Thread: Any sound canceling ear muff take ipod ??

Originally Posted by Lignum

BC? Sunday night, my brain isnt computing



Wrong. Worksafe do not have an issue with approved ear protection with radio included.



Nurgle originally was talking about noise canceling ear protection. Working in silence or near silence has been proven to be dangerous because of issues with concentration. Not sure why Nurg is copping it here, his query was a very valid one.

Have a look at aljunk's location

I didn't say anything about approved ear protection with radio included. I said, "I can understand their not approving substituting other noise." I see an argument for not approving such a device. And, Nurgle has been using a (probably) approved safety device in an unsafe way (the wire) and maybe (I don't assume the next point to be the case in this instance but my experience is that it would apply in some cases) a too-high volume.

I've spent some time trying to verify the claim about "silence or near silence," and could not. Worksafe BC and Worksafe GB regulate upper limits and I found the limits, Worksafe Victoria has regulations and I found them, but couldn't find the actual limits, Worksave WA has this useful advice and I expect there are regulations too.

Note that I found these when searching for minimum levels. I didn't find any hint that they regulate the minimum amount of sound.

I have not searched for standards for hearing protection.

Originally Posted by Johncs

I have not searched for standards for hearing protection.

The relevant to Australia standard is AS 1270, and also applies in NZ. It can be purchased from Standards Australia.

Hearing Protection Devices are classified into five standards and have the be registered. The list is available free of charge in NZ. I expect the same list applies in Ausralia, but it could be that some companies only register in one or the other, I don't know whether registrations are shared.

I saw one class 1 earplug that facilitates the use of a phone, and two communications ear muffs (one each in classes 4 and 5).

Anyone who employs people must proved them with maintained HPDs if the work environment is excessively noisy (and the limits easily found everywhere I looked except Victoria).

I would not be providing communication ear muffs willingly. Probably, what you do to your own ears is your own affair.

Quote "... Machines do it a meter away..."

I would like to se anyone who can operate a lathe or mill at a meter away... or am I the only short #### who does metalwork..

many have their have their face with in a foot or two of the thing to watch the work progress, and that that point noise is a serious issue. (though CNC machines are a distinct advantage and are not included in this noise debate..)

and for god sake read my note where I say I dont have the volume turned up.. you act as if every one who has an ipod turns it up loader that ghetto blasters... where in any post did I say I have the volume high. re read....

with tinnitus I only need a small level of sound above the base noise I hear to actually help cancel/reduce out that to a degree, which actually improves my hearing... (when I have my annual hearing tests the sound proof room is actually painful)

Sometimes I question the value of these chats/boards when a few people attack because the cant read or understand the original brief.... or think that everyone is as stupid as they may be... I can rant also...

It was a simple question, hijacked by a few thought control police that must consume their life in "making points of order" that are irrelivent to the original question at hand. (chinese mines and road deaths. etc.?!?!?! !)

But I do thanks and appreciate those helpful soles that do make these chat/boards worth while. the few leads and good helpful advise (sadly overshadowed by nutters) can often lead to better and safer end results... I have found the Peltor range of ear muffs, and will invest in in a set.

Critisism is no substitute of true help.. (and yes I am dyslexic also... want to have a go over that.. get a life.)

Andy

Andy

There is no problem with what you are looking for and the Peltor will be a good choice.

As Tex B said there are plenty headsets that are designed for this purpose, particularly in aviation ie filter unwanted noise and provide comms. It's important for pilots to have comms but to still be able to hear the machine operating so they can detect problems. If having comms audible inside a headset was an issue there would be a lot of hearing impaired pilots around. Same applies for police and secuirty forces.

Let us know what headset you end with and how it performs.

Scott

Originally Posted by Nurgle

Quote "... Machines do it a meter away..." I would like to se anyone who can operate a lathe or mill at a meter away... or am I the only short #### who does metalwork.. many have their have their face with in a foot or two of the thing to watch the work progress, and that that point noise is a serious issue. (though CNC machines are a distinct advantage and are not included in this noise debate..)

You seem to have missed John's point completely. Whether it's 1 m or one ft doesn't matter that much because it's still outside the ear. The in-ear phones are making sound within a few mm of your eardrum and most of the sound is captured by your ear/head. Even from 600 mm only a small fraction of the noise made by any machine gets to your inner ear. That is why earbuds are potentially dangerous. Most people don't seem to get this.

The human ear/brain is very poor at discerning sound levels which is why one has to be careful using one noise to mask another. That's why I said anyone listening to music when operating machinery should set the sound volume BEFORE turning on the machine. If after you start the machine you have to increase the volume to hear the music you are damaging your ears. If you can't hear the music with muffs on and the machine running you are better off without the music.

Re: Working in silence or near silence has been proven to be dangerous because of issues with concentration.
It's not so much an issue of concentration but of loss of awareness of surroundings that can lead to safety issues. Near silence actually improves concentration eg people from shooters to theoretical physicists require silence for intense focus/concentration. The longest I typically wear my ear muffs and ear plug combo when using my chainsaws is 20 -25 minutes which is the longest I typically run the saws for. When I stop I find I have to take the muffs off (leave the plugs) in because the near silence disturbs me somewhat and I don't like hearing the sound of my blood rushing thru my head. By then it's time for a break anyway, refuel, resharpen, moving timber, listening to the sounds of the bush etc - its the quiet period of milling - I like the contrast between this time and the cacophany of a big chainsaw..

Originally Posted by Nurgle

and for god sake read my note where I say I dont have the volume turned up.. you act as if every one who has an ipod turns it up loader that ghetto blasters... where in any post did I say I have the volume high. re read....

Nurgle

Don't for one second assume you will be the only one reading advice here and maybe acting on it, it's a public forum open to everyone.

I didn't make any statement about how well you set the volume, I don't recall that you even said. However, a lot of people, especially young people do.

Nor did I criticize you, or anyone else. There is often bad advice given, and I may sometimes criticize that, or someone's action in giving it. I sometimes do idiotic things, but I don't think that makes me an idiot.

Where I have given advice, I have tried to explain my reasoning, and I took a few hours to research the advice so I could understand what I'm writing about. In contrast, others such bobl work in areas where they need to know these things professionally.

Once you have read my advice and made a decent attempt to understand it, then you are qualified to accept or reject it. Hopefully, your choice will depend on the quality of the advice and the applicability to your particular circumstances, and not on whether it suits you.

Finally, of you think these forums a waste of time, the POQ.