32 dB Foam Earplugs + 27 dB Ear Muffs + Stihl Weed Whacker = Tinnitus Spike

[Earing]

I put in foam plugs and added the ear muffs and ran a tank of gas (40 minutes) and now my ears are ringing more than they have since I got it... If this is a problem I have some big problems.

I need to use a chainsaw and a woodsplitter, plus I am building a prototype and will be working in a metal fabrication business to design and build my prototype, then possibly setting up to manufacture.

If I cannot protect my ears from noise I am f*cked.

 

[Digital Doc]

Your ears may be quite reactive, and there may not be a safe way to do this for you. That being said, here are some thoughts:

- 40 mins is kind of long, so need to take some breaks every few mins of use
- there are 33 db earplugs, like Howard Leight Max1's; also make sure they are fully inserted, and used only once
- Upgrade the ear muffs to 3m Peltor X5's which some folks swear by as the most protective
- Consider a change to an electric weed trimmer that will be quieter

 

[Earing]

Your ears may be quite reactive, and there may not be a safe way to do this for you. That being said, here are some thoughts:

- 40 mins is kind of long, so need to take some breaks every few mins of use
- there are 33 db earplugs, like Howard Leight Max1's; also make sure they are fully inserted, and used only once
- Upgrade the ear muffs to 3m Peltor X5's which some folks swear by as the most protective
- Consider a change to an electric weed trimmer that will be quieter

I just ordered 2 sets of the Peltor X5's, but in the hunt I have discovered the Browning ear muffs that are 37 db reduction. They cost more than the 3M but I am going to try a set of them as well.

 

[Ken219]

@Earing Fell into the false sense of security! We all do! Just plan fraud.

'How does NRR change decibels of exposure?
When hearing protection is worn, your level of exposure to noise is based on the NRR rating of the protection device being used. Keep in mind, however, that while the NRR is measured in decibels, the hearing protector being used does not reduce the surrounding decibel level by the exact number of decibels associated with that protector's NRR. For example, if you are at a rock concert where the level of noise exposure is 100 dB and you are wearing earplugs with an NRR 33dB, your level of exposure would not be reduced to 67 dB. Instead, to determine the actual amount of decibel deduction applied (when decibels are measured dBA which is the most common), you take the NRR number (in dB), subtract seven, and then divide by two. Given the previous example, your noise reduction equation would look like the following: (33-7)/2 = 13'

 

[Ken219]

3M but I am going to try a set of them as well.

If it wasn't for a whistleblower 3M would still be selling the military defective earplugs! From 2003 to 2015, that is 13 years!

 

[Earing]

If it wasn't for a whistleblower 3M would still be selling the military defective earplugs! From 2003 to 2015, that is 13 years!

I was unsure about trusting 3M as well, but Digital Doc said the Peltor X5's are well thought of on this forum.

 

[Ken219]

Digital Doc said the Peltor X5's are well thought of on this forum.

And 2 days after 9/11/2001 the EPA said air quality at ground zero is good. Even the best may not be good enough! As you found out.

 

[Earing]

@Earing Fell into the false sense of security! We all do! Just plan fraud.

'How does NRR change decibels of exposure?
When hearing protection is worn, your level of exposure to noise is based on the NRR rating of the protection device being used. Keep in mind, however, that while the NRR is measured in decibels, the hearing protector being used does not reduce the surrounding decibel level by the exact number of decibels associated with that protector's NRR. For example, if you are at a rock concert where the level of noise exposure is 100 dB and you are wearing earplugs with an NRR 33dB, your level of exposure would not be reduced to 67 dB. Instead, to determine the actual amount of decibel deduction applied (when decibels are measured dBA which is the most common), you take the NRR number (in dB), subtract seven, and then divide by two. Given the previous example, your noise reduction equation would look like the following: (33-7)/2 = 13'

What if the foam plugs are 30dB and the headphones are 30 dBs used at the same time?
(30-7)/2 = 11.5 x 2 = 23 dBs? So 100dB - 23dB = 77 dB?

 

[Ken219]

What if the foam plugs are 30dB and the headphones are 30 dBs used at the same time?

