What type of hearing protection do you wear most often?
- Earmuff style
- Disposable foam earplugs
- Fancy plugs on the ends of a cord
- Electronic noise-canceling headsets
- Other
- I don’t usually wear hearing protection
You will not be able to change your vote.
Replies
Worktunes - earmuff style with AM/FM radio. I voted "Other"
Regard it as just as desirable to build a chicken house as to build a cathedral.
Frank Lloyd Wright
Worktunes are great, aren't they? I use the radio even when not in the shop (gardening, for instance). I voted earmuffs though, 'cause that's what they are.
boom-chka-boom-chka-boom.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Worktunes are great, aren't they? I use the radio even when not in the shop (gardening, for instance).
...and for lawn mowing.....
They even make sanding almost tolerable.Regard it as just as desirable to build a chicken house as to build a cathedral. Frank Lloyd Wright
FG,
From years of NOT wearing ear protection (guys were too macho for that sissy stuff back when I was getting started), I no longer need to listen to music. I just hum along to the ringing I hear all the time now. Mmmm mmmm hmm....I don't do those things the voices tell me tho.
Cheers,
Ray
"I just hum along to the ringing I hear all the time " Ooooo, bummer! I dread the thought of having tinitis. Sister had it (just spontaneous, not related to noise exposure) and she was miserable.
Most of my historical noise exposure has been to (a) the trumpet section in band and (b) rock musical from the '70's. Ahhhhh, then young are un-teachable.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Not a bad idea, except that everything they play on the radio these days is all crap. A better idea is some type of earmuff headphones that'll play music from the music collection on my computer.I wear the regular earmuffs, which I also use for shotgun shooting (though with the shotgun, I also use the foam inserts in conjuction). I find the earmuffs better because they offer good attenuation, but they're also very easy to put on and take off. The foam inserts are a pain that way, and since I'm not running power tools constantly, only usually for a few seconds at a time, I don't want to have inserts in my ears that whole time.
"Not a bad idea, except that everything they play on the radio these days is all crap. A better idea is some type of earmuff headphones that'll play music from the music collection on my computer."
I've always thought the wireless noise canceling (Bose?) would be worth a try. You could hook the transmitter to your stereo, CD player, or MP3 and listen to anything you wanted. Never had the excess cash to give it a try.
During the evenings the local college station has a good selection of classical, but on weekends I'm at the mercy of the local 60's and 70's station - more 70's than 60's (unfortunately) and their play list seems to have only about 50 songs on it - VERY redundant. As for the AM side, I like talk radio, but I often experience electrical noise in the radio when using electrical tools and listing to AM. The AM reception is also somewhat directional - tilting my head a certain way can all but cancel out the signal.
Regard it as just as desirable to build a chicken house as to build a cathedral. Frank Lloyd Wright
Edited 6/29/2006 3:00 pm by Rennie
Edited 6/29/2006 3:01 pm by Rennie
Well, I'll disagree that it's all crap. "All Blues" on KPLU Saturday and Sunday nights, 6pm-11pm is great stuff, IMHO. You can stream it if you want, kplu.org I will agree that the formula radio is kinda like tapioca pudding.
Aren't there some kind of wireless headphones available??? Or did I just dream about them....forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
There are lots of wireless headphones out there but I'm still looking for a pair with sound protection. Something like work tunes but wireless, anybody know of any with at least 25db isolation?
Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb
Would an ipod with the little buttons in your ear, then a regular ear muff over them work?
Alan - planesaw
I wear Worktunes and listen to satelite radio. Samething as buying a transmitter and using your own music.
Rennie,
I knew that we would agree on something! Worktunes! My AM reception is awful, but the FM is great!.Happy Fourth!John
Rennie,If FW would broadcast the Knots forums, we could listen to woodwork chat while we do the woodwork. What could be better? What a fantastic way to determine which is more fun? Of course, there is potential danger involved. The woodworking could cause one to lose one's focus on the chat.96PS - my wife walked in the workshop the other day and saw me with my ear protection, face mask, dust mask and kevlar apron on. She said "You never looked better!". Just joking about the kevlar. It isn't actually kevlar. I just wrote "kevlar" on it to try to convince the wood that it isn't worth its while to kick back at me. So far, so good.
