Best earplugs or earmuffs to cancel noise

[gunsrfun1]

If you think a rifle range is loud, you should visit my office. It's non-stop BS chatter that makes it hard to get any work done. Apparently a lot of people in my group believe that a "full day's work for a full day's pay" means you work 45 minutes and then chitchat for 15 minutes. But enough ranting on my part.
What I need is something to drown out the noise. I currently use Mack's wax earplugs when the need arises, and they do an OK job. But I want something that will give me total silence. (And I don't want to listen to music to drown out the chatter, so scratch that idea.)
I thought of noise-canceling earphones, but I believe the principle behind them is that they "clip" loud sounds but allow normal voice to be heard. So obviously that's a non-starter.
Then I thought of perhaps finding a "white noise" web site that streams white noise, but that still won't drown out the chitchat entirely.
So ... any recommendations (based on experience, not hearsay) of a product that truly blocks out any low-level noise? I am thinking custom earplugs, or perhaps earmuffs that have a high NRR. But I'm open to any suggestions.
Let me know if you have a specific product in mind that you recommend (and that is hopefully somewhat affordable.)
Thanks
PS - I'm sure the comedians among us are thinking of some clever responses, but let's try to keep this on point, because I really need to resolve this issue. (And yes, I've talked to my boss. Let's just say I wouldn't be writing this if he had resolved the issue by now.)

 

[jeepnik]

As one who has lost much of his hearing from years of noise, not just firearms but industrial and aircraft, use both. There is no such thing as too much hearing protections.

 

[Zach S]

I would suggest seeing if you can find a sample pack of various earplugs. What works for me or them may not work for you. An earplug with a higher NRR wont do you much good of it doesn't fit properly.

I prefer the 3M Superfit 33s. Uncomfortable, but they have a 33db NRR.

 

[gunsrfun1]

Thanks and understood. I have thought of putting in the Mack's and then wearing a basic set of earmuffs. Maybe that is the best route. Not very stylish, but I am at the point where I don't care.

 

[Bart B.]

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1871222091/pro-ears-ultra-33-earmuffs-nrr-33-db

... or others with 33 db or more noise reduction rating.

Forget foam plugs.

Good custom moulded plugs fit in your ear canals are second best. They're soft solid rubbery material that reduces impulse noise (gunfire) better than foam.

 

[taliv]

if you asking about a problem with coworkers talking in your office, that's pretty off topic. this is a firearms forum.

i also think you misunderstand 'noise canceling' headphones.

electronic ear muffs used by shooters do amplify ambient noises below a certain db level so that you can hear voices better but cut off when noises rise above a certain level.

'noise canceling' headphones cancel out ambient noises so you can't hear them at all. this is what people typically use on airplanes to listen to their music.

 

[gunsrfun1]

Thanks. I know it's a firearms forum -- been a member for years. I figured anything that will filter out gunshots might be able to handle voice noise.
In any case, no matter. I found an NRR 34 item on Amazon and ordered it. It has good reviews including a couple from cube-dwellers like myself who have noisy neighbors. Looks a bit "industrial" but maybe that will get a message across.

 

[taliv]

My guess actually is that your ears will adjust in the relative silence to continue picking up the voices and that solution will only last a few minutes. The canceling headphones are a much better bet

 

[rcmodel]

Have you tried jumping up on top of your desk and screaming 'SHUT THE X UP, AND GET BACK TO WORK!!'

As loud as you can, with that Crazy Eye look, and drooling backing it up???

Myself, it sounds like you have three options.

1. Talk to HR about the lack of work ethic and front line management in your job environment.

2. Find another job where everyone keeps their nose to the grindstone all day, and the manager micro-manages.

3. Start your own business where you can set your own rules.

Regardless of all that, shooting ear protection, even if 100% effective! will not stop you seeing the nonsense going on.
And you will still be incensed, but more so.

Because then, you will think they are all talking about the strange guy wearing shooting earmuffs in the office all day!!!

And well they should.

Bottom line??

This sounds like a personal problem with the way you perceive things around you.


rc

 

[CapnMac]

The Bose Noise-canceling headphones have been the gold standard of the aviation industry for decades.
They work by using ambient noise, which is picked up by a tiny microphone, and then inverted and fed back tto your ears. That cancels the sound waves in a literal fashion.

As with all things, there is a gotcha.

The canceled noise still exists as an energy wave, so you can get hearing injury from them. Also, silences mess up the cancellation (ambient noise drives the cancellation), so, when the cacklers all stop gabbing to watch the kitten video, you'll get a pop/scrackle as the headphones "catch back up" to the background.

This also makes them impractical on a shooting range (that, and not having high dB/high impulse sounds blocked out.

 

[jmorris]

My ENT also has an audiologist in office that has made me custom ear protection, some I have work so well I can't hear range commands from some soft speaking (non yelling RO's).

 

[gunsrfun1]

Thanks Jmorris, never thought of that. I may contact my ENT about that. He does have an audiologist on staff.

 

[hso]

I figured anything that will filter out gunshots might be able to handle voice noise.

No

taliv is correct, you misunderstand how electronic ear muffs work vs. noise canceling headphones. Shooting muffs are hearing protection while noise canceling muffs you want are just for "noise pollution" (the ones made for hearing protection work on the same principal, but are intended to deal with higher sound levels). The Bose noise canceling products and others do not shut down at a stated dB like electronic shooting muffs, they generate a counterwave to the constant sound around you. That's the key, the constant sound, vs. the peak impact sound electronic muffs shut down at. Wearing a pair of noise canceling plugs or muffs would look like you're listening to music, but wearing a pair of NRR 30 muffs would look grossly out of place in an office and probably get the negative attention of management that a pair of NRR 30 plugs wouldn't.

Since you're looking for something completely different than shooting hearing protection we'll close this and encourage you to google noise canceling muffs/plugs.