Hearing protection

AspenArbo

AspenArbo

Location
Sioux Falls, SD
So I think of my PPE as an investment into my safety and well being as well as my productivity on the job. I have chainsaw protective pants, and prescription eye protection and lightweight breathable clothes and helmets, but I've been struggling on whether or not to take the next step on hearing protection. I've never been a fan of muffs on my helmet while climbing (heavy), especially when I'm not running a chainsaw all that much, and my around the neck ear plugs keep breaking (wide head).
So the question is, does anyone out there have custom molded, electronic hearing protection out there that they use?
I also hunt a bunch so they are sounding appealing to me for that avenue as well.
It is a big investment as they start at about $800 and can go up to $3,000.00 for the real fancy ones, but I'm thinking of the convenience of putting them in at the beginning of the day, being able to hear and communicate on the job, but then getting the necessary db reduction when noise goes over 80db.
Obviously not for everyone, but...
 
that sounds way too expensive, but extremely awesome. how durable are they for wet conditions? and have you tried just keeping in earplugs? I only take mine out for lunch usually then just leave them in the rest of the day.
 
Always wear something, ALWAYS. When you get to my age and can prevent the hearing loss that I have from not wearing them you'll be glad you did. In my early years, I shot a lot of guns, listened to a lot of loud music, ran a lot of power tools, and the list goes on. Now I have constant tinnitus and have trouble hearing when there is almost any background noise. I won't even cut the lawn without wearing something. Whatever you choose, take it from someone who didn't listen, you'll be happy you did. We all loose some high frequency hearing as we get older, but if you run a chainsaw, etc. without something, you'll be setting yourself up for exactly what I have now. Sound advice from one who know...
 
Ok, so maybe the way I wrote that is confusing... I am always wearing hearing protection now, never go without it. But I am not a fan of using the heavy muffs while climbing ( I use them when chipping or sawing on the ground) and the foam plugs or around the neck ones that I do use either break or disappear way to often.
Cambmx, that is kind of where I'm heading. Wearing the electronic plugs all day, but when the noises are below a certain range then I would be able to hear just like normal.
They are washable, I guess I don't know about in the rain, but how wet do the inside of your ears get wet in the rain...

It seems to me like this would be really convenient and safe. Like I said above, an investment into my safety and productivity.
 
if washable I would assume mostly waterproof, that would be really really nice to have, especially if you have a lot of involved rigging to talk through. Just today I was wishing I had something like that I had to really strain to hear co workers talking through a couple rigs but didn't want to take the time to pull out an earplug for just those couple rigs. I wonder if they could make breathable or more lightweight muffs while keeping protection up?

Also, The electronic part makes it seem like they won't deteriorate, I've heard you should replace earplugs everyday or so, and muffs every so often not sure the time period, so it would mean only one purchase and then you could be done too? I'm very interested I'll have to do some research
 
my buddy and his dad have some. I have tried them out hunting and shot when them on. They work. You don't even remember the shot so thats a good thing I guess. Also you can turn the sensitivity up or down and can hear every stick break. Being up in a tree you could hear everything though. Hunting they work great for sure.
 
I know there are some out there that do not, or you can set to not, increase the softer sounds. So everything below 80db is normal level and then above that you get the necessary sound reduction.

No one has them though huh?
 
http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=53610&cat=1,42207

Here is something. Made in the USA. Not sure if this is what your after.
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How are they with sweating? Didn't read anything in that regard.
I wear muffs most times for that reason.
I like the plugs on the ground for chipping but not so much for up in the tree.
 
Muffs cut some of the vibration that comes through the skull, IIRC.


I like these http://www.google.com/products/catalog?h...ved=0CCwQ8gIwAg

or the Stihl branded ones available at the dealer, also for around $3/ pair. I'd think about a dab of superglue on the cord where it inserts into the plug. Washable. basically seem like they'll last forever if you don't lose them. Easy in and out with gloves on.
I use muffs also when I'm using anything but a small saw. Muffs are kinda heavy, admittedly.
 
Thanks for the link, SS. I only had one pair of those so far, and loved them for all three weeks I wore them. They don't stop working like foam ones.

I would be hesitant to invest that much into something so little. I would knock one out in the tree, it would hit the ground, and I would swear.

I musta knocked 100 earplugs out over the years now, just a twig gets it and it's gone. I usually have at least 4 in my shirt pocket for these occasions.
 
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Check with a shooting supply house. Hunters/shooters use muffs that are sound activated.

Cabela's type outfit...

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Do some detail research before buying electronic shooting muffs for chain saw noise. The sounds they are designed for are obviously very different.

I have a very good pair of Peltor Tatical 6-S muffs.
They do an excellent job of reducing gun noise; while they amplify normal ambient noise (conversation, animal noise, etc.)

They actually AGGRAVATE the sound of motor noise (lawn mower, etc).
 
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