| Author | Message | ||
     Ian Kreidich (Ian95rrc) Member Username: Ian95rrc Post Number: 124 Registered: 03-2003 |
Earplugs just aren't working for me. I'm looking at getting some ear muff style protection. The Lowes and Home Depot versions seem a little fisher pricey to me. From the little research I've done, 3M appears to have the best ear muffs. http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/en001/safety/occ_health_safety/node_GSHW98DLG Qgs/root_GST1T4S9TCgv/vroot_5SDD44F7DZge/bgel_4XZDRJH9QDbl/gvel_15GNZX1TWCgl/the me_us_ohes_3_0/command_AbcPageHandler/output_html What is everyone using for hearing protection? | ||
| Peter Carey (Peterca) New Member Username: Peterca Post Number: 33 Registered: 10-2003 |
Ian, What are you using them for? The Home depot ones will work fine for wood working (table saw, miter saw, etc...) or air tools. If you're concerned too much about it, those 3M units look nice. pwc | ||
| Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) Senior Member Username: Deanbrown3d Post Number: 1315 Registered: 02-2002 |
Look at the noise reduction rating (24 dB on those ones Ian). The good HD muffs are I think around that value. Dean | ||
| Woody Dunseith (Big_laboque) New Member Username: Big_laboque Post Number: 3 Registered: 12-2003 |
Ahoy hoy, I have this pair and I'm very pleased with their performance: http://www.labsafety.com/store/product_group.asp?dept_id=12646&parent_id=10438 Woody | ||
| Tim '92 RR (Snowman) Senior Member Username: Snowman Post Number: 653 Registered: 12-2002 |
Go to a store that sells chainsaws, they will have a good pair. | ||
| John Lee (Johnlee) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Johnlee Post Number: 773 Registered: 03-2003 |
Ian, What are you using the ear protection for? Guns or impact wrenches? I like the disposable foam earplugs the best. They work well enough for me. For me the hearing protection has to be convenient. I'm sure there's some set of ear muffs out there that works like the cone of silence, but if I get hot wearing them or they're inconvenient to put on, I'll end up taking them off or not wearing them at all and being exposed to hearing damage. | ||
| Ian Kreidich (Ian95rrc) Member Username: Ian95rrc Post Number: 125 Registered: 03-2003 |
Anything with a Db reduction of greater than 20 will do fine for me. What I am looking for is something that will hold up to abuse and is comfortable to wear. If it's not comfortable to wear then I'll just end up not using them and doing without. This has been my experience with all the ear plugs I have used. I spend a lot of time using various power tools in addition to the occasional use of air tools. I would say drilling concrete with my hammer drill is when I need the protection the most. The wire banded ear muffs HD and Lowes stocks will not work because I will most likely end up destroying them in less than a week. | ||
| Mike Rupp (Mike_rupp) Senior Member Username: Mike_rupp Post Number: 297 Registered: 02-2002 |
I recommend going to a sporting goods store and try some on before purchasing. I like the kind that has the gel filled piece that fits up to your head. The gel will seal up to your head better than the foam. | ||
| Ian Kreidich (Ian95rrc) Member Username: Ian95rrc Post Number: 126 Registered: 03-2003 |
I just missed your post John. I don't have much experience with the disposable earplugs. When I have used them they have been from dirt cheap suppliers, so I can't say much about them. I have been using a banded type ear plug for a couple years and they work, but I think they put too much pressure on my ears and end up bugging me. I use the banded because I end up taking them on and off a fair amount over the course of the day. I don't work in a shop most of the time so I have to be able to easily carry them with me where ever I go. This is the headset I use for flying. http://www.flightcom.net/site/headsets/denali.php# With the ANR feature turned on I have a total Db reduction of around 40. They have prooved to be incredibly comfortable for hours at a time. I guess that's why I'm leaning towards getting the ear muff style protection. Oh yeah, I wish I could get into guns but I really don't need another expensive hobby at the moment. Do most people use ear plugs at the shooting range? | ||
| John Lee (Johnlee) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Johnlee Post Number: 776 Registered: 03-2003 |
I really like the foam earplugs. They're more comfortable for me than the banded rubber plugs. I also had a set of ear plugs custom made from silicone and those were very comfortable, but they last about a year and start shrinking a little over time. If you want really high noise protection, you can combine the foam ear plugs with ear muffs. Most gun ranges require both eye and ear protection. I've tried shooting without ear protection before just to see how loud the gunfire was. Needless to say, it was loud. | ||
