Let’s face it, blacksmithing it’s a loud trade and can take a toll on your ears. It’s not uncommon for veteran blacksmiths to suffer from industry deafness, not to mention extreme tinnitus. Extended exposure to loud noises can cause a lot of damage to your ears. That’s why it’s important for blacksmiths to focus on ear protection.
In this article, I’ll cover some of the best ear protection equipment as well as provide some suggestions to reduce the damage to your ears when working with metal.
Here is a list of all the products mentioned in the article below (click for quick navigation):
Earmuffs:
- 🏆 ClearArmor 141001 Safety Clear-Band Earmuffs [Top Choice]
- 💎 3M Wireless WorkTunes Hearing Protector Headphones [Premium Choice]
- 💰 MPOW 035 Noise Reduction Safety Earmuffs [Best Overall]
Earplugs:
- 🏆 Mack’s Pillow Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs 32db Highest NRR [Top Choice]
- 💎 Honeywell Laser Light Disposable Foam Corded Earplugs [Premium Choice]
- 💰 Mack’s Pillow Soft Moldable Silicone Earplugs [Best Overall]
You will find at the end a section with some tips and advice. Click here to go to the Buyers Guide.
To cut to the case, the best ear protection for blacksmithing is using earmuffs. The reason is earmuffs are the best is they’re easy to remove, completely cover your ears, and provide excellent decibel reduction. These are similar to those noise-canceling headphones.
I will also cover other options, such as earplugs (gel, silicone, foam, etc), but I have found that full earmuffs are the most effective.
The downside, if you need other equipment, such as a face-shield, the earmuffs might get in the way.
Don’t worry, if earmuffs aren’t your style, or they don’t suit your needs, I’ll cover the other options too.
First, I’ll cover some recommended earmuffs, and then move on to the other earplugs products.
There’s a little something for everyone.
Best Earmuffs for Blacksmithing
Here are some of my recommended noise-canceling earmuffs for blacksmiths.
1. ClearArmor 141001 Safety Clear-Band Earmuffs
(*Amazon Affiliate Link)
Noise Reduction Rating (NRR): 34 dB
These industrial-grade ClearArmor earmuffs utilize a handful of patented technologies for noise reduction, such as Sonic Seal, SolidBlocker, and several layers of noise reduction foam.
The good thing about these ear protection muffs is that they’re independently rated, ANSI S3.19 and CE EN 352.1 certified. So they’re guaranteed to drastically dampen sound waves.
Currently, they’re rated at 34dB reduction, which is perfect for blacksmiths.
Overall, these are a great choice. If you are looking for a comfortable pair of noise reduction earmuffs, these are worth a look. Wherever you experience loud noises, these can come in handy. Very budget-friendly too!
2. 3M Wireless WorkTunes Hearing Protector Headphones
(*Amazon Affiliate Link)
Noise Reduction Rating (NRR): 24 dB
Here we have hearing protector headphones with builtin AM/FM and Bluetooth. These are great because not only do they reduce loud noises (rated at 24 dB reduction) but you can also listen to the radio or your own music via Bluetooth.
They also come with a 3.5mm wire for audio sources.
While these headphones are a bit more expensive than regular earmuffs, they do offer more features.
Listening to music while cutting out all the background noises of your work can be incredibly helpful. It will not only protect your ears from loud sounds but also help you concentrate.
So, if you find yourself listening to the radio a lot when you’re working as a blacksmith, then these headphones are perfect for you. The downside is the radio antenna might get in the way of your other protection equipment.
3. MPOW 035 Noise Reduction Safety Earmuffs
(*Amazon Affiliate Link)
Noise Reduction Rating (NRR): 28-34 dB
These earmuffs use NRR Sound Technology with two layers of noise dampening foam, rated at 28-34dB noise reduction.
Light and compact, these earmuffs are great for a wide range of industries, such as: blacksmithing, operating heavy machinery, concerts, and so on.
The MPOW 035 earmuffs come in three color combinations; black, dark blue, and red.
