Getting the correct ear defenders

[skyhuck]

I like the table. The best earmuffs I've used were the old husky ground helmet and I think they were only 27snr. They just seemed to clamp over your ear and make a better seal than these new climbing helmet ones

 

These are all I've ever used.

[10 Bears]

I read a few articles that said wearing both will not give you the sum of both the SNR ratings, more like 5-10 on top of the most effective one.

 

Very good point. I never presumed that I got the sum of the two totals, but anecdotally, everything is simply quieter when you double up as you would expect. 5-10dB additional reduction would make sense as a ball park figure IMO.

 

I did presume however that as the eardrum functions by changes in pressure caused by sound waves travelling though the air and ultimately striking the eardrum, that having two layers of ear defence would serve to dampen the strength of the soundwave twice meaning that the effect of the sound wave pressure on your eardrum would be suitably more dampened then if there was only one layer of protection.

 

Just my thoughts mind...

[sandspider]

Muffs (hur hur!) are apparently better than plugs as some sound waves also enter the auditory canal via cheekbones and other parts of the head. Muffs protect more of the ear / head. (This is mainly with regard to shooting, where your cheekbones are close to the gun, but I suppose it applies to some extent to other noisy kit too).

[10 Bears]

Hmm - could also be some residual vibration transference at the same frequency of the soundwave, hence the cheekbone effect when shooting.

 

I would assume the same occurs when using vibration strong equipment - chainsaws obviously, but other kit too such as Kangols or similar.

[Lancstree]

So if the rule of thumb is correct then the msa chipper muffs rated at 31snr are inadequate. Myself and a colleague find that the chipper is too loud when using these

[Fredward]

I haven't seen any muffs with rating above 32SNR? Fitment is also important, I've only used Peltor/3M muffs for helmets and find the don't press firmly against the head, I put bits of woodchip behind the part which attaches to the helmet to improve this slightly. Also I used to wear safetyglasses but these render the earmuffs almost pointless by creatings a gap in the seal against your head, visors are much better.

[Peter]

Peltor make 37 snr.

 

http://www.frjonesandson.co.uk/products-page/ppe-safety-and-workwear/helmets-ear-defenders-accessories/helmet-mounted-ear-defenders/peltor-x5-ear-defenders-for-helmet-37snr/

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

As mentioned above 'fitment' (great word) is all important.

 

The FC previously issued an information note, or similar, about ear defender stowing when not in use warning against inadvertently resting on the 'guttering' of forestry helmets causing the hygiene unit to deform. Hence it doesn't then seal and protect the ear.

 

The below FC note is also generally interesting around the subject.

 

Cheers..

Paul

FCTN7.pdf

[Billhook]

Not proud of my lifetime ear defending record.

In my teens and twenties.....Ford 5000 hours on end open cab and no silencer followed by Track Marshall 90 crawler with cab, even noisier and track levers that were so hard to operate that still nobody has been able to beat me arm wrestling and I am over sixty now!

 

The days work was usually followed by loud music in the bedroom/ car and also started playing lead guitar in a rock band with Strat and 200 watt Marshall.

 

Punctuated by spells of rabbit shooting at night from a car sunroof with a Browning 5 shot semi.

 

Thirties onwards the Q cabs started to appear but never wore defenders for the occasional chainsawing or hammer drilling.

 

 

Much more cautious now but my hearing is not too bad except at places like pubs and Weddings but I think that is the same for most men of my age. It is not that you cannot hear , more that you cannot decipher.

 

Looking back it seems that on most occasions the sound was relatively short lived apart from the tractors and this is where ear defenders are a must, for all day long exposure.

 

I really need them on the Palax and Lucas Mill when the whine of the circular saws really is deafening when used day after day.

 

 

If I had my time again I would buy the best defenders available but it might have looked a little odd with the rock band!

 

Sometimes a little pretend deafness is useful when the wife is after something!

[se7enthdevil]

I haven't seen any muffs with rating above 32SNR? Fitment is also important, I've only used Peltor/3M muffs for helmets and find the don't press firmly against the head, I put bits of woodchip behind the part which attaches to the helmet to improve this slightly. Also I used to wear safetyglasses but these render the earmuffs almost pointless by creatings a gap in the seal against your head, visors are much better.

 

the peltor optime III muffs that i use are 35snr

 

 

3M PELTOR H540B Hearing Protector Optime III Neckband Type One Size 1 | eBay