I just did a search of past threads, and I know many of you use ear muff style hearing protectors with a built in radio.
I traveled through Google, and found the following models which look interesting — the level of protection is about the same for all four.
The first two — Sordin and Bilsom — are more expensive in part because you can run a belt-mounted CD player through them, and presumably the sound is better.
**Sordin Pro Series Dual Headset, Model 37100 (Price $188)
Bilsom Electo Radio Muffs (Price: $145)
The following two are actually made by the same company (Aearo), but it is unclear how they are different. The AO Safety version seems the most popular, probably because of the price and you can buy it off the shelf at HD.
Peltor Worktunes Model HRX79A (Price: about $88)
AO Safety WorkTunes 22 AM/FM Radio & Hearing Protector (Price $60)
My questions are, has anyone had any experience with any of these models? If so, what do you like/dislike about them?
Are there any other models that you would recommend?
Thanks.
“It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts.”
John Wooden 1910-
Replies
I am on my third pair of Peltors. They are comfortable and work well. The style and features have changed a little with each new model. The only drawback of the newest model is that the little cover on the battery compartment broke off the first time they fell to the floor. (It has a flimsy plastic hinge that is part of the cover) I wear them all day every day. Although I don't listen to the radio all that time. I think its a good idea to give your ears a rest. And may I encourage everyone to wear hearing protection while working. We all know people in the trades who suffer from substantial hearing loss. Take care.
I've got the Peltor Worktunes. IIRC, I paid $60 for them 4 years ago. If they suddenly grew feet in the middle of the night, I'd just go buy another pair -- no shopping, just get another pair. There aren't too many tools in my shop I'd say that of. They get good reception, and have good battery life (except when you hang 'em up for the week while they're still playing...).
If I had a magic wand, I'd change one thing about them. I'd like some preset buttons. It is a slight aggravation to have to find a station by twisting the tuner knob, telling where on the dial I am by listening the stations as they go past my ear. Actually, I've developed a trick for it. I have a shop radio (with presets, mind you). I tune it to the station I want to go to on the Peltors. Then I put the Peltor on just one ear and fast-scan the tuning knob. When I'm getting the same music in both ears, I'm home.
I like Peltor, and I think you can find them for $50-60. I don't know if any work anybetter, but the radio is pretty good on those. The on off button sometimes takes multiple tries, but that might be me being more fumble fingered than any fault with the radio.
Anybody know the difference between the two Worktunes I found -- one for about $60, the other for $88.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
$28
you must have had a long day ...................********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
One has a Noise Reduction rating of 22dB, the other 29dB.
have the peltor
they are comfortable, with good sound reduction, but AM reception can be poor, at least in my area, as the mroe powerful station breaks off
tuner is a little hard to adjust
overall pretty good
Geeee I just turn up my radio really loud!
Folks, sorry to be a wet blanket, but I always thought that the having of extra voices in the head is exactly what leads to attention loss, which is one of the exact reasons for the cutting of fingers rather than the work-piece....or am I missing something again?
I think it depends entirely on the individual; some need the quiet of a library to focus on what they're doing, others don't.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
I don't use radio headphones with table saw, only with planer, as when I run the thickness planer, it is usually on for long periods. I do not find my table saw very loud, and it is normally only on for short runs. same with jointer - for that I use plane ear muffs.
I don't find radio distracting like tv would be.
most often I use my peltor when I run the rotor tiller in the garden, or listening to something when I am cutting up firewood. when the stihl is a full throttle - I can't hear the radio anyways. but it does halp cut down the drone of the chain saw.
it's also good for the riding mower.
I would wear the muffs for music mostly, not talk (don't have a set yet, but really want one). Music relaxes my mind. Wouldn't so much to listen when I'm jointing, planing or table-sawing, but more when sanding or band-sawing and the darned dust collector and vacuum make so much noise! I'm working on a project now that involves long stretches at the bandsaw, DC&vac making all that noise. Would love to have music-muffs!
I agree with others about wanting to hear the sound of whichever machine, because that's important. But regular muffs obscure that also.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Edited 10/11/2005 1:27 pm ET by forestgirl
Not to be another wet blanket, but this subject always bothers me a bit. I use hearing protection when using the noisiest tools like a planer or jointer. Protecting one's hearing is, of course, a great idea but so is being able to hear your tools. The combination of hearing and feeling what a tool is doing is one of the best safety factors we have.
Drowning out the noise with a headset seems self-defeating since you're substituting one noise source with another.
Regards,
Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting
Mensa Member
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Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
"Drowning out the noise with a headset seems self-defeating since you're substituting one noise source with another." It's not drowning out the noise. The noise is blocked by the muffs, so music doesn't have to be all that loud.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
"It's not drowning out the noise. The noise is blocked by the muffs, so music doesn't have to be all that loud."
Hi Jamie,
Yeah, I understand that, but it's still introducing a distraction and "noises" that may prevent one from hearing something going awry with the machinery. And, yes, I have a boombox in my shop and I use it on average a couple of times a month when I'm doing maintenance or just chillin' out.
Looking at it another way, if woodworking is so boring one has to listen to music to pass the time, maybe it's time to find another hobby.
Best regards,
Bill Arnold - Custom WoodcraftingMensa Member Click Here if you're interested in a good, inexpensive website host.
Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
SWMBO bought me a set of the Peltor's a couple years ago for Christmas. They work great. This fall I wore them to the local speedway, and even when the REALLY loud racecars went by, I could hear the radio just fine.
My surface planer and DC are not that loud, so they are more than adequate. And they are comfortable to wear for a long time, though my ears get hot!
~Johndidit
"Looking at it another way, if woodworking is so boring one has to listen to music to pass the time, maybe it's time to find another hobby." Sorry, Bill, you're way off track there. Music means and does different things for different people. I don't feel like or have time to explain it, but I think you shouldn't assume you know why people like to listen while they work. Ooops, gotta go! Company coming up the drive!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Bill,
I tried the AO Safety musical ear protection and returned them to Home Depot after one session at the router table. When I wore them, it felt like I was numb while running a piece of wood through the router. It is not a sensation I find proper for woodworking. (In a similar kind of way, I feel uncomfortable in cars that are too smooth.)There should be as much closeness to the work as possible, while still protecting ourselves. That's why I think regular ear muffs are good. They dampen the nose enough to make it less harmful, but you still hear the machine.I have a radio in my shop which I can hear in between the runnings of loud machines. During those times, it's a nice feeling to associate the music I love with woodworking!
Edited 10/12/2005 6:35 am ET by MatthewSchenker
Matthew,
My point exactly. The ear muffs I use do a great job of reducing the most annoying noises that could do the most damage while still allowing one to hear the machine.
I fully expect someday to hear from one of the musical ear muff proponents that they've had a bad incident in the shop.
Regards,
Bill Arnold - Custom WoodcraftingMensa Member Click Here if you're interested in a good, inexpensive website host.
Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
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