Hearing protection

[Gerry S. Wojtowicz]

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for hearing protection in the shop. I don't like using ear plugs and want the absolute best ear muff hearing protection available.

Any recommendations (manufacturer/model number) would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

[Stan Calow]

I have six. Two Peltors, two Howard Leights, a Walkers, and a no-name brand. They're all protection for gun ranges. Why so many? I buy them at garage sales for a few bucks, and have one hanging by every major noisemaker. I think the Howard Leights are the sturdiest and most comfortable. But I think you have to see how they fit for you.

[Jim Becker]

If you want tunes, then the new muff version of IsoTunes is good to consider. If you don't want music, there are even inexpensive over-ear solutions that have reasonably high NR ratings. The higher the number, the better. Amazon and believe it or not, Harbor Freight have sets that I happen to find comfortable. I wear over-the-ear because 1) I can't use in-ear stuff because I have weird ear canals, and even more importantly, 2) I wear hearing aids now. I can turn them off from my phone and wear the over-ear muffs comfortably without taking the aids off.

The units from Amazon I'm using are:

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

And they are awesome for only fifteen bucks...NR of 34 which is "really high".

[Christopher Herzog]

Work tunes headphones are my favorite. Ear plugs are not my cup of tea.

[Bryan Cramer]

I use the 3m Peltor ear muffs and like them.

[Jim Dwight]

I am on my second pair of Peltors. First ones lasted over 10 years. I don't think you need really good over ear muffs for woodshops. Guns are 130-140db. You need good muffs for guns. If you get muffs good enough to shoot in you will be very well protected in your shop. I am using a Peltor set that joins behind by neck instead of over my head. I am not sure I like them better but they work fine. I have another pair of over the head type in my range box. I often just use ear plugs in the shop, I think they are fine for the shop but I agree they are not always terribly comfortable.

[Scott Winners]

I use my Husqvarna forestry helmet, I am sure the Stihl version would work well too. Besides the weight distribution which I like, the eye shield on mine has stopped some fair sized chunks of tree coming off my chainsaw. I started using it with my circular saw and just started using it more often.

[Warren Lake]

Pardon






that sucks i tried to make a joke and not enough words

[Mark Rainey]

Peltor X5A over the head ear muffs NRR 31 $30 online comfortable and the best

[Lee Schierer]

Peltor X5A over the head ear muffs NRR 31 $30 online comfortable and the best

I agree with Mark The 31 NRR rating is one of the highest out there. I can wear my Peltor ear protectors for hours at a time. Most ear protectors for sport shooting and those with active sound suppression only have about a 20 NRR

[Bob Johnson2]

I picked up these over the summer. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B007JZCVAQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[John K Jordan]

I use several kinds. I have some with microphones that let me hear another person until a loud sound is detected. Good for shooting and hunting varmints at night too (you can crank up the volume for superman hearing!) But my favorite are simpler and very effective in shop, for shooting, and with equipment (bobcat, mowers, etc).

Some on my shop wall and elsewhere. I use the top two types the most.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071CT5CHY 3 of these, various colors
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0017YLTAI 5 of these, easy to see
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00V3X374E 1 of these
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001T7QJ9O 3 of these, when others are around

[Jamie Buxton]

I've never found over-the-ear muffs which are compatible with safety glasses, or regular everyday glasses either. Either the temples on the glasses interfere with the sealing around the ear, or the earmuffs push the glasses around so they don't fit right on my nose. So I'm stuck with earplugs.

[Travis Conner]

I use both depending on what I'm doing, but I use the 3m ear muffs. When I say both i mean one or the other. Like if I'm grinding then I like to use a face shield in addition to my safety glasses.

[Bruce Page]

I wouldn’t be without my 3M X5A’s

https://www.amazon.com/3M-Peltor-Over-Earmuffs-X5A/dp/B00CPCHBCQ/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=35H569QVWLFTF&dchild=1&keywords=3m+x5a+ear+muffs&qid=1612846769&sprefix=3M+x5%2Caps%2C238&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFRRlpOWDNXWkRQMlUmZ W5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAxMTcwNDUxV1RHNVEzTFc0QjRCJmVuY3J 5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAwMTM4NDgyTEVDWUQxT0UzVk5RJndpZGdld E5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm9 0TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

[Bill Dufour]

