July 12, 201214 yr I find that earbuds which are designed to block out ambient noise do a pretty good job as hearing protection (provided you have a silenced/ quiet anvil), so I listen to music while I forge sometimes. Just curious if anyone else does. Mitch
July 12, 201214 yr I have a 4 speaker stereo in my smithy. I listen to Sirius XM ....mostly the blues station while I am working .
July 12, 201214 yr Hey Mitch, I used to use the ear buds, but had to stop. . . they were damaging my hearing! My issue with them was that, while yes they do isolate ones hearing a bit. When in use to actually drown out the ambiant sounds they need to be turned way up. Which in turn is actually louder then what you would normally be hearing! Kinda a double down situation. Simular to driving with the windows down at high speeds with the radio cranked up. It doesn't sound loud at the time, but get off the highway to a stop, then park the car, get back in later and it sounds LOUD! Caleb Ramsby
July 12, 201214 yr I have a radio in my shop, but don't often use it. My anvil is a Fisher, so it itsn't very loud. That is my time to think. Besides, I like to hear when someone is around or coming into the shop. Mitch
July 12, 201214 yr No. I wear ear plugs. I have considered a pair of active ear buds for travel and may try them for working (playing) but likely I will stick to ear plugs. Phil
July 12, 201214 yr Have a stereo listen to about everything but rap. A lot of country and classic rock mixed with jazz and the blues sometimes classical. And I wear ear plugs.
July 12, 201214 yr Foam earplugs keep the high frequency sound out, but I can still hear the radio just fine, except I get too involved in the work to pay much attention to the radio.
July 12, 201214 yr I wear ears when the hammer or grinder or going but not when forging..Fisher anvils dont make a sound..
July 12, 201214 yr Author Well, that's a great idea about having a stereo. I may do that! I tend to like industrial, some kinds of metal, rock, even some swing/ electro-swing music :P
July 13, 201214 yr I always have music on. I thought this would be a good way to get through some audio books but that didn't work out. I get too focused on the work and miss too much of the book. Back to music, either a local FM station or CDs.
July 13, 201214 yr No music, when I am messing with hot metal and machinery I want as little distraction as possible. I wear hearing aids now because I didn't wear ear plugs when I was young, 10 foot tall and bullet proof.
July 13, 201214 yr NPR, Bluegrass, Irish drinking songs and Newfoundland sea shanties, occasional Dead and Beethoven's 9th, some punk to remind me of bygone days... thou when the ear plugs are in it's mostly listening to music by memory. NPR although great is not alway conductive to production as I find myself interested enough in the story that I will delay making noise. Glad to hear so many folks are using satellite, just built a house for one of the Sirius/XM executives hopefully the last check will clear ;)
July 13, 201214 yr Pandora Radio; Animals as Leaders Valiant Thorr Thrice Danzig Dub Step Mofro ... I'm a bit left of plumb when it comes to taste....
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.