Hearing Protection, please read.

[David Cramer]

I posted in response to a planer question and wasn't sure if my response would get buried/not read. So I am elaborating on my planer response here to hopefully help out at least one person.

I am in my mid 30's and have tinnitus in my right ear. Trust me, you don't want this if you can avoid it. Wear hearing protection when routing, sanding, sawing, planing, jointing, etc........or any other major loud machine or power tool. I have 2 sets of ear muffs that do a great job of blocking out the loud db's that do major damage to your ears. If someone is over helping me do something, the second set is for them. Circular saws, sanders and routers are bad. Yes there are exceptions, but why risk it. I would assume that someone else on this large wood forum also has it and I am sure he or she will tell you the same. It's no fun.

I do not, repeat do not, turn on any of this machine without my hearing on first. It is my fault and no one elses for my symptoms/ailment and yes, there are worse things to have. But if one can avoid a potential problem down the road, I say do it. All planers, all the time should be turned on and used only with proper hearing protection. From a lunch box to a stationary, it doesn't matter. PLEASE wear hearing protection or live with a constant steady ringing in your ear that can drive you insane. The choice is ultimately your own. Thanks for reading.

Dave

[Tyler Howell]

Thanks Dave. good reminder.
I wear my PPE even vacuuming the carpet.
I keep a box of plugs for visitors and eye protection with in easy grab any where in the shop.:cool:

[David Cramer]

Thanks Tyler and it's GREAT to hear you're wearing them. I am new here and I can see you're a MAJOR contributor to this fine site. THANKS for all of your posts. Most of them crack me up and a fine sense of humor is the 6th sense that doesn't get enough credit. Or is that the 7th sense:rolleyes: ? I appreciate the response and have a great day!


Dave

[Jeffrey Makiel]

It's a strange coincidence that I'm currently on a unique safety shopping spree. One of the items I'm going to get are some ear muffs for me and my brothers. I found some decent prices at Environmental Safety Products. They have an ear muff that has a 30db reduction rating called the Bilsom Thunder T3.

My biggest noise concern is the router table and portable planer. I have a basement shop with block walls so noise bounces all over the place. However, I find myself grabbing my old crummy ear muffs when I turn on all my tools as a habit now. I've also found that ear muffs commonly found at the local large retail home center has a db reduction rating of 25 or less. This is simply not sufficient.

Thanks for posting this topic...Jeff :)

[Al Willits]

As someone who also suffers from the ringing, I agree, very good post.
I use the foam plugs now, they usually have a higher decibel reduction rating and I buy them buy the hundreds, keep them in my shirt pocket and the wife washes them for me on a regular basis....much to her dislike....:)

Al

[Burt Alcantara]

If you are very sensitive to noise you should double-plug. This means wearing high db rated ear plugs under your muffs. You can get these at most sports shops that sell guns. If you buy a big box of 100 - 200 or more they become cheap enough to discard after 1 use. I usually wear them until they get ugly.

On the web check out Brownells, MidSouth Shooters Supply or Cabelas.

The ones I use are MAX by Howard Leight. Rated at NRR 33 / SNR 34. They also make excellent muffs with about the same rating as the plugs. I have been using both for a number of years. My wife also uses them for sleep when there is any noise about. I find plugs much more comfortable then muffs.

If you've ever gone to a shooting range when hunters are sighting-in their big bore magnums, you will appreciate the abatement.

Burt

[Larry Crim]

Dave and Al we are in the same boat so to speak, being in the Navy and a engineer it is a very common risk for us and several sailors suffer from this ailment, If you have not done so I would suggest seeing a specialist that deals with this on a frequent basis, I went to a audiologist and some simple things he suggested were instrumental in helping reduce the problem like frequent cleaning of the canal and taking certain suppliments like vitiman B, made a big difference. Since there is really no cure for it we will have to deal with this forever but there are things that do help, for anyone that suffers from this I suggest you visit the ATA website there is a lot of good info on the problem.

[John Schreiber]

Tinnitus is no picnic. I have it and it is always at least a little annoying and sometimes absolutely maddening. I don't know the cause of mine, but it didn't come at a time when I was using power tools a lot.

I am quite rigorous in using hearing protection and hope to move up to some more effective ear muffs.

Another factor is that when I first started using hearing protection, I found that I did a much better job in handling the tools. I found the scream of the skillsaw so annoying that I would cut fast just to get it done, but with the earmuffs I was more patient and careful.

[Ted Miller]

I agree with Burt, wear both, I always use the plugs for everything but both items for Planning and Router work...

[Mike Steinhilper]

I had a pair of ear muffs that seemed to work ok, but my dog just ate them. So I need to get some new ones. How are they rated? I want to make sure I get adequate. The plugs just don't work for me. I have to constantly play with them.

