Hearing Protection

[LarryG]

I need to do something about protecting what hearing I have left (which is most of it, although I am starting to notice some slight loss that is presumably due to advancing years). The trouble is, I'm not sure what kind of protective device will work best.

Muffs look like they'd be easiest to put on and take off, meaning they might actually get WORN, but from wearing stereo headphones I wonder how prone they'd be to slide off when I bend over. They could be hot in the summer, too.

I've worn foam earplugs on long, top-down trips in my Miata, and they work reasonably well. But it takes a bit of fiddling to get a good seal, and the ocean-in-a-seashell sensation they impart is a little creepy.

The "headsets" that consist of foam plugs mounted to a thin plastic band look like they'd be quick and easy to put on and take off, but I seem to remember reading somewhere that many of these are not very effective unless you take the time to ensure a good fit, the same as with loose foam plugs.

And I guess there's always the custom-fitted hi-zoot earplugs option. Not cheap, but the usual argument about them being cheaper than medical bills applies.

What have some of y'all used that works? Or doesn't work? I'd be especially interested in the comments of anyone who has tried more than one system.

[JR]

I've tried foam plugs. They work fine, but get dirty and I tend to lose them.

I bought muffs at HF for $2. Best safety investement I've made. Works great, easy to put on and remove, hard to lose.

JR

[vinht]

I wear muffs for just about everything. In the workshop, mowing the lawn, snowblowing the driveway. Very easy and much more comfortable than plugs IMO.

Vinh

[PJC]

LOML bought me the big ones they sell at BORG for around $20. The muffs themselves have green plastic outside with thick black padding inside. I think they are AWESOME!!!!

[lago]

I don't know if they still make them since I quit shooting several yers ago but someone at the range had electronic muffs. It used a 9v battery and it allowed you to hear normal sounds but muffled the gunfire. I use muffs also but would like to hear normal sounds when I don't have any equipment running and hate to take the muffs off and on.

[BobSch]

quote:Originally posted by LarryG


The "headsets" that consist of foam plugs mounted to a thin plastic band look like they'd be quick and easy to put on and take off, but I seem to remember reading somewhere that many of these are not very effective unless you take the time to ensure a good fit, the same as with loose foam plugs.

I use the "headset" plugs and like them a lot. It takes a couple of seconds to get them seated but then they work well. I'm losing my hearing due to age and exposure to loud sounds when I was younger (Listen up, chillins ) and I don't want to lose the rest any time soon. I tried the headset muff type but they get too warm after a short time.

[atgcpaul]

I prefer the orange foam plugs. I get a box of them at the
pharmacy for less than $4 for 20 of them. I reuse them until
I'm too grossed out about putting them in my ears anymore. They
last me at least 6 months. I just leave them in the whole time
I'm in the shop. I find that they seal out the noise better than
the red AOS safety muffs I have. I'll grab the muffs if I'm just
doing something quickly and I may need my hearing to consult my
wife on some project thoughts.

Paul

[monte]

I use the muffs that HF sells but they get pretty warm during the summer.

[Mainemarc]

My wife got me the red ear muffs that HD sells. They certainly have never slipped off and are quite comfortable. Well, unless I'm also wearing my twin cartridge repiratator and safety glasses, in which case some of my hair gets pulled while slipping everything in place. They reduce the sound level by a noticable amount. Using my router is now actually enjoyable.

I think the key is in your own post: ear muffs are the most convenient so you'll actually use them. Don't procrastinate trying to decide what is absolutely the best route to take. Get something now that you'll actually use and then worry about upgrading later.

PS: dedicate a spot in your shop to store hearing protection and always return it to there. That way it'll be there when you need it.

[lrogers]

Muffs for me too. I usually wear a ball cap when I'm in the shop and it seems to keep the muffs from slipping.

[GeekMom]

I use muffs, too. Only trouble I've had is fit while wearing them with a full face shield for turning. Hang mine right on the saw so that I can't forget to wear them.

[Tundra_Man]

+1 on muffs. No slipping problems. The foam earplugs work well too, but they're a pain to pull out and replace when the LOML comes in to the shop to tell me something.

[Tom Miller]

I keep a pair of ear muffs hanging above the table saw (which is also very close to the miter saw and router). I only put them on while cutting, but I do it religiously once I got in the habit. Loud noise is a very good reminder.

For me, the key is being able to find them quickly, partly served by having a dedicated hanging space, and partly because they're bright orange.

I prefer the foam plugs for blocking noise, but in the shop I find them impractical.

Regards,
Tom

[LarryG]

Thanks, everyone. Looks like the majority is solidly for muffs. While I do have reservations about them, as cheap as the HF muffs are, it won't cost me much to experiment.

I do know that muffs are effective at blocking noise. Years ago, in another lifetime, I covered NASCAR racing for CompuServe and often wore my scanner headset in the press rooms to block out the noise while I was trying to write on deadline. But at one race at Talladega the a/c in the media center went out, and that's when I found out how hot they could get.

[newbie2wood]

I too prefer the orange form plugs. They are relatively cheap. I'm a weekend workworker, and couple sets of plugs will last several months. For me, the form plugs are more comfortable and not as constricting as the muffs (especially with safety eyewear).

You may want to verify the following comment by examining the package for the db rating. I believe that the form plugs offer better protection than many of the muffs.
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