Hearing Protection

jdgreg · Mar 24, 2006

I usually wear a set of ear muffs for hearing protection when I'm on the tractor. I ran across a set of these at Home Depot yesterday afternoon, and had to have them. So far, they seem to work very well, and have decent reception inside my Curtis cab. Thought I'd pass it along here.

Go to www.homedepot.com, then type in "hearing protection" in the search field, they'll show up. I tried linking to them, but HD's links are goofed up.

TOL1488 · Mar 24, 2006

I use one of my pairs of shooting ear muffs for just about anything requiring hearing protection. Already own a few sets and they are generally rated much higher than most others you can find.

Check out your local gun shop, if you just want the protection without the weight of a radio.

Highbeam · Mar 24, 2006

Me too. Several pairs laying around for metal work, shooting, and PTO speed tractor work.

If I was ever bored, the radio feature would be nice.

BobG_in_VA · Mar 24, 2006

I shoot a lot and use the same hearing protectors for the tractor. I have used everything from a $9.95 set to over $50. By far the best bang for the buck are Husquvarna (sp?) hearing protectors that I found at Lowes in the power equipment side (next to the Husky power saws). About $18 and well worth it! I use them for shooting as well.. My $.02 worth. BobG in VA

goaliedad · Mar 24, 2006

ditto on the shooting 'muffs- great for the workshop, shooting, and tractor. Isn't putting a radio speaker in a "hearing protection" device a contradiction?? Sorry honey I couldn't hear you because I'm deaf from listening to my hearing protection device. On second thought that may not be so bad.

Pilot · Mar 24, 2006

I have used that headset radio for several years. It's great, except that tuning with the little knob is a hassle since there is no station marking on it. Also, until I superglued it on, the cover over the side without the battery would pop off if it got touched lightly.

Hearing protection: Loudness is limited to 82dB.

Sure helps out when doing boring jobs!

rambler · Mar 24, 2006

Got my wife that unit last year for mowing & other jobs, she's pretty happy. So am I. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Works pretty well.

--->Paul

wushaw · Mar 25, 2006

I have the same set but the reception is not that great so I purchased a different radio (walkman) that got better reception and installed it on a good set of muffs, It works better and if I decide to ever get a MP3 player I can just disconnect the walkman and plug the MP3 player in.

daTeacha · Mar 25, 2006

If you want to get serious about hearing protection, check into the electronic ones that create an "opposite" sound for anything over a safe limit. For each compression wave, it makes an exact mirror image, cancelling out the offending sound. I've used some for sporting clays and it's just amazing. You can hear conversation easily, but the gun shots simply don't seem to happen. This is a whole different animal than the pressure activated mechanical "sonic ear valves". These things really work. You can expect to pay for them, but they're great.

For normal muffs, look for the best fit and the highest dB reduction.

cisco · Mar 25, 2006

The muffs would have to be very good (and anything over 20db is decent, and over 35db takes a combination of muffs and earplugs) to reduce your tractor noise sufficiently for you to hear a radio well without doing so at levels that could damage hearing (90 db plus, though 85db for repeated 8 hour lengths might do such, per OSHA). As to the "sound neutralizers" (basically a 180 degree out of phase sound wave generator), some work well, but cost a bunch (it's the microchip that analyzes complex sound patterns, and a speaker that can handle the frequencies and sound pressure levels needed), with the majority not particularly effective, as in most of the ones sold for mp-3 players, plane flights and so on.
Me, I use the same muffs on the tractor that I do on the target range, except on the range I also have ear plugs in place. The reason is I enjoy a fine stereo system at home, and, on rare occasions, need to pay attention to what my wife is saying.

Pilot · Mar 25, 2006

The Peltor "Worktunes" (and AOSafety, which is the same thing) gives 25dB reduction.

Peltor is a big name in muffs and aviation headsets. We were issued Peltor muffs in the Air Force.

They used to make a version of Worktunes with active noise cancellation, but I couldn't find any today.

Doc_Bob · Mar 26, 2006

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The muffs would have to be very good (and anything over 20db is decent, and over 35db takes a combination of muffs and earplugs) to reduce your tractor noise sufficiently for you to hear a radio well without doing so at levels that could damage hearing (90 db plus, though 85db for repeated 8 hour lengths might do such, per OSHA). As to the "sound neutralizers" (basically a 180 degree out of phase sound wave generator), some work well, but cost a bunch (it's the microchip that analyzes complex sound patterns, and a speaker that can handle the frequencies and sound pressure levels needed), with the majority not particularly effective, as in most of the ones sold for mp-3 players, plane flights and so on.
Me, I use the same muffs on the tractor that I do on the target range, except on the range I also have ear plugs in place. The reason is I enjoy a fine stereo system at home, and, on rare occasions, need to pay attention to what my wife is saying. )</font>

I wear muffs and ear plugs at the same time. It is a "belts and suspenders" philosophy. All of us know that you cannot regain lost hearing. Do whatever you can not to lose any hearing. double hearing protection is only one way, but easy and cheap.
Bob

5030tinkerer · Mar 26, 2006

I bought several pair of these from Harbor Freight when they were on sale for $2. They are the most comfortable pair I have owned and claim a 23dB reduction. They work great!

dubba · Mar 27, 2006

"John Deere" noise canceling headphones at Lowe's with MP3 capability

The noise reduction claimed isn't on the webpage. Maybe someone has a Lowe's nearby & could check on the box??

Hib · Mar 28, 2006

I was at Lowes this afternoon and looked at the JD muffs. Noise reduction is rated at 18db. Has a volume control and require two AA batteries. Not hardly worth 90 bucks IMHO.

dubba · Mar 29, 2006

Thanks for looking, You just saved me a 1 1/4 hour round trip to check them out.

How about these headphones from heartland america? Anybody tried them? They claim 25 decibel reduction. I'm thinking for 19.99 they might be good enough to leave on the tractor.

TOL1488 · Mar 29, 2006

I have 2 pair of these, real good for shooting or running a chain saw but the head band isn't the sturdiest of designs. I haven't had any problems but I wouldn't toss them around.

Leightning 31

I'd like to find some around the neck band ones and some with a sturdier headband with similar specs.

rockyridgefarm · Mar 30, 2006

I have had the Peltor Alert for a while. They are really nice. You can adjust the ambient noise so that you can hear your equipment well, the radio, and those around you. Without destroying your hearing. Much less stress when mowing.

I don;t think that a radio muff without ANR is a safe option, and it is warned against by the equipment manufacturers as well.

RayH · Mar 30, 2006

I dont know how you guys ride around with those muffs bouncing around on your head. It seems like overkill. My tractor just isnt that loud. Its not like shooting or using pneumatic tools or something. I just use ear plugs. I can get hundreds of them from work for free though.

rockyridgefarm · Mar 30, 2006

I use mine when I am doing a lot of mowing. The mower is what is making all the noise, and it can get a little monontonous, so the radio is nice. They fit nicely.