Blacksmithing is a noisy business that can put your hearing at risk. Many professional blacksmiths are victims of industry hearing loss as well as severe cases of tinnitus.
Single loud noises can create damage to your hearing, imagine repeated loud noise every day of the week for years. For this reason, blacksmiths must give priority to protecting their hearing.
We got in touch with a number of professional blacksmiths and professionals who work daily with metals, to listen to their specific needs and ideas about hearing protection while on the job.
Then we asked them to test several ear defenders every day for a week and give us the lowdown on how well various ear protectors performed on the job.
Thanks to this testing as well as information provided by medical experts, our top choice is ClearArmor Safety Earmuffs #141001 because they are industrial grade ear protectors with a double layer of protective foam and an NRR of 34dB.
| Ear Protector | NRR | Style | Safety | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ClearArmor Safety Earmuffs #141001 | 34 dB | Earmuffs | ANSI S3.19 certified, CE EN 352.1 certified | Budget-friendly, Cushioned headband |
| MPOW 035 Earmuffs | 28/34 dB | Earmuffs | ANSI S3.19 certified, CE EN 352.1 certified | Lightweight, Double shell design in ABS, Carrying pouch |
| Decibel Defense Professional Safety Earmuffs | 37 dB | Earmuffs | ANSI S3.19 certified, CE EN 352.1 certified | Compact foldable design for transport |
| 3M Worktunes | 24 dB | Earmuffs | ANSI S3.19 certified | Blue tooth connectivity, Am/FM radio, 3.5 audio jack, Microphone for calls |
| Mack’s Pillow Ultra Soft Earplugs in Foam | 33 dB | Earplugs | – | Sold in packs of 100 earplugs, Ultra-soft foam |
Our List of Best Ear Protection for Blacksmithing
Top Choice
1. ClearArmor Safety Earmuffs
- Comfortable, premium quality, lightweight, super soft ear ring foam for maximum long wear comfort.
- Padded head band adjusts to fit most head
- Compact folding design for efficient storage.
- ANSI S3.19 & CE 352-1 Tested Certified.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
These are budget-friendly ear protectors guaranteeing comfort and durability. With an NRR of 34 dB, they have several layers of noise-blocking foam.
These are industrial-grade muffs with an adjustable headband. The fit is firm preventing movement or that your ears are exposed regardless of the position you are in.
Noise reduction is guaranteed thanks to patented processes Sonic Seal and Solidblocker.
Pros
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- ANSI S3.19 certified, CE EN 352.1 certified
- Budget choice
- 34 dB protection
- Cushioned headband
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Cons
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- Bulky
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Best Overall Choice
2. MPOW 035 Earmuffs
Our top overall choice is the Mpow 035 protective earmuff defenders because these protectors offer great comfort for a good price.
A ribbed headband helps to reduce heat buildup when you’re busy working in summer heat or high-temperature environments.
Lightweight at 9.9 ounces they offer two layers of foam. Their foldable style makes them compact with foldable earcups for easy transport.
Pros
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- Double Shell design in ABS
- NRR 28 dB/34 dB
- Nice compact design
- Pouch for carrying
- Affordable
- 3 color options
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Cons
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- May not be ideal in size for larger heads
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Best NRR Choice
3. Decibel Defense Professional Safety Earmuffs
- Ultra-comfortable headband with smooth, padded cell design provides hours of comfort. Foldable and compact.
- Safe and comfortable for adults and kids
- Great for use with all firearms, power tools and mowing the lawn.
- ANSI S3.19 & CE EN 352-1 Certified Ear Protection tests at an industry leading NRR of 37 Decibels
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
These earmuffs are our top choice for the NRR with a noise reduction rating of 37 dB. They feature an adjustable cushioned headband and a foldable design for easy carrying.
Lightweight, they are ideal for long work shifts. Comfort is a priority coupled with optimal hearing protection.
Pros
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- NRR 37
- Foldable for transport
- Affordable
- Comfortable for long work shifts
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Cons
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- Difficulty blocking low-frequency noise
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Premium Choice
4. 3M Worktunes
- Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) 24 dB
- BLUETOOTH WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY
- INTEGRATED MICROPHONE
- EXCELLENT AM/FM RADIO performance
- AUDIO ASSIST TECHNOLOGY
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
If you would enjoy a great pair of ear protectors with Bluetooth connectivity and a built-in AM/FM radio, these 3M earmuffs are for you. Not so long ago, earbuds for music had to be worn underneath earmuffs.
Now the 3M Worktunes have Bluetooth technology that allows you to connect to any device with Bluetooth connectivity. You can listen to your favorite playlist or podcast making the workday pass faster.
You can opt for your favorite radio program or broadcasted sporting event thanks to a safe volume control allowing you to listen without exaggerating.
The only reservation may be the weight. This is a heavier earmuff weighing 20 ounces. If you prefer light muffs, do avoid these. Comes with a 3.5 mm audio jack for direct audio sources.
Pros
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- Two listening options
- Wireless connectivity
- Easy control dials
- Great for listening to music or programs
- Safe volume management
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Cons
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- Expensive
- Heavy
- NRR is not among the highest at 24dB
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Best Earplugs
5.Mack’s Pillow Ultra Soft Earplugs in Foam
- ULTRA COMFORTABLE - Made with super low-pressure, slow release, Comfy Cush Comfort Foam.
- ULTRA NOISE BLOCKERS – With a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 33 decibels.
- #1 BRAND FOR SNORING, SLEEPING AND TO PROTECT HEARING .
- #1 BRAND USED BY DOCTORS - Mack’s is the #1 brand of foam earplugs personally used by doctors.
- MADE IN THE USA – Proudly made in the USA with safe, high performance, noise reducing foam.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
If you prefer an earplug design as opposed to ear muffs these Mack’s Earplugs are an attractive option for blacksmithing.
They are made in a very soft foam making them adapt perfectly to your ear canal guaranteeing comfort. These disposable earplugs come in boxes of 100 or 50 pairs meaning that they’ll last you quite a long time.
Their NRR is 33dB which is quite high for earplugs. One advantage to earplugs is that they can be worn under helmets, hats, masks, etc.
Pros
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- Convenient
- Ultra-soft
- NRR 33dB
- Can be worn with helmets, etc.
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Cons
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- Some complaints about the change in design
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The Bottom Line
Blacksmithing is indeed a noisy venture as are most professions that work metals. So, if you are a professional blacksmith or metal worker, you need certified safety protection for your hearing.
The environmental noise you sustain daily can be deafening while you’re working, but also deafening to your hearing long term.
We highly recommend you purchase vital ear protection. We hope this article will get you started on your search. Thank you for reading and remember don’t leave home for work without your ear defenders.