I like the sthil/husquevarna forestry helmet made by peltor for mowing and other outdoor stuff. It is nice indoors as well since the screen does not fog.
I have absolutely no trust in China made hearing protection meeting the supposed DB reduction. I fully assume they are made up numbers. The only way to prove me wrong are to wear it for 20-30 years and see if you are deaf from poor protective equipment. Note that DB is a log scale so an improvement of 7 DB cuts noise, and damage in half. It is easy to get a 7 DB improvement with just a little research.
Bill D

[Jon Endres]

I use 3M Worktunes for 90% of my hearing protection, even when I'm not running equipment. The version without a radio but with Bluetooth. I pair it to my phone and listen to Pandora stations nonstop. I bought a set for my son for Christmas, his has the new gel earpads which are even more comfortable. I also have a bunch of regular Peltor earmuffs, Isotunes PRO 2.0 BT earbuds, Moldex Rockets earplugs and a variety of cheap foam earplugs as well. So for any situation I have something that works. The Isotunes earbuds work great in the winter when you can't put a hat over the earmuffs but still want to run outdoor equipment.

[Eric John]

It’s no joke guys

Please use hearing protection.
I worked around loud machines , generators, routers and nail guns for years. Never had protection.
According to my hearing Doc, I am now at 50%.
Yes I have to wear hearing aids for work now.
Yes it sucks
But keep smiling and going forward
Buy some peltors they’re cheap, my doc says they’re good.
They’re comfy for me.
Just an opinion.
Regards
Eric

[Rod Sheridan]

Pardon






that sucks i tried to make a joke and not enough words

Haha, both were funny.............Rod.

[Rod Sheridan]

You are correct Eric, hearing damage is no fun.

I always wear hearing protection, even when motorcycling I wear earplugs.

For hearing protection at work and home I use 3M Worktunes or Peltor earmuffs.................Rod.

P.S. I really like the Worktunes when using the snow blower, keeps my ears warm, provides hearing protection and I can listen to music or a podcast.

[Brian Tymchak]

I use the top two types the most.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071CT5CHY 3 of these, various colors


I have couple of these also. 34db reduction, $15. ...Think I'll get a few more..

[Marc Fenneuff]

It’s no joke guys

Please use hearing protection.
I worked around loud machines , generators, routers and nail guns for years. Never had protection.
According to my hearing Doc, I am now at 50%.
Yes I have to wear hearing aids for work now.
Yes it sucks
But keep smiling and going forward
Buy some peltors they’re cheap, my doc says they’re good.
They’re comfy for me.
Just an opinion.
Regards
Eric


By all means get comfortable muffs so that you will wear them. I'm not even 50, have been very careful since getting into WW about wearing hearing protection around power tools and the like, and I already have tinnitus and moderate hearing loss in my right ear (likely from wearing a headset on that ear for my day job the last 15 years). It is not pleasant.
This year I got a set of noise-cancelling over-the-ear headphones to use at my desk, and 3M Bluetooth Worktunes for the shop. I hope to prevent any further loss.

[John K Jordan]

It’s no joke guys

Please use hearing protection.
I worked around loud machines , generators, routers and nail guns for years. Never had protection.
According to my hearing Doc, I am now at 50%.
Yes I have to wear hearing aids for work now.
Yes it sucks
But keep smiling and going forward
Buy some peltors they’re cheap, my doc says they’re good.
They’re comfy for me.
Just an opinion.
Regards
Eric

Amen to that. A good opinion. I use them in the shop, chainsawing, mowing, operating the bobcat, sawmill, and with firearms.

I know people my age (70+) who have serious hearing loss from firearms, occupational sound, and years of loud concerts. My Lovely Bride claims my hearing is much worse than it was 50 years ago. A recent hearing test indicated I have very little loss except some at very high frequencies. Now she suspects I only hear her when I want to. Somehow I can ALWAYS hear "I'm taking the pie out of the oven."

JKJ

[Bruce Page]

I have couple of these also. 34db reduction, $15. ...Think I'll get a few more..

I have a pair of these; https://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?276490-A-quick-Ear-muff-comparison&highlight=
The 3M X5a are still my go to muffs.

[Warren Lake]

Hey Eric

heres the deal for me. I worked with Bands from young and not insanely loud like some concerts ive been at. When I got into working i likely wasnt wearing ear protection. I stopped one day driving past a Hearing Society and went in and asked. They said they test people and did. I was down in two or three frequencies. I wore ear protectors from that day on. The ear muff ones. Had a set from the airport guys use around the planes when they do all those funny hand signals. They sucked. They were so tight that I almost had to change to a smaller hat size. i picked up some red ones from Princess auto one day and they are used all the time. Once wearing them I could not stand to not wear them around any noise. Hand sanding with a block likely fine but an air RO, they are on before stuff is started.