[Jack Ganssle]

This weekend a long stint with the router left my ears ringing, so I ordered the Lee Valley ear muffs ($29.95), which arrived today. They're the smart kind that electronically attenuate the noise. A quick test with the router and table saw was encouraging. The machines are still plenty noticeable, but the noise is seriously damped.

Jack

[Daniel Heine]

David,

I have a condition called Meneires Diasese. It is a diases of the inner ear. Sometimes my ears are ringing so loud, I can't even hear my family talking to me. I take an over-the-counter drug called Lipoflavenoids. These are all natural vitamins, and flavenoids that are put together specifically for the middle ear. I take 3 a day, and no symptoms for the last year.(crossing my fingers). It's not expensive, and no prescription needed. You may have to take it for 2 weeks before you notice a difference, but it does work for me. Check your local drug store, I find it at CVS. You will probably have to ask the pharmicist where it is, not too many people have ear problems.

Tinnutis is no fun at all.

Good Luck,
Dan Heine

[glenn bradley]

Thanks. I (almost) always wear protection in the shop and even doing yard work. The LOML is hearing impaired as of birth and seeing my octogenarian parents hearing slide since their 70's keeps me painfully aware of how my world could change if I abuse the gift of hearing.

Now if I could just perfect that selective deafness so I could use it when I'm around those day-to-day annoyances like the car next to you at the traffic light that is about to boom-box it's license plate frame off.

[Burt Alcantara]

Mike,
I have a similar problem with my left ear. The plug keep popping out. What I have to do is roll them into a thin stem, insert them deep into the ear and keep it in place with a finger. I can usually hear them slipping out so I push them back in. After a few times, they stay in.

Annoying but it works.

[David Cramer]

Thanks Daniel for all the great advice you've given. I sincerely hope your condition stays the way it is, with no problems over the last year. You sound like you've gotten the better of it with the vitamins and so forth, so good for you friend.

Your condition sounds way worse than mine. I have never had a problem hearing my family talk to me, so I feel for ya. That ain't fun at all. Continued success for you and thanks again for the remedies you've listed. I'll try anything. Thanks for posting the info.

Thanks Larry for the ATA site you talked about. Hopefully we will help some really young people and old alike that hearing loss/tinnitus is serious and happens to many regardless of age.

Dave

[Mike Murray]

I wear plugs plus ear muffs, but only when using the planer, router, and orbital sander (esp if I have it hooked up to my shop vac, which screams). Other tools don't bother me. I made my own muffs from a blown set of stereo headphones. I removed the drivers and all other internal wiring, etc and replaced with some kind of insulating "stuffing" that I found with my wife's sewing supplies. Works great.

[David Cramer]

I hear you on the boom box thing Glen! Just slightly annoying to say the least. Sadly, they will pay for those loud sounds later in life. Not that I want them to, but the eardrums can only stand certain levels without being damaged.

My heart goes out to your wife, that is a tough thing to have to live with your entire life. You are totally correct by saying "the gift of hearing". It is a gift. My brother's sister-in-law cannot see or hear and has mental retardation on top of it. Talk about ripping your heart out. Thanks for your response and reminding us all that it is a gift.

Dave

[Art Mulder]

II have 2 sets of ear muffs that do a great job of blocking out the loud db's that do major damage to your ears. If someone is over helping me do something, the second set is for them.

I have five. Yes, five. One set of muffs is for me. The other four are for my kids. No, I don't usually have all four of them with me, but sometimes I do, and I want their hearing to last better than mine. Just like I hope mine lasts better than my dad. (Finishing carpenterin the 60's-80's, no hearing protection...)

I have used the foam plugs, but I like muffs better since they're quick to get on and off, which seems to work well for me as a hobbiest, since I often just pop into the shop for a half hour or less.

[Jim Becker]

I can't do the plugs, either...they fall out too easily. 'Can't use ear-buds with a music player for the same reason) What I use is a band from AO Safety (http://www.aosafety.com/diy/hear_detail.cfm?con_prod_num=90537&con_family_id=61&con_platform_id=14) that incorporates the same materials as most plugs, but keeps them in place with the tension of the plastic band. Mine are blue bands, but similar to these and quite comfortable:

http://209.200.67.149/aosafety.com/prod_images/90537.jpg

[Chris Padilla]

Find yourself some nice comfortable ones and you'll soon be reaching for hearing protection all the time. I wear it even more than my eye protection...still working to correct that (by wearing my eye protection more, not ear protection less! ha).

I like the Howard Leight brand...have 3 sets....one for the wife, one for the kid (she had to have what mommy and daddy have) and one for yours truly.

