Hearing Protection

[cwsmith]

I use both (not at the same time though). It depends on how long I'm going to do one thing or another. If I'm intending to be on a particular tool for a long time, then I use the ear plugs as I consider them more comfortable. I have a bunch of little green plugs that they use at work. They have big, crank-operated dispensers that drops them out into your hand like peanuts. Since I've retired, my supply has dwindled, but the wash out easily, if you need to.

My ear muffs are more handy and I keep a pair hanging on the end of the Radial Arm Saw, where its handy. The muffs get worn when it's just a quick cut here or there.

CWS

[Tom Slick]

I prefer the muffs. if you buy a good set they will be very comfortable and will not slide around on your head. peletor makes some nice models. I like them because you can put them on and off as much as you want easily. I don't like sticking greasy plugs back in my ears and they often make my ears sore. also they are large so you don't loose them. if I am doing something really loud, like running a chain saw, chipper shreader, or (in my former life) running a jet engine, I wear both plugs and muffs.

[Ken Weaver]

I bought muffs at HD, actually I bought 3 pair and put one each at the BT, CMS, and router. They are always there reminding me to put them on before I use the machine.

[Stan]

I agree with the comment that 'whatever you will wear' is the best option. For the cost -- having some foam plugs handy along with a good set of muffs is not a bad option.

I wear the foam plugs for about 10 hours/day at work. No way I could wear muffs that long, so those wouldn't work. At home, I have muffs hanging in a couple handy locations.

When I fire up the thicknesser -- I put in foam plugs and top it off with muffs... (I have a very loud thicknesser)

[Thom2]

from the 'whatever you will wear' schooling .... I have several different styles that I use all dependant on what I'm doing at the time. For convenience of grab-n-go, it's hard to beat the HF muffs (I actually find myself using these more and more). If I know that it's the type of thing that will require safety glasses and hearing protection for an extended period of time, I have a set of safety glasses with rubber type earplugs right on the temples, I love those things but they're kind ignorant for on-off repeatedly. I also have the rubbery plugs on a plastic neckband and use those in place of the muffs from time to time if the muffs won't work with whatever eye protection I'm using. I also have several packs of the foam roll-yer-own type somewhere, but haven't reached for those in several years.

My opinion on the whole matter .... invest in several, they're really not that expensive and having a variety of types on hand will insure that you actually use them regardless of the task on hand.


Thom
can you hear me now?

[sacherjj]

Has anyone tried the Muffs with a radio in them? A/O Work tunes (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...&s=hi&v=glance) I'm debating going with these and then use a FM transmitter made for sending audio (iPod or whatnot) to your car radio. People seem to like them for mowing the lawn, etc. Right now I use the Orange foam plugs. I learned from a father who was a general contractor and lost most of his high end hearing from circular saws and routers.

[jwaterdawg]

Muffs here too, especially in the winter they keep my ears nice and toasty. In summer, muffs for quick jobs and plugs for prolonged use. IMHO, the muffs are so much more convenient. I picked them up on clearance at Sears (came with a pair of safety glasses) for like ~$5 a couple of months ago. The thought of sawdust, superglue, titebond, degreaser and whatever else going in my ear via a plug is not a pleasant thought.

I've thought about getting some of those muffs with a radio in them, but frankly I'm a little 'fraid I'll get disctracted, or drop my concentration and lose a couple of digits. But for yard work, they would be awesome.

[LCHIEN]

quote:Originally posted by jwaterdawg

...
I've thought about getting some of those muffs with a radio in them, but frankly I'm a little 'fraid I'll get disctracted, or drop my concentration and lose a couple of digits. But for yard work, they would be awesome.

What, a steel bladed thingy whirling around a mere 12" in front of your feet (proabably no steel-toed shoes either?) won't take off a couple of lower digits?[8D] Why is that less dangerous? Maybe you've lost respect for a lawn mower... Just as bad as losing respect for a table saw.

[jwaterdawg]

quote:Originally posted by LCHIEN
What, a steel bladed thingy whirling around a mere 12" in front of your feet (proabably no steel-toed shoes either?) won't take off a couple of lower digits?[8D] Why is that less dangerous? Maybe you've lost respect for a lawn mower... Just as bad as losing respect for a table saw.

One thing's for sure, I'm less likely to run into a tree with my table saw hearing protection or not []

[sacherjj]

quote:Originally posted by jwaterdawg

quote:Originally posted by LCHIEN
What, a steel bladed thingy whirling around a mere 12" in front of your feet (proabably no steel-toed shoes either?) won't take off a couple of lower digits?[8D] Why is that less dangerous? Maybe you've lost respect for a lawn mower... Just as bad as losing respect for a table saw.

One thing's for sure, I'm less likely to run into a tree with my table saw hearing protection or not []

Well, unless you are using it wrong, you should be running into trees with your table saw quite often.

[stewchi]

I have a pair of in the ear noise cancellation headphones I wear while I am in the shop, so I can listen to the game or MP3s etc, I put my muffs over the top of those. It works really well. For high noise items, like if I am ripping or planning or routing a lot of wood, say 30 minutes or more with equipment on, I will wear both plugs and muffs. I have trouble with the foam plugs and picked up a box of waxy, clay type plugs that work well with the muffs. When I have both on I have to strain to hear the saw running. It is kinda spooky.

[LCHIEN]

quote:Originally posted by sacherjj

Has anyone tried the Muffs with a radio in them? A/O Work tunes (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...&s=hi&v=glance) I'm debating going with these and then use a FM transmitter made for sending audio (iPod or whatnot) to your car radio. People seem to like them for mowing the lawn, etc. Right now I use the Orange foam plugs. I learned from a father who was a general contractor and lost most of his high end hearing from circular saws and routers.

HF has that exact same unit by AO.
AO model 90545
HF# 45397, and its $49.99 (10 less than Amazon)

[scorrpio]

I got muffs from HD, work fine for me.

[JSUPreston]

I have the green muffs from Sears and love them. My only problem is that I choose to wear a full face sheild rather than goggles. I'm blind in one eye and don't like the idea of goggles, so I use the full face sheild. However, the sheild and the muffs get in the way of each other. I'm now looking into something a friend at work showed me that loggers use. It's a full hard hat with a mesh face sheild and muffs. Price looks good. If I find the link for it, I'll post.

[Napoleon]

I use the radio muffs.... Acutally bought them by mistake but they work fine. I like listening to classical music, and it come in just fine on the muffs. Not really sure if I'm getting the best protection, so I might try another type later this year, and just to have another in the shop for guests will by nice also...
Mark