Hearing Protection

[crokett]

Been meaning to ask this for a bit. I'd like to wear my straw hat more when I work outside but my current ear protection is the big muff type. I got some disposable ones that let me wear my hat when I was doing the shop roof. They worked, but I am looking for something similar that is not disposable but I can still wear my hat with 'em. Not having the big muffs on is also considerably cooler.

Any suggestions?

[Richard in Smithville]

Lee Vally carries these ones.

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...10&cat=1,42207

They show them over the head but they might fit behind the head too.

[Ed62]

I've worn something like these. They might work for you. http://www.e-a-r.com/e-a-r.com/premold_main.cfm

Ed

[crokett]

Ed,

That is kinda what I am thinking of. I will look around. There is a gun dealer just down the road from me. I wonder what he carries.

[Wood_workur]

shooting plugs are not recommended for power tools that produce a constant loud sound, but they may be just the ticket for an air nailer.

[crokett]

Hmmm really? I thought loud is loud and a gunshot is considerably louder than a power tool.

[germdoc]

I have the Zems. They're great--very comfortable and effective. You can wear them either over the head or behind the head or under the chin. I wear them 90% of the time I need hearing protection.

[Wood_workur]

Hmmm really? I thought loud is loud and a gunshot is considerably louder than a power tool.

Yes, but shooting plugs will only block sound for a slip second. So when you shoot the gun they block sound but other than that you can hear normally.

Now, if you get the ones that are always blocking sound those will do just what you want.

[abbi'sdad]

it all depends on the type of earplugs most regular earplugs reduce the noise or sound that is being heard, most "hunting" type earplugs will allow sound through as long as it is under a certain db then it will reduce the noise. but the "hunting" type is a lot more expensive than normal earplugs for everyday use. the gun store you were talking about will prolly carry both types the only thing that will tell you which plugs work better is the rating on them and generally the higher rating number, the louder noise, the plugs will reduce

just my 2 cents

Josh

[docrowan]

I, too, prefer the big muff type for convenience. For something that's going in my ear, I prefer the disposable to the reusable. The reusables are difficult to clean and when I'm doing yard work (with a 6 year old running around asking questions from time to time) I have to take them out with grubby hands several times a day. I prefer to throw them away and get some new ones to putting dirty ones in or trying to clean them. I put a big box of them several years ago from Harbor Freight and I'm still working my way through them.

[just started]

One of the shooting accessories manufacturers used to make muff type with the headband designed to go around the back of the head instead of over the top. My understanding is that with continuous loud/high-frequency sound like power tools (or small aircraft engines) you get much better protection with muffs covering the bone in front of the ear due to reduction in bone conduction of the sound into the inner ear.

[wbsettle]

I like the AO Safety reusables. Available at your nearest Lowes/HD/Harbor Freight. Easy to remove/insert, seal well; stem is long enough to avoid needing to touch the parts that go inside your ear with grubby hands. Usually last me a couple of seasons before replacing.

I used to use the bullet shaped foam disposables (still have part of a bag in the drawer), but they're a pain to roll up for insertion...YMMV due to ear canal shape. And, there's no way to avoid dirt transfer to ear canals.

-Brent

[dbhost]

FWIW, I have used my Winchester shooting muffs with the strap behind the ear with a hat on doing lawn work. Yeah the ears get a little sweaty, but I can live with that. I would much rather have good ear protection than dry ears....

[tommyt654]

I believe that the plugs will work fine. Imagine a Nascar driver in the car for 4 hrs at speeds over 180 m.p.h. and a 400 + H.P. engine whining at 7500 to 9000 rpm while driving alongside machines over similiar db. Might want to check a speed shop.

[wardprobst]

In my job I have to wear hearing protection a lot. They all have pros and cons:
Muffs- good protection, convenient on/off, ability to add tunes/radio versus hot on the ears.
Molded plugs on a string- handy, comfortable, in/out not too bad, easy to clean versus less db reduction.
Foam plugs- great protection, comfortable, easily washed versus harder to insert.
Plugs on a headset- easy on/off, good protection, easy to clean versus a little cumbersome (for me) with glasses
Plugs on safety glasses- good protection, easy to clean, forces me to put on safety glasses versus, harder to insert properly.
I usually use foam plugs for extended work sessions, plugs on safety shades for lawn work, muffs for quick cuts in the shop and plugs on a string when I have to do dirty work and pull them in/out a lot.
HTH,
DP