Chris

[David G Baker]

I posted in response to a planer question and wasn't sure if my response would get buried/not read. So I am elaborating on my planer response here to hopefully help out at least one person.

I am in my mid 30's and have tinnitus in my right ear. Trust me, you don't want this if you can avoid it. Wear hearing protection when routing, sanding, sawing, planing, jointing, etc........or any other major loud machine or power tool. I have 2 sets of ear muffs that do a great job of blocking out the loud db's that do major damage to your ears. If someone is over helping me do something, the second set is for them. Circular saws, sanders and routers are bad. Yes there are exceptions, but why risk it. I would assume that someone else on this large wood forum also has it and I am sure he or she will tell you the same. It's no fun.

I do not, repeat do not, turn on any of this machine without my hearing on first. It is my fault and no one elses for my symptoms/ailment and yes, there are worse things to have. But if one can avoid a potential problem down the road, I say do it. All planers, all the time should be turned on and used only with proper hearing protection. From a lunch box to a stationary, it doesn't matter. PLEASE wear hearing protection or live with a constant steady ringing in your ear that can drive you insane. The choice is ultimately your own. Thanks for reading.

Dave
David,
It may not make sense, but I get the ringing in my left ear about every two months I go to my chiropractor and he does some weird voodoo thing with my ear until I hear a pop. The ringing goes away for about two months. I would not have believed it if it hadn't happened to me. May not work in all cases but won't hurt anything but your wallet to give it a try.
Great reminder on the remembering to wear ear protection.
David B

[Alan Greene]

After 20 years in the Air Force, the majority of it on the flight line I have a minor hearing loss and tinnitus in both ears. Luckily it is not to bad, but I do get the ringing in both ears daily. As Dave said I have nobody to blame but myself, even though I was more religious than most in wearing my protection.

I try to use both plugs and muffs. One thing I want to emphasize concerns the following statement Mike made:

"Other tools don't bother me"

The tools not bothering you does not mean that your hearing isn't being damaged. That is a function of the decibel level and REPEATED EXPOSURE. It is also insidious in that you don't know it has happened until it is to late, and at that point it is irreversible. It does not have to be uncomfortable, hurt or bother you for damage to be done as I understand the mechanics of it from my training. Please, please protect your hearing with at least one and preferably two sets of hearing protection.

We buy Board Buddies, Saw Stops, Splitters, Dust Collection etc... and discuss all types of issues with safety here. Your hearing and eyes are just as, if not more, important IMHO.

Thanks for listening, and this whole thread will be worth it if even one person doesn't have a problem. Thanks Dave for starting this thread:)

[Lars Thomas]

One of the rags recently covered this (FWW maybe?). I was surprised to read the danger of exposure to nail guns. The article said that the sound was so short, most people didn't even recognize the sound level as dangerous.

I have my 'head gear' on better then 90% of the time. I have three sets. One for me and one for each of my kids.

[Philip Duffy]

Dave has raised an important thread for discussion and I thank him for doing so. As a guy who spent 30+ years flying helicopters in the Navy and many years working on flight decks I suggest that there are a couple things people should think about doing. (yes, I have tennitis) First of all, there is no law against wearing double hearing protection; plugs and muffs. When combined they really knock down the amount of Dbs hitting your ear drums. Secondly, a pair of custom fitted/form fitted ear plugs are the absolute best you can do for your ears without getting into noise-canceling systems. I had mine made at a local gun show and it took a few minutes but the result is Quiet! Yes, they cost about $30 but I have had mine for 4 years and they are still the best $$ I ever spent. So, I use them for shooting and any time I need great protection, ie, when using a router. You cannot avoid the problem and the ringing in the ears can be quite disturbing so my 2 cents is; Wear the best protection you can afford! Phil

[Dave Fifield]

Goodonya Dave - thanks for bringing this up - we need reminding every now and again.

I'm pretty diligent about noise levels and protection - another hobby of mine is music, and my ears mean everything to me there! Due to always being careful about noise levels, my hearing sensitivity and frequency range is still pretty good. I can still hear up to 16KHz clearly and I'll be 50 this year!

I even wear foam ear plugs to bed!! LOML used to snore (loud enough to rattle the windows!) - she got tested and now uses one of those sleep apnia machines - the snoring reduced, but now there's the noise of the machine's turbine. It's different noise, but still too loud for me at night. The foam plugs work great - I don't hear anything except my own breathing and heart beat (both of which you quickly learn to ignore).

