Ear Plugs

[NickfromWI]

Okay, I know everyone here is using either plugs or muffs. Those of you that are using plugs, what are you using? I just found some at walgreens that are called Super 31, which a have a decibal reduction rating of 31...that's the most effective I've found yet! They are nice and soft, too!

love
nick

 

[Menchhofer]

Have tried the plugs....several different types and found them all to be uncomfortable...

Been using muffs for last 4-5 years. They help keep ears warm in winter to certain extent and like the ability to easily remove/put them on.

In the summer they are a bit warm, but then so is everything else..

We also use them with our radios for communication from tree/bucket to the ground.

 

[treeman82]

I don't use plugs or muffs in the tree for fear of not hearing a last minute distress yell. On the ground though, if in a really noisey place.. use the plugs and the muffs and you will barely hear a thing.

 

[TheTreeSpyder]

i favor Sherrill's CaboFlex; they are not the most protecting, except in the sense that i use them more than i would any other!

They don't get dirty like common foam inserts. The cone shape allows quick insertion without balling foam in dirty hand and shoving it into ear, i just pop it in. It is not as light and lose-able as corded models, nor heavy as muffs; and probably the lightest in it's 'banded' class. i wear 'em all day, they stay out of the way,and employ easily, giving me no 'hot spots' in the Florida sun. i have tried many brands, diffrent models laying around even now, been stuck on these for years; don't like using anything else.

i can hear someone yell, but have enough isolation that they help my concentration,and being in my own space while climbing. So they don't have the highest specs, but the most usability for me. i was always afraid of missing vital communication w/hearing protection too. These have given me an equitable mixture of options.

 

[treeclimber165]

I have to agree with you on the CaboFlex, Ken. I am also very concerned about communication on the jobsite and get nervous working around someone who keeps their earmuffs on all day regardless of the fact that a saw hasn't been run in 20 minutes. I know climbers who put earmuffs on to trim with a handsaw and don't even have a chainsaw in the tree, but yet you cannot communicate with them because they have on their 'hearing protection'. More like 'Isolation Protection'.
If I need to holler 'HEADACHE' because a 3" dead limb just broke off, I don't need everyone removing their earmuffs, looking up and asking "What??". I fully agree with hearing protection when running equipment, but feel people who leave their muffs on for 8 hours straight are more of a danger due to their self-imposed isolation. I like the CaboFlex because they are lightweight, easy to wipe clean and I can put them on or off in less than a second. No big bulky muffs to leave on all day 'Because they hold my hardhat in place'.

 

[TREETX]

I am using green and blue Moldex plugs on the plastic band. They are great. Not so good if you are chipping or stumpgrinding for 6-8 hrs staight. Then they will start to hurt you and you will start confessing to all kinds of things.

 

[Greg]

I use the Caboflex type plugs in the tree --when I remember --which is usually only when I pull up a bigger saw. My climbing saw typically runs for less than a minute at a time, so I usually don't bother even though I know I should. When I hit the ground I swap out my Ercin Roc helmet for my Stihl helmet with muffs attached, I really like the muffs for comfort and protection.

--anyone use muffs on a Roc and like it??
Greg

 

[Stumper]

I like the compressable foam plugs. I don't use 1 brand exclusively but for the last couple of years I've been using Smith and Wesson most of the time. Cheap, comfortable, washable, and effective. I have such an earplug habit that I tend to put them in whenever I'm working -even with handtools. The very thing that Brian was griping about. FWIW, remember that I work alone and add in that I have very sensitive ears. Plugs don't usualy keep me from hearing things-even normal conversation- but they do save me pain and hopefully my hearing.

 

[NickfromWI]

My precious ear plugs

Here's a great reason I love ear plugs. At my work, I am literally the only person that wears ear protection. Most guys just talk to me in regular voices and I can usually hear them just fine, though sometimes I have to lip-read when they talk quietly. However, I usually ask them to repeat things that are important, and kinda pretend I can't hear them. That way, when they start talking about how drunk they got last weekend, or other stuff I could care less about, I can just ignore them and not respond. I think of it as my own personal censorship technique!!!
Seriously though, I love ear plugs i don't feel unsafe with them at all. Muffs got too hot for me anytime except winter. And I wear a nice thin head-band/ear warmer under my helmet in the winter, so the warmth factor is no consideration here. If you haven't tried either, you better get on board!!!! I've had people tell me that chainsaws are getting quieter as technology progresses, but noise is noise.

love
nick

just take care of yourselves, gentlemen

 

[Dennis]

I prolly use the cheapest plugs out there.."Decidamp" but I feel its better than using nothing with my piped saws or the Predator. I can hear rpm's as they raise and fall....and still hear outside noise, but still not destroy my hearing. No protection is just plain silly in my opinion.

 

[Frans]

I use the headband hearing protectors as well.
The only drawback is when you hit the band on something is travels up the plastic headband straight into my ears!

The usual plugs will insert into the ear (like the cone or plug type mentioned earlier) These are NOT reccomended by doctors. Doctors will tell you to insert NOTHING into the ear canal.

I use the QB 300 made by Howard Leight. They are headphone type, small and easy to put on and off in seconds and the plugs are really 'ear canal caps'. The decibal rating is up there. It protects enough for work in the tree and working ropes and ground work. For chipping I grab a set of conventional headphone types (if I remember).
frans

 

[rborist1]

:Eye:

 

[treespec]

plugs&muffs

I use the disposable MAX earplugs made by Howard Leight(33db) and Peltor's deluxe muffs clipons on my Erin Roc. Beats going deaf when I got that screaming 020 crankin'!

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Protection from muffs is defeated by having the temples of safety glasses under the ears, so you get much more protection from plugs.

I've taken to using foams, even though I've gotten ear infections form them in the past.

They are also great for wearing in hotel rooms to get some sleep. Stick them in, turn on the fan and you will not hear anyone snoring.

 

[Eric E.]

JPS,

I was waiting for someone to bring up the glasses under the muffs.

Are you saying that TD snores?

 

[Robert Doubrava]

My Dad works at a refinery in Three Rivers, TX, and they have pretty cheap stuff. The earplugs they use are made by EAR, and are the yellow plugs with blue cord and have three sections on the plug. Has a NR rating of 31 DB's.

 

[treeclimber165]

I think JPS was referring to Mike Oxman.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

So Brian, did you use the plugs I gave you?

 

[treeclimber165]

Originally posted by John Paul Sanborn
So Brian, did you use the plugs I gave you?

Nah, I sleep like a rock. I never heard him snore, but I wouldn't hear a 747 crashing in my front yard either.