 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Protect Your Hearing
Don't let power tools or blaring bands damage your drums. noise reducing tools are cheap and easy to use.
From a neighbor's leaf blower to the aircraft overhead, noise pollution is typically more of a psychological menace than a physical one. But crank the volume past 85 decibels (normal chitchat is around 60 dB) and exposure gets risky -- especially if it's hour after hour, like summer concerts (up to 120 dB). Earplugs can reduce noise by more than 30 dB, and that can prevent ringing, dizziness, and $5,000 hearing aids later in life. We tested them while sleeping, attending concerts, and standing on 90-dB subway platforms. --Les Shu
HUSQVARNA Hearing
Protectors
Husqvarna's earmuffs do a great job blocking sound -- dampening 25 dB -- and you can wear them over plugs. The real issue is bulk, so save them for mowing the lawn, chainsawing logs, or shooting skeet. [$18; husqvarna.com]
RATING: 
|
|
| |
ETYMOTIC ER-20 Hi-Fi
These one-size-fits-all silicone plugs that quiet sound by 20 dB also retain audio quality. [$12; etymotic.com]
RATING:
|
|
| |
FLENTS Quiet! Please
Made of stiff foam, Flents are easy to insert and they regain their shape
upon removal. Chuck after a few uses. [$2; flents.com]
RATING:
|
|
| |
ETYMOTIC Musicians
Molded to your ear by an audiologist, these custom plugs are best for
music professionals. [from $150; etymotic.com]
RATING:
|
|
| |
HEAROS Xtreme
These foam plugs reduce ambient noise by 33 dB, and they're a favorite for comfort. [$5 for 7 pairs; hearos.com]
RATING:
|
|
| |
HEARTECH SilentEar
Made of silicone rubber and gel, not only do these plugs look cool, they dampen noise by 32 dB. [$10; earplugstore.com]
RATING:
|
|
| |
CIRRUS EarGuards
EarGuards prevent swimmer's ear, but we found their flanged silicone design ineffective on land. [$8 for 2 pairs; cirrushealthcare.com]
RATING:
|
|
| |
Photographs by: Robert G. Buckley
(June 2006)
Copyright ©2006 by Men's Journal LLC
WENNER MEDIA: RollingStone.com | Us Online
|
| |
|
|
