I will soon be taking a 12 hour flight overseas, and a 12 hour flight
back.  Economy Class.  I like to sleep when I fly - but I find wearing
earplugs (either complimentary airline ones or from a travel shop) not
so effective, or comfortable either.  Similarly there might be a lot
of noise around the hotel where I am staying, so I might consider
wearing them at night while sleeping also if needed.  I find wearing
earmuffs quite comfortable (even bulky ones), and sometimes fall
asleep wearing my big Sony Stereo Headphones having listened to music.

So I want to buy earmuffs to block out background noise.  The type
that fully covers my ears with a strap over the top of the head.  Much
like a jackhammer operator might wear.

But i've never purchased earmuffs before.  I'm trying to block out
moderate background noise not just the peaks of super loud noise. 
Will the type of earmuffs that work for a builder or jackhammer
operator work for me?  They usually have ratings like "Grade 3" or
"Grade 5".  "Grade 5" is best, but does that mean it will work well
for what I want earmuffs for?  Is looking in a building equipment
store right for builders earmuffs right for me, or should I look for a
different type of product, in a different type of store?  I don't
really know what type of product would suit me or where to look.

I live in New Zealand, so I can't order something in time from the US
online probably as I depart in about 8 days.  Thats why I think I
(probably) need to go to a store.  Also a store means I can try them
on for comfort and noise blocking.

---

Clarification of Question by ponderer-ga on 16 Dec 2003 19:20 PST

Thanks robertskelton-ga, you can post that, as is, as an Answer.

If you noted any other links to information about DIFFERENCES between
a) what makes a good earmuff for blocking out background noise - and -
 b) the type used for blocking out peaks of loud noise used by
builders/jackhammer operators, then if you could include that, it
would be awesome.

Hi there,


Different types of sound protection
-----------------------------------

Advice for air support crew:

"Several types of earmuffs provide adequate sound protection for
ground-support aviation personnel. Most earmuffs that are in good
condition and properly adjusted will attenuate sound as well as
properly fitted earplugs. The earmuffs tend to give slightly more
high-frequency protection and slightly less low-frequency protection
than earplugs."
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/montecarlo/aeromedical/ch7.htm

"Better earplugs and muffs are approximately equal in sound reduction,
though earplugs are more effective for reducing low-frequency noise
and earmuffs for reducing high-frequency noise."
Ohio OSHA
http://www.cbs.state.or.us/external/osha/pdf/pubs/3349.pdf

This very serious study appears to be looking at the frequency of the
noise (peaks of noise seeming to be irrelevant), and tested several
earplugs and only one type of earmuff, which implies that earmuffs are
generally the same, with the only differences being quality, comfort
and effectiveness:

Isolating the auditory system from acoustic noise during functional
magnetic resonance imaging: Examination of noise conduction through
the ear canal, head, and body
http://web.mit.edu/~jmelcher/www/HST583/Ravicz&Melcher2001.pdf

In my searches I came across the same earmuffs being sold for a
variety of purposes, from sudden loud noise situations (like shooting)
to background noise (factory work). As far as I can tell, you should
be looking for comfort and the amount of noise that gets blocked. The
NRR rating is equal to how many decibels get blocked. Here are three
charts showing the typical noise levels for various situations:

http://www.genexusa.com/images/misc/decibels.jpg
http://www.noisecontrol.net/images/measurenoise.jpg
http://www.santanfacts.org/graphics/soundlevels.gif


Two models that appear suitable
-------------------------------

This appears to be an unbiased recommendation:

"High frequency noise is much more difficult to cancel out and is
currently best achieved, at low cost, with foam earplugs or earmuffs.
Earmuffs are cups that actually cover the entire ear whereas foam
earplugs are inserted in the ear canal. These are not electronic
devices. One of the best values in a comfortable earmuff, which
provides twenty-nine decibel worth of protection, is called the
Thunder 29. Cost is approximately $25.00 and is available by calling
Lab Safety at 1-800-525-7233."
http://pages.prodigy.net/unohu/hypera.htm

The product is here:
http://www.labsafety.com/store/product_group.asp?dept_id=12646


This is probably the earmuff you should get if possible:

