how can i trust anything in this if you are pushing the thing you are sponsoring. I stopped listening right after you said, the best choice is the one i'm being paid for.

Hi Dr. Cliff, This year I finally got hearing aids, they have been great. When getting them, after watching many of your videos, I was pretty well briefed on what I wanted. The doctor said to me, you seem like you know a lot about this. I told her, I had been watching KZfaq videos, and she said "Dr. Cliff"?. You are famous even here in Seattle.

Putting on hearing protection muffs might not be as trivial as it seems. I noticed that depending on how I put them on, how I angled the adjustable length and all, the foam/gel cups might not be applying enough pressure against my head, which means the muffs are loose. Or, since the cups are quite big and, depending on how skinny your head is, there might be a gap where the sound can reach your ears where your neck is, just below the ears. You gotta fiddle around until you find the best settings. After all, we've all got different shapes of heads. Last but not least, it's harder to isolate your ears with earmuffs if there's hairs on the way. That being said, there's a limit to how useful they can be, because in the end, the sound wave will travel directly through your body (mostly the skull). In case of doubt, you can put some hearing protection on, turn on some bluetooth earplugs, then try sticking them on your eyebrows, your temples or even your cheek bones for example. Some area will allow you to hear the sound better.

Great video as always Cliff! Definitely looking at some custom fitted protection for the future.

Dr Cliff, I need to be able to get audio from a device (two-way radio, intercom, etc, they all have external audio out jacks) to my phone. My hearing aids are linked to my phone now for calls, streaming audio services, etc. Thank you for this great channel and all the work you do!

Just started looking at hearing protection. Your video was very informative. Thank you

Thank you so much Dr. Cliff, this was great insight. I went to an audiologist and did a hearing test and they believe may be permanent. I was exposed to jack-hammer noises in front of my business for 10 days straight and that is where I have a reference point of when my ear and hearing declined. The weird thing with me, is that my hearing is affected by forks hitting plates, pots sliding and banging into each other some and even the sound of water flushing or hitting the tub when showering. At other times the low sounds of airplanes flying by it the rumble of cars turning on throw my hearing off. I can go 2 weeks with my hearing great and one thing will trigger it and then it is affected for almost a week straight. Very high sensitivity and sometimes tinnitus and muffled feelings. I haven't figured out which frequency bothers me the most but when I wear my headphones ear muffs I have the most type of relief. This has affected me going to the movies with my kids and even mowing the lawn. Exclamation or recommendation? Greatly appreciate you God bless!

This video helped me a lot in dealing with my wife. Thank you so much!!!!!!!

Good to know on single use foam, I just need to buy a box of those as I have been reusing the same foam plugs for my last three mowings that last over 2hrs of mowing noise. I did not realize they are designed as a one time use only but reusing non-reusable plugs is better than none still:-)

I always double up on ear protection at an indoor range. Earplugs + earmuffs. Works great. Earmuffs were around $70 and they are the Walker brand.

I've been in construction for over 25 years and I thought I Always used hearing protection, my tinnitus would say otherwise. I now wear custom molded Workplace "Ear Defenders" from the same Hearing clinic my hearing impaired wife deals with. I asked for Highest protection possible. They were around $150 and the only thing I can hear is my heart beat and breathing, I love them. My wife and son bought me ISOtunes model IT-13 V1, can I ask your opinion on them?

Hi doc, could you please make a video on hearing protection for shooters with moderate hearing loss? Are there any options for us? I’d like a hearing aid that couples as hearing protection. I usually wear my hearing aids upside down so the over the ear mic hangs under the hearing protection. But that ends up getting my hearing aids wet when I start sweating. If I wear the hearing protection by itself like the Axil GS Extreme 2.0 or the over the ear ones I don’t get enough amplification to hear properly.

As a technician I've been using earmuffs and a safety glasses all day for my entire life ... by far the most comfortable solution and ... never have I had an issue with the foam not closing around the ears when wearing the glasses. I had hoped to learn some tips from this vid ... but ... it was just a salespitch for a specific brand of earplugs ... . I can't imagine them protecting better than a full ear enclosing earmuff ... and would only use those types when e.g. not having room for the muffs in either my bag or when welding, ... .

