Hearing Protection

I've worn a combination of 'squeeze and roll' plugs and earmuffs for over 40 years in my occupation as a locomotive engineer.
In that time I've found that hand hygiene is very important when rolling and inserting earplugs to prevent ear infections; the plugs can also push ear wax buildup into the ear canal causing similar problems.
Similarly earmuffs during hot weather can cause sweating and fungal infection of the ear if the muffs are not cleaned regularly and noise damping foam in the muffs changed 6 monthly.
Recently during a work medical test for my ears the examiner suggested I try molded earplugs., whereby a hearing specialist will take a mold of your ear and make an exact copy of a silicon type material to fit each ear.
These type of plugs are very comfortable to wear, do not enter the inner ear are are easily cleaned.
Also look after your eyes, I have several pairs of safety glasses around my workshop and reminders on machinery to wear them
 
I lost a bit of hearing in my left ear from machine guns in the early '70s. Since then, i got through 9 years of mining and numerous other careers without losing any. In the shop, I use the over-the-ear type of muffs. I have several pairs hanging here and there, so they're always handy when I'm going to be doing something noisy.

Incidentally, before I converted the X2 mini-mill to belt drive, I needed the muffs pretty much every time I turned it on.
 
Earmuffs for me. Have one on the table saw, one on the snowblower or lawnmower depending on the season, and the last one in my shooting bag. Earplugs I use at times, but I prefer muffs year round. Glasses are on my face at all times, bad eyes. A couple welding masks, one spare if someone is around.
I have always used muffs or plugs when shooting, and I am sure this has been important in the preservation of my hearing. I can still hear that annoying whine the CPU in the computer makes.

At work, I have placed muffs at all the noisiest machines and earplug dispensers near the cafeteria. Grab them as you exit after break, lunch etc. I also have a set of muffs that I use a lot, as I have at times, sit between 2 CNC milling machines and the high speed screech/whine gets to me big time.
As for eye protection, there are safety glasses all over the shop and a few face shields as well.
Welding mask and gloves are on the welder naturally. The collection of gas bottles are chained to the wall. Exhaust fan runs from key in the door to exit.
I try to make the shop as safe as possible but the employees need to use the stuff I put out for them.

It is up to you to protect yourself. No one else can not do it for you.
Pierre
 
One of the most effective and most comfortable are custom fitted soft plugs. Not much more than a good set of muffs but way more comfortable, especially in the warm weather.
 
PeteH said:
I've got substantial high-frequency hearing loss, mainly in my left ear -- industrial explosion, about 40 years ago. So I do whatever I can to keep what I've got left. Generally -- which is to say running the lawnmower or rototiller, or the big blower -- I wear the "earmuff" type, although I must say they get sweaty in the Summer. My machine tools are pretty small, and don't make a lot of racket, so I'm less concerned about that. However, when I'm working iron on the anvil (and I have a very "ringy" anvil), I wear the earmuffs.

I'm looking into getting some of the better (i.e. more protective) "earplug" types... the "roll and stuff" kind don't cut the anvil noise as much as I'd like, and I really don't like wearing the muffs in a forge environment.
Click to expand...

Just a thought as I've never used them in this scenario but would noise cancelling ear muffs like those that shooters wear work for the percussive notes of the anvil?
 
I have a couple pairs like the one pictured. They work quite well. I don't wear them all the time, but do whenever doing anythign loud, like using the grinder, circular saw, router. I also have a pair of the "earmuff" types, but I war glasses, and they become painful very quickly. With these, I can have them around my neck when not using them, and they are small enough that I can wear them under a full face shield, or with a dust mask.
 
I use the ear muffs, but have been known to use both the roll and squeeze foam plugs in tandem with the ear muffs in really bad situations. Typically, nothing that noisy occurs in my home shop, and the ear muffs are sufficient.
 
I use the headphone/earmuff style hearing protectors. They hang on the Z axis of my mill. I'm subjected to loud noise at work, but I don't need to be at home.

GG
 
Excellent topic and lots of good posts. I hear you, DMS, about the pain of muffs and eyeglasses.

Insert type plugs are the standard these days in plants that require hearing protection. They make the most sense when protection has to be worn all day. When I was back and forth between my office and the mill floor, I had to take them in and out so I could talk on the phone. I tried all types. The 3 flange plastic plugs on a string or band were easiest to take on and off, but the roll and stuff foam definitely worked best. Lower noise operations tend to offer a variety so workers have a choice; but the hard hat mill I spent time in, a higher noise environment, only offered the roll and stuff.

In my own shop I make noise intermittently, and I prefer earmuffs which I take on and off. I also wear them when I'm running a chain saw. The type that puts the band across the back of your neck rather than over the top of your head works best in the cold with a hat. I could never get the hang of the muffs hung off a helmet.

My daughter, a chemist, says she wears the roll and stuff when she's in a plant. My son, a geologist, says that roll and stuff plus earmuffs is standard in underground mines. It has made for lively conversation at family gatherings, and we all still have our hearing.
 
This is all great information gentlemen! Whichever type of hearing protection you choose to wear; one thing is for sure, you are smart for wearing any type!

Don't get me wrong, I use the roll and jam type quite often. I just prefer ones that are easier to put in and take out a couple of times. The type that I originally pictured are my favorites simply because I can hang them around my neck and they stay there.

Stay safe and keep up the good safety practices folks!
 
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