A quick Ear muff comparison

[Bruce Page]

The resent thread “Best and most comfortable ear protection” got me looking around for a second pair of muffs. I wear 3M Peltor X5A muffs in the shop and particularly when running my cnc router. Rated at NRR of 31 dB they work very well.
I found a pair of Fnova muffs on Amazon claiming NRR of 34 dB for an unbelievably cheap price of $12.99 and had to give them a shot.
Running the PC7518 in my Benchdog lift at full tilt I could not tell any noticeable difference between the $13 Fnova and the $35 3M muffs. I can’t comment on durability but the Fnova’s will be used as a second set. Comfort level was about the same for both.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AFOJ3HG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/3M-X5A-Hearing-Conservation-Earmuffs/dp/B013PGSBFG/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=3M+Peltor+X5A&qid=1567127155&s=gateway&sr=8-7

[Brian Tymchak]

Good stuff Bruce! Have been considering a couple additional sets of muffs. Price on those Frovas is too good to pass up as a cheap experiment. Just ordered a couple pairs.

Thanks for the tip!

[Jim Becker]

I just ordered a pair to check them out, Bruce. It will be interesting to me to see how comfortable the foam is since that's the most irritating thing about wearing this style of over-ear protection without spending big bucks for stuff like Bose. Amazon says I'll have them tomorrow. :)

[Gary Petersen]

I bought a pair of ClearArmor 141001 ear muffs about three years ago and have been really pleased with them. The claimed a 31 dB reduction (actual 34 dB less 3 dB required by the ANSI standard against how these are rated) then but I do not see a claimed reduction now on the Amazon listing for them or the product page at the seller's website. They have a FAQ question that claims them at the same 31 dB but not claiming a NRR value seems suspect to me. I sent a question to them asking about that. In any case, they're selling for $14.95 on Amazon and have been great. I'm due to buy a second pair as one of the mounting stems stripped out its snap fit a couple of months ago. I was able to drill a hole and add a screw but ought to have a second pair on hand.

Thanks for the tip. Gary

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NKSMPZW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Bill Carey]

Thanks Bruce - was looking for a new pair of muffs.
And you really need to clean that table saw - I see a piece of dust in the lower left corner! :D

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Thanks Bruce - was looking for a new pair of muffs.
And you really need to clean that table saw - I see a piece of dust in the lower left corner! :D

Bill I know Bruce and have visited his shop. I suggest you clean your monitor and then look at the photo again!;)

[Brian Holcombe]

A pair with foam that breathes would be nice, don’t care the cost.

[Bill Carey]

LOL - will do

[Rick Potter]

This post made me curious about my ear muffs. I bought them when the ShopSmith stores were going out of business, maybe 25 years ago. They are like new, and I have often used them when routing and running my little planer.

Mine have no markings at all on them except that they are made in USA by Tasco, Providence R.I. They are red with black ear cushions, and have some sort of foam rubber inside.

Could they be made before ratings were used? OR are they just cheap imitations of good ones from that long ago.

They seem to work well and really muffle noise, but I have no way of measuring their effectiveness. I know that a Tasco made rifle scopes, and am guessing they may have been originally made for shooting?

[John K Jordan]

I use two kinds in the shop and around the farm.

I use these electronic muffs when shooting varmints and when there is a second person in the shop. They have microphones on the outside, headphones on the inside, and a volume control Both of us can hear normal conversation but any loud noise such as a saw cuts off the sound immediately. They are great when going after varmints, especially at night, since I can turn up the volume and hear a lot better than I can with just my ears. Loud sound from a firearm is cut off immediately. I also use them when target shooting, especially with another person or two.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001T7QJ9O

I like these bright yellow 3M ear muffs otherwise, mostly since they are so bright I can easily spot where I set them down. I use these when mowing on the big zero turn or running the bobcat.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0017YLTAI

Neither of these have the higher ratings you mentioned but I think they are more than adequate for shop and farm.

JKJ

[Carl Beckett]

I have two sets of these for years, look very similar. They work quite well, I am not sure what could be improved about them. Looking on Amazon shows $22. Turns out they are made by 3M (wonder if 3M bought the company). I wonder what design feature is the most critical to achieve dB spec. My first guess is the seal between your head and the cup. So higher squeezing force might seal better (but that may mean discomfort). Might be a direct tradeoff. Next time I will try those you listed Bruce, nice find.

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I do remember the saying by Norm: The best hearing protection is the one that gets used....

