he felt it diminished his ability to hear his equipment and if something happened, he wanted to be able to hear it.

I just shook my head.... (he also thinks the moon landing was a giant hoax among other goofy ideas)

I tried to tell him you can get accustomed to the sound and still hear things, they're just at a reduced level.

Not so sure he heard me. (<--see what I did there)

 

[PILOON]

Well some advice from an old guy,---

I ran noisy old outboard motors in my youth,
Flew noisy aircraft.
Ran noisy chain saws.
Worked in a can factory when 18.

Today I am deaf in the higher levels (over 1000 Hz).
Tolerable as long as no background noise and generally if I can see lips I can comprehend most conversation.
Forget a 'noisy bar scene ' so to speak.

Wear noise protection all the time!
Don't take chances!

 

[RalphVa]

I use ear muffs. Think noise cancelling stuff would be just putting noise back that your ears don't need, and you actually need some hearing to be aware of any dangerous stuff or changes to equipment noise that could signal a problem.

I've had tinnitus for years due to ottosclerosis that developed and was later repaired. Now, the ears are getting more tinnitus due to age damage to those little hairs in there. Creeping Charlie has something in it that will cancel the tinnitus, but only for 2 or 3 weeks in the early spring when the new leaves are out. Make it into a tea. The ear professionals need to find out what that stuff is and to make it into a pill.

Ralph

 

[Motorboatin]

Noise cancelling wouldn't defeat the purpose at all. I'm just not sure what their limits would be with extra loud noises.

I currently use regular ear muffs with a radio built in. They do pretty well at lowering the dB's. You could always use muffs over plugs for ultimate protection.

Doubling up on ear protection doesn't increase the NRR dramatically. OSHA says the NRR is increased by 5 dB and even that is only at certain frequencies. Muffs can be better for loud sudden sounds like rifle fire since they protect the bone structure around the ear from the sound wave but plugs have a higher NRR

If it's hot I like plugs and in the cold I prefer muffs

 

[Monster5601]

Doubling up on ear protection doesn't increase the NRR dramatically. OSHA says the NRR is increased by 5 dB and even that is only at certain frequencies. Muffs can be better for loud sudden sounds like rifle fire since they protect the bone structure around the ear from the sound wave but plugs have a higher NRR

That makes sense and explains why plugs were uncomfortable at the range but were fine when mowing. I use muffs at the range or when chainsawing, plugs otherwise.

 

[Threepoint]

A good alternative to the disposable foam plugs is the Radians do-it-yourself custom plugs. You mix a catalyst into the polymer material, then mold to your outer ear canal area. Just like the custom ear plugs you can have made at gun shows, etc. NRR rating of 26 dB, according to the manufacturer.

The kit is only $10 to $12, depending on vendor. Here's a link on Amazon, but I see that Northern Tool, Walmart and many others now have them online also.
https://www.amazon.com/Radians-CEP002-P-Custom-Earplugs/dp/B004Y7CP3A/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&hvadid=78134110623869&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&keywords=radians+ear+plugs&qid=1573568582&sr=8-8

I've been using them for six or seven years. I keep a set with my shooting kit, one in the cab tractor, one in the workshop, and another for use with the open station tractors and other outdoor equipment.

 

[PILOON]

I'll add, anything is better than nothing!

 

[tradosaurus]

Since I am working around or in trees I always wear this while on tractor

 

[Rebeldad1]

When I am just doing general tractor stuff I like to be able to hear whats going on around me.
I wear this (Howard Leight Quiet Band Supra-Aural Banded Earplugs, NRR 25) around my neck all the time. My wife calls it my tractor bling. These are great for tractor work and still lets me somewhat hear whats going on.

For loud sawing etc I use over the ear muffs

 

[ericm979]

I like the 3M Peltor muffs. They come in a number of dBs of attenuation and there's also a couple Worktunes models which have ways of playing music.

The higher dB ones have deeper cups. At least for my ears and the muffs I have, the high dB regular ones are more comfortable than the Worktunes. Those press on my ears and become uncomfortable after a couple hours.

