You're using Hearing Protection WRONG!

The BEST Hearing Protection & how to use it!
Doctor Cliff Olson, Audiologist and founder of Applied Hearing Solutions in Phoenix Arizona, discusses the top 3 types of hearing protection including Foam Earplugs, Ear Muffs, & Filtered Hearing Protection, and how to properly use them to protect your hearing.
For more information on Phonak Serenity Choice hearing protection, click bit.ly/3Xm8mmj
drcliffolson.com/
hearingup.com
appliedhearingaz.com
drcliffaud.com
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:48 How to Choose the Right Hearing Protection
02:21 Option 1: Foam Earplugs
04:38 Option 2: Earmuffs
06:13 Option 3: Phonak Serenity Choice Filtered Earplugs
09:35 Final Thoughts

[@mikesavad]

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.

[@Salpeteroxid]

Don't trust anything that resembles the TV-shop in the 90's and early 00's .

[@lourenco3216]

same here lol

[@CristianGRojasV]

Totally agree! Lost my time seeing this video. He do only cares about selling the thing

[@billnwa2250]

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 KZbin videos, and she said "Dr. Cliff"?. You are famous even here in Seattle.

[@replacesoundboard]

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.

[@phoenixii7295]

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

[@sounddoctrineministriesusa]

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!

[@bevintx5440]

Sorry that should have said Air Pods Max.

[@sounddoctrineministriesusa]

@@bevintx5440 not sure what you mean? Did you comment somewhere else because I only see this my friend...

[@bevintx5440]

@@sounddoctrineministriesusa I tried to reply to my own comment. It did show up under my comment for a little while and then suddenly vanished. I have no idea as to what happened. I posted on my iPad on which it wouldn't let me edit my comment, hence the reply.

[@lorendommer4966]

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!

[@IETZR1S]

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

[@Enter1rocK]

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.

[@jameslogan6127]

Yep I’m sorta in this category too I already wear hearing aids so what our option?

[@EricNielsen187]

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?

[@CarlosPedroche]

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

[@sounddoctrineministriesusa]

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?

[@chadfield376]

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:-)

[@beararmzkriz]

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.

[@AL-lh2ht]

Dude the highest rated earmuff is twenty something

[@beararmzkriz]

@@AL-lh2ht cool story bro

[@Dan-di9jd]

I do agree that doubling up is the best option. Both ear plugs and ear muffs don't always seal tightly like if you're aiming a rifle or wearing safety glasses.Even just for a fraction of a second it could be enough to permanently damage your hearing.

[@kamelele4638]

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?

[@dallassurfersclub8872]

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.

[@bobbray4696]

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!

[@huskeeloins]

Mr. B, I would very much like to learn more about you. Can I contact you somehow sir?

[@TediBare]

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

[@georgehamer426]

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..

[@waynebeck7801]

Yes but if you still need to hear coworkers . The ear muff style is not a good choice if your HAs are behind your ear.

[@NoiseVibrationSolutions]

Crumbs, no do not remove your hearing aids (UK guidance) as you need to be able to hear co workers or fork lifts and alarms. hopefully you have an adjustable hearing aid. Remember the hearing aid will make adjustments if the noise is quiet so when you put your defenders on, making it quieter you don't want your hearing aids to increase the level again..

[@RetroBusker]

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

[@novafox6495]

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 .

[@bevintx5440]

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.

[@bevintx5440]

I should also have mentioned that I discovered that the hot, moist conditions in an ear muff can cause a fungal infection when wearing them for extended periods of time.

[@terriannolson8923]

Really good video, Cliff. 😁👍

[@Dan-di9jd]

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.

[@Blueknight1960]

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.

[@randymcgiveron3268]

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

[@timothyds7453]

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, ... .

[@RidersRange]

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.

[@NoiseVibrationSolutions]

that's aweful to hear but glad to hear you are not passing on the ignorance.

[@LYNXHQ]

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

[@fritzmunoz]

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

[@NoiseVibrationSolutions]

If you work for a company they should be providing these for you. Any hearing protection will work providing it is fitted properly so see the eg of how to fit in the video ... ear defenders may be better for you, but the safety glasses would need to have a more slimline arm and that it fits closer to your head so the soft cups can fit around and minimise the gap. You can also get helmet mounted hearing defenders.

[@adamfroman7983]

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..?

[@davidgrise5820]

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!!!

[@dukebeach1]

I know this post is old, but I too have bad tinnitus due to loud rifle reports. I have tried many, many different things and spent lots of money on what are ultimately false claims. Until some sort of cell or gene therapy comes along the best thing you can do is learn accommodation. This is when you basically train your brain to ignore the signal you are making due to the cilia damage. That wasn’t the answer I wanted to hear, but since accepting that fact I can deal with it. I do have hearing aids (ReSound) that have some tinnitus therapies built in but they are not of a high enough frequency to have any real therapeutic effect. Hang in there. You can adjust and get on with life.