I do like your video, but I'm very frugal and I was trying to find a way to reuse the disposables because when I washed them because they get dirty, they puff up and lose their memory foam ability but you educated me and I thank you

Wow, what an important video! Thanks so much for sharing this information. I have feedback issues when using Apples’s Air Pods Max with my BTE hearing aids. I’d like to see a video that covers issues with using headsets with BTE hearing aids.

Hello, which hearing aid do you recommend for sleeping? to cancel external noises

I've been using foam and silicon ear plugs since the early 80's ( I worked on diesel generators) and still have pretty good hearing although I do have tinnitus. Now I am into shooting and still use the foam or silicon ear plugs. I also have a set of ear muffs and when I shoot the 50 bmg, I will be using both the ear plugs and muffs.

I'm very hard of hearing and require a hearing aid. I always used foam plugs and used the ear muffs together. It is a very nice way to cancel out most loud sounds like a rifle indoors. I've been using this system for at least a decade and my yearly hearing tests always come back the same so I know I'm not losing hearing at least. I do think both systems kind of fail one way. You might even have it on right at the start but there's a good chance through use that they might break seal. The way I see it the foam plugs kind of offers a good way to protect your hearing if your muff comes loose rather than allowing deafening sound to enter your ear, even for a second. You can easily adjust the muff to seal again but you won't be losing hearing because of it.

Thanks for this video. Great info. Picture a nineteen year old kid on the M-16 rifle range in 1968: "Hey Gunny, how about eye and ear protection?" Gunnery Sergeant: "Son, ya' ain't gettin none of that in Viet Naam (Southern drawl), so ya ain't gettin none here". Hence that now 70+ year old has tinnitus and hearing loss and wears hearing aids. I still shoot regularly, teach firearm classes and run a shooting league, so I wear over-the-ear protection (MSA Sordin Supreme Pro with gel seals) and I use eye-pro with super thin temples. And I make sure my cap isn't under the top of the ear seals. When I shoot shotgun, I use custom molded SoundGear Platinum in-ear protection in place of my hearing aids. So, here are my questions: 1) Do good custom molded in-ear devices actually provide as much protection as over-the-ear devices? 2) What about sound transmission through the area around the ear canal? And 3) What is your recommendation for those who spend time on an indoor shooting range, but wear hearing aids, yet still have to communicate with students? Thank you in advance for your reply.

What if you use hearing aids? Would you suggest taking them out and using a different hearing protection? Makes sense for lawn mowing, etc., but what about concerts and such..

I've tried custom ear plugs although not serenity brand. And I can never get them to seal right when wearing a motorcycle helmet. They always become dislodged putting on a properly sized helmet. Foam earplugs never get dislodged although I stick them in flush with my ear opening. You need to try many brands. Some are uncomfortable from the get-go others about hour later some I can wear all day. I wear analog muffs with foamy when shooting magnums or heavy duty rifles. And frequently electronic ones when hunting or at indoor pistol ranges

Really good video, Cliff. 😁👍

For the earmuffs. If I wear them with my Ric hearing aids ( phonak lumity p90) for a short period of time. Will that negatively affect the hearing aids? Or would the hearing aids try to compensate in auto settings. They do fit over them and seal good. Also doesn't cause any feedback. This would be maybe 5 minutes or less. Lastly does the VA offer the serenity or any other custom hearing protection? Thanks for another great video!

I am a Veteran, with slight hearing loss, and extreme Tinnitus. I have very expensive hearing aids and everything sounds like my head is in a bucket. Many doctors , no kelp! Seeking help with adjustable hearing protection, possibly with hearing amplification when needed. Help and recommendations!!!

What db reduction do you recommend for trains? I was told that people who commute daily via train need to wear ear plugs, I can attest that modern trains are loud and screechy .

Sorry, one more assessment that I noticed. Sometimes when I take my headphones or ear plugs out from being exposed to noise in the kitchen or even outside the change of sound sometimes feels so much louder. Is that normal what do you recommend for that?

