PT & Hearing Protection

[farm23]

In the past I have used cheap shooting muffs. This weekend I was able to get 6 hours on Saturday and 5 hours on Sunday seat time. Both days I had sore ears and a headache. Has anyone found good comfortable heating protection.

 

[ponytug]

I have a pair of Pelltors and love them. They fit my head well and have a very good NRR.

Fit is important to comfort and also to a good NRR.

You can get them from most industrial supply houses or via the internet.

All the best,

Peter

In the past I have used cheap shooting muffs. This weekend I was able to get 6 hours on Saturday and 5 hours on Sunday seat time. Both days I had sore ears and a headache. Has anyone found good comfortable heating protection.

 

[MossRoad]

I'm still using my old David Clark's that I got when I used to shoot indoors and also working at the aiport back in the '70's and 80's.

 

[Phils]

I have a pair of Bose noise-cancelling headphones. They work well by themselves. They are expensive (~$200 IIRC).

I used to hang a CD player around my neck and listen to a CD through those headphones. Excellent. Except I'd hear the same CD three or four times during a job, being too lazy to stop working in order to change it.

DW got me an MP3 player for Christmas. Now I don't have to listen to the same songs over and over. I just need to get prescription safety goggles so that I can read the tiny screen and CHOOSE what I'll hear.

Phil

 

[BobRip]

I have the Peltor radio/hearing projection head set which sells for around $50. The radio works fine and it offers OK hearing protection. I have also put foam under the ROPS and sound deading material lining the soild sections of the engine cover. I believe these helped some. I have a better muffer than the newer PT's so that also helps.

 

[smartguyz]

Hi there!

I have the Peltor hearing protectors which have a very high sound suppression rating. I bought the highest rating for under $100, and I think they cost around $50. The best accessory for the PT, other than gloves and a good set of safety goggle. I recommend you get a set.

Also, I used to have a set of the Bose QuietComfort headphones. They drove me CRAZY. Frankly, I think it was because they put out an 'out of phase' signal to counter the ambient noise. My personal theory is that although you couldn't hear anything, the sound pressure is still 'pushing' on your ears. I would get a splitting headache after extended use, and I actually gave them away. It doesn't affect everyone the same way, however.

Rob

P.S. the one with the red stripe is the one I have. Very very quiet, as Elmer Fudd says...

 

[DCWhitley]

Bobrip - What alterations did you make to the muffler? I would loive to make my machine quieter.

 

[BobRip]

Bobrip - What alterations did you make to the muffler? I would loive to make my machine quieter.

No alterations, just the older stock PT muffler. It actually sends exhaust out both sides of the tractor. It's still too lound, but not as bad as the later ones. I also would like to reduce the noise some.

 

[BillCroasmun]

Do the Peltor's cut out noise completely? I have a 4 yr old girl and although she knows the rules about staying back from the tractor and I am also very visually conscious I still want to be able to hear someone yelling at me just in case.

I'm a bit paranoid about this, when I was in high school I remember there was a young family down the road. The Dad was maybe 22 and he was driving a four wheeler out from b/w two cars and their toddler stepped out from behind the bumper right as he was coming through. He was just idling his way out, wasn't gunning it or anything but still no time to react and the child didn't make it.

Over 20 years ago but it still turns a lump in my throat like it was yesterday...

 

[MossRoad]

Tragedies like that are pretty tough on folks. When I was a small kid, there was an old woman that used to roam the neighborhood. She was looney, saw bugs that weren't there, spoke to folks that weren't there, etc... She'd just walk into your house and sit down next to you and stare off into space. My sisters would run and hide, but I'd stay right next to her. Why???? Because if you waited long enough, she would open her purse and hand you a home made popcorn ball or giant sized candy bar!

Anyhow, the poor old woman was walking in her yard, got her dress caught on something, and fell behind her husband's car as he was backing out. She passed away and the old man moved shortly after. I'd see him riding his bike to the cemetery every few days for years after that. He had flowers in the bike basket. Really sad. Even as a little kid, and well into my teens, I'd see that man and get choked up.