96,
I must agree. Listening to Knots might be distracting in the least, infuriating at times, but always too engrossing to permit focusing on the task at hand.
"Kevlar" vest. Nice touch!Regard it as just as desirable to build a chicken house as to build a cathedral. Frank Lloyd Wright
I knew that we would agree on something!
I must know reexamine my choice of hearing protection.Regard it as just as desirable to build a chicken house as to build a cathedral. Frank Lloyd Wright
:-)John
A note regarding the ZEM protectors.I got a pair and really like them. They are easy to stick in an apron pocket to have access wherever I wander through the shop. They are very effective at stopping machine noise. Alright! But...... When doing some chisel and mallet work, I accidently whacked the tube portion that was hanging in the under chin position. Wow, the ZEM's magnified the sound and sent it straight into my ears. Nasty loud. I won't be using them around hammer things anymore.
This post is a mini review of the Zem hearing protectors, which I bought from Lee Valley recently.
You may have seen these featured in one of the woodworking magazines recently...I do not recall which one. I was attracted to their compact size and the claim that you can hear normal conversation with them on. Since I have already experienced some hearing loss, my desire for an effective protection from further hearing damage is important to me. My previous experience in noise reduction is with the typical earmuff style and foam disposable types.
Zems are priced at $18.50. My first reaction to them upon opening the package was "I paid $18.50 for this?" They are molded from rigid red plastic to which are attached two foam earpieces and a simple sliding sizes adjustment, so it is obvious that you are not paying for intrinsic value here. The device folds conveniently for pocket storage...a real plus, but the overall design and quality is not impressive.
Do they work? I have no way of measuring the claimed 26 db noise reduction. They definitely do not mask noise in the way that earmuffs do. One thing that they definitely do not provide is comfort. The foam earpieces are very hard and bothered my ears enough that I had to remove the device about every 15 minutes.
My overall feeling about the Zem hearing protector is that they will not be a long-term part of my shop safety regimen. I suspect that they are a product of well-intentioned research that has not quite reached muturity as a finished product. I guess I will be resuming my personal search for a better noise reduction solution.
Thanks for the review. I've been using the ZEM for about 6 months in my shop and although I do not agree with all of your review, I can confirm some of it.
I agree that for $18.50 I would expect a little more quality. There just isn't much to them. The size adjustment 'tube' is a little too flimsy. I suppose that this may be part of the design, it's important that they fit the ears properly if they are to work.
In my opinion they work as well as the muffs I have, provided they are put on properly. That's the big one. I find that they must be seated properly in the ear if they are to work. They just don't slap on like muffs, or even earplugs. The series of put them on tilt them forward, tilt them back... takes time. One problem I have found lately is they don't seat properly on the first try. I think they foam on mine are starting to wear out.
They don't bother my ears too much. But neither do disposable plugs. I dislike wearing ear protection when I don't need it, so I usually take them off when the noise is gone. Unless I'm milling lots of stock this is usually only a few minutes at a time. What I do like about them is that they are very light. As well their compact size (and the fact they fold) allows me to keep them on me. Finally they don't interfere with my other safety equipment like muffs do. The muffs I find push my safety glasses into my head, and some of the glasses keep the muffs from getting a good seal.
Can you hear voices when wearing them? No better then wearing muffs... I find it attenuates most noise, including voices.
The only things that drives me nuts is if something hits them. My shop is in a garage, which has a door opener. The release handle hangs down a little, and every once in awhile it taps the red chambers of the ZEM... Wow it's loud. I suppose I could just tie it up a little higher...
I will continue to use the ZEM as my primary hearing protection. I enjoy the fact that they are lightweight and compact.
What I don't like about Worktunes is that the tuning is analog; too hard to switch between stations.
Northern Tool used to sell earmuff-style protectors with built-in speakers. When I use hearing protection, I hook these up to a small Sony AM/FM radio with digital tuning, although they could just as easily be hooked up to a CD or MP3 player.
I answered "usually don't use hearing protection" since I usually use them only when using the router, or the big shop vac. For most power tools, they seem quieter enough that I don't bother with them.
Don't wear hearing protection: not necessary with hand-powered tools.
