Scrounging Firewood (and other stuff)

[benp]

I use the snot out of these

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/...ull-Screws-Earplugs?N=8699174+4294936765&rt=d

and these.

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/.../?N=8690968+3294529207+4606+4294936759&rt=rud

Throw them in a pants pocket when doing laundry to clean them.

 

[mainewoods]

Not a distinction I prefer, but here it is anyway. Now don't this make you all feel better!

 

[Ambull01]

I use the snot out of these

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/...ull-Screws-Earplugs?N=8699174+4294936765&rt=d

and these.

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/.../?N=8690968+3294529207+4606+4294936759&rt=rud

Throw them in a pants pocket when doing laundry to clean them.

Found the combat arms earplugs online. Made by 3M too. Damn that company makes everything

http://www.earplugstore.com/combat-arms-generation4.html

Kinda pricey

 

[MustangMike]

Clint, just a normal year (almost) for Syracuse! Went to School in Rochester, winters were rough!

 

[Philbert]

You're supposed to reach over your head with the opposite side hand (putting earplug in left ear you would use your right hand), pull up on the top portion of your ear, and snugly insert the earplug.

Actually, you must first roll the foam type ear plugs into a small, tight, cylinder, then insert into your ear as described. This guy goes into a lot of detail about the rolling, but it really makes a difference in how much noise they attenuate.

http://bcove.me/zwttg6mh

It may be obvious, but our ears are not all the same. Some types of ear plugs fit and seal better than others, providing better protection. If you find one that works for you, or something that you like better (and are more likely to use), it is better than not wearing anything.

I like wearing the ear muff style hearing protection better for chainsaw use; easier to put on and take off with dirty hands. Also protect the outer ear from branches.

Philbert

 

[Ambull01]

Actually, you must first roll the foam type ear plugs into a small, tight, cylinder, then insert into your ear as described. This guy goes into a lot of detail about the rolling, but it really makes a difference in how much noise they attenuate.

http://bcove.me/zwttg6mh

It may be obvious, but our ears are not all the same. Some types of ear plugs fit and seal better than others, providing better protection. If you find one that works for you, or something that you like better (and are more likely to use), it is better than not wearing anything.

I like wearing the ear muff style hearing protection better for chainsaw use; easier to put on and take off with dirty hands. Also protect the outer ear from branches.

Philbert

Yes sir, you're right. I wasn't talking about the foam style though because I didn't think anyone would actually use it regularly.

I see people at the rifle range wearing the foam earplugs without it inserted into the ear canal. It's just lying straight up in their ear, not sure how to explain it. Freaking idiots. I can't imagine that would really help.

The guys in the Army Hearing program have spent their whole professional lives researching and instructing on hearing issues. I trust those guys 100%. They fit me with the correct sized earplugs. Sadly I lost those bastards though lol. Should have tied it around my neck.

 

[mainewoods]

$3.98-Enough for 200 scrounges.

 

[Ambull01]

$3.98-Enough for 200 scrounges.View attachment 412339

lol, that's awesome. I just never clean my ears. My ear wax act as a natural sound barrier for inevitable complaints from my ex-wife

 

[Philbert]

I wasn't talking about the foam style though because I didn't think anyone would actually use it regularly. . . They fit me with the correct sized earplugs. Sadly I lost those bastards though lol.

The foam styles are still the most popular that I see in workplaces. Many different brands, versions, shapes, and styles of foam. They are cheap, conform to different ears, etc. 3M has a program where they can actually test the sound attenuation inside your ears to test the effectiveness of different styles of plugs, to see what type works the best for you, and if you have them properly inserted. A number of companies also make custom molded plugs - expensive, and as you note, possible to lose.

Ear plugs and muffs worn together, do provide a higher level of protection than either worn separately, if you are really concerned.

Philbert

 

[Ambull01]

The foam styles are still the most popular that I see in workplaces. Many different brands, versions, shapes, and styles of foam. They are cheap, conform to different ears, etc. 3M has a program where they can actually test the sound attenuation inside your ears to test the effectiveness of different styles of plugs, to see what type works the best for you, and if you have them properly inserted. A number of companies also make custom molded plugs - expensive, and as you note, possible to lose.

Ear plugs and muffs worn together, do provide a higher level of protection than either worn separately, if you are really concerned.

Philbert

The issue I found with foam plugs are I've never been able to achieve consistent seals. I compress and insert them into my ears but usually one side will seal properly and the other will be less than ideal.

Anyways, I find hearing protection to be quite boring lol. I just stay away from foam plugs because it lets in too much noise on the rifle range. Probably just user error though. I want something that is as close to dummy proof as possible.

 

[Marshy]

Not a distinction I prefer, but here it is anyway. Now don't this make you all feel better!
View attachment 412335

Nice. I live about 40 min north of Syracuse and I'd be willing to bet if they made the official measuring spot up here that we'd be #1 on that list.