The sad news is it is not what you expect. 'How much protection is truly achieved by using the double hearing protection method? Usually there is a combined reduction in noise that is between 4 and 8 decibels.'

 

[Earing]

... and this means 20dB plugs really only protect 6.5 dB?

 

[linearb]

huh. We're all different, but I use a (LiON 38v) chainsaw which isn't really any quieter than a 14" gas saw, and gas mowers including a beast with a 16hp kawasaki on it, no problem.

I do use battery powered stuff where I can though -- for me that's chainsaw, weedwhacker, trimmer but not more powerful saws, motorcycle, etc.

 

[Earing]

huh. We're all different, but I use a (LiON 38v) chainsaw which isn't really any quieter than a 14" gas saw, and gas mowers including a beast with a 16hp kawasaki on it, no problem.

I do use battery powered stuff where I can though -- for me that's chainsaw, weedwhacker, trimmer but not more powerful saws, motorcycle, etc.

I am on a farm. I have a good battery weed wacker, but the Stihl is required to get the work done. It is a loud 2 stroke motor. I have a battery lawnmower, but the 4 stroke Honda / Husqvarna mower is needed to do the lawn. I have a tandem load of logs to cut and split into 20 cords of firewood with a 2 stroke Stihl chainsaw. I just bought a new 27 ton log splitter. All this is a problem this year.

 

[linearb]

yeeep. Good mufflers is about my only real advice, and checking things with a dB meter to see how loud they actually are.

 

[Earing]

Workplace noise time-weighted average (TWA) = 98 dBA
Earplug with NRR = 29 dB
Estimated noise exposure = 98 – [(29)(0.5)-3] = 86.5 dBA

 

[Rb86]

Keep in mind vibration of tools transfer to the body as well. I'd insulate the handles a lot and wear gloves to minimize that.

 

[sakrt]

@Earing: Envy the toys you've got. Yea, those motors are loud and I agree with Rb86 on the vibrations.
Where's the Godfather of Earplugs @Bill Bauer? ... maybe he got lucky like PDodge. Nice weather going on up there.

 

[Ken219]

Estimated noise exposure = 98 – [(29)(0.5)-3] = 86.5 dBA

Formula is (NRR-7)*.5=11 98-11=87

 

[New Guy]

I'm a landscape contractor and this is my second year with t. I haven't touched a gasoline piece of power equipment since getting t. I did the first week of t but not since then.

It's life changing for sure.

I used a battery powered weed whacker and blower starting about a month ago and I've had some issues. The blower is louder than the weed whacker. I sometimes get a low vibrating noise/feeling in my left ear. It can stay for an hour or about a week.

I've backed way off since it stayed a week.

I only use the electric weed whacker in the low power mode and the electric blower at about 1/3 throttle.

I hope to use a lawnmower or chainsaw again someday but I'm not ready yet.

 

[Earing]

I am thinking about making a full motor muffler for the weed wacker. Something like a big plastic bottle insulated and it will cover the motor and the sound will exit just at the back.

 

[Tex]

I'm familiar with the big Stihl handlebar string trimmer like that. It is a beast of a machine.

Think about how you hold that trimmer. The handlebars are out in front. You are likely getting vibration sent straight up your arms to your upper torso, which is in some way, maybe even a small way, vibrating your neck, and head.

Stihl, Echo, and a few others make some straight shaft commercial grade trimmers that you hold down below. The vibration is channeled more in your wrist. I have this type of trimmer and it doesn't bother me.

It was just a thought. We know vibration to the head exacerbates T. You might try a different trimmer.

 

[sakrt]

One of my favs. is the demolition jackhammer I haven't been able to use since this T/H. The vibration/noise, just as Tex described would be just too much to risk at this time.
@Earing: Worthwhile to give a shot. Everything that has a motor should be insulated. No one likes hearing someone else's crap droning on hours and hours next door. I had someone assist to cut wood the other day and the sound just reverberated straight through the walls. The gas fumes choked up the air for half a mile. All from just one small motor.

 

[Earing]

I'm familiar with the big Stihl handlebar string trimmer like that. It is a beast of a machine.

