There are many factors to consider whenever you choose a hearing protector: how much noise reduction do you need, what kind of noise do you need protection from, what shape and size your ears are, how comfortable your hearing protection will be for extended wear, and much more. That's why we at EPSS work so hard to help you choose the right hearing protection for your unique ears!
With that in mind, here's a pro tip: As we move into winter, consider the colder weather when you're deciding on which kind of hearing protection to pick -- and think about choosing ear muffs instead of ear plugs.
For example, if you're a hunter, choose electronic shooting ear muffs instead of ear plugs to give your hearing performance a boost and keep your ears significantly warmer.
And for jobs around the house (just because mowing season is over doesn't mean the honey-do list goes into hibernation for the winter!), some AM/FM radio ear muffs can let you listen to music and also help keep your ears insulated against the cold.
In general, just keep in mind that ear muffs are always going to be warmer to wear than ear plugs. How much warmer depends on the ear muffs. Of course, hearing protection ear muffs aren’t designed with warmth in mind, but because ear muffs always require a good seal all the way around the ear to be effective, that means ear muffs, by nature, trap warmth, block cold wind, and therefore provide some relief from winter weather.
(And if you're thinking that same ear muff warmness-factor can make ear plugs a more comfortable solution for many general hearing protection applications in the summertime, you're absolutely right.)
So as the temperatures continue to drop, and you find yourself in need of hearing protection for noisy outdoor activities, consider picking up a set of ear muffs instead of ear plugs. We offer everything from high-end electronic shooter's ear muffs to passive, non-electronic ear muffs that actually cost less than some of the higher-end ear plugs out there!
Additionally, our ear muffs for hat wearers can give you the hearing protection you need and some extra insulation from the cold for your ears, and you can still comfortably wear your favorite warm winter hat, too!
Note: Having a fuzzy poofball on top of said warm winter hat is optional and will not alter the effectiveness of the ear muffs, but we highly encourage it. ‘Tis the season, after all.
Until next time, be safe and love your ears!
--Sarah Bergman, Web Developer
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