I used a combination of foam ear plugs and ear muffs back in the days when I used power tools.
James
"not necessary with hand-powered tools." Unless it's a hammer. Hammer hits were measured on Ask TOH and they were registering about 130 db. Since this is a transient impulse, it's more dangerous since it doesn't sound really loud, but does a lot of damage, anyway.
"I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
Highfigh,
Good point. Not doing very much hammering at all, it's relatively unimportant for me, but for others it could be a significant source of hearing loss. I wasn't aware that it could spike as high as 130 dB; learned something new today. Thanks.
Having spent more than a couple of years around high-intensity transient noise (130 dB to 160+ dB -- AKA weapons system fire...) and having met way too many people with "artillery ears" or "tanker's ears," that had 50% or more hearing loss in the medium and high frequency ranges before they were 30 years old (some even as young as 25 years old), wearing hearing protection was a never-ignored, non-negotiable, requirement for me and those that worked for me.
Even to this day, I wear hearing protection when using the shop vac to clean up after a day of making shavings, and when using other noisy items. As a result of being perhaps "over-protective" of my hearing, it is still reasonably good, with relatively little loss. I like my hearing just as it is, and hope to avoid having to use hearing aids when I hit the 80+ year old mark.....
Cheers!
James
What?
Don't be rude, Andy.
The word you're seeking is, pardon, ha, ha-- ha, ha, ha. Slainte.Richard Jones Furniture
Oh, that's funny! Took me a minute to get it!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
I had to read it four times before I got it. I just love to see woodworkers using hand tools to flatten,square, and plane rough lumber with hand tools. I just get downright giddy.
i'm starting to use hand tools now. i watched rob cosman do a six sided true up on his rough to ready video. it sure did look like a lot of work and he was doing the demo on a relatively modest sized board!
andy,
can't stop giggling. My kind of humour!
I used the better corded rubber ear plugs for years but after wearing them for a few hours straight, or at the end of the day, my ears would get a little sore. It almost felt like very mild bruising. Also, I had to spend a few seconds every time I put them in jiggling them around untill they sealed properly, which means I generally didn't bother and settled for a half seal. Finally if any of you have used these pluge you know what happens when the saw dust and ear wax mix! Yuck.
I finally got a pair of cheep muffs at HD and they are a lot better. The sound reduction is almost as good and they are comfortable. My complaints with muffs are that they interfere with eye protection a little and they get hot inside so my ears sweat. I suspect that the muffs will start stinkin' in the near future. A big plus is that muffs are hard to loose in the shop, where as I was always looking for the plugs.
Mike
Pardon my spelling,
Mike
Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.
For some reason I only seem to lose the muffs after the kids have been in the shop...
On the other hand, maybe I should make them wear ear protection. They're all deaf, yet I seem to hear everything.
My Grandchildren have that selective hearing, Wife says I do too!! Maybe?? But 30 years in Boiler and turbine rooms takes a toll.. Now wear Muffs for the noisey machines" Wife included"Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
Wow, lots of people use Earmuff type protectors. I have a couple of pairs in the shop for helpers and visitors. I use them in a pinch.
Normally I use the Zem hearing protectors. They're nice and light and don't interfere with my saftey glasses.
Hi Buster,
I recently bought my first pair of Zem hearing protectors and I'm looking forward to using them when a shop full of power tools are running at school to see (hear) if they're as good as advertised.
I've been wearing a pair of shooter's ear muffs for the past few years, and they're effective - unless I'm chewing gum. I hang them from a Big Lugg drill/driver-hook attached to my belt so they're always at hand; otherwise, it's all too easy to lay them down somewhere in one of several classrooms, labs, or outbuildings and forget where I put them! Trouble is, they always seem to slide off of the hook when I'm moving logs with the forklift.
If the Zems work as promised, I should be able to tuck them in an apron pocket and do without the bulk of muffs completely (except, perhaps, when operating the Wood Mizer).
How long do the foam bits on the Zems last - in your experience?
Thanks,
-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
I've had them a little over 6 months and havn't replaced them. I'm not a pro so I only get about 8 hours a week in the shop.
Thanks for the reply, Buster.
I'll try to remember to post a follow-up comment here after I've used them for a full semester.
