Hearing protection problems

[pistol pete]

I am in my twenties and have already done considerable damage to my ears, years of concerts, power tools, and shooting have taken their toll. Now that I have realized my mortality, I would like to conserve what is left. So my question is, what is the best system to accomplish protection that solves a range of hang-ups. The problems we have are getting everyone to wear protection, convenience, proper fit, comfort, and adequate blockage of high level noise such as dead blackjack running through a chuck and duck. We also lose 50% of communication that results from hearing protection and loud machinery. How easy might it have been to save Tree Machines leg if someone could have instantly communicated the possibility of danger through an earpiece (have looked into race-car driver technology www.earinc.com) or some other type of warning system? I Just wanted to know how other arborists solve these problems.

 

[Jumper]

I have found a sharply blown whistle usually catches most people's attention even when wearing muffs or plugs. Wear something....once lost you can never get your hearing back. I have friends wearing two hearing aids in their mid 40s because of turbine noise or damage on rifle ranges. This could have been prevented in many cases, or at the very least the loss reduced. Maybe a compromise of a system with a NRR of 22 (vs say 29) will allow you to hear important auditory input...try a number of different types until you find the one that is best for you.

 

[jimmyq]

.

 

[woodchux]

We use ear muffs and walkie talkies with earbuds

 

[climbinfool]

Check out these Browning Ear Protectors. I used these for years for competitive shooting and they really work to muffle damaging noises (NRR 27) but still allow you to easily hear human speech. The hearing portion is adjustable.

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/accessories/detail.asp?value=007J&cat_id=126&type_id=41523

 

[RedlineIt]

A good set of muffs, I recommend Sordins. Much tougher than Peltors.

A good set of hand signals. Working with the same alert, involved groundsman for awhile. His eyes are up as he reaches down.

He'll be close to my drop but look up and give me a "come on" wave to drop.

One signal, thumb up pinkie down, he ties on a rigging rope.

One signal, I roll my hand, he lets it run.

One signal, a fist, he allows no run.

His signal, chops throat, Stop all activity, usually means somone has walked into the area, or I'm about to do something stupid.

His signal, punches sky, throws me the finger, Hold up, I gotta chip.

My signal, smack trunk, point, top is going right there.

His signal, points at power drop, estimates clearance at one foot, hands held so.

Thumbs up.

Thumbs up.

Down the top.


Good groundies are hard to find.


RedlineIt

 

[Dadatwins]

Hand signals, loud whistles, and the biggest, LOOK around before doing anything. Kudos for realizing that your ears are damaged and trying to do something to protect what is left. I did not wear ear protection for years because of silly reasons like comfort and old school thinking that you needed to hear someone yelling on the ground. Making a plan before you start, hand signals and communication before starting the chain saw all can be done with ear protection. Good luck.

 

[treeman82]

So far the best that I have come up with is plugs and then muffs over them. It's kind of a pain, but when working around really loud equipment it works REALLY well.

 

[Tree Machine]

The Peltor Hearing Solutions catalog just came out. In it, their entire line of electronic headsets, including the ones you never see, tactical, S.W.A.T. and military.

This is an excellent thread. Thanks for starting it Pistol Pete.

 

[treeguy347]

Our guys use the Husqvarna helmets with the muffs built in. I insist on hard hats being worn anytime we are working with the exception on raking up with no equipment running or work overhead. It's very convenient because they're always there and if you need to speak, the muff can be lifted easily. As for the value of hearing... I also fly so my ears get checked annually and the doc says the full damage of exposure to loud noises takes 5-10 years after exposure to fully happen.