[@chase3253]

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.

[@richardturk7162]

The foam ones work fine you just need to roll them a little before you put them in your ear. When the foam expands you can tell because the noise goes away. I wear them along with headphone type hearing protection when shooting guns.

[@frazer9]

Mate, if after 20 years you still can't figure out how to put a foam earplug, I'm not sure what to tell u ....

[@jetjaguarXP]

You may have very large ear canals... Most foam ear plugs are Medium size. It's possible that Large size would work for you but since it's VERY difficult to find Large foam ear plugs the over the ear "muffs" may work best for you.

[@simonbanderas3806]

​@@jetjaguarXPSmart man.

[@PhilBev222]

Six minutes in before I realized this is a commercial. What a shame.

[@gromkour5341]

i work in an industrial warehouse full of wood working machines having loud, high and low pitch noises and they do supply earmuffs and earplugs but sometimes i dont have a hand free to remove it when i need to talk with one of the managers. does anyone know of a decent pair of earplugs or earmuffs that can let conversation through?

[@mrprfct7069]

How do you get any sort of full ear coverage from any earmuffs when wearing sunglasses? The sunglasses break the seal over the ears. I’ve yet to find any that fit once glasses are introduced

[@benpayne677]

What about the ear muffs that clip onto hard hats?

[@davidhuez7027]

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

[@RetrieverTrainingAlone]

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

[@TricopterSail]

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.

[@harmanpreet_07]

I have joined shipping and I am looking for someone to explain what kind should I use , the plugs or the muffs , cause you understand the temperature and level of noise on ships . Pls reply

[@buzzbuzzard3809]

@@harmanpreet_07 Get them custom made from a shop that specializes on hearing aids they usually do protection too

[@Seansyy62]

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.

[@simonbanderas3806]

Yes you can. I work in a Winery and when the mechanics go into the big cooling fan warehouse, they are required to put ear plugs then ear muffs. Be safe man.

[@mikehoward8201]

Yep, just another ad.

[@freevin51]

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

[@DrCliffAuD]

Correct. Fortunately, most audiology clinics have accounts with Phonak, so it should be just a simple phone call with the clinic to get them ordered.

[@cise9898]

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

[@roberth4395]

Noise cancelling headphones could be either dangerous or expensive, because the noise cancelling will ruin the headphones in a very loud place where the noise is ongoing for a long period of time such as lawn mowing. The louder the noise, the louder the “counter noise” it has to create. Do this instead, it is cheap and versatile: - buy hearing protection earmuffs - get a pair of ear phones (cabled or wireless) - put in the ear phones - put on the hearing protection earmuffs It is that simple.

[@taattataattataattata]

Hey, thanks so much for the video. I just started working at an ice cream manufacturing place and it’s super loud.

[@brettbowles]

The foam ones sound sounded better than the other two versions because it didn't have the ear piercing scratchy sounds the other two had x....x

[@fractalshift]

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.

[@stemirreviews]

Thanks!

[@jameslester6785]

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

[@gtrida]

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

[@lawton6123]

You push them in as soon as you roll them sideways. To stop them expanding outwards, you keep your finger in place, just slightly away from your ear canal so that it expands inwards into your canal. You then pinch them to remove them because they stick maybe 2 to 5 millimetres outside of your canal. If you can't get them out you can use tweezers to pull on them

[@benignomarko355]

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.

[@dominicfong6341]

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

[@watermain48]

Thanks Dr. Cliff, that was very informative.

[@Dannyedelman4231]

Axil ghost stryke 2 are my go to

[@digitalmediaproductions7976]

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.

[@jetjaguarXP]

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

[@estefanor.4005]

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

[@thesodathief]

this knife salesman knows his hearing!

[@assypeachmusic1006]

i pair earmuffs with my silicone earplug at home, absolute silence

[@cyberbogart]

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

[@user-is7xd1ei2b]

Should be listed as a sponsored advert video

[@DrCliffAuD]

It is.

[@jameslogan6127]

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.

[@jameslogan6127]

I have Oticon More hearing aids in both ears.

[@DrCliffAuD]

I prefer to double protect with foam plugs.

[@kt2816]

I also roll up toilet paper and stuff it my sinuses

[@RobTaylorTraining]

This is just an ad

[@purplecookie687]

You look and sound like Jim Carey

[@brownh2orat211]

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

[@DrCliffAuD]

Whenever I see a comment like this, I waste my time to let the commenter know that their comment is pointless, and then go about my life. 🤣

[@hus390]

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

[@muddlasvegas]

You lost me at CDC

[@PrisonerNChristJesus]

Infomercial … smh

[@richardturk7162]

Why do you jump up and down when you talk?

[@DrCliffAuD]

Medical condition.

[@SwatBeatsOfficial]

Wow. Sponsored video. NO BIAS DETECTED. 🤡