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Thread: Hearing protection

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Enfield, Connecticut
    Posts
    105

    Hearing protection

    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.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Kansas City
    Posts
    2,652
    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.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    SE PA - Central Bucks County
    Posts
    65,675
    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/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2020
    Location
    West Central Illinois
    Posts
    194
    Work tunes headphones are my favorite. Ear plugs are not my cup of tea.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Fargo North Dakota
    Posts
    352
    I use the 3m Peltor ear muffs and like them.
    My woodworking theory: Measure with a micrometer, Mark with chalk, Cut with an ax.

  6. #6
    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.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Fairbanks AK
    Posts
    1,566
    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.

  8. #8
    Pardon






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

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Clarks Summit PA
    Posts
    1,733
    Peltor X5A over the head ear muffs NRR 31 $30 online comfortable and the best

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    McKean, PA
    Posts
    15,592
    Blog Entries
    1
    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Rainey View Post
    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
    Lee Schierer
    USNA '71
    Go Navy!

    My advice, comments and suggestions are free, but it costs money to run the site. If you found something of value here please give a little something back by becoming a contributor! Please Contribute

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Western Ma.
    Posts
    564
    I picked up these over the summer. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    E TN, near Knoxville
    Posts
    12,298
    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

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    San Francisco, CA
    Posts
    10,304
    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.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    437
    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.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    In the foothills of the Sandia Mountains
    Posts
    16,619
    I wouldn’t be without my 3M X5A’s

    https://www.amazon.com/3M-Peltor-Ove...xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==
    Please help support the Creek.


    "It's paradoxical that the idea of living a long life appeals to everyone, but the idea of getting old doesn't appeal to anyone."
    Andy Rooney



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