I use earplugs but would like to listen to podcasts, the Bible, music, etc. while mowing. I figured something must have come about since I asked last year.

I don't like muffs because I wear glasses and muffs don't seal out noise where the glasses make a gap. However, I'll wear muffs in addition to plugs to increase noise reduction.

What I'm looking for is something to match the NRR of earplugs at 33dB. Or at least come close. Active noise reduction in addition to noise isolation sounds like a good plan.

Does anyone have experience with bone conducting headphones? If they are loud enough, I can wear my earplugs and still listen to something interesting at work. It doesn't have to be audiophile quality but I do like decent sound.

The latest Apple AirPods have noise-canceling. Don’t know how effective it is. Likely worth investigating if you have an iPhone.

I’ve tried without success to find earbuds that would let me hear what I’m listening to over the sound of the mower. However I haven’t tried buds that cost more money than $50.

Woot has quite a few options in both styles at reduced cost, I've run the JBL with the around the neck piece while working in the yards.

It has decent sound range and noise reduction, and the neck piece lets you drop the ear buds without them getting in the way, they also connect to the phone for calls with a microphone so that is helpful.

At $34 they are cheap, and you won't get as upset if you run over them or leave them somewhere, they also have over the ear headphones as options for $34 or you can spend more.

Woot

I use Bose QC20 noise canceling wired ear buds while mowing the yard. I also use them around noisy environments. They’re not cheap but neither is your hearing.

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:
The latest Apple AirPods have noise-canceling. Don’t know how effective it is.

Likely that's noise-cancelling for the transmit side, not the receive side. I can't see noise-cancelling on the receive side being very effective for AirPods, being as they really don't seal in the ear effectively at all--at least for most people.

In fact: Much as I like my AirPods I'd be disinclined to try wearing them while mowing. For many people they don't stay put particularly well. I can see one falling out and ending up being mower fodder very easily.

What you really want is "in-ear monitors" or "IEMs," which seal into the ear canal and passively block sound. Some of them block as much as ear plugs, and you could always wear earmuffs over them.

Etymotic, for example, makes (non-Bluetooth) earphones they claim passively block 35-42 dB. Like earplugs, you have to jam them all the way into your ear canals and get a good seal for the isolation to work.

They aren't Bluetooth, but you can get tiny little clip-on Bluetooth receivers to use with corded headphones, I've had good luck with the Fiio ones - the cheapest (uBTR) is only $20.

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:
The latest Apple AirPods have noise-canceling. Don’t know how effective it is. Likely worth investigating if you have an iPhone.

I do have an iPhone. Do those Airpods stay in your ears? I know the corded Apple EarPods do not.

quote:

Originally posted by M'headSig:
I’ve tried without success to find earbuds that would let me hear what I’m listening to over the sound of the mower. However I haven’t tried buds that cost more money than $50.

Same here. I really can't see spending $100 on something that might not work.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
Woot has quite a few options in both styles at reduced cost, I've run the JBL with the around the neck piece while working in the yards.

It has decent sound range and noise reduction, and the neck piece lets you drop the ear buds without them getting in the way, they also connect to the phone for calls with a microphone so that is helpful.

At $34 they are cheap, and you won't get as upset if you run over them or leave them somewhere, they also have over the ear headphones as options for $34 or you can spend more.

Woot

Thanks. I'll check them out.

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:
The latest Apple AirPods have noise-canceling. Don’t know how effective it is.

Likely that's noise-cancelling for the transmit side, not the receive side. I can't see noise-cancelling on the receive side being very effective for AirPods, being as they really don't seal in the ear effectively at all--at least for most people.

In fact: Much as I like my AirPods I'd be disinclined to try wearing them while mowing. For many people they don't stay put particularly well. I can see one falling out and ending up being mower fodder very easily.

That is a big concern.

quote:

Originally posted by maladat:
What you really want is "in-ear monitors" or "IEMs," which seal into the ear canal and passively block sound. Some of them block as much as ear plugs, and you could always wear earmuffs over them.

Etymotic, for example, makes (non-Bluetooth) earphones they claim passively block 35-42 dB. Like earplugs, you have to jam them all the way into your ear canals and get a good seal for the isolation to work.

They aren't Bluetooth, but you can get tiny little clip-on Bluetooth receivers to use with corded headphones, I've had good luck with the Fiio ones - the cheapest (uBTR) is only $20.

Yes, this is exactly what I am looking for. When I played in the church band we had in-ear monitors and they cut out all the sound. Too much, in fact, to play without removing one of them. Great idea. I would like it to have a microphone for taking calls, too.