Think about how you hold that trimmer. The handlebars are out in front. You are likely getting vibration sent straight up your arms to your upper torso, which is in some way, maybe even a small way, vibrating your neck, and head.

Stihl, Echo, and a few others make some straight shaft commercial grade trimmers that you hold down below. The vibration is channeled more in your wrist. I have this type of trimmer and it doesn't bother me.

It was just a thought. We know vibration to the head exacerbates T. You might try a different trimmer.

View attachment 30739

View attachment 30740

My Stihl has the handlebars and is a better commercial unit. I think better also means louder. And they scream all the time. Wide open. The 4 stroke trimmers don't have the balls like a 2 stroke apparently.

 

[Earing]

One of my favs. is the demolition jackhammer I haven't been able to use since this T/H. The vibration/noise, just as Tex described would be just too much to risk at this time.
@Earing: Worthwhile to give a shot. Everything that has a motor should be insulated. No one likes hearing someone else's crap droning on hours and hours next door. I had someone assist to cut wood the other day and the sound just reverberated straight through the walls. The gas fumes choked up the air for half a mile. All from just one small motor.

There was a guy fishing right outside my house (My farm runs along a river.) and I started weed whacking. He tried to stick it out but he eventually left. I don't like people hanging around my property.

 

[Earing]

Just to update, my spike seems to be subsiding this evening. I will have to do some lawn work in our bee yard tomorrow. I will double up the earplugs and use the electrics as much as possible.

My father is 86 years old and has been keeping bees since he was in his early 50's. Sometimes he tells me there is a bee in his ear that got into his well worn and a bit tattered bee suit. He just lets it hang out in his ear canal until it leaves. I would go nuts if a bee was in my ear.

 

[PortalNaut]

@New Guy might have relevant experience.

 

[BrStan@]

Why do I have to learn this the hard way. I got hearing damage when driving a car with double protection. The sound of the car was 75 dB. Earmuffs were 35 dB, earplugs rated NRR 22 dB. Meaning my hearing protection was only 10 dB.

 

[Jack Straw]

Why do I have to learn this the hard way. I got hearing damage when driving a car with double protection. The sound of the car was 75 dB. Earmuffs were 35 dB, earplugs rated NRR 22 dB. Meaning my hearing protection was only 10 dB.

If you're going by OSHA standards you actually have 21 dB protection.

(37-7)*.7=21 dB reduction

75 - 21 = 54 dB

Maybe your anxiety/stress caused the spike in tinnitus? 54 dB can not cause hearing damage or we would all be deaf / spiking our tinnitus on a daily basis.

 

[BrStan@]

If you're going by OSHA standards you actually have 21 dB protection.

(37-7)*.7=21 dB reduction

75 - 21 = 54 dB

Maybe your anxiety/stress caused the spike in tinnitus? 54 dB can not cause hearing damage or we would all be deaf / spiking our tinnitus on a daily basis.

Thank you for your response. But believe me I know what I am talking about. I know what I have in my head.
My tinnitus is not reacting to stress or anxiety. I have had my tinnitus since 1999.

 

[Jack Straw]

Thank you for your response. But believe me I know what I am talking about. I know what I have in my head.
My tinnitus is not reacting to stress or anxiety. I have had my tinnitus since 1999.

I am not denying your spike. I believe you have one, but discrediting the cause being stress with 54 dB exposure is unreasonable. I'm not saying that it is stress, but it is more likely stress or anxiety. It could also be something else entirely that your not even thinking of.

Double protection in a 75 dB environment is more than enough to stop hearing damage. Some would even argue if you can damage hearing at 75 dB. Do you double protect because you have reactive tinnitus? Over protection can lead to worsening of tinnitus and hyperacusis.

 

[BrStan@]

I am not denying your spike. I believe you have one, but discrediting the cause being stress with 54 dB exposure is unreasonable. I'm not saying that it is stress, but it is more likely stress or anxiety. It could also be something else entirely that your not even thinking of.

Double protection in a 75 dB environment is more than enough to stop hearing damage. Some would even argue if you can damage hearing at 75 dB. Do you double protect because you have reactive tinnitus? Over protection can lead to worsening of tinnitus and hyperacusis.

Yes my tinnitus is very reactive.