As a side note, these have made it to two concerts. Imagine Dragons and Katy Perry. Each a different kid went, and I brought 1 set of these. I ended up without because both times the music was so LOUD it was definitely damaging, and unpleasant for the kids. So they wore these during the concert which put the noise level about right. Got some smiles and chuckles from others. In one case I had an extra set of foam plugs for me, but in the other case I resorted to stuffing napkins in my ears.

[John K Jordan]

...in the other case I resorted to stuffing napkins in my ears.

Been there, done that. :)

The problem with concert volume is the sound level is controlled by people who long ago lost much of their hearing at concerts.

JKJ

[Tom M King]

Thanks Bruce. Those are cheap enough to have a pair hanging on each machine.

I always have a pair of foamies in my pocket.

[Jim Becker]

I received my pair yesterday...and found them this morning as the Amazon delivery person ignored the "packages to other door" sign. :) They are very quiet for sure, but it will be interesting to see if they are actually comfortable for wearing over a period of time. They are new and somewhat "tight", too, so they are going to have to relax a bit. I have to chuckle with the way the box is marked "noise cancelling"...that could be confusing on a retail shelf if anyone thinks they are anything like active noise cancelling muffs that sell for, um...a few more shekels... ;)

[Bruce Page]

A nice feature of the Fnova’s is their ability to close up snuggly when not in use, a feature I wish the 3M muffs had. I always have to double check the 3M’s for shop critters.. :eek:

I wore the Fnova’s for a few hours yesterday running my cnc router. Performance was very good and the comfort level was on par with the 3M muffs.

[Brian Tymchak]

Got my 2 pair yesterday. First impression is positive. They certainly fit tight over my ears, at least compared to my 35 year old Silencios that I've been using. Will put them to the test this Tuesday in a pretty loud production shop.

I also noticed how compact they store. Very nice. They'll fit better in my small duffel I carry all the gear in.

[John K Jordan]

A nice feature of the Fnova’s is their ability to close up snuggly when not in use, a feature I wish the 3M muffs had. I always have to double check the 3M’s for shop critters.. :eek:


That's not good. The yellow 3M I use and most of the others in my shop are tight when at rest.

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Maybe they've learned from early mistakes.

JKJ

[Brian Holcombe]

I ordered a pair of Peltors, these are much better than the other two 3m ear covers I have.

[Dennis Peacock]

Good info.
Due to me and the summer heat not getting along very well, I dislike wearing over-the-ear hearing protection in the summer months. I researched and found these:
Decibullz - Custom Molded Earplugs, 31dB
https://www.decibullz.com/custom-molded-earplugs/

I found that I really like the comfort of these and especially with them form-fitting to my own ears. Comfortable and not hot and sweaty like my over-the-ear muffs. They work about as well as my other ear muffs in the shop but for extended noise operations, I will wear these and a light pair of ear muff style to reduce the noise even further. May be a bit over-kill but I already have some level of hearing loss.

[John K Jordan]

Good info.
Due to me and the summer heat not getting along very well, I dislike wearing over-the-ear hearing protection in the summer months. I researched and found these:
Decibullz - Custom Molded Earplugs, 31dB
https://www.decibullz.com/custom-molded-earplugs/

I found that I really like the comfort of these and especially with them form-fitting to my own ears. Comfortable and not hot and sweaty like my over-the-ear muffs. They work about as well as my other ear muffs in the shop but for extended noise operations, I will wear these and a light pair of ear muff style to reduce the noise even further. May be a bit over-kill but I already have some level of hearing loss.

I see Amazon carries those too. https://www.amazon.com/Decibullz-Earplugs-Comfortable-Protection-Shooting/dp/B00WIXL4UM And other models with sound "filters".

I often wear the muff ear protection over earplugs for very loud sounds. I don't think I have hearing loss (other than what's normal with age) but My Lovely Bride says I can't hear 1/2 of what she says...

JKJ

[Randy Heinemann]

I have never found and over ear protection that is as effective as in-ear foam plugs (although I know some don't find these comfortable). In addition, I generally don't find the over ear protection comfortable, except for my wireless Bose (which I really want to save for use out of the shop given their quality and cost).

I have used Moldex Spark Plugs for years. Usually a search can find a great price on them online in larger quantities. For me, they just cut out more noise, are more comfortable, and work well with the Trend Airshield mask I use in the shop (especially when turning).