The ear cushion is made from skin-friendly ABS and foam, which makes the earmuffs very comfortable, even for long periods of use.
And they’re foldable too!
Some people are saying that these earmuffs reduce about 80% of noise, they don’t completely cancel out the sound.
Overall, if you’re looking for decent, budget-friendly, noise reduction earmuffs, these ones are worth a look.
Best Ear Plugs for Blacksmithing
As mentioned earlier, some blacksmiths prefer to use earplugs because these can be used with other head protection equipment, such as full-face shields, masks, and whatnot.
There are a number of earplugs that you can consider, I’ll run through my top recommendations below:
1. Mack’s Pillow Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs 32db Highest NRR
(*Amazon Affiliate Link)
Noise Reduction Rating (NRR): 32 dB
Most of the time, earplugs come in a box, and in the case of Mack’s Ultra Soft foam earplugs, you get 50 pairs in one box (100 pieces). These should last for a long time.
The most notable feature is the ultra-soft foam.
The ultra-soft earplugs allow you to wear them for hours without feeling uncomfortable, while also dramatically reducing income noise. The NRR is rated at 32 dB.
You can use these earplugs for a wide range of activities, such as operating loud power tools, in an airplane, concerts, sleeping, and whatnot. And of course for blacksmithing.
The design and instruction are straightforward, simply insert them into your ears. Since there are 100 in a box, it’s recommended to dispose of used earplugs.
2. Honeywell Laser Light Disposable Foam Corded Earplugs
(*Amazon Affiliate Link)
Noise Reduction Rating (NRR): 32 dB
These Honeywell earplugs have a couple of notable features. For one, their color is bright yellow for high visibility. The bright colors make it easier for people to notice that you’re wearing earplugs, which can help avoid communication problems.
Secondly, they’re corded, which means each earplug is connected to a small string that makes them easy to remove. To remove the earplugs, you can simply pull on the strings, instead of trying to remove each one at a time. It saves you time.
Besides that, these earplugs have an NRR of 32 decibels.
The shape is a contoured-T which has a small base on one end which helps seal them your ear while also making them easy to remove.
Overall, definitely a pair of earplugs worth checking out. The colors might be a bit too bright for some (neon yellow and pink) but the performance is great.
3. Mack’s Pillow Soft Moldable Silicone Earplugs
(*Amazon Affiliate Link)
Noise Reduction Rating (NRR): 22 dB
These are another Mack’s Pillow products, except the material and design is a bit different than the usual earplugs.
The main difference is these are made from moldable silicone, which adapts to your ear canal, which is more comfortable for some people. The putty molds and adapts to any shape of the ear and comfortably reduces incoming noise.
While the NRR isn’t the best (22 dB) the moldable silicone putty is very comfortable, and the uses are quite versatile. You can even use these in the water.
While probably not the best for loud industrial work, they can be great for the less noise-intense tasks of the blacksmithing trade. At best, something to look into.
The best feature of these earplugs is the moldable silicone. It might feel a bit strange at first, but lots of people are happy with them.
What to Look for in Ear Protection Equipment?
Blacksmithing can be a dangerous activity but you can prevent yourself from getting hurt with some protection.
It’s important to wear protective gear for your ears and eyes. When looking for ear protection equipment, it’s good to remember a few key points.
For starters, everyone has unique tastes and skin sensitivity. What may be extremely comfortable for one person could be uncomfortable for you.
The point is you might have to try several ear protection equipment before you find one that best suits your tastes and needs. I personally recommend earmuffs.
When it comes to earplugs, I think we can all agree that hard plastic can be very uncomfortable, even painful, after long periods of use.
It’s best to look for more quality materials such as foam or silicone. Besides that, make sure to note the NRR of each piece of equipment, and make sure they pass the appropriate tests.
Other than that, finding the right ear protection equipment for your blacksmithing projects can be a bit of a journey, but once you find the right fit, it will make your life a lot easier.
Be sure to check my other articles about blacksmithing safety equipment:
Hopefully, this article has been of help to you. Thanks for reading, be safe and good luck with your projects!
Cheers tools owners!