Another interesting note, the average temperature for Stracuse last month was 9*F and we received 60" of snow.

 

[Philbert]

The issue I found with foam plugs are I've never been able to achieve consistent seals. . . . I want something that is as close to dummy proof as possible.

Some hearing muffs 'automatically' turn on and protect against impact noise, like gunfire, but allow normal conversation. Some muffs electronically transmit sound up to a specific, limited decibel level. These approach 'dummy proof', because you can leave them on to speak with people, and don't have to remember to put them back on, or find that they are off, when someone else on the range is shooting, for example.

http://www.howardleight.com/shooting-protection/earmuffs

Of course, this is more cool gear that you could buy, so I understand if it is not something that appeals to you . . .

Philbert

 

[svk]

I have used the little yellow foam ones with the "wings" on the outside end and also the hexagon shaped orange ones. Someone who worked at one of the mines brought a whole bagful up to my hunting cabin once and they lasted for about a decade. Takes a little while to get they right "roll" to suit your ears as both of mine react differently.

I don't shoot much anymore and always have my Husky helmet on when doing saw work. I do have some hearing loss from shooting a lot when younger and seems to be worse on my right ear. Especially tough with crowd noise. My dad had the same problem from shooting as well.

 

[svk]

Not a distinction I prefer, but here it is anyway. Now don't this make you all feel better!
View attachment 412335

The other killer for these places, especially those near the ocean was the amount of cold weather this winter.

MN averages 80' of snowfall but we have very little melting through the winter. If a flake is on the ground after Thanksgiving, there is a good chance it wont melt until late March. Compared to a place like Albany (where I lived), it isn't uncommon to have several thaws during the winter so the actual snow on the ground isn't ever too deep. But this year the east coast got midwest style cold weather to go with their snow so it seems like the winter from hell.

 

[Ambull01]

Some hearing muffs 'automatically' turn on and protect against impact noise, like gunfire, but allow normal conversation. Some muffs electronically transmit sound up to a specific, limited decibel level. These approach 'dummy proof', because you can leave them on to speak with people, and don't have to remember to put them back on, or find that they are off, when someone else on the range is shooting, for example.

http://www.howardleight.com/shooting-protection/earmuffs

Of course, this is more cool gear that you could buy, so I understand if it is not something that appeals to you . . .

Philbert

The combat arms earplugs are supposed to do just that. It worked great on the range. I could be wrong but don't think those muffs would work on a military range. You have to wear your combat helmet while firing so it may get in the way. Definitely no way to use it with a gas mask either lol. I've worn ear muffs on the Marine Corps pistol team but have never seen it on an official qualification range.

 

[svk]

Want to talk about snow?

http://www.mtu.edu/alumni/favorites/snowfall/

 

[Philbert]

I could be wrong but don't think those muffs would work on a military range.

I have no experience on a military range. I was talking about chainsaws! The muffs I mentioned would work for civilian shooting ranges: skeet, target, etc.

Philbert

 

[Ambull01]

I have used the little yellow foam ones with the "wings" on the outside end and also the hexagon shaped orange ones. Someone who worked at one of the mines brought a whole bagful up to my hunting cabin once and they lasted for about a decade. Takes a little while to get they right "roll" to suit your ears as both of mine react differently.

I don't shoot much anymore and always have my Husky helmet on when doing saw work. I do have some hearing loss from shooting a lot when younger and seems to be worse on my right ear. Especially tough with crowd noise. My dad had the same problem from shooting as well.

I have some slight hearing loss in one ear. Probably from growing up in the 80s. Big car speakers

I have no experience on a military range. I was talking about chainsaws! The muffs I mentioned would work for civilian shooting ranges: skeet, target, etc.

Philbert

Well specify!!!! Just kidding lol. Yeah those muffs would be awesome. I'm going to buy one of those forest helmets with everything built on. I would like to replace the muffs with those you listed or the ones that Marshy mentioned. Put on some Tool or other heavy type music and cut up some logs. That right there sounds like heaven to me.

 

[Philbert]

These are some training aids I got from a sales rep many years ago. Used for workplaces, like factories, etc. Now, when we tell people to 'stick it in your ear!', we can be specific.

The 'Roll Model' gauge can be used competitively, to get workers focused on really rolling the foam ear plugs tightly. The translucent ear helps illustrate what goes on 'inside', although, the canal does not deform as much as when you pull your own ear up and back, as Ambull01 described.

Philbert

 

[svk]

I have some slight hearing loss in one ear. Probably from growing up in the 80s. Big car speakers

You were riding a bicycle in the 80's.

When we first had cars, bass was the thing. Bass doesn't cause hearing loss like treble.

I had 4 10" and 4 12" subs (not all in the same car at the same time though). I guess you could say I was "all about the bass" LMFAO