Ear Plugs

[TeamCaffee]

I have been using ear plugs at night when we are driving down the road for a few years now and really like the results. The sounds of the cars and trucks passing right beside my head really bothered me and also the sound of Bob singing!
I usually use the squishy kind of ear plugs that expand after you place them in your ears. Another driver told me about another kind that I have been using. You buy them in the shooters supply area of Wal-Mart. You mix these two clay like substances together then mold them to your ear. I thought it was kind of gross but I sure do like how they really blocks out the sounds going down the road.

 

[dcalien]

I used the roll up ones one time when I was shooting a pistol indoors, and did not realize til I was done that I was almost deaf in one ear.

Scared me pretty bad that I had done that to myself. My hearing returned in a couple three days.

If I sleep going down the road, I am in big trouble since I am a single driver.

 

[TeamCaffee]

Dave, I also hope you do not sleep going down the road! When we used to trap shoot we always used the shooters ear muffs and they worked very well. I just do not think the ear muffs would work well in bed.

 

[Turtle]

Ear muffs in bed.
That's hot.

Ever since I learned how to drive I've usually driven with the driver window cracked a little. That comes from a paranoia of a bad firewall and having carbon monoxide building up inside the car. Even though I now drive a diesel, it's hard habit to break. But as a result, my left ear is nearly deaf to very high-pitched frequencies, like a wristwatch tone alarm, for example. My alarm clock, if I'm laying on my right wide with the left ear exposed, I cannot hear it. If I'm on my left side with the right ear exposed, I can hear it just fine. Weird.

I probably should start wearing earplugs. I've got a bunch of them, for use at the many shipper and consignees that require them. Never thought of wearing them while driving. Good idea. Thanks.

 

[ihamner]

So, Linder, can you reuse those earplugs you mentioned? After you mix the two parts is it a one time use thing? We have never used ear plugs because we always thought if we had an emergency we couldn't wake the other one up but I think we are ready to try something like this now.

 

[TeamCaffee]

Yes the kit comes with a small bag you can keep the ear plugs in. They are also easy to clean.
I am sure if Frank was to yell at you, you would have no trouble hearing him. Believe me when it is my turn to drive Bob has no trouble making sure that I hear him call my name! All they really do is tone down the noise not totally get rid of it.

 

[butterfly610]

I was just mentioning using ear plugs to my husband the other night. I think it would definately help me sleep better because I seem to wake up at everything. The other night there was a loud boom of thunder and I jumped up asking what happened because I thought someone hit the truck or something...lol. I hate it when that happens when you're sleeping! I think I'll get some of those.

I've read things about truckers having bad hearing. Makes sense.

 

[Fr8 Shaker]

I've read things about truckers having bad hearing. Makes sense.

WHAT ?....

 

[butterfly610]

I read this article about how being a trucker you should protect your hearing. Seems like spending all the time around loud engines at truck stops and then it's kind of loud when you're driving sometimes, just being exposed to all the noise all the time, could take it's toll on your hearing after a long time. It seems like it could do damage, but of course, only after a long time. They were talking about years of it, not just short-term.

 

[Jack_Berry]

i buy the house brand orange foam ones from cvs. container of 100 for abo ut 4-5 bucks. don't remember. they can be used twice but they are not as tight the second time. all the trucks can leave the lot, drive past me, rev the engine and i hear nussing.