Real men don't wear ear plugs

[Backyard Lumberjack]

Ive been to dozens of rock/metal concerts, right in the front row, wore ear plugs to damn near every one (regretted the ones where i didnt have em). I dont give a chit what anybody thinks, theyre my ears and they work fine and i intend to keep it that way. Also, have used earplugs for close to 20 years almost exclusively (vs earmuffs), never had a trip to the doctor for earwax problems.

I learned about ear protection down on the flight line and around firearms. when sawing I use my stihl helmet, screen, safety googles, the stihl ear muffs and also foam ear plugs. the green ones. I use when mowing the green ear plugs. gloves for all the above. if not using my stihl helmet, I usually use over ear ear muffs. unless I want to mow or weed wack and listen to engine. then green plugs only...

I say 'what? huh?'.... but it is usually when u know who... is in another room and facing away from where I am... and expects me to hear her! lol

 

[Backyard Lumberjack]

Just have to remember not to spit.

lol! so true!

 

[Hoggwood]

Safety is always an option...however bright and industrious you may (or may not) be.

 

[Backyard Lumberjack]

I don't mind wearing the combo hemet/ears/screen, but I do mind that it seems it on'y takes a year or 2 before the ears break off at the mount. I have 2 or 3 old helmets with a great screen but one or no ear protector. I just wish they'd make them last longer.

my stihl helmut is 22 years old. still works fine. I did have to reset the smooth outer ring of one of the over ear muff's rubber pad.

 

[Backyard Lumberjack]

Over the ear muffs are better than ear plugs in the long run. The plugs can cause a backup of wax and gunk in the ear that will then require a visit to a clinic and a trained nurse to remove it. The Doc told me that has happened a dozen or more times a year for his patients alone. You would be surprised at how much wax build-up can get in there.

thanks, Doc ~

 

[Backyard Lumberjack]

screen gets hot? lolz you have to much clothes on my friend. bug eyes or chipper goggles are way hot in the summer as they adhere to your face. No comparison.

I hate it when working, blowin n goin... and the safety googles fog up!

 

[BenK]

I recently had tinnitus that flared up from a weekend of woodcutting for a family member this fall. Never had it before in my life...as a result of the fluid build up there was a constant high pitched ringing in my ear for over a month. Went to the doc and everything...it just had to run its course. Everything coming into my right ear sounded like it was under water. It kinda freaked me out. Now I am even more diligent when engaging in activates that SHOULD require hearing protection.

 

[Backyard Lumberjack]

I recently had tinnitus that flared up from a weekend of woodcutting for a family member this fall. Never had it before in my life...as a result of the fluid build up there was a constant high pitched ringing in my ear for over a month. Went to the doc and everything...it just had to run its course. Everything coming into my right ear sounded like it was under water. It kinda freaked me out. Now I am even more diligent when engaging in activates that SHOULD require hearing protection.

that doesn't sound good! hope it stays cleared up for you. a few years back I had gone to see a Doc - eyes, ears, nose & throat... there was a man all laid out sorta like napping... was there with his wife. hands over ears. he was in real pain she said when I inquired. said he had severe painful ringing in his ears... had just started suddenly. he was a construction co owner... and had lots of employees and jobs going on... and then suddenly this. he was at that point 100% incapacitated! I really felt for his predicament... never knew any more.

you are right, high prolonged decibel sound not good. think over 85 is problematic. I have north dogs. they live in house with us. 2. when one or both begin to bark...omg! I put on the ear protectors. sometimes takes both plugs and over ear muffs. generally, they are a delight... but not when time to eat in morn and chow getting fixed up for them. only the food will quiet them back down...

 

[Jasonrkba]

I use the plugs while sawing. Plugs and ear muffs while shooting.

 

[BenK]

that doesn't sound good! hope it stays cleared up for you. a few years back I had gone to see a Doc - eyes, ears, nose & throat... there was a man all laid out sorta like napping... was there with his wife. hands over ears. he was in real pain she said when I inquired. said he had severe painful ringing in his ears... had just started suddenly. he was a construction co owner... and had lots of employees and jobs going on... and then suddenly this. he was at that point 100% incapacitated! I really felt for his predicament... never knew any more.

you are right, high prolonged decibel sound not good. think over 85 is problematic. I have north dogs. they live in house with us. 2. when one or both begin to bark...omg! I put on the ear protectors. sometimes takes both plugs and over ear muffs. generally, they are a delight... but not when time to eat in morn and chow getting fixed up for them. only the food will quiet them back down...

Thanks for the concern. It did clear up and have had a few weekends with the saw going and no flareups.

 

[drumbum]

Hearing protection is great. Just don't get in the habit of wearing it when falling.

 

[user 122190]

At a gun show over 25 years ago there was a man making custom earplugs. A cotton ball was followed by a liquid gel that solidified in 15 or so minutes. They are still the best plugs I have ever used. They are more difficult to insert as they need to be rotated into place while pulling back the ear with the other hand from behind, so I only use them when shooting. I do have one rifle that even those plugs don't block enough sound -- a Weatherby MarkV in 30-378 with a muzzle brake. Plugs and ear muffs only when shooting that monster. Without, I am sure a single shot could cause some instant and irreparable damage.