 

[mrmikey]

I've got the ISOTunes Pro https://isotunes.ca/collections/hearing-protection/products/isotunes-pro-2 , After trying half a dozen or so different types, (I've got odd shaped ear holes I guess LOL) I've found them the best, they block noise and have good audio and don't hurt my ears after wearing them for a day. Battery lasts over a day and they aren't bulky. Only complaint is the actual earpieces are expensive for what they are and you have to be careful not to split the inner piece.
I've also got a pair of ION earmuffs, ION Audio Tough Sounds | Battery-Powered Bluetooth-Enabled Noise Reduction Headphones For Superior Hearing Protection with Hands-Free Calling and AM/FM Radio : Amazon.ca: Electronics they too are comfortable but they make my head sweat and are bulky. On the positive side, they are very good blocking noise also and the sound quality is excellent...........Mike

 

[HST4Me]

I don't get on a tractor without a set of my Elgin Ruckus (I prefer the "discord" bluetooth as it can take and make calls) earpiece/earbuds. OSHA compliant 25db noise reduction isn't the absolute best, but it's plenty for me and I forget they're there. The quality of speaker is such that I prefer them for PC gaming and movie watching as well. Be smart friends.

 

[orangetree]

I use 3m EEP-100 "electronic earplugs". Lets me hear conversations, and has earplug-level noise protection. I use https://www.amazon.com/EEP-100-Rechargeable-Construction-Manufacturing-Maintenance/dp/B07P8YDBZD . They make a version with bluetooth audio (for your music) as well - and I see on amazon several companies with similar.

to answer your question which I think is about normal consumer noise-canceling: **NO** these will not protect your hearing unless specifically stated to do so. The typically noise-cancellation tech replays the sound you hear "backwards" (inverse) which "cancels" it - but this isn't perfect and it's an unknown how much energy is getting to your ears.

Another option is to use normal foam (nearly free) earplugs, and when you want to hear music use a "bone conduction" headphone set like aftershokz.

 

[newbury]

I am becoming more concerned with my Tinnitus I have had for years. It seems to be getting worse. Seems like sitting on a tractor running a brush hog can't be good. I am using just ear muffs now. Are any of you using the noise cancelling head phones with music? Would these provide good ear protection?

This type thread seems to come up every year.
As I've written before I've been using some form of NC headphones w/ music for nearly 40 years. I've gone through 2 pair of worktunes, several off brand, but have decided on using good BT earbuds in good Noise Reduction Safety Ear Muffs drawing off music/radio on my cell phone or other device. One of the problems I found was that when I had 1 good pair /edit - of noise canceling with music/ they were rarely where I needed them and I couldn't afford to keep lot's of pairs.
Good muffs come up for sale every so often and last for years. I had been buying Howard Leight, but they got expensive.
I can usually just cram the buds in the foam of the muffs. I try to keep a pair of muffs near all equipment that makes enough noise.
So I've pairs with each tractor, my chainsaws, the brushcutters, the power washers, the lawnmowers. my sawmill. And I keep few pair of BT earbuds handy.
Sight and hearing are very important, protect them well.

 

[Monster5601]

I know people who don't want to wear hearing aids. They say that they would rather die. And I don't understand why. First, there is a wide choice of hearing aid supplies online, and it is possible to choose even those that are completely invisible. Second, it is better to hear (or am I wrong?). I want to say that it is better to learn from the experience of others. Be careful and take care of your hearing.

While the reasons for hearing loss and the types of hearing loss (frequency sensitivity, audio levels) vary widely, there are few if any workable hearing aid solutions for most of us, thus the resistance. I've tried hearing aids from $50 to over $4k and they all have the same issues, as you move around in different environments, for example, outside, the cab of your vehicle, an event, a family get together, a store, and areas with echoing, etc. Each area change requires an adjustment to the hearing aid, some offer a Smartphone app that just adds additional complexity while others have super-micro buttons you try to find and push. It is non-stop and most of us simply fall to exhaustion.

In my case, I lost all hearing and inner ear function on my right side, and loss of frequency ranges in my left ear, both from the results of septic shock. I tried hearing aids but just got tired of constantly having to adjust them for the environment I was in. My ENT doctor told me the only thing I can do is protect what hearing I have left. I use an in-the-ear solution, a forestry helmet, or Worktunes if I don't need to wear a hat.

 

[IrishLoader]

I just stumbled on this and guilty of the tough guy approach when I was a young man. A Continental Twin turbo V-12 can be a tad noisy. But one thing is sure, shooting in a "house" or through baffles with unsuppressed rifles can be worse. I have found through trial and error that replacing batteries or being forgetful( leaving them on) can be a pain. If I can I double up on ear pro and my go to because of expence is a set of Sure Fire mechanicals, no battery and a noise reduction baffle unless plugged.
EarPro | SureFire

On top of those during range time I add a set of Howard Leight Impact noise reduction low pro muffs.
https://www.howardleightshootingsports.com/