-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
I voted for fancy plugs on the end of cords. They are not fancy though. They are simple yellow plugs on a blue cord that I got at HD. They work great and don't get lost when I take them out since they are hanging around my neck. I periodically wash them with dish detergent to keep them clean. I read a post where someone got a nasty ear infection from dirty plugs.
There are more old drunkards than old doctors. Ben Franklin
I've tried various types, and feel that the foam plugs are most effective, and they can be used over and over again, and can be washed. I roll the plug forcefully between my fingers to reduce it to the smallest diameter, then insert it as far as it will go, keeping in mind that the external auditory canal (ear hole) angles forward. The plug then gradually expands until it completely fills the canal.
Tom
I'm glad you like your foam ear plugs (I'm a muff man myself), but I can't for the life of me understand why anyone would take the time to wash the little buggers. A box of 100 pairs only cost $20 to $30. If you use 2 pair a weekend, a box will last a year, and if someone comes over for a visit you can offer them a brand new pair without the worry of them taking an unwashed pair. Yuck!;-) http://www.labsafety.com/search/Default.htm?N=4294966963+4294966962+4294966733&Nu=dept%5Fid
Ear plugs that were in my pocket went through the laundry, came out clean and dry.
Tom
Ruth:
I use the Howard Leight QB2 which fit into your ear with a headband. They're much cooler than a full ear-muff, although don't provide the hearing protection of a full earmuff, but hang around your neck and are convienent to use.
The timber-framer who built our house (I just did interior trim) wears them - his thoughts were that something was better than nothing, and the heat retention of a full earmuff was too much; especially outside on a hot day milling and chain-mortising timbers.
I do use a full helmet-faceguard-earmuff set from Stihl when chainsawing though.
In the shop I use the ear muff type. However, when I mow the lawn I have a pair of noise cancelling/am-fm radio headphones complete with antenna. They are very effective...and get a lot of looks from passers by!
73,
Reg
I use muffs, but when the person beside me is banging away with something like a .44 mag I usually add a pair of plugs. ;-)
I USE EAR MUFFS WITH A RADIO VERY HIGH END WITH NOISE REDUCTION.
BOB
CAN YOU TYPE LOUDER? I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!!
DUUH! TAKE OUT YOUR EAR PLUGS!Measure it with a Micrometer,
Mark it with Chalk,
Cut it with an Ax.
Visit my woodworking blog Dust Maker
MARK!
EARPLUGS? HE'S WEARING WELDER"S GOGGLES
Ray
What brand? How much noise reduction DIPSTICK?Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb
d,
Dipsticks measure oil level, not noise level,
Ray
Ray,
So many things have more than one meaning it's getting very hard to keep up.....but it is facinating! ;o)
dipstick
One entry found for dipstick. Main Entry: dip·stick View ImagePronunciation: 'dip-"stikFunction: noun1 : a graduated rod for indicating depth (as of oil in a crankcase)2 [euphemism for #### (removed by censor - probably a good thing and should be left to one's imagination] : NITWIT3 : a chemically sensitive strip of paper used to identify one or more constituents (as glucose or protein) of urine by immersion
Regard it as just as desirable to build a chicken house as to build a cathedral. Frank Lloyd Wright
Edited 8/2/2006 9:34 am by Rennie
"2 [euphemism for #### (removed by censor - probably a good thing and should be left to one's imagination] : NITWIT"
Suitable mild euphemisms, in British English at least, range through, plonker, eejit, tosser, jerk, knob-end, etc..
Let's see what the censor does with that mild little lot, ha, ha. Slainte.Richard Jones Furniture
Rennie,
Oh I got dgreens drift all right, was just being deliberately obtuse to try and rattle his chain a little more. He seems a little short tempered of late.
Ray
Ray,
I never doubted your powers of observation and discernment for a second. I've seen your work, you are a very bright and talented fellow.
I was just being a bit of a wise a** - looking for some lighthearted relief following participation in another thread. Thank you for indulging me.Regard it as just as desirable to build a chicken house as to build a cathedral. Frank Lloyd Wright
It's a high end chain with noise reduction! :)
Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb
d,
Har!
My boy can probably use one of those, for his Stihl 440
Cheers,
Ray
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