[J.R. Rutter]

I got used to wearing foam plugs because after a few hours, my glasses would start to dig in. The Howard Leight (Honeywell) MAX that I've been getting in bulk have an NRR of 33.

As a side note, bone conduction headphones work well with the in-ear plugs!

[Brian Tymchak]

Wore the Frovals all day yesterday in the production shop. They performed a bit better than my old Silencios, however due to the age of my old muffs, that may not be a meaningful comparison. They definitely fit tightly over the ears. I had to pull the Frovals off the ears to slide safety glasses on, but I can certainly live with that. I had no problem hearing others speaking. So, IMHO, that is money well spent.

[Dueane Hicks]

Yeah, I hate sweating like crazy with hot ear protection! I switched to molded plugs, nothing on my head but safety glasses.

[Dueane Hicks]

I bought some molded ear plugs and they fit great, but kept coming loose after a few minutes. I tried all three sizes of plugs they came with and re-molded them a couple times, but alas my ears are weird shaped or something that would not allow the plugs to stay in. They were the decibullz.

[Dueane Hicks]

Anyone ever tried behind the head ear protection? Similar to these....

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[Andrew More]

I've tried a large number of things over the years. My favorite by far are a set of custom fitted plugs. I bought got them from the audiologist about a decade back for $100, for my motorcycle, and they cannot be beat. I wear them for everything: riding, shooting, and working in the shop. Despite a decade's constant wear and tear they're still almost as good as the day I bought them. (One of them had the "tab" used to remove it come off, but I can just pull them out by the body)

Recently I've noticed that Amazon now has a DIY version of the same sort of thing. I've used this kit as well with good results.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003A28OW6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

One minor note: when combined the two parts must be put into your ears while they cure for about 15 minutes, while they give off a quiet snap, crackle, pop sound. (Which I did not get with the version from the audiologist) Doesn't cause any problems, but it can be a bit unnerving when you've got something new in your ears.

[Gary Ragatz]

I just received my set of FNova's Saturday. Very effective, and pretty comfortable, but I don't know that I'd want to wear them all day long (not a problem for me, as a hobbyist).

Thought it was interesting that they came packaged with a pair of foam ear plugs.

[Mark Hockenberg]

I ordered the Fnova and tried it out yesterday. I little stiff, but not uncomfortable. I found the hearing protection to be great.

[Dueane Hicks]

I purchased a pair of 3M peltor optime 105's. They are behind the head muffs. I have found them to be very comfortable, with no annoying bar across the top of my head. Still going to be too hot for warmer weather, but I have plugs for that. They look like this...
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[Bruce Page]

I purchased a pair of 3M peltor optime 105's. They are behind the head muffs. I have found them to be very comfortable, with no annoying bar across the top of my head. Still going to be too hot for warmer weather, but I have plugs for that. They look like this...

I looked at the Optime 105's. They have a NRR of 29 dB, I needed a better NRR than that for my sometimes screaming cnc.

[Dueane Hicks]

I've never even been around a running cnc machine. I guess carving chisels are quiet enough for 29! I switch to Sensguard sg-31 when it's too hot to wear earmuff style protection.

[tim walker]

I have a pair of these. They are active noise reduction earphones. In passive mode, 26 db reduction, in active mode, an additional 20 db for 46 db total. I can run table saw, cyclone, and air filter and barely hear them. Expensive at $159 but hearing is worth it. http://www.noisebuster.net/NoiseBuster-PA4000-Active-Noise-Reduction-Safety-Earmuff.html

[Bill Dufour]

I bought a logger's helmet with peltor earmuffs. It is great for mowing the lawn etc since it is a hat. I use it in the shop the face screen can not fog up. I think peltor makes them in Sweeden sold as sthil or Husqvarna
I see copies made in China I not trust their db ratings.
Bil lD.

https://www.stihlusa.com/products/protective-and-work-wear/head-and-face-protection/sfhs/

[Bill Dufour]

I need to replace the earmuffs and headgear on my Husvarna helmet. Anyone ever heard of Timber tuff helmets and era protection? no mention of db rating
Bil lD.

http://www.timbertufftools.com/product3-protective-gear-logger-helmet.php

[Patrick Kane]

Bruce, I started a similar thread awhile ago. I hoped there was some magical product out there for $150 that i didnt know about. I am still in search of that product.

I like over ear muffs, because my ear canals are too small or complex or something. Anytime i ever tried the foam inserts, they just fell out of my ear. I am intrigued by the moldable inserts. I might have to give those a shot.