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.