So, it is best to always know where your family members are, teach them well to stay away from the driveway and any power equipment, and find out where all of them are before moving cars/equipment in tight spaces. Also best to never hot dog a car or piece of equipment in your driveway, as you never know if a neighbor kid, meter reader, etc... may be there. Just practice safety each and every time you can.

 

[SpringHollow]

These Pro Eras may be the best hearing protection plus safety hearing system but they are expensive ($240).

Ken



Pro Ears Dimension 2 ProMag

"The Dimension 2 is designed with Receiver/Input capabilities for: AM/FM Radio, Cassette Tape, Stereo, CD and other electronic Communication/Entertainment Receiving Devices.

Features:
# Dynamic Level Compression (DLC? protects hearing without out shutting off
# Input to integrate with communication devices AM/FM radio
# FREE upgraded stereo patch cord a $25.00 value
# Clearest, most natural sound quality ever
# Fastest 'Attack Time' - reacts in less than 2 milliseconds
# Harmful noise levels are kept below 70 dB, sounds below 70 dB are amplified
# Incredible 50 dB of gain
# Stereo for true directional sound detection
# Independent Volume Controls
# No connecting wires
# Special Replaceable Sealing Rings for the ultimate in comfort
# Modular design for easy carry
# 200 hours minimum battery life
# Batteries Included
# Industry's only 5-Year Warranty
"

 

[woodlandfarms]

2 thoughts. There are some Peltors that reduce ambient noise but allow for voice to be heard. They may have the same ugly effect noise canceling headsets do with that "sucking" feeling on your ear drumbs.

For me, I am going to be playing with noise deadening, maybe a second exhaust, definitely some foam pads of one sort or another... I have a hard time hearing the mower when I have the headsets on and I miss those subtle cue's of the metal on metal banging when I find fence posts or worse....

 

[Bob999]

I use Pro Ears precisely because they allow me to hear normal sounds while blocking loud sounds. As Ken notes they are expensive but in my view worth it.

 

[SpringHollow]

I just tried the Pro Ears for the second time (normally have a logging helmet on when doing firewood but today I was just collecting wood already cut up. My wife had me get them which was nice of her. I would have used them more but i forgot to turn off the protectors the first time i used them so the batteries were dead and the spare pair of batteries I bought with them were dead also.

It takes some getting used to the fact that they also amplify low level sounds so the sound of a stick dragging in the leaves is quite distinct. Had a grouse get scared up and take off right next to me. That sounded pretty wild!

I bought the cheapest Ipod and have it clipped to the ear muffs with the wires tied to the head band. That setup worked nice - no wires to get snagged or to dangle against me. I hardly ever listen to music because i tune it out when concentrating at work and I listen to NPR when driving. It was very nice to listen to music I like while working and nice not to have to use ear buds. Not the best stereo sound but certainly fine for working in the woods with a tractor. Maybe it was my imagination, but it seemed to lower the tractor noise it allowed through when i had the music on (could be the music covering up the sound).

If they last 5 years, they were definitely worth the money.

Ken

 

[BillCroasmun]

Thanks for the Pro Ears info, I looked up what other models they offer and found this one for $170: Pro-Ears Predator 200 Shooting Hearing Protection Headsets P200 w/ FREE UPS :: Hearing Protection :: Optics For You

I might give those a try, as it is now, I only wear ear protection consistently when I'm mowing.

 

[RegL]

I've gone so long without ear protection that the engine noise doesn't bother me much anymore and my ears filter out my wife's voice most the time.

 

[Gravy]

RegL,

I may be telling you something you already know, but loud noises will still further damage your hearing, even though they aren't painful. You might want to protect what you still have.

Gravy

 

[farm23]

I have not tried the pro-ears and they may work since I see they cancel out anything above 70db. The noise cancelling head sets I have tried have not worked well because they cancel above 80 or so. The result is the tractor noise comes and goes. I have purchase a set of standard (no noise cancelling) Peltor's and they work ok. I may go ahead and get a set of the pro-ears before next hunting season.