Continue reading »]]> Anyone have this problem with shooter’s earplugs?

OK, I take this boy shooting. I hate shooter’s earmuffs. They are so tight and give me a headache. I figure they will hurt a boy’s head even more. I take a pair, but I take several pair of ear plugs. I take a disposable kind, I take an expensive kind with a metal overload noise filter, and I take a medium quality pair with multiple baffles for him.

I found out what he really wants to shoot. .22 rifles. I have a old High Standard pump action. I have an automatic Ruger 10/22, I have a Marlin Lever Action, I have a Henry Arms copy of the AR-7 survival rifle, I have a skeletonized three pound Garcia single shot. He is happy. But his ears are killing him.

I find this boy has mountains of earwax. Earwax like I have never seen. The earplugs compacted it. By the time we left, he was in great pain and crying. He lives with his grandmother. She waitresses/manages an Italian restaurant, but she is a retired nurse. She (I find out later) flushes out the wax with a large syringe with the needle removed filled with warm water. Ugh. Glad I didn’t have to see that. Who the heck has THAT much EAR WAX? Is that normal? I produce almost none at all. I just threw the ear plugs away they were so disgusting. Is this normal? Is this because he is a boy?

Best Answer – Chosen by Asker

There’s a lot of individual variation in cerumen. You’d be amazed (and probably nauseated) at what nurses wash out of ears. Since his grandmom was so prepared, it would seem she already had dealt with the problem, and he’s just one of those who’ll always have cerumen problems.
A cheap pair of muffs may not bother the kid at all.

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This pair of ear defenders is for those who treasure their hearing but still love music – presenting the AO Safety 90541 ear defenders/earmuffs by Peltor, part of its WorkTunes series of ear defenders. This pair of ear defenders allows the user to protect his/her ears from noisy, dangerous sounds (think power equipment) while enjoying music clearly without having to compete with the loud sound source.

Armed with a long antenna, the 90541 ear defenders is able to digitally tune in to the radio easily and even allows for memory presets! Place two decent AA batteries inside and you can use the radio on these ear defenders while working for two full days! Don’t like radio? No problem, the  AO Safety 90541 ear defenders has an audio jack  to plug in an external MP3 player.  The speaker’s sound quality and audio range is excellent.

After marveling over the 90541 ear defenders, it should be noted about some of its flaws. Having a long antenna definitely helps in tuning to the radio (which works well in the rural areas), however, the higher concentration of radio signals in urban areas cause the ear defenders to have bad reception due to the the receiver’s being bombarded by so many signals.

Next, the volume knob on the 90541 ear defenders is only for the radio. Yes, it is a waste not to be able to control your MP3s directly on the ear defenders (you lazy bastard) but rather from your player itself. Not a major flaw, but a flaw for this pair of ear defenders nonetheless.

With the 90541 ear defenders on, you will never hear a thing again!(for better or for worse) It should be noted that if you wish to hear essential sounds, it is not wise to turn on the music. However, to suit your music addiction while having excellent external ear protection, the Peltor AO Safety 90541 WorkTunes ear defenders is the one for you!

Review Summary:

+          Excellent noise reduction

+          Good speakers for MP3/Radio

+          Long antenna suitable for radio in rural areas

+          Good battery life

-           Bad radio reception in urban areas

-           Volume control does not work for songs (radio only)

Important Details:

• SNR/NRR : 22dB
• Hearing protector with integrated AM/FM radio and stereo input jack for optional MP3 players, scanners and more
• Save up to 10 radio station presets; seek/scan and AM/FM toggle buttons; easy-to-read LCD
• Comfortable gel/foam cushions for extended wear; adjustable stainless steel headband
• Powered by 2 AA batteries (not included)
• 3.5mm male-to-male cable required for MP3 input (not included)

Continue reading »]]> Do I need to go to the dr?

I was at this heavy metal show yesterday & after awhile I could barely hear I went home & slept but now when I wake up my left ear hurts inside I tried to massage my ear but doesnt help. What can I do?

Best Answer – Chosen by Voters

Your ear could be hurting because of the loud sound that you were exposed to yesterday. Our inner ears contain microscopic hair cells that pick up vibrations caused by sound waves. When exposed to loud noise, the cells will be exhausted and lose their function temporarily. Your ear could be hurting due to damage to these cells. Normally, if you don’t over exhaust the hair cells, it will recover over time. However, the sound should have been really loud and there is a risk of some of these cells dying. Please consult a otologist (ear doctor) asap to check out the condition of your ears.

Next time, please wear ear defenders or ear plugs when attending such loud events.

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It’s yet another Peltor ear defenders review for kids! This time its the 97070 black ear defenders/earmuff. Like the Peltor Kid’s Earmuff reviewed before, the Junior ear defenders is specifically designed for children, women and smaller head users. The smaller headband provides a better fit and thus more reliable attenuation, or better hearing protection from those nasty, ear-damaging loud noises. It also has liquid/gel filled cushions which ensures comfort for extended wear and it also sports a adjustable headband.

