Hearing protection

[atomant48]

after some input from the professionals on here - I was using the mig over the weekend and (maybe because I was alone in a quiet garage??) for The first time I noticed how loud it is when running weld.

So I wonder do professional welders routinely use hearing protection and does anyone know what the sound levels are ? I’m talking about for mug welding specifically - not general workshop stuff like grinding / machinery etc. Just curious.

 

[RWD3M]

I will confess that I don't wear any hearing protection whilst MIG welding but when it comes to disc cutting/grinding and the like. I use yellow E.A.R plugs and/or Amplivox ear defs.

It's not just about volume but also length of exposure. A long exposure to a lower volume can be just as damaging as a short exposure to a high volume.

It's probably too late for me now having spent far too much of my younger life in close proximity to Military jet engines!

P.S. I also find the yellow ear plugs quite useful to block out the wife's snoring!

 

[Cobbler]

Like yourself, I was surprised how loud the mig is in an enclosed space. There is a small area in my garage that the previous owner used as an office, I’ve turned this into a man cave that I can keep warm. I was using the mig in it the other day, whereas I normally use it in the open & the volume of the crackling really surprised me. I’m rather glad you’ve posted this, as my first thought was “somethings wrong with the mig”

 

[brightspark]

it depends on decibels .above 85 is considered bad for your hearing. I use ear protectors on high frequency breakers and saws or in noisy plant rooms etc

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Not when welding as I don't care for the 'in-ear' defenders/plugs, but when using any other machine [inc the Flymo and strimmer] I wear 3M ones - the number escapes me but, sadly, they're 'no longer available'.

 

[Parm]

The link below provides some useful information on Noise from different welding processes

http://www.hse.gov.uk/welding/noise-vibration.htm

 

[MCKDAVID]

not specifically when welding, but in general full time ear protection for anything noisy... knackered right ear (basically zero), and low levels in the left, with permanent tinitus kinda dictates I take way more care nowadays... don't underestimate how it creeps up, protect yourself now..

wife says i'm as deaf as a post, but could still hear a beer being offered at 500metres, selective hearing loss she calls it....

 

[slim_boy_fat]

wife says i'm as deaf as a post

That's your male filter cutting in

hear a beer being offered at 500metres

Aaaand, normality is restored

 

[mike 109444]

I will confess that I don't wear any hearing protection whilst MIG welding but when it comes to disc cutting/grinding and the like. I use yellow E.A.R plugs and/or Amplivox ear defs.

It's not just about volume but also length of exposure. A long exposure to a lower volume can be just as damaging as a short exposure to a high volume.

It's probably too late for me now having spent far too much of my younger life in close proximity to Military jet engines!

P.S. I also find the yellow ear plugs quite useful to block out the wife's snoring!

I tried that but she kept spitting them out....

 

[RWD3M]

I tried that but she kept spitting them out....

 

[RonA]

Hearing protection comes in handy when your under a car welding, not that its particularly noisy but to keep hot metal sparks out of your ears.
RonA

 

[Rig Pig]

I use the Howard Leighton Laser Lite ear plugs, quite comfortable and seem affective.

If I'm doing something really noisy I use Peltors.

 

[Ruffian]

Got peltor over ear defenders but my go too is moulded earplugs.
Just stick them in and in a world of my own all day. Gives me an excuse for ignoring the idiots also.

 

[voipio]

Not when welding as I don't care for the 'in-ear' defenders/plugs, but when using any other machine [inc the Flymo and strimmer] I wear 3M ones - the number escapes me but, sadly, they're 'no longer available'.

3M 1100 series. Still on sale e.g. Screwfix. I prefer the smooth-sided ones.

 

[Parm]

I use the Howard Leighton Laser Lite ear plugs, quite comfortable and seem affective.

If I'm doing something really noisy I use Peltors.
View attachment 177506

Tell of the best types of hearing protection available

 

[-Matt-]

I do if there's a lot to do, it just takes the edge off the 'buzz', especially when you're up at 160A and you're sliding and crashing bits of plate around the bench (don't forget that dropping even a bit of 5mm or so on a bench can be a loud ringing experience).
If I'm switching between welding and grinding then I just keep them in anyway, little yellow E.A.R by 3M we have at work.
Also as said, it doesn't half crackle when you've got your head in a fabrication!

 

[KemppiFrog]

I have been a bit careless about noise over the years. Prob mostly with disc cutting. While I can filter out 'er in doors' in conversation 'what ere?' I do try to put the muffs on when doing high frequency stuff now. Bit late..but helps.
Actually, I don't seem much worse than friends, in our age group, who haved never been exposed to it.

 

[steviec_lj]

Keep meaning to get some Peltors for in the shop.

Hard hat has a set of clip ons on it for site work, and I’ve bought a pair of ISOTunes Pro in ear noise cancelling headphones that I can connect as hands free to my phone. Not cheap mind and only use them when I’m in the field on my tod, so I can call for assistance quickly should the need arise

 

[DaveB]

I use Peltors both at work and for diy.
I also use foam earplugs on occassion.

The thing to remember with over ear protection is it is only as good as the fit to the side of your head.
Hair or glasses disrupting the fit make a big difference to effectiveness.

 

[Hopefuldave]

When I go to bike rallies there are hooligans bouncing their bikes off the rev limiters all night, I take a big bag of squishy foam earplugs - for everyone camped around me, I don't half snore after a few pints....

Dave H. (the other one)