Anyone try the cheekbone vibrator things?

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:
In fact: Much as I like my AirPods I'd be disinclined to try wearing them while mowing. For many people they don't stay put particularly well. I can see one falling out and ending up being mower fodder very easily.

That is a big concern.

AirPods are a bit larger than EarPods. Some people wear them and they stay put for them. Others: Not so much.

Mine stay put "ok" unless I move my jaws much. Talking (ironically) or chewing food causes them to loosen over time. Sometimes I've failed to notice that and had one fall out.

As a result: I don't use my AirPods much. If I had it to do over again, I'm not certain I'd buy them.

I think the new AirPods come in sizes, but don't quote me on that. (And I've no idea how one would choose which size would be right for them.)

I have a number of earbuds, including the Bose QC20, Apple AirPods Pro, Raycon E25, and Jaybird. They are all pretty good for listening, but the Bose comes the closest.

So, here's what I do: I have a set of "ears" I use when I go to the range. I start pair of Bluetooth earbuds (the Raycons fit the best for this) and then don my shooting ears. Presto!

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:
I think the new AirPods come in sizes, but don't quote me on that. (And I've no idea how one would choose which size would be right for them.)

They are all the same size but have replaceable ear 'bud' (soft portion that fits into your ear canal) to fit your ear - although there are only 2-3 sizes provided.

I have AirPod Pros but attached a plastic lanyard to connect them together when walking, traveling in an airport/airplane, etc. Makes it easy to keep track when one falls out or you need to take them out for a couple of minutes.

No way I'd used them for mowing the lawn.

These guys make custom ear plugs, they are always at Daytona Bike week, Sturgis et all some come wired they make them for many industries and they are custom fit to your ear canal.

While I discovered them at a bike event they are into ear plugs with or without BT, wired for multiple industries including shooting, etc.

Big Ear Inc

I have a set that are not wired that I now use when shooting when I double up. Probably 10 years old and still fit my ears, guess all my weight gain was in the stomach.

Nonetheless it's a quality product and perhaps they have something investment worthy for your needs.

Being custom fit they won't fall out, you can get them tethered, BT, etc. And they are not uncomfortable since they are custom fit.

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:
The latest Apple AirPods have noise-canceling. Don’t know how effective it is. Likely worth investigating if you have an iPhone.

I do have an iPhone. Do those Airpods stay in your ears? I know the corded Apple EarPods do not.

I was reluctant to go with Airpods until the 5th set of wired earbuds died, all in less than 18months. Even though I knew the Apple earpods didn't like staying in my ears I tried the Airpods anyway because I bought silicone sleeves (find them on Amazon) to fit on the Airpods and stay in my ears no problem.

I mow the grass and go to the gym with them in no problems.

The noise cancellation on new AirPods Pro is pretty remarkable. Not the NRR rating you're looking for but still good. As suggested I'd probably look at a silicone strap if I was running or mowing with them.

Pricey, but worth it IMHO.

Isotunes have passive noise cancelling rated around 33 db or so. Apple Airpod Pro's have active noise cancelling and seal much better in the ear than the original airpods. I just bought Pro's with mowing as one of my primary uses. Mowing season is still a ways off here but I did get to try them while snowblowing and they worked great, I expect they'll be the same on the mower.

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:

quote:

Originally posted by maladat:
What you really want is "in-ear monitors" or "IEMs," which seal into the ear canal and passively block sound. Some of them block as much as ear plugs, and you could always wear earmuffs over them.

Etymotic, for example, makes (non-Bluetooth) earphones they claim passively block 35-42 dB. Like earplugs, you have to jam them all the way into your ear canals and get a good seal for the isolation to work.

They aren't Bluetooth, but you can get tiny little clip-on Bluetooth receivers to use with corded headphones, I've had good luck with the Fiio ones - the cheapest (uBTR) is only $20.

Yes, this is exactly what I am looking for. When I played in the church band we had in-ear monitors and they cut out all the sound. Too much, in fact, to play without removing one of them. Great idea. I would like it to have a microphone for taking calls, too.

A lot of the little Bluetooth doodads either work with cable mics on earphones that have them, have a mic built into the doodad, or both. The $20 Fiio uBTR I mentioned has a mic built in (but won't use cable mics), you just clip it to your shirt collar and it will let you make calls.

Shure makes a Bluetooth receiver cable that works with their IEMs and has a mic, which I had forgotten about. Some Shure Bluetooth IEMs would be a good choice, I think they claim 37dB isolation. The SE215 are the least expensive ones available with Bluetooth, I think.

https://www.shure.com/en-US/products/earphones/se215