I'm looking for some advice on over-ear hearing protection. Should I opt for the cheap options or invest in more expensive ones? What noise rating do you suggest for protection while using loud shop tools? Thanks in advance for any recommendations!
3 Answers
I've had great luck with 3M Worktunes! They're comfortable and even allow you to stream music or podcasts via Bluetooth. Although they work fine without music too. Just make sure to avoid ISOTunes; in my experience, they're not very durable and broke on me multiple times.
Check this article for some good tips: [Choosing Hearing Protection](https://www.woodreview.com.au/tools-and-equipment/sound-advice-choosing-hearing-protection). Ultimately, pick a rating that matches your loud work environment. As for budget, your hearing is precious, so don’t hesitate to invest a bit more if you can!
Honestly, go for something you'll actually wear. It's not worth it to skimp on hearing protection. Once you lose your hearing, there's no going back! Some of my favorites are the 3M Peltors, which are about $25 at Home Depot, and they're really effective, plus I can wear my AirPods underneath.