SeaMac
Senior Member
As in my other post on the improvements in Safety Glasses I speak from personal experience. I have lost 40% hearing in my right ear and 15% in my left, my Doctor has confirmed the loss is due to exposure to loud noise. If I only knew then what I know now things would have been different, I feel strongly that I owe it to those just starting in the industry or those that still have a chance to protect themselves from the effects of working in the construction industry.
It is sad to report that most employers will only do the minimum that OSHA requires, sadder still that most safety personnel exist only to protect the company not the employee. It therefore behooves US to take ownership and responsibility for our own safety. That said here's what I now know about hearing protection.
Those miserable little foam ear plugs we're usually given only work if we wear them and they do actually work to a degree. However they are uncomfortable to wear all day long, we take them out during breaks or to carry on a conversation then with dirty hands we squish them up and put them back in making it even more uncomfortable and usually making our ears raw. And they look ridiculous in the process but, vanity has no place in personal safety.
My Doctor recommends a particular product and I wear them religiously and not just me, Soldiers, Police SWAT and Fire Fighters swear by them and it goes without saying these fine folks work in far more hazardous situations than we will ever do, thank goodness for that too. They're made by a company called Surefire and the product is called EarPro there is no One-Size-Fits-All you choose the ones that fit and you don't need to throw them away at the end of the day, just clean them off and use 'em again and again.
What's so good about them? Well, they're actually comfortable to wear all day long and you can have a conversation without taking them out. They only suppress loud noise through a technology you can read all about on their website. Again, I am not into marketing for any company but these are the best ear protection I have ever used or owned and they REALLY work. Yes, they are somewhat on the pricey side but you don't need to throw them away because they will last for quiet some time. But just like Safety Glasses, Work Boots and so on, what price DO YOU put on personal safety?
It is sad to report that most employers will only do the minimum that OSHA requires, sadder still that most safety personnel exist only to protect the company not the employee. It therefore behooves US to take ownership and responsibility for our own safety. That said here's what I now know about hearing protection.
Those miserable little foam ear plugs we're usually given only work if we wear them and they do actually work to a degree. However they are uncomfortable to wear all day long, we take them out during breaks or to carry on a conversation then with dirty hands we squish them up and put them back in making it even more uncomfortable and usually making our ears raw. And they look ridiculous in the process but, vanity has no place in personal safety.
My Doctor recommends a particular product and I wear them religiously and not just me, Soldiers, Police SWAT and Fire Fighters swear by them and it goes without saying these fine folks work in far more hazardous situations than we will ever do, thank goodness for that too. They're made by a company called Surefire and the product is called EarPro there is no One-Size-Fits-All you choose the ones that fit and you don't need to throw them away at the end of the day, just clean them off and use 'em again and again.
What's so good about them? Well, they're actually comfortable to wear all day long and you can have a conversation without taking them out. They only suppress loud noise through a technology you can read all about on their website. Again, I am not into marketing for any company but these are the best ear protection I have ever used or owned and they REALLY work. Yes, they are somewhat on the pricey side but you don't need to throw them away because they will last for quiet some time. But just like Safety Glasses, Work Boots and so on, what price DO YOU put on personal safety?
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