Comments on: Only Protect What You Want To Keep

By: Steven

Steven — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:46:03 +0000

It’s interesting that wearing ear defenders upside down can result in them becoming less effective. Lots of guys around our factory do this…….

By: Simon

Simon — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:43:41 +0000

I have used these in the past at http://www.gflaser.co.uk but I prefer the larger ear muff type of defenders. The reason for this is that they are more comfortable and hygenic.

By: Avisciciulli

Avisciciulli — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:51:23 +0000

As someone who’s worked in noisy web printing plants for a long time, I highly recommend over the ear rather than in ear. Except for snowblowing. Or loud concerts.

I’m not recommending this site per se, but these are super comfortable, and the ones I bought were the highest dB reduction I could find at 32dB.

http://www.approvedgasmasks.com/earmuffs-leightning.htm

However, I’m starting to think about custom molded ones designed for specific frequencies.

By: Cameron Watt

Cameron Watt — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 02:25:18 +0000

I always wear these when welding…no matter what. You only pick hot slag out of your ear once…

By: MarilynH

MarilynH — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:50:05 +0000

I had the same thought as CC. Very disturbing photo.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:30:42 +0000

Chris K: There are passive (mechanical) and active (electronic) versions. As you might imagine, active are MUCH more expensive (two orders of magnitude more). Here’s an example of each. I haven’t used either one.

Active: http://www.espamerica.com/default.aspx

Passive: http://www.surefire.com/EP3-Sonic-Defenders

The ones by Surefire are cheap enough that you could just buy a pair and try ‘em out. The ones by ESP are more of a “you might want to make sure these things really work before you go spending two grand” kind of thing.

By: Chris K

Chris K — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:18:42 +0000

Morgan - I haven’t heard of that. Got a link or brand? That would be way useful.

By: Tetsubo

Tetsubo — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:33:45 +0000

I get this for free at work. I work nights and sleep days. And some days, these are the only way I can get any sleep at all. The city worked on the street outside of my bedroom window for two months one summer. These things saved my sanity. They are also handy when the guy in the apartment sharing my bedroom wall decides to play his guitar during the day…

By: Morgan

Morgan — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:50:10 +0000

For the cost of 9 boxes, you can buy custom ear protection that filter only noise over a certain decibel. The difference is phenomenal as you can do almost any grinding, cutting, hammering etc and still be able to hear someone talking to you. I find it particularly handy as a welder because it allows me to hear the sound of my weld over the sound of my generator.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:56:57 +0000

Now’s probably a good time for me to point out what I’ve said on other hearing-protector posts: the fit matters a LOT. Make sure you’re using the hearing protectors as the manufacturer instructs; wearing over-the-head headphone-style protectors around the back of your head or under your chin (basically upside-down) can cut their effectiveness in half or worse. Plopping the foam plugs in your ear without properly rolling them and inserting them into the ear canal will be similarly ineffective.

My dad’s an audiologist, so I always got lectured on this sort of thing when I was little

By: Gordon DeWitte

Gordon DeWitte — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:19:55 +0000

If you don’t like earplugs, Highland currently has the over-the-ear Peltor 10A hearing protectors (30dB NRR) on sale for $19.99.

http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/peltorh10aprofessionalhearingprotectors.aspx

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:56:14 +0000

I don’t actually like these particular ones because of the shape of the back end. The softer foam is great, though; I prefer earplugs made of this foam but with a more regular cone shape (instead of that funky flared end). I think the ones I’m using right now are 3M brand.

By: cc

cc — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:49:33 +0000

Headline + pic made me think it was some kind of vibration absorbing cup for people who do alot of motorcycle miles and want to protect their junk

By: Toolhearty

Toolhearty — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:58:34 +0000

Loomis Says:
That’s $20 per pack of 200, or $.20 per.
Oops. Better check your math again. There’s too many two’s in there not to have a 4 or a 1 pop up somewhere.

I should have been more specific: per = per pair

I do like your mental quick-check for correctness, though. I do the same thing.

By: Loomis

Loomis — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:42:59 +0000

That’s $20 per pack of 200, or $.20 per.
Oops. Better check your math again. There’s too many two’s in there not to have a 4 or a 1 pop up somewhere.

By: bajajoaquin

bajajoaquin — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:10:31 +0000

I buy these by the case. I wear them when I ride my motorcycle (under my helmet). I use them in the shop. I wear them when I go to sleep camping if my camp mates snore. I wear them racing, and when going to the races. Even concerts.

I’ve found that the 32dB plugs work best for me, based on my motorcycle priority. It cuts down on enough wind noise, but still lets me hear cars, horns, etc. Other uses could require more or less sound deadening. You should try different plugs to find the one that works for you.

By: Toolhearty

Toolhearty — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:31:18 +0000

Billy Says:
Your post says $20, should be $.20.

That’s $20 per pack of 200, or $.20 per. Clearly says so in the post.

(I know, you were told there would be no math.)

By: dano

dano — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:30:08 +0000

I use some when I sleep. I should get a pair of custom ear pieces already…

By: Billy

Billy — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:13:35 +0000

Your post says $20, should be $.20.