Important Details:

• SNR/NRR 22dB
• SNR/NRR allows range commands to be heard for added safety
• Designed and sized for youth and smaller adults
• Liquid/Gel filled cushions are comfortable for extended wear
• Adjustable headband
• Only available in Black
• Weight: 5.6 Ounces

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The more pricier of ear defenders in the market, the electronic R-01526 has additional features which justifies its price. Below are the features of the electronic R-01526 ear defenders:

• Automatic noise protection – amplification automatically shuts off at 82dB attenuating impulse and continuous noise
• Sound amplification – sound is amplified to deliver superior directional sound quality in stereo
• Headband adjusts for a secure, non-slip fit
• Single knob control for on /off and volume; power automatically shuts off after 4 hours of use
• Equipped with an external audio input that allows you to connect to your own audio source
• Foldable design for easy storage

Being able to electronically block out loud sounds 82dB and above while amplifying essential sound, users can enjoy full, clear directional hearing in stereo. An external audio input also allows you to connect your Ipod or other audio source. Never work without music again!

Important Details:

• SNR/NRR 22
• 15.2 Ounces
• Only in Hunter Green colour
• External audio input connects to MP3 players and scanners
• Amplifies conversation and commands with one single volume control knob
• Automatic 4 hour shut-off increases battery life
• Automatically blocks noise above 82 dB.
• Adjustable, low-profle design folds for easy storage
• Uses 2 AAA batteries (Included in purchase)

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Small it may be, but that is what these ear defenders are for… kids! Despite its size, these ear defenders are still highly effective and are specifically designed to be lightweight and comfortable enough for kids. With a SNR/NRR 22 protection, this model sports liquid foam ear cushions and an adjustable stainless steel headband. Perfect for protecting your child or infant’s ears from damaging noise!

Important Details:

• SNR/NRR : 22dB
• 7.2 Ounces (Blue), 6.4 Ounces (Pink)

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The Single Number Rating (SNR) and Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) determines the degree of noise cancellation the ear defenders or earplug provides. When choosing ear defenders, it is important to note its SNR/NRR and ensure that after deduction the noise passing through the ear defenders is below 85dB.  This is to ensure that prolonged exposure to the noise with ear defenders on will not damage the user’s hearing.

In areas where noise levels are very high, ear defenders and ear plugs can be worn together to give better protection. However the increase in SNR/NRR is not the addition of both ear defenders and ear plug SNR/NRR value. Instead, the additional protection provided is about 5 – 10 SNR/NRR higher than the better of both SNR/NRR individual values. This ear defenders and ear plugs combination is better described by the diagram below.

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One of the most popular ear defenders in the markets, this model sports a dual cup patented Twin Cup which is designed to minimize resonance achieving maximum high and low frequency attuation. This patented design provides the highest noise reduction rating for an earmuff tested in an approved laboratory. The H10A provides effective, lightweight, comfortable protection for noise levels up to 105 dB.

Important Details:

• SNR/NRR : 29dB
• Lightweight 1.6 pounds
• 30-day product defect replacement
• CSA Approved

Item Dimensions:

• Weight: 8 Ounces
• Length: 5.70 inches
• Width: 4.50 inches
• Height: 8.10 inches

Continue reading »]]> Filtered v.s Non filtered Ear Defenders

Filtered ear defenders allow essential sounds of lower decibels to be heard through the ear defenders to your ears, such as that of normal speech and ambient sounds such as the telephone ringing. At the same time, filtered ear defenders block out undesirable sounds of higher decibels which are detrimental to your ears such as sounds from power tools, loud ambient noises, etc.

Filtered ear defenders also differ in decibel reduction ranges to suit the individual’s desired noise reduction level. The degree of noise cancellation by ear defenders is displayed by the ear defender’s Single Number Rating (SNR) used by the UK or Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) used by the US. These ratings are approximations of how many decibels the filtered ear defenders will cancel the noise by. The following diagram will describe this concept on SNR/NNR of ear defenders.

In addition to SNR/NRR of ear defenders, some manufacturers also include details such as H = 34, M = 31, L = 24 beside the SNR/NRR ear defenders values.

These HML values refers to the noise reduction values of the ear defender for High, Medium and Low frequencies of sound which differs from the SNR/NRR values which is calculated differently. This information is useful for people purchasing ear defenders for different purposes and may encounter specific frequencies more often than the others.

On the flip side of the coin, non filtered ear defenders do not differentiate between low and high decibels and block off or reduce all decibels of sounds. This may be useful for artistes or audiophiles who do not wish to have any ambient sounds and wish to use the ear defenders to focus on the sound of their interest only.

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Ear defenders, or acoustic earmuffs,are made up of two cups that surround the ears, with the two cups being connected by a headband (some ear defenders sport a neckband instead). The cups of the ear defenders are lined with acoustic foam that absorbs sound by increasing air resistance for the sound waves and thus protecting the user from excessively loud sounds.

Ear defenders are thus used as ear protection either for loud occupations or for people in contact with loud ambient noises. The reason for wearing ear defenders is because our ears will be permanently damaged if exposed to loud noises for a prolonged period of time.  Our inner ears contain microscopic hair cells that pick up vibrations caused by sound waves. When exposed to loud noise, the cells will be exhausted and  lose their function temporarily. Prolonged exposure will ultimately cause the cells to die and lose their function permanently.

The table below shows the maximum exposure levels for each noise level.

Hence, it is important to wear ear defenders to make sure noise that the ear is exposed to is less than 80dB at all times. Take a look at some of the reviewed ear defenders to protect your ears today!