ECN Forum Forums Safety Discussion and News Occupational Safety Discussion Earmuffs vs Earplugs?

What sort of Hearing Protection do you guys prefer to wear?
I have to admit to using both in different situations.
I have a set of Earmuffs that I use in really noisy Areas and they attenuate up to 130 dB of noise.
I also have a set of ear-plugs that I use, where Earmuffs would be too hot and sweaty, like in Boiler rooms.
What do you guys use?.

Earplugs. Less bulky and easier to work with.

Russell

Hi Russell,
Earmuffs are really only used here in the Noisiest of places, like Nightclubs!.

I've got a set of earmuffs I wear when I go to a Nascar race.

Now thats some noise!

Russell

Oh yeahhhh, mate!.

It's very seldom that I work anywhere noisy enough to require protection, but my choice is for muffs. I tried earplugs years ago (while working at a BT generator station) and never found them comfortable, so just settled with muffs.

Maybe years of growing up wearing headphones has something to do with my preference.

Hey Paul,
I do a fair bit of maintenance at the local Meat works on the Slaughter-Board and all the guys have Ear-muffs with AM/FM Radio's built into them.
But I can't help but think that this is probably not the best thing as far as Safety goes, especially when you are using a Razor-sharp knife!.
Imagine if something good came on the radio as you were making an important cut.

Trumpy, we use earplugs. The company tries to discourage the use of earmuffs as they do not seal as well with safety glasses (the co's opinion not mine). I use foam earplugs and they are not uncomfortable, I even carry them in the truck to use on side jobs when using a Roto-Zip. I have fist hand knowledge of what no hearing protection will do, my Dad worked for the RR before hearing protection was required. He has substantial hearing loss and can't hear birds sing or couldn't hear my daughter when she was young and her voice was higher pitched. I wear them uncomfortable or not!

[This message has been edited by spkjpr (edited 01-23-2004).]

spkjpr,
I really know what you are saying there mate!.
My Father is an Industrial Engineer and he suffers from Industrial Deafness, he told me that he suffers from Tinnitus these days (a constant ringing in the ears).
They never used to wear ear protection back 20 or so years ago.
Just a very sad way of bringing your work home with you!.

I wear custom made musician's earplugs when I ride my motorcycle whether it is across town or a 100 mile trip. I use to foanm plugs but they tend to want to re-expand once inserted and after a while they became painful for me.

I wear earmuffs when target shooting.

Rennsport