Ear Defenders - How often do you use them?

[Northumbrian]

Just started to use plugs, if I'm doing a lot of noisy work for more than a minute. More comfortable than full on ear defenders.
But, I think I'll go with norlander's suggestion and get some anti bacterial wipes

 

[Monkey Harris]

Just started to use plugs, if I'm doing a lot of noisy work for more than a minute. More comfortable than full on ear defenders.
But, I think I'll go with norlander's suggestion and get some anti bacterial wipes

Yup I bought 200 pairs of foam plugs on eBay,

I use Foam earplugs and ear defenders,together a lot of the time,

Cutting the grass,cutting,grinding etc,

And ear plugs when out cycling to keep the wind out..

Also took earplugs to the last gig I went to..
Bruce foxtons "from the jam,"
Stood at the front, no ringing in the ears when I went to bed..

 

[norlander]

Yup I bought 200 pairs of foam plugs on eBay,

Some of the motorbike gear sellers do a mixed pack so you can find the plug that best suits you, a lot of folks can get one plug to fit well in one ear but not t'other, often the left lug for most people. So some blokes use different shapes for left and right lugs.
Some dispo plugs cause sweating ( ideal for bacteria) or itching, most are fine though.
Some are so comfy, you can forget to take them out- I SAID YOU CAN FORG---------------------------------------

edit: forgot link http://www.earplugged.co.uk/mixed-pack-earplugs/

 

[norlander]

Sorry, forgot these, http://www.ultimateear.com/products.php they do a custom fit by injecting stuff into you lug to get the canal shape, expensive and bit of a faff to get in, you can get some that allows protection against loud noise but you can still hear, again expensive-bit awkard if your wearing em and its one of them " don't shoot I give u--" bang bang " whaddy he say??? moments.

 

[WorkshopChris]

Some of the motorbike gear sellers do a mixed pack so you can find the plug that best suits you, a lot of folks can get one plug to fit well in one ear but not t'other, often the left lug for most people. So some blokes use different shapes for left and right lugs.
Some dispo plugs cause sweating ( ideal for bacteria) or itching, most are fine though.
Some are so comfy, you can forget to take them out- I SAID YOU CAN FORG---------------------------------------

edit: forgot link http://www.earplugged.co.uk/mixed-pack-earplugs/

That is handy if you don't know what to try, i know i get on ok with the standard 3m ones.
But was looking last night lots of options now days. I was surprised more sellers don't offer more sample packs.
I will try and pop into the local safety place this week and see what they have.
Think i we be more likely to use plugs as they wont interfere with goggles and masks.

 

[Cobbler]

if you do use plugs regularly, keep em clean, I got an ear infection called labrynthitis-the balancing fluid in your ear system gets a bug in it and your gyro/gimbal system goes wonky, bit scary if you get it, you tend to feel seasick, probably a good idea to wipe ear defender pairs down with an anti bacterial wipe now and again as well.

That's nasty, someone I know had that. It took months to clear up, due to the effect on his balance he couldn't ride a bike for a long time, he just fell straight off. Last time I spoke to him, he said he doesn't think he will ever get his balance back 100%

 

[penfold]

I doubt you got Labyrinthitis from an earplug unless you used someone else's(yuck!), it's mostly acquired from respiratory bugs and viruses(I suspect I got it from the winter flu virus a few years ago), but you make a good point about cleanliness; giving your ear defenders a clean periodically is a good idea, it also forces you to inspect the cushion and foam lining, once they start going hard or rotting it's bin and buy new time.

 

[tommullin]

sounds like a lot of people have got tinnitus from workshops. I work a lot in factories and they make you wear ear plugs even when its a moderate sound level, it can be quite annoying sometimes when you cant hear your colleague / factory worker etc. Personally, i dont bother at home, but i dont do loads of noisy work. if it does get too noisy i have a pair of ear defenders, but its rare, and i find i feel too isolated from whats going on, a bit too safe or detracted from whats going on if that makes sense.

i was going to mention, but @norlander got there first; be careful with the ear plug types. I know a lot of people who have got ear infections from re using them, like when you see them tied to the back of a hardhat that gets chucked around a dirty van. they really are disposable - dont go squeezing dirty used ones back into your ear, its asking for trouble. ive also had a few sets from some sites that come in a nice box implying that you can re use them, dont bother, chuck and get another set. its not worth a night of earache!

AND... theres tonnes of different shapes and sizes of plugs. some are miles more comfortable than others, i would want to try some different ones before i bought a box of hundreds.

AAAAAND... theres a procedure for getting them in - roll between thumb and finger to make a thinner plug, opposite hand round back of head, pull ear back and away from head, insert ear plug downwards. makes an enormous difference when you install them properly!

 

[tommullin]

@pdg my advice still stands, roll elbow between thumb and forefinger, always use a clean, new, out of the pack elbow!

 

[Migmac]

I got custom ear plugs made a few years ago, much better than the foam ones. They are wearable all day once you get used to them. Keeping them clean is important, the instructions that came with them was to soak them in warm water with a wee bit of washing up liquid. The only downside I found was, I produced more ear wax.

 

[the snooper]

I got custom ear plugs made a few years ago, much better than the foam ones. They are wearable all day once you get used to them. Keeping them clean is important, the instructions that came with them was to soak them in warm water with a wee bit of washing up liquid. The only downside I found was, I produced more ear wax.

or maybe the plugs stopped it falling out naturally

 

[Windy Miller]

Ok I'm convinced. I need to buy some ear defenders.

Which ones are recommended?

 

[Migmac]

or maybe the plugs stopped it falling out naturally

Wot ear wax falls out by itself? Not with me it doesn't, it gets stuck to the hair in my ears!

 

[Migmac]

Ok I'm convinced. I need to buy some ear defenders.

Which ones are recommended?

Ones that go over the ears give more protection, they cover the small bone that is behind the ear. Mine are peltors

 

[Woody.v8]

 

[Migmac]

View attachment 104654

That's the ones!

 

[penfold]

Peltor Optime 2 are good general purpose ear defenders.

 

[clift_d]

I use ear defenders every time I'm cutting or grinding as I already have very mild tinnitus and so I'm really conscious of doing anything that might make this worse. I now even take a pair of Etymotic earplugs to gigs.

 

[DennisCA]

Got some slight tinnitus and very sensitive ears so all the time if possible, I would like to be able to use them with my welding helmet but it doesn't fit.

 

[norlander]

Got some slight tinnitus and very sensitive ears so all the time if possible, I would like to be able to use them with my welding helmet but it doesn't fit.

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