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 have the AO Safety worktunes. It has this weird little switch that you press once to turn on and if you press it quickly you can toggle from AM to FM. I don't know if my set has a short or if I toggle to a silent AM when I think I am turning it off. It is always dead when I go to use it after it sets awhile. I have gotten to where I yank the batteries out after I use it.
Other than that I like it. Muffs are more comfortable to me if they have sound. Another problem is with music you can't tell if anything is running. Regular muffs you can hear some motor noise. I pushed the off button on the table saw with the tunes turned up. The saw wasn't off and I didn't know until I looked down.
Boeing surplus store in Kent, WA has FM radio headphones on sale for $2 a pair. I'll get you a pair and send them on if you want. Insist the grandkids wear EP when they run the dozer or backhoe (too young for chainsaws yet - fer sure then). dDd buy one of the $2 pair but dont recall make, radio part unimportant anyway, just the EP is important.
Does the FM radio still work on the $2 surplus units?
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
yep
edit PS: almost all have the outer diaphram torn, many have a #4$5%&& epitaph written in pen on the case prior to recent strike. Never even tried the radio on the one I bought, only looking for EP, assume the radio works..
Let me know, I can send out as many as people want, , 70 cents or so postage. However, the wire stripers that used to sell for 50 cents at the store went up to $10 at teh store after somebody started selling them on ebay.
Edited 10/8/2005 9:58 pm ET by junkhound
Some good points about those units. Music makes the day go faster and the muffling effect can save your ears. Long ago I was a machinist and the noise of he machines was deafening. Even when not that loud I noted that it increased stress levels. Put me on edge and made it hard to sleep.
On the down side if that forklift with the suddenly faulty brakes bearing down on you while the operator frantically works the horn is muffled by the earphones you may not know to get out of the way. Going deaf is not good but getting flattened by a cement truck backing up is no big improvement.
Also the hearing protection may less than expected. Those muffs make it a temptation to crank the radio to cover the residual noise that does make it through.
On the up side those muffs can provide music where cranking a radio would be inappropriate, like renovating an office in a bank.
So these units have a place but be careful where you use them and keep the radio volume down.
Maybe the Sordins are the answer; from what I can gather from the description, they do have some sort of electronic cut-out feature. And I do like the idea of being able to play my own CD's through them. Sordin is a Swedish outfit, that among other things does very high end hearing protectors for the military ($6-700 per). Apparently, they have just opened a small branch in FL, as a means of getting into the US consumer market. Here's the description I found on their web site:**************************************************************************
SORDIN: Pro Series Dual Headset -- Model 37100The complete hearing protection solution – combines a level dependent function with FM radio (balance between the two via knob located at rear of headset). It provides maximum security and convenience. Allows safe listening to the radio at the same time as you can hear warning signals, moving vehicles and other important information.The large buttons allow simple operation even when you are wearing gloves.Dual can be connected to most audio sources, such as communication radios, CD players, MP3 players, cellphones, etc.Features :**** Fast automatic searching of frequency range (88–108 MHz), with memory for last radio channel listened to.
**** Balance knob for quick and easy adjustment of balance between radio and level dependent function.**** Automatic switch-off feature maximizes battery life. Low battery warning.
Battery life of 120-300 hours depending on operation mode.**** Lead with 3.5 mm mono plug included. Choice of accessory leads includes a hands-free lead for two-way radios.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
back in the days i was a production welder for fisher body (chevy)
same 8 inch weld 50 bazillion times a day
portable dassette player earphones and welding helmet,your in your own world for 8 hours
lol what a waste of 3 yrs
got to listen to alot of jethro tull songs from the wood
king crimson
uriah heep
donovan
jimi
jim
elp
genisis
dep purple
never mind just babbling now its late on a saturday nightDue to recent budget cuts the light at the end of the tunnel will be turned off until further notice.
I bought a pair of AO w/ radio just last week, I got tired of listening to the hum of the planer and sander while working.
I picked them up at HD and they seem to work well.
Look, maybe I'm an old f+rt, and this doesn't really have anything to do with the thread, but - what's the deal about having music while you work? Personally, when I'm concentrating on the task in hand the last thing I want is somethin jammin' in half my brain. Sure there are some mindless jobs where a distraction would be welcome (sorry, painters and drywallers), but.... My idea of hell is a building site with a dozen radios tuned to different stations!
Bear in mind that hearing loss is fast becoming one of the scourges of our age - young people tend to play their iPods loud, and now hearing specialists are dealing with loss in 20-year olds that usually comes with 40 yrs of unprotected work with power tools (or one Stones concert!). If I were manufacturing iPods or that ilk I'd be worrying that in future I'd be subject to class suits in the same way - and acceptance that we took for granted - that smokers now sue the tobacco companies...for something self-imposed at that.
All the best...
To those who know - this may be obvious. To those who don't - I hope I've helped.
I have to agree with Piko partially.
I like loud music but theres a time and place for everything (did I just say that...oiy). I "have" to have my radio going all day while I work otherwise I'd go nuts....OK, I'd be nuttier....happy?
But earmuffs w/ music seem way off base for all the saftey reasons I can think of and some mentioned in this thread as well. Seems like suicide or at least some serious damage somewhere down the lines. Cutting outside sound out by probably better'n 90% seems crazy. We wanna "lesson" the noise, not totally block it out.
OK great, you have your hearing but whatcha gonna pick the sawdust outta yer nose with?
Be missin' fingers
andyThe secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..
I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides,
I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace.
I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you
and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.
I think you guys are missing part of the point. You don't have to turn up the music loud. The headset attenuates most of the outside noise, so you can have the radio on low and still hear the music.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Aside from normal tool/job noise, often times these days, you seem to need "hearing protection" from the other guy's music. If I had my druthers, every work site would be radio free, but that's not always possible.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
I have the Peltor Work tunes.They work great (AM m not so much)The nice thing is that you have a choice.If your doing a brainless job turn on the tunes.If you need to think,leave them off.I have a riding mower and I love them for that.Get a pair you will like them.Rick
I have the $ordin ones. They sound great until you move.
The problem is that as they cutout any noise above a certain db they also amplify any noise below that level.
If you wear a nylon jacket the swishing of your arm movements can sound like a tandem driving by.
Hammering sounds like muffled jackhammering.
You hear a crashing noise and realise it was only a pencil falling from the workbench.
I think they are only good for machine operators and such.
I buoght a pair of seinnhauser noise control headphones , not made for construction but seem to be ok for shop use. They are light and don't have the amp effect.
regards
Rik
I was wondering about that with the Sordins. I like the idea of using a CD player with them, but I wouldn't want them with all the problems you describe. Are the Sennheiser's set up with a radio?Thanks for feedback --- you just saved me $188.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
No radio I plug them into my Ipod. Rik