Info on ear protection

[lcm1947]

I was looking to replace my 20 some odd year shooting ear muffs that I've been using in the shop and ran across this site that I thought others would be interested in. Since I don't think all muffs and earplugs are created equal I am rather picky about relying on something this important to just buy any old set from any old body so thought I'd past the site along.http://www.elvex.com/banded-earplugs.htm Gee, you want me to do everything. Sorry about that. Guess I was in a hurry but here you go.

[gerti]

And the site is?

[lcm1947]

I edited my first post so it now shows the site.

[drumpriest]

I personally use a set of "drummer ear plugs" that I got at Guitar Center a couple of years ago. Similar to the ones you've posted, but with 3 "flutes" or whatever you wanna call them. Attenuate around 29 db, easy in/out, comfy, and easily cleaned. 10$

[lcm1947]

And according to this info I may start wearing plugs and muffs. http://multimedia.mmm.com/mws/mediaw...60CCCOrrrrQ-ng

[lcm1947]

You have to look at this. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nois...sDatabase.html

It is really neat. You can look at a lot of different tools by brand to see how loud each is.

[Ken Weaver]

I got my muffs from HD - probably not the best, but they bring the noise level down significantly to where I feel safe with them. They were cheap enough where I keep a pair hanging on the BT3, router table and CMS. Also use them when I crank up the lawn tractor to cut the yard.

[lcm1947]

That's one thing I never did, use them when mowing. I guess I'll start now after reading how high the noise gets. I'm actually amazed that much. I'll be wearing plugs for that though. It's way too hot here in Texas to wear the muffs in the summer anyway, now winter when snow is on the ground I mig.....Oh never mind.

[paynea]

Even here in the NE it's a bit too hot/humid to use earmuff-style protectors for lawnmowing... I just grab a pair of disposable foam plugs out of the box of 1000 pairs I piced up from an online police supply place (www.botachtactical.com). I do use the earmuff-type hearing protectors in the shop and when running the snowthrower, where more than their sound insulating properties come in handy.

For big bore rifle usage however, my belt & suspenders approach is is plugs and muffs simultaneously. While the box of plugs is still at least 3/4 full, I'm down to my last pair of ears!

Adam

[lcm1947]

I know everybody already knows this but for those that don't. http://www.aearo.com/pdf/hearingcons/87071.pdf and one more interesting sites. Shows you different tools, machines, etc sounds. Pretty darn interesting and useful.

[ironhat]

OK, I'll ask this knowing that I'm in for some ribbing. What do you do when you have big ear openings and the plugs just don't seal up? I use the muffs but having them both for shooting and mowing would be better for me. I started getting tinnitis back in the early 70's while working with air jacks on the railroad so I reaolly need to save what's left.
Later,
Chiz

edited for clarity

[lcm1947]

Hey nobody's going to make fun of you around here big ears. Sorry just had to take that cheap shot. Anyway, well then you should look into the plugs that are kind of shaped like, well like a barrel. They are fuller and might do the trick for you. I unlike you don't have huge monstrous ears ( there I go again, sorry ) but I ran across one style that wouldn't seal for me either. They were good sellers or I assume but wouldn't work for me. Here's two examples of the ones I mean. http://www.gallawaysafety.com/index....ath=26_27ample.

[ironhat]

Thanks for the link and the chuckles, Mac. Those look like they'll do the trick. I wish we had an industrial supplier nearby so that I could try'em out before buying a couple hundred.

[bigsteel15]

These have the highest reduction of all the ones sold by LV.
They all also very comfortable.
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...10&cat=1,42207

[lcm1947]

Glad you took it that way ironhat. I couldn't resist. Yeah I wish a guy could buy samples of different ones so you could check them out before buying 200 of them. Ouch! Thanks bigsteel for the site and item. They look interesting and sure should do the trick at 25 dB's and would sure be cooler then earmuffs when it's 100 degrees in the shop. I may just very well try those out. I sure hope the plugs themselves last for a little while though. Rather expensive if not but probably will.