Cheers,

[John Lucas]

Dave,
A good post and always a good reminder. I have about 23 to 28 percent hearing left (that's right 70% lost). I wear in-canal hearing aids when with family but not in shop. I do wear 30 db hearing muffs in the shop. I have had the elecronic noise reducers and they seem like they would work, in theory, but are enough for me. I have people all the time ask "if you are so deaf, why wear and muffs?" Answer...to save what little I have left. By the way, the inexepnsive rubber ear plugs can work fine...if you can get them in the ear ccorrectly. There was one suggestion here of rolling it up. What I find works for me, is once it is in ear, tug up on your ear and push it further in. I do this with my little hearing aids...makes the difference.
Tinnitus is bad in the reduction of hearing, but another effect can drive you batty. You will find that the humming in the ears will increase after taking a car trip for hours. The harmonics of the drive make it so that when I am finaly at the destination, there are trucks running through my head...for hours.

[Tom Jones III]

One thing that I have not yet seen mentioned yet, if protection (eye or ear) is not easy then I'm just not going to do it. With that in mind, there are 3 sets of muffs spread around my 20x20 shop, one on the TS, one on the planer and one on the miter saw. Given the placement I can usually reach a set of muffs with 1 or 2 steps, this makes me much more likely to wear them. I do the same thing with eye protection. As someone else mentioned this is also useful for guests.

[David Cramer]

It warms my heart to see so many responses and views on this subject. It shows me that I am not in the minority when it comes to protecting ones hearing and that is pretty cool. Since I am new, I had no idea how many times that this subject has come up on this forum. Over 700 views and almost 20 responses in less than a day is more than I expected. Please spead it around...........knowledge is contagious. Hearing protection is really not that expensive. Again, thanks for reading and to Mr. Lucas, keep on wearing that hearing protection friend. 30% hearing is better than none. Good Day.


Dave

p.s. Many young guys (20's) in shops that I've worked at still won't wear them. They don't like the plugs and they just don't want to mess up their hair!:eek:

[Kristian Wild]

Thanks for bringing this subject up again Dave. It sure is amazing how many folks simply think of it as too much of an inconvience. In the shop I work in only two of the six guys wear plugs or muffs regularily. (Myself included) I've almost always subsisted on Leight foamy plugs because they are the most comfortable for me and my glasses don't allow for comfortable earmuff wearing for longer than about 20 min. I do double up for short bouts of router or lunch-box planer use.

One thing I've seen mentioned only once briefly is custom moulded ear plugs. Yeah they cost a lot but from what I've researched they're the highest level of protection for a non-cumbersome in-the-ear option. I just got moulded for silicone ones last week. For a bit extra you can get features like a tiny baffled air chanel that makes hearing things like regular voices easier, and little silicone cups to hold the earbuds from your mp3 player. This is who did mine: www.protectear.com/products/list_products.asp (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/www.protectear.com/products/list_products.asp)

[Rye Crane]

Thanks Daniel,

I also have Meneires, yes you have to make peace with the ringing or it will drive you over the edge. I wonder what will happen to our youth, driving around with those boom boxes on wheels. They rattle the dishes in my cupboard when they drive by. Maybe it will be poetic justice.

Rye Crane

[Mike Jory]

Thanks for the reminder, I wear ear protection all the time. And I demand it be worn by any visitors around my shop. Even for some of the quiet tools and the old sears shop vac. I taught my kids, "it's not macho to prove you can endure loud noise. Not if you want to appreciate that violin concerto!"
I find that even with some of the quieter tools, like a jointer, it helps isolate me from the other things that may distract me. I can focus on the job with the power tools. I even wear hearing protection with the lawn mower.
I very cool (although expensive) system designed for shooters is made by Peltor. Comes with a audio amplifier that amplifies the sound from a any direction and allows you to easily carry on a conversation. At a loud gun shot or noise, the amplifier is so fast, it shuts off and protects the hearing.

ps: I even plug my ears every morning on the public transporation BART train when it goes through the bay tunnel.
Mike

[Bill Grumbine]

I have a lot of students who come here and refuse my offer of hearing protection for things like the chainsaw, bandsaw + dust collector, etc. They all say the same thing:

"It's not that loud."

My reply is always the same too:

"Yeah, there's a reason for that..."

Bill

[David Henderson]

Let me add my two cents worth--
I have an inherited hearing problem. I know what it's like to go through life only hearing parts of conversations and not being able to enjoy movies or plays because of my hearing loss. Thank God for closed caption.
Even small noises like kitchen appliances running can cause problems over the years. It's so important to protect your hearing. Believe me, it's not a fun world to live in without it.
For anyone who thinks putting on hearing protection is too much of a hassle, wait until you have to wear aids in your ears all the time then you know what hassle really is.
Helen Keller said if she had a choice, she'd rather hear than see. I'm inclined to agree with her.
Thankfully at 62 I still have 20/20 vision. At least one part of my body works properly.