Lawnmower same thing. I got tested a year after wearing them and my hearing was better. I lost one frequency permanently if I remember correctly and that was likely from a router. Even a saw running now they are on first. The general is noisey and lower frequencies. The SCM is not as loud but higher RPM and larger blade, what a difference in sound, its like a small Jet. Amazing how different they are and the SCM will still get lined with stuff as there are some microphonic panels when I rap them.

The Pardon thing was just what came to mind, so w hile it appeared I was making light of it for the most part I cant work with them. Lie putting on a coat before going out in the cold. It would drain my energy to run even a dynabrade sander without the ear things. I dont know how many DB these block but its good and they are light and comfortable enough. The have the band that goes over your head., I put it in front or under my chin, like a foot ball player. I dont want stuff rubbing on my head and wearing off any follicles. Worn them that way for a long time. Odd I suppose but more comfortable as well. Gets to be a bother when whipper snipping and saftey glasses on or if with a mask on top.

I dont have a cell and most of you seem to run gizmos off cells. I run a radio or you tube or DVD through a stereo and sreen with speakers 30 feet apart. Makes for great sound with an action movie on. When the headphones come I music or whatever or at times just the woodstove.

[Jim Becker]

I have a pair of these; https://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?276490-A-quick-Ear-muff-comparison&highlight=
The 3M X5a are still my go to muffs.
Yup...I'm very happy with the Finova muffs as I mentioned. They are comfortable and the price is right.

[Wayne Cannon]

I've found the 3M Peltor Behind-the-Head Earmuffs H7B/H10B etc. to be significantly more comfortable than the over-the-head variety, and they don't interfere with any kind of headgear, safety glasses, etc.

They use a stiff spring wire behind the neck and a very thin (optional) nylon strap over the head for stability. I got them initially for use with my safety helmet/face shield, but they've become my go to muffs all the time because of their comfort. The thin connecting spring wire also allows them to hang places a wider headband can't, like on the table saw fence's locking lever.

[lowell holmes]

Here is what I found on line.

https://www.lowes.com/search?searchTerm=ear%20protection

[andy bessette]

Been wearing the same David Clark's for decades. Extremely comfortable and long lasting quality.

[Bert McMahan]

I know you said you don't like plugs, but I really like my Plugfones. They have both foam tips and rubber tips that don't bother my ears. They aren't enough for shooting but they're more than enough for woodworking.

I find I can't wear respirators or safety glasses properly when using muffs. Plus, my ears and head gets all sweaty within just a few minutes of using them.

[John K Jordan]

I've found the 3M Peltor Behind-the-Head Earmuffs H7B/H10B etc. to be significantly more comfortable than the over-the-head variety, and they don't interfere with any kind of headgear, safety glasses, etc...

Wayne,

Based on your recommendation I got the Peltor behind-the-head earmuffs delivered today to try out. I got the 105 H10b with the think strap over the head and the wire behind the head. I think these will be great when wearing a hardhat or other hat and with safety glasses. Thanks for the recommendation.

https://www.amazon.com/3M-Behind-Earmuffs-Conservation-H10B/dp/B009POJ1XY

JKJ

[Bill Dufour]

That looks cheap enough it may be cheaper to buy something like that from Pletor and replace the ones on my logging helmet rather then buy official logging helmet replacements.

[Bill Dufour]

Any info on Timber Tuff logging helmets. I can find no db ratings. their earmuffs are only 23 db while John's are 29, a 6db difference which is substantial.
bILL d.
http://www.timbertufftools.com/product3-protective-gear-logger-helmet.php

[John K Jordan]

Any info on Timber Tuff logging helmets. I can find no db ratings. their earmuffs are only 23 db while John's are 29, a 6db difference which is substantial.
bILL d.
http://www.timbertufftools.com/product3-protective-gear-logger-helmet.php

For chainsawing I've switched to these:

https://www.baileysonline.com/oregon-pro-forestry-helmet-system-564101-orf-564101.html

I have three of Stihl's similar helmets with hearing protection and I like the Oregon a lot better. They claim NRR 23 which I have found is sufficient for chain saws. I want better protection for shooting and screaming routers and such.

JKJ