| Frank Rafka (Mongosd2) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Mongosd2 Post Number: 310 Registered: 02-2003 |
I'm with John on this, I use the foam earplugs to shoot and when I'm working in the shop...most comfortable, still can hear what's going on around you when wearing them and they are cheap. Any industrial supply stores has them, and are cheaper there than at a sporting good store. Frank | ||
| Ian Kreidich (Ian95rrc) Member Username: Ian95rrc Post Number: 127 Registered: 03-2003 |
I forgot about the gel seals Mike, you're right they are a lot better than foam. Both my headsets have them and they definitely make a difference. I'm going to give the disposable foam plugs a try. They will work if I can remember to carry some in my shirt pocket. My banded plugs where actually foam, but from the looks of it they are very different from the disposable foam plug design. I'll probably get the ear muffs as well because I know I won't want to put the disposable plugs in my ears when my hands are covered in dirt and grease. | ||
| flyor (Flyor) New Member Username: Flyor Post Number: 30 Registered: 05-2003 |
I have a pair of David Clark muffs with the gell seals. Model 27. I use them both in the shop and range. Those cheesy foam ear plugs don't work for especially with greasy fingers. When flying I use David Clarks, H10 13.4 Take it from someone getting fitted for hearing aids next month, use hearing protection! I was born with shitty hearing but 30 years of messing with guns, planes and cars have added to the problem. | ||
| Ronnie McKinney (Ronnie) Member Username: Ronnie Post Number: 89 Registered: 08-2002 |
In my opinion, John is right. The disposable foam earplugs are hard to beat. Throw a small package in your glove box and they're always available. I have spent the last 4 years working in bars around live bands and they work great. Before that I worked on a small drag racing pit crew and used them there as well. My hearing's probably not as good as it should be for a 33 year old male but it's not bad for what I put myself through. I also went through many a round at the local range. They really work well in almost all circumstances. | ||
| Keith Mitchell (Keith_indy) New Member Username: Keith_indy Post Number: 18 Registered: 12-2003 |
This is the pair I use. http://www.labsafety.com/store/product_group.asp?dept_id=12639&parent_id=10436 Using an angle grinder on metal, no problem with these on. For something so valuable (your hearing) I wouldn't go with the cheapest noise reducer you can find. | ||
| Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) Senior Member Username: Deanbrown3d Post Number: 1325 Registered: 02-2002 |
Keith - the specs on those is kinda crap! 20db is not very much (its a log scale, btw). | ||
| Eric N (Eric_n) New Member Username: Eric_n Post Number: 10 Registered: 01-2004 |
The foam is good for around the shop. You can buy them in bulk for pretty cheap, they work pretty good, and you throw them away when you're done with them so no cleaning needed. I used to use them at the gun range too but, with large calibur guns at an indoor range they don't work so well. I switched over to muffs for shooting indoors but, still use the foam for outdoor shooting. You should go to a large gun store ( or atleast some where that has a big selection) and try on all the different pairs that they have and see if you like any of them. You can also pick up some foam plugs for cheap and try them out too. For shop work though the foam would probably be your best bet. | ||
| Ian Kreidich (Ian95rrc) Member Username: Ian95rrc Post Number: 128 Registered: 03-2003 |
It's funny you say that Dean. Those appear to be the same ear muffs Home Depot sells. Take a look. http://www.homedepot.com/cmc_upload/HDUS/EN_US/asset/images/eplus/129301_4.jpg http://www.labsafety.com/store/assets/product_images_XL/LB13375.JPG | ||
| Keith Mitchell (Keith_indy) New Member Username: Keith_indy Post Number: 19 Registered: 12-2003 |
22db when you have the strap behind the neck, which I normaly end up doing. Easier to take off and leave around my neck when moving around and not needing the protection. But, that said, I probably should get better protection since I already have tinitus from guns, rock and roll, and working on cars in my youth... I've been lucky as that's the only damage I've done. Had a hearing test recently and it was good. I'll probably go with the model 3000 from EAR, 26db and made in the USA. Only $19 or so... http://www.aearo.com/html/products/hearing/muff03.htm |