LEIGHTNING 31
"NRR 31?the highest available in the industry?and unsurpassed comfort.
Weighing only ten ounces, the LEIGHTNING is light-weight, heavy duty
hearing protection. The LEIGHTNING 31 features special, high-density,
slow-recovery foam ear cushions that contour to the ear."
http://www.howardleight.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/HLSite.woa/wa/product?key=leightning


Places in NZ likely to sell them
--------------------------------

The Oceania distributers for the Leightning 31 are:

UVEX Safety Australia Pty LTD. (UXA)
Sydney Warehouse (2)
24-28 River Road West
Parramatta, NSW 2150
Australia
ph. 61 29 891 1700
fax 61 29 891 1788
info@uvex.com.au

AVShop, which sells pilot supplies, has a similar product:
http://www.avshop.com/catalog/product.html?productid=4233

HearWell is an NZ company that sell earmuffs online:
http://www.hearwell.co.nz/shop_earmuffs.php

Hayes and Associates, Licensed Arms Dealer 
P.O. Box 188 
Carterton, New Zealand 
Phone +64 06 379 6692 
Fax +64 06 379 5316 
mailto:haltd@actrix.co.nz 
http://www.hayesandassociates.co.nz/protection.htm 

Airgun dealers in New Zealand (may know where to buy ear protection
locally or carry the muffs)
http://www.airgun.co.nz/nzdealers.asp 

Hearing and Tinnitus Clinic 
96 Remuera Rd 
Remuera 
Tel : 09 520 1874 
Fax : 09 520 1879 
audiology@auckland.ac.nz 
http://www.health.auckland.ac.nz/audiology/hearing_clinic.html#top




Search keywords: travel earmuff decibels


Best wishes,
robertskelton-ga

Thank you.

Hi there,

I haven't posted this as an answer, because I wasn't able to locate a
physical store in NZ that sells them. Making a phonecall or email to
UVEX in Sydney might end up finding one for you. Also try contacting
HearWell.

-------

This appears to be an unbiased recommendation:

"High frequency noise is much more difficult to cancel out and is
currently best achieved, at low cost, with foam earplugs or earmuffs.
Earmuffs are cups that actually cover the entire ear whereas foam
earplugs are inserted in the ear canal. These are not electronic
devices. One of the best values in a comfortable earmuff, which
provides twenty-nine decibel worth of protection, is called the
Thunder 29. Cost is approximately $25.00 and is available by calling
Lab Safety at 1-800-525-7233."
http://pages.prodigy.net/unohu/hypera.htm

The product is here:
http://www.labsafety.com/store/product_group.asp?dept_id=12646


This is probably the earmuff you should get if possible:

LEIGHTNING 31
"NRR 31?the highest available in the industry?and unsurpassed comfort.
Weighing only ten ounces, the LEIGHTNING is light-weight, heavy duty
hearing protection. The LEIGHTNING 31 features special, high-density,
slow-recovery foam ear cushions that contour to the ear."
http://www.howardleight.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/HLSite.woa/wa/product?key=leightning

The Oceania distributers are:

UVEX Safety Australia Pty LTD. (UXA)
Sydney Warehouse (2)
24-28 River Road West
Parramatta, NSW 2150
Australia
ph. 61 29 891 1700
fax 61 29 891 1788
info@uvex.com.au

AVShop, which sells pilot supplies, has a similar product:
http://www.avshop.com/catalog/product.html?productid=4233

HearWell is an NZ company that sell earmuffs online:
http://www.hearwell.co.nz/shop_earmuffs.php


Search keywords: travel earmuff decibels


robertskelton-ga
Google Answers Researcher

Additional places you could try:

Hayes and Associates, Licensed Arms Dealer 
P.O. Box 188 
Carterton, New Zealand 
Phone +64 06 379 6692 
Fax +64 06 379 5316 
mailto:haltd@actrix.co.nz 
http://www.hayesandassociates.co.nz/protection.htm 


Airgun dealers in New Zealand (may know where to buy ear protection
locally or carry the muffs)
http://www.airgun.co.nz/nzdealers.asp 


This place may sell them: 
HEARING AND TINNITUS CLINIC 
96 Remuera Rd 
Remuera 
Tel : 09 520 1874 
Fax : 09 520 1879 
mailto:audiology@auckland.ac.nz 
http://www.health.auckland.ac.nz/audiology/hearing_clinic.html#top