Now that I'm wearing hearing aids, my usual approach to hearing protection in the shop - in-ear plugs on a headband - won't work. Well, it would if I was willing to remove and replace my aids every time I needed earplugs. Several reason I don't want to go that way, particularly the dirty environment and possible damage to the aids.

I have an over-the-ear headset (cans) in the tractor but I'd prefer to leave them there or I'll either lose them entirely or they'll always be at the other end of the place when I need them.

So, I'm thinking a new set of cans. Highest reduction rating possible, large cans to accommodate the aids, durable.

EDIT: Prefer the non-foldable type. Storage is not an issue and the foldable ones are clumsy to put on. It's what I have in the tractor and I'm not really thrilled with the folding option. Also not interested in electronic/MP3 capable muffs.

Suggestions/sources appreciated.

I wonder whether you’ll need to turn the aids off to prevent feedback from the muffs? If you’ll have to, seems to me you’ll basically have custom fitted earplugs in, obviating the need for ear muffs.

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
I wonder whether you’ll need to turn the aids off to prevent feedback from the muffs? If you’ll have to, seems to me you’ll basically have custom fitted earplugs in, obviating the need for ear muffs.

An interesting question. I didn't have any issues with feedback using my wireless headphones on the TV last night, so maybe not.

The earpieces are not what you might expect, they actually allow pretty much normal levels of ambient noise in. Part of the fitting/tuning process involved wearing them without them being turned on and I could hear the Doc just fine.

This site looks like a good place to begin:

https://doctear.com/highest-nrr-ear-muffs/

I'm with you on not being fond of the foldable muffs. Also, I prefer the non-electronic versions if I'm working in the shop or doing the lawn.

Edit to add: just ordered a pair of the DD brand from Amazon for $28. Figured at that price I couldn't afford not to get another set. Plus, I'm interested to test them against a set of Peltor muffs that have been the best I've had for yard and shop work.

RE: damaging them during removal. My Phonaks are pretty robust. I take them on and off multiple times per day and I can't say that's been a concern.

RE: contamination. I leave them 'on' when I take them out during the day - there's not a lot of battery drain at one battery/week - and that way they're still sealed which reduces the risk of crud getting inside.

If I was going to take them into a super-dusty/dirty environment, I might put them in a small resealable baggie before pocketing them.

RE: hearing protection. Having them out is one level of hearing protection right at the get-go. When I go to the range, they stay in the car. I have electronic headphones (MSA Sordins) which amplify sounds other than gunshots, so they are both my hearing protection (for the booms) as well as my hearing aids. What I would personally do if I needed hearing protection and wanted them with me in case I needed to use them during/shortly after a loud, dusty project, is: take them out, leave them closed/on, and put them in a baggie in a front pocket.

That said, if you want to have your aids on under the headphones, that should be possible. I say that as my Phonaks don't feed back with my computer headphones. But that may just be my particular model Phonaks with my particular headphone. So I'd recommend either buying your hearing protection locally from a place that has demo product out, or somewhere online that offers no-questions-asked free returns, so you get a chance to test.