Looking for Bluetooth hearing protection recommendation.

[Timtool]

I've just ordered these Hellberg 2H Synergy from coolsafety.nl, ear muffs with radio, bluetooth and microphone with noise suppressor. And another big plus is that it works with AA batteries, others I found all had built in batteries. I wear these nearly all day, I can't stop working 8 hours so it can recharge.
http://www.hellbergsafety.com/electronic-earmuffs/headband-synergy/
https://coolsafety.nl/product_info/products_id-19093.html

I have been using relatively cheap, but comfortable Howard Leigh ear muffs with built in radio for over 7 years now, couldn't do without.
But now that I have the Sysrock as shop radio I sometimes find myself watching youtube etc on the laptop during boring tasks, usually in the evening and using the sysrock as a speaker via bluetooth since laptops are barely audible from a distance.
My problem is that I'm still missing out parts as soon as I make noise or have to put on the muffs. So I went looking for ones with bluetooth and found these. Reviews were all very positive.

I'm not sure if I want to use the microphone to take calls while working, but it's true that it could be handy. I miss most of my calls during the work hours because I don't hear the tone or feel the vibration.

 

[mikeyr]

I went the other way and went to electronic shooting protection ear muffs. NOT bluetooth but turn on the garage radio, put the muffs on and they amplify the music in the garage, then when a loud noise comes on like table saw or router, they immediately shut off the sound.  That actually worked quite well but my ears would get all sweaty after a few hours.

I broke the piggy bank and went with the Stealth from ESP America, super expensive ($2,000 when I bought them) and worth every penny.  I wear them all day in the shop and have gone to bed with them in my ear because I forgot to take them out.  I do yard work with them, I ride my motorcycle with them and of course I shoot.  Talk to him, he has a "industrial" option that makes the cut-off at 85DB instead of 90, I went with that for the shop tools, he also has a bluetooth option but I find I don't need it, I just turn on the shop radio and can keep the radio not too loud and have it amplified.

 

[ChuckM]

http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=76271&cat=51&ap=1

Free shipping till Nov. 9.

 

[Sparktrician]

I went the other way and went to electronic shooting protection ear muffs. NOT bluetooth but turn on the garage radio, put the muffs on and they amplify the music in the garage, then when a loud noise comes on like table saw or router, they immediately shut off the sound.  That actually worked quite well but my ears would get all sweaty after a few hours.

I use the Howard Leight R-01902 earmuffs in the shop.  I can run music from my phone if I so desire.  They clip noise over 82 dB.  So I get sweaty.  As they say, BFD!  That's what showers are for... 

 

[ChuckM]

For best comfort (especially in winter when the shop is cold) and protection, I now use this:http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=53610&cat=1,42207,42227,53610

 

[GottaScared]

If you're not is a mad rush the Earin project on Kickstarter would have just the phones for you...

And loose them somewere in workshop  ;D I don't trust such tiny double devices.

 

[eddomak]

And to add another option to the list, with a slightly different take...

There are now various bone conduction headphones available (Aftershokz is one of the main brands), where the contact point it just ahead of your earholes, and transmit vibrations via your  bones to your eardrums. In general this allows you to hear other ambient sounds, and if you want to block out those ambient sounds you can put ear protection on, so long as they don't also want to occupy the same real estate on your face. They can be pricy (USD$100+, but there are also some cheaper brands out there.

I think I saw Ron Paulk was using some of these on his videos a while ago.

 

[Stone Message]

There is too much above to read it all but I use the 3M Alert XP.

They work well with my iPhone and allow me to hear the doorbell whilst in the workshop.

Peter

 

[jt073]

I use Bose noise cancelling headphones.

I originally got some QuietComfort 25 headphones for travelling - these have a corded connection that I just removed for workshop use. I found they worked really well and so I upgraded to some QC35’s which have a Bluetooth connection. They are really good with just the right level of noise cancellation for my needs - ie you can still hear a change in the pitch of a motor noise for example and you can usually hear if Mrs Scholar comes into the workshop and says something (but that feature is user-adjustable ).

I mostly do not play music through the headphones when using the workshop machinery, as it is usually a fairly brief period when the machinery is running. I use the QC35’s with a bluetooth radio or iPhone music always when cutting the grass, which involves a few hours of sitting on the tractor mower. Battery life is very long and recharging very quick. Cost about £300.

Cheers

 

[BMH]

I use Airpods and add a standard earmuff over them when using loud machinery.

 

[Steiner]

This isn’t an active thread - but I thought I would chime in, in case anyone else is looking for similar.

I use 3M WorkTunes for mowing the lawn, planing and shooting... I have found them to be really solid - and they can pickup AM/FM as well.

I have heard that the Isotunes are solid.

Happy listening.