recommended ear protection for plant maintenance

[factorytuned2012]

recently switched positions at my current job to the electrical dept and I am looking for good ear protection the company provides ear plugs of different kinds we could pull from the warehouse, but not an over the ear muff. we could purchase just about anything tool and safety wise on the company credit card. I was interested in these being home depot is just down the road from one of the plants I report to. basically wanting to save my hearing from lets say 6-8 250-hp motors and even up to 700hp booster pump. thanks

https://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-Pro-Grade-Earmuff-90565-4DC-PS/301277013

 

[Nessism1]

You might want to ask the HR guys what the budget is for something like this? I'd be going 3M, not china grade muffs.

 

[BobsArmory]

Those should work well with 30 dB. Not a bad price. All the years of working in GM stamping and body shops I used both plugs and muffs. Always seemed to go back to the 3M E-A-R Classic ear plugs, especially in the summer. Muffs worked great but got hot stinky and sweaty then grimy and nasty in the heat of the summer.

Hearing protection are like shoes. Some types work for some but not for others. I'd say try them and see if they fit.

 

[BobsArmory]

You might want to ask the HR guys what the budget is for something like this? I'd be going 3M, not china grade muffs.

from looking at the box on the website, those are 3M

 

[skyactiv]

I'd get the 3M one on sale for $24.97.

I have 3M Peltor at home and work. The one at home is the Peltor President model, is all black with large earmuffs and I don't suggest black ones for using outside as they get hot from the sun when mowing.. and your ears get all sweaty. Your ears get sweaty regardless but black in the sun makes it worse.

I had cheap ones years ago that lasted only a few uses because the plastic headband broke.

 

[Nessism1]

from looking at the box on the website, those are 3M

Ha ha, my bad! I'd still go for a higher grade. The best you can find. Most companies don't give a hoot about $30 vs $300 for something like that.

 

[Cujet]

Earmuffs are quite good at blocking sharp noises, but will often (or even always) transfer low frequencies. As they will actively pressurize the ear canal at resonant frequencies below 100HZ. While flying the helicopter, sometimes the earmuffs would vibrate in sync with the rotor, and oh man was that painful. It required an in the ear 'seal' to be safe.

The Noise Reduction of earmuffs might be 30db, but it tapers off at lower freqs, sometimes to worse than nothing, as mentioned above. I prefer quality ear plugs. Sometimes in concert with active noise cancelling headphones.

 

[CharBaby]

Being an ex-employee of the 3M Company for 21 years before moving to Johnson & Johnson for 17 years prior to retiring, I support the 3M products for hearing protection or any PPE that they make here in the U.S.
Personally, I have used both types of hearing protection(in ear foam & earmuff/head set) simultaneously for the best hearing protection that I can get for myself.

 

[eljefino]

I like these due to the applicator nubs. The foam is soft and conforms well, just jam them in. Most ear plugs need to get rolled and sent before they unroll.

 

[factorytuned2012]

I like these due to the applicator nubs. The foam is soft and conforms well, just jam them in. Most ear plugs need to get rolled and sent before they unroll.

we could get something similar through our warehouse. these i have now but time to time the supplies change.

 

[Nukeman7]

These Decibel Defense hearing protection earmuffs are excellent if you have a medium to small head. If you have a larger head shape (like me), I recommend the 3M Peltor Optime 105 over the head unit for optimum comfort. I can wear the 3M Peltor 105 for hours on end without pain or discomfort.

 

[Tdog02]

Do the new apple airpods with active noise cancellation provide sufficient protection?

 

[Owen Lucas]

Personally, I have used both types of hearing protection(in ear foam & earmuff/head set) simultaneously for the best hearing protection that I can get for myself.

Yep, hearing protection is no joke. As someone said here before, hearing loss is cumulative and permanent.

I wear in ear foam at concerts / plane rides and over ear muffs when doing yard work or even vacuuming.

Just get the highest DB rating, but anything on the shelf at a hardware store should do fine.

 

[mdtn952]

recently switched positions at my current job to the electrical dept and I am looking for good ear protection the company provides ear plugs of different kinds we could pull from the warehouse, but not an over the ear muff. we could purchase just about anything tool and safety wise on the company credit card. I was interested in these being home depot is just down the road from one of the plants I report to. basically wanting to save my hearing from lets say 6-8 250-hp motors and even up to 700hp booster pump. thanks

https://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-Pro-Grade-Earmuff-90565-4DC-PS/301277013

Lotsa things to consider...will you be wearing a cap or helmet? Glasses? Will a bigger, more effective muff get in the way in tight spaces?
Basically, buy good quality and something comfortable....I didn't work in industry but I shoot a lot....I always use plugs and muffs...(smaller muffs for rifle stock fitment).....that way if I need to take muffs off briefly or readjust I still have a little protection going on.

 

[Kira]

if you have a medium to small head.

Thanks for that tip.
It's funny the websites don't go into size except for the single XL offering from DD.

Also, the "behind the head" model from 3M doesn't show you how the hardware works.
It may have to squeeze hard to stay put.

 

[THORROMIG]

Dont forget to put your safety glasses on before you walk in the plant also!!! Good pair of earplugs is sufficient changed every break. Earmuffs over earplugs would be feasible pertaining what you are getting into.

 

[AZjeff]

These are super soft and comfortable and the NRR is 33. Perfect to use with any muffs. You want all the protection you can get. You don't get NRR 30 + NRR 33 but you do get another 5-6.

Mack's

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

This would be my pick.

https://www.amazon.com/Professional...hearing+protection+32+db,aps,183&sr=8-11&th=1

 

[Olds394]

I like the flesh colored MACKS roll ups, but anything 3M is gonna be good too.

 

[JTK]

recently switched positions at my current job to the electrical dept and I am looking for good ear protection the company provides ear plugs of different kinds we could pull from the warehouse, but not an over the ear muff. we could purchase just about anything tool and safety wise on the company credit card. I was interested in these being home depot is just down the road from one of the plants I report to. basically wanting to save my hearing from lets say 6-8 250-hp motors and even up to 700hp booster pump. thanks

https://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-Pro-Grade-Earmuff-90565-4DC-PS/301277013

This is exactly the type of equipment I've worked around for the past 28yrs. Banks of ~1000hp electric motor powered oil flooded screw compressors, large centrifugals, recips, etc. I was never able to get comfortable with muffs and I hate tethered or head band style plugs. Ear plugs are where it's at for me. My preference: https://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leigh...45692932&sprefix=howard+leight,aps,227&sr=8-6