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

I can also identify with the smoke-eater concept. I was once a Natl certified Firefighter on our Fire Protection District.

I keep a set of foam plugs in my jacket, and a set of muffs in my hammer drill case - that way, they're always there, and I don't have to rip up the truck lookin' for 'em.

We had a few guys that were always crying "SAFETY" at the FD, and insisted that we get earmuffs for riding the jumpseats, and for backing apparatus into the bays, claiming the noise levels were too high with the back-up warning beepers.

Funny thing, though. The same guys who insisted on these "safety" requirements usually do their morning 2-cycle saw startup in the bay... standing in the 6 foot space between the rig, and the cinder block wall, while revving the saw up to speed.

But not a set of 'muffs in sight.

Guess safety is in the eye (ears?) or the beholder.

I was working with a guy that used to like to listen to country music, which I can't stand. I twisted a yellow wire nut into each of my ears to drown it out. It works well in a pinch

Ryan,
Be careful pushing things like that into you ears.
The last thing you want to do is tear your eardrum!.
I was always told that you should never poke anything smaller than your elbow into you ear canals.

I had towear both ear plugs and muffs for most of the time I was working on flight lines while in the USAF. I have a hi frequency hearing loss from all the jet engines small gas turbine engines and unmuffled gas or diesel engines that I worked on or was around all day.
Wearing any type of glasses does make muffs a lot less effective.
From 15 years of wearing both, I strongly recomend a properly fitted set of ear plugs. Keep them clean. Any time you are going to be in a noisy area wear them.
Even now after almost 20 years after leaving the USAF, I still have some ringing in my ears at times. I know it will never change and have gotten used to it but hope you do not have to.

Ryan,

If I ever ask you to come work with me then, I'll provide you with a big bag of yellow wirenuts!