Good evening Dr. Cliff what you recommend to be the best hearing protection for working all day around heavy machinery

I have worn ear protection for twenty years and have tried all forms. The only ones that have never worked for me are the foam ones. I've probably attempted them over a hundred times, and they still won't seal properly.

I have problem with putting earplugs into my ears. I've recently purchase ones like these serenity choice and every time I try to insert them they feel wrong. It's either they're about to fall out off my ears or they're stuck too deep and it's hurting my ears. Is is possible that even the smallest size is too big for me or I just don't how to do it correctly?

Is it okay to use both foam AND the earmuffs? I'm asking because I am a commercial music student and I don't want to drop my rock ensemble class, but I have a perforated eardrum. I wanted to use double layers of protection in the affected ear and a musicians earplug in my good ear because it's too late to drop my class.

What is the worlds best attenuation from any protection? What brand has the best noise reduction

hi :) where did u get that eye protection glasses? they look cool

Please review noise canceling headphones. I would like to listen to music while mowing and during other outdoor activities.

I got an ear bacteria or something in both my ears from just wearing earphones that go into the ear..Do the Serenity ear plugs create that environment for me also..?

i work on a farm, i wear hearing aids but i started putting on these big shields just to protect the hearing aids from dust. Someone called me, and while there was noise from the machine outside, the person could clearly hear what I was saying :D probably because it catches the sound of my speech vibrating inside my head. If you work in a noisy environment, try to talk to someone with such a protector through hearing aids.

I use the ones designed for motorcyclists, they are fantastic.

Thanks Dr. Cliff, that was very informative.

Thanks!

Any comments on using foam plugs and ear muffs together? I did that 40 years ago in the engine room on a ship. Might be why I can still hear even after too much loud music.

What about the ear muffs that clip onto hard hats?

So it looks like the Phonak Serenity Choice are only available through AUD professionals and not from online sources, correct?

Hi! I work in a slaughtering factory where there is high levels of noise from machines. Could I use the foam ear protection and then use the additional ear muffs attached to my hard hat? I feel that the noise in the factory is hurting my ears and I felt that it is not a good sign.

I wear foam plugs when I sleep. I find a pair is good for about 3 weeks before it starts to degrade.

I wish I had been more diligent about hearing protection when I was younger.

How do I know how deep inside the ear is safe to place the yellow ones?

Axil ghost stryke 2 are my go to

I wear custom molded ear plugs AND the highest rated NR ear muffs, but my ears ring after mowing the lawn. WHY?

In other news, water still wet. Edit: Seriously? This was just a commercial for ear buds? OK Professor Hill...

Should be listed as a sponsored advert video

Hello Dr. Cliff I’m an avid shooter and I wear hearing aids. What are my options for hearing protection. I’m currently using electronic headphone type muffs. Are there any options other than not going to the shooting range? Please help.

Ok. I have owed a pair of electronic bluetooth ear muffs for $30 that are fantastic with great features. Never in my life I have seen any for $500. This is really unrealistic and just an over hype selling point. And those filtered Serenity ear plugs give you a NRR of only 10db, and they don't seal your ear completely, is this serious advice? I have used foamed ear plugs correctly, and they do a great job at concerts, I can hear the music still with better sound damping with higher db protection. I would rather keep my hearing loss to a minimum and go with 26db - 35 db ear muffs, which seal your entire ear and physically dampen sound more. This is a preferred method for work, shooting range or any other loud machinery. Using a digital source like these Serenity toys are a joke.

this knife salesman knows his hearing!

Saddly this is BS. Attenuating head phones are about 40 dollars on Amazon. They work fine. I dont know when this vid was made but it's either deceptive or out of date.

Its funny this video is about hearing protection, because the sound of the video is so unpleasing.

I also roll up toilet paper and stuff it my sinuses

Yep, just another ad.

Whenever I see a KZfaq start off with "You're doing it ALL Wrong" I just now skip it. Tired of the arrogance

This is just an ad

You lost me! They are all bad except the one deposited cash into my bank account. I appreciate the honesty though!

You lost me at CDC

Why do you jump up and down when you talk?

Infomercial … smh

Wow. Sponsored video. NO BIAS DETECTED. 🤡