Ear defenders

Hello all, I think it has come up before but could not find a definitive answer...
Is driving while wearing ear protection ( either over head or in ear) legal? I do not mean listening to music, I mean what you wear if your drilling concrete etc!
Any thoughts/ opinions?
I know it sounds soft etc etc, but I'm planning a potential trip from stoke on trent to devon in a 2.25 diesel just thought i could save some discomfort !
Thanks
Ben

Oh for god sake

Sorry, this is a sensible question. My petrol was measured at just over 85dBA AVERAGE in the cab - just into hearing damage territory. I'd recommend ear plugs - more discreet, wearable with facial hair. more comfortable (personal choice) and a good 20dB min attenuation - as long as you've got them in properly.

I have tried ear plugs when driving my 2.25 diesel, not for comfort but because I suffer from Tinnitus and long journeys aggravated it. Once into 48/50 MPH cruise my series 3 diesel is not all that loud.

Stanley SY330 23dB Custom Moulded Corded Ear Plugs | Ear Plugs | Screwfix.com
Try this

There are ear plugs designed to block out sounds above a certain decibel range. They are designed to be discreet and fit snugly inside your ear, allow you to hear normal conversation perfectly but block out any louder noises. I bought them for shooting and have a set upstairs, can't mind who makes them but ill check. They were quite cheap too

I find noise cancelling earphones very good, flights in the back of noisy military aircraft and vehicles have been made very comfortable with noise cancellers, plus you can just claim they are for a hands free kit if plugged into your phone.

divie said:

I have tried ear plugs when driving my 2.25 diesel, not for comfort but because I suffer from Tinnitus and long journeys aggravated it. Once into 48/50 MPH cruise my series 3 diesel is not all that loud.

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That's because your deaf.

You're

the_wolf said:

You're

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Goose stepping went out of fashion in 1945..........

Lol

Tottot, you are perfectly correct when you say I am deaf. 50 years of working in engineering,racing motorcycles and shooting have all taken their toll. I think the first 20 years did the damage before hearing protection became the norm. I now try to protect what hearing I have left. Most Land Rovers I have had actually had more transmission noise than any shonky old diesel engine, new bearings and a careful rebuild quietens thing down.

Wear grade 3 in mine on longer trips iPod earphones underneath. Travelling at 60mph is then a lot more endurable. Make the kids wear then as well to be on the safe side.
I imagine I can hear more than those young fellas in the boom boom cars

Call for headphones to be banned while driving (From Wimbledon Guardian) seems not illegal but could be used as evidence against you in a careless/dangerous driving charge. I'd seriously suggest investing in some soundproofing if it bothers you. I put this stuff under the bonnet Dodo Pro Barrier MLV Mass Loaded Vinyl 8mm Car Vehicle Sound Deadening Proofing | eBay and bought this set for the cab Matting & Carpet Sets : Series Hardura Insulation Front Matting Kit though I'd probably just do it myself with the former stuff if doing it a second time.

It's made longer trips less tiring, still not modern car quiet but I can listen to the news when going flat out now.

divie said:

Tottot, you are perfectly correct when you say I am deaf. 50 years of working in engineering,racing motorcycles and shooting have all taken their toll. I think the first 20 years did the damage before hearing protection became the norm. I now try to protect what hearing I have left. Most Land Rovers I have had actually had more transmission noise than any shonky old diesel engine, new bearings and a careful rebuild quietens thing down.

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divie,I speak from experience to,50 years of noisy farm machines, shooting,grass tracking ect and you are right I also think it was those early years did most of the damage. It just had to be said . cheers.

Google Surefire EP4 or EP3 earplugs. Should be around the £15 mark. Bit pricey compared to Moldex reusable at circa £3 a pair.
I use the moldex ones with power tools - just the standard washable rubber plugs that you shove in your ears. Cheap and work, but you can't hear a thing.
The Surefires get used on the motorbike - can still hear the motor wailing away when you open it up and people talking to you when you're stopped, but cuts out all the deafening (literally) wind noise.

I have some ear plugs which are moulded to my ear (work paid for them) they are "flat liners" i think too - basically they reduce everything by a fixed dB level - rather than cheaper ear plugs which act more of a filter at certain frequencies and not others - this means I can still hear sirens, cries from kids stuck under the wheel, the wife screaming at me, etc. just at a more pleasant level

I rarely wear them as i usually just go out laning, but, for longer journeys they are good

After reading this thread I bought some surefire EP3's. Amazed at how well they work. I have a 200di which is pretty loud but the main problem is my overdrive which screams like a banshee. With the earplugs it's now just a bit of droning in the background and you can hear the radio. The only thing I'm left to try is having a conversation with a passenger.

Conversation with a passenger ???