I use the plugs while sawing. Plugs and ear muffs while shooting.

 

[Wood Doctor]

Let's look at the top 20 pieces of equipment that I use. Ear protection is recommended for them all:
(1) Chain Saw
(2) Log Splitter
(3) Lawn Mower
(4) Leaf Blower
(5) Line Trimmer
(6) Table Saw
(7) Band Saw
(8) Jointer
(9) Miter Saw
(10) Thickness Planer
(11) Router
(12) Belt Sander
(13) Circular Saw
(14) Snow Thrower
(15) Shop Vacuum
(16) House Vacuum
(17) Air Compressor
(18) Paint Sprayer
(19) Garden Tiller
(20) Hedge Trimmer

I am sure that you can add more power tools to this list. How is it possible that you and I are not hard of hearing or perhaps deaf today?

 

[Jasonrkba]

In some circumstances I prefer the sound dampening plugs. There are times you may need to able to hear someone trying to get your attention like in a shop setting.

 

[alderman]

44 years in a paper mill and hearing is shot. Worked in some areas where double hearing protection was required and still not enough.
Retired recently and wish I could still hear.
Protect and save what you can.


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[Leafy]

When I'm sawing i use the loggers helmet. When I'm doing other yard work stuff or grinding in the garage i just wear muff. When I'm shooting it's plugs and muff indoors, electric muffs for pistol, and valve style plugs for rifles. And I try to suppress what guns i have cans for. When I'm in the convertible or at a concert I wear plugs designed for musicians. I have quite the slew of heating safety devices now that I think of it.

 

[Husky Man]

I'm a big ear plug user. I can still hear today, because of this small effort. I use to ride motorcycles and the noise was deafening. I do have a very macho neighbor (maybe it is Bernard?) that is to cool to wear ear plugs when using his saw or shooting his 44 mag. Several years ago, I saw him shoot 20 rounds, no hearing protection. After many many years of being a tough guy he is having real hearing problems and he is only 33. He knows everything.

One Magazine through a .45ACP 1911 convinced me to never do that again, in a less than Life Threatening, or Imminent serious Bodily Injury situation.

Of course Loud Music, Chainsaws, outboard motors(Not as Bad) ATV's snowmobiles etc. etc. etc haven't helped either, but yeah diminished hearing SUCKS, and I wish that I could go back and do a LOT of things differently.

Like U&A, I like my cutting helmet, mine is convenient and Comfortable


Doug

 

[Husky Man]

I learned about ear protection down on the flight line and around firearms. when sawing I use my stihl helmet, screen, safety googles, the stihl ear muffs and also foam ear plugs. the green ones. I use when mowing the green ear plugs. gloves for all the above. if not using my stihl helmet, I usually use over ear ear muffs. unless I want to mow or weed wack and listen to engine. then green plugs only...

I say 'what? huh?'.... but it is usually when u know who... is in another room and facing away from where I am... and expects me to hear her! lol

My "you Know Who" does the same thing.

She has 3 Sisters, but none of them in TX, so I guess we aren't related after all


Doug

 

[Firewood Daddy]

I’m 53, worked for many years in heavy industry and really took care of my hearing and it definitely payed off. I can still hear fire whistles 3 towns away. Can’t protect your hearing enough.


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[Jules083]

and don't forget ol Joe... the welder... he welded mufflers and tailpipes for over 45 years... no welding goggles! has been legally blind since 40! for awhile he wore sunglasses... $1.98 from local drugstore...

any time I had exhaust work done, I insisted the welder wear goggles. welding goggles. not sunglasses. if they refused, I had them lower my vehicle and left...

but, the best one was my pal Soapy. he was the spittin' image of: once he had his big ol Lincoln up for some service... din't like the way the mechanic was doing the job... so he started his famous dance.... storming about the shop area... 'Git my ******n car down now!! NOW!!! ... or I am gunna F somebody up!!!

they couldn't get it down off the lift fast enough...

really! u din't ever want to git on Soapy's bad side... lol


Joe, the Muffler Man welder

View attachment 687229

Huh? What kind of idiot welder wouldn't wear a welding hood? I've been a welder for 11 years, always wear double eye protection while welding. Not 'welding goggles' either, I'm talking either a good auto or glass fixed shade hood with clear UV blocking safety glasses underneath.



Wood cutting, since we're here, I don't bother with the hardhat and shield. I draw the line at chaps, earplugs, and gloves. I know, something might fall, etc. Just not that concerned with it, and I very rarely drop trees anyways.



Here are my favorite earplugs. $27 for a box of 200 pairs, so I put a new pair on every time rather than putting dirty earplugs back in my ear. They buy them for us at work, and usually a few pairs end up in my pockets when I come home on accident anyways.

https://www.uline.com/Product/Detai...LsxVRx6nGA8oWXiqamYaAvsQEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds