Ear Protection from Lawnmowing/yard work

Anyone have any suggestions on some earprotection or brand for lawnmowing? I picked these up a while ago, http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=17477616 but I don't feel like they block out a whole lot. I am putting them in the correct way.
We have a over the head earmuffs for using the chainsaw, but that is to big for lawnmowing.. Or to clunky.
Anyone have a recommendation on in the ear protection? Just trying to save my hearing while I can

 

I used to wear peltor ear muffs, but now I use ear muffs that have an fm radio in them. They honestly sound like shit, but I like having something to listen to. I like the foam in-ear protection best though.

 

compare ear plugs for a higher noise reduction rating. NRR, they list them on the box or pack.

 

Unless you mow professionally, earplugs are usually not necessary.

 

sounds like he does do it professionally and using PPE even at home is never a bad idea...

 

They are if you don't want to loose hearing early, it adds up over the years. You might know if you need hearing aids at 55 instead of 65, no solid way to estimate.

the ones OP has are 25nrr, try some in the 33 nrr range, they make higher too iirc.

 

False, the tractor I use is like 105 db when it's mowing. Sitting on it for over an hour once or twice a week will kill your hearing after a bit.

 

In ear plugs have a higher NRR than muffs but the problem lies with proper insertion. The best and most reliable answer is muffs. When I mow I wear headphones.

 

My 12-year old Briggs & Stratton must be pretty quiet then. My vacuum cleaner is louder...

 

X2. Hearing damage is cumulative, so anytime spent above the "safe" threshold is not good.
No one is going to require you to use PPE, but I do because I spend enough time in high noise areas for work that I need all the help I can get.

I've got 22nrr foamies and a set of "slimline" shooters ear muffs...Depending on what I'm using (mower, trimmer, chainsaw, etc) and what I'm wearing (ball cap, wide brim, sun/safety glasses...)

 

either, I been in places in the navy that make you wear both at the same time.

In the ear Proper insertion is usually likely among those who don't want to wear them so they cheat, people who use them regularly get proper insertion easily. Both are reliable.
I'm often wearing David Clarks, sometimes with a light earplug, shooting too since muffs often get in the way. Either is fine though

 

The engine isn't that loud. It's the airflow under the deck that creates most of the noise. The bigger the deck and the faster the blade speed, the more noise it makes. Bigger tractors and commercial mowers are a fair amount louder than some home depot john deere thing.

 

I mow 4-5 lawns a week, which includes using a gas weedwacker so I figure a $20 investment is well worth it. Better than shelling out who knows how much in 50 years for hearing aids.

Yep, exactly..

Thanks Brunes. I'll look into those foamies, and shooters..

 

3 combat tours in Iraq and yet when I claimed hearing loss the VA told me I should have wore PPE how the phuck you wear ear plugs in a combat environment. Op go buy yourself a good set of ear pro because you don't want that annoying tone sound in your ears all the time it will drive you crazy.

 

use you, abuse you, then excuse you.

I forgot abut tinnitus, mine went away after some ear surgeries for other stuff.

 

I use Peltors

 

Yeah they said I had that but they won't do nada about it, my left ear is the worst because my saw gunner opened up right by my ear stupid boot didn't know muzzle awareness.

 

Considering the Cub Cadet I use on my grandmas yard has an exhaust leak I wonder how loud it is. Sounds a little like a Harley when you gas it.

I use the 3M disposables from Lowes that reduce noise by 29 dB.

 

Those 3m plugs are adequate for gunfire when inserted properly. I've used them for jackhammering.

Now, one problem I encountered using them on my motorcycle is that the cord tends to pick up and transmit noise into the stem. They worked better when I tucked the cord under my shirt, but the part between my collar and ear still picked up a fair amount of wind noise.
I switched to a pair that were not corded (different manufacturer) and they were fine.
Try them with the cord cut off and see if it's an improvement.

 

When I am shooting guns, I use the plugs and earmuffs. Sorry for getting off topic.