Hey everyone, I've been using my Bose QC over-the-ear headphones not just for music but also as a way to protect my hearing while working in my home shop and when I mow the lawn. They really do a great job of reducing noise from my tools like saws and sanders to a comfortable level. However, I'm starting to wonder if they're actually adequate for hearing protection or if I'm being naive by not using dedicated ear protection gear. I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences on this! Am I risking my hearing? Thanks!
1 Answer
In general, those Bose headphones aren’t designed for hearing protection. They do help with noise reduction, but they lack the proper ratings for safety in a workshop environment. If you’re looking for good options, I found some over-the-head ear protection at a gun store that are really reliable without breaking the bank.
Home Depot has 3M earmuffs with a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 34 or 36 for just $25! That's better than many shooting earmuffs out there and way cheaper than most options. Also, Harbor Freight has some good ear protection for only $7 with an NRR of 26.