Interference between ear muffs and eyewear

StratoCactus · April 8, 2009, 10:35 AM

Does anyone know of a solution to the interference between over-the-ear muffs and the ear-pieces (aka temples) found on traditional eye glasses? For me, using eye protection with muffs creates two problems: discomfort where the muffs press the glasses frames into the temples; and reduced effectiveness of the hearing protection due to the compromised seal around the ear.

Does anybody make protective eyewear that has an elastic band in place of rigid ear-pieces ... yet doesn't look like swimmer's goggles or chemist's goggles? Alternatively, is there any eyewear that is designed to affix to the muffs rather than directly to the user's head?

I've tried tilting the glasses downward such that the temples ride somewhat up over the muffs. This avoids the interference but looks absurd and distorts the image. Worse, on one occasion my semi-auto scored a hail mary by ejecting a hot case in an upward arc where it fell into the large gap between my brow and glasses frame, came to rest against the skin just below my eye and caused a small burn. While my range partner found my panicked dance highly amusing, it was painful enough that I have retired this technique.

Casimer · April 8, 2009, 03:19 PM

Have you tried classes w/ flexible stems?

e.g.

ZeSpectre · April 8, 2009, 03:27 PM

I know you aren't a fan of the "sport goggle" type stuff but the 3M™ Protective Eyewear 1707-2AF eyewear is great.

I have also found that the more glasses-like 3M™ Protective Eyewear 1700/37103 has nice thin side panels that don't seem to push my muffs out as much. (Plus they are inexpensive and available in the paint section of wal-mart)

Japle · April 8, 2009, 05:14 PM

Any good sunglasses that fit your face and have wire frames will do. Make sure they're rated for impact resistance.

Those thick plastic frames on commercial "safety glasses" really wreck the seal on muffs.

StratoCactus · April 9, 2009, 10:01 PM

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the tips.

**JohnKSa** · April 10, 2009, 12:51 AM

Another option is to upgrade the pads on your ear protection. I've had zero problem with getting a good seal since I got the (expensive) comfort gel pad upgrade for my hearing protection.

Arkatect · April 18, 2009, 09:29 AM

I understand what you mean. For this reason I Switched to Ear Plugs. Very comfy and a better NRR.

**JohnKSa** · April 18, 2009, 10:08 PM

Quote:

...and a better NRR.

Kinda sorta... Yes, you get better attenuation of noise travelling down the ear canal. However, sound is also transmitted to some extent to the ear canal & inner ear via the bones around the ear canal. If you want to wear plugs, it's advisable to also wear muffs since they block more of the bone-transmitted sound.

Lurch37 · April 18, 2009, 10:54 PM

Ive wore glasses since I was 6 so I feel your pain. I use both the foam type ear plugs and ear muffs together.

April 8, 2009, 10:35 AM	#1
StratoCactus Member Join Date: January 30, 2009 Location: VA Posts: 20	Interference between ear muffs and eyewear Does anyone know of a solution to the interference between over-the-ear muffs and the ear-pieces (aka temples) found on traditional eye glasses? For me, using eye protection with muffs creates two problems: discomfort where the muffs press the glasses frames into the temples; and reduced effectiveness of the hearing protection due to the compromised seal around the ear. Does anybody make protective eyewear that has an elastic band in place of rigid ear-pieces ... yet doesn't look like swimmer's goggles or chemist's goggles? Alternatively, is there any eyewear that is designed to affix to the muffs rather than directly to the user's head? I've tried tilting the glasses downward such that the temples ride somewhat up over the muffs. This avoids the interference but looks absurd and distorts the image. Worse, on one occasion my semi-auto scored a hail mary by ejecting a hot case in an upward arc where it fell into the large gap between my brow and glasses frame, came to rest against the skin just below my eye and caused a small burn. While my range partner found my panicked dance highly amusing, it was painful enough that I have retired this technique.

April 10, 2009, 12:51 AM	#6
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 25,002	Another option is to upgrade the pads on your ear protection. I've had zero problem with getting a good seal since I got the (expensive) comfort gel pad upgrade for my hearing protection. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

April 18, 2009, 10:54 PM	#9
Lurch37 Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2006 Location: Middle of Nebraska Posts: 944	Ive wore glasses since I was 6 so I feel your pain. I use both the foam type ear plugs and ear muffs together. __________________ I reject your reality and substitute my own.

April 8, 2009, 03:19 PM	#2
Casimer Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2007 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Posts: 1,918	Have you tried classes w/ flexible stems? e.g.

April 8, 2009, 03:27 PM	#3
ZeSpectre Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Shenandoah Valley Posts: 3,276	I know you aren't a fan of the "sport goggle" type stuff but the 3M™ Protective Eyewear 1707-2AF eyewear is great. I have also found that the more glasses-like 3M™ Protective Eyewear 1700/37103 has nice thin side panels that don't seem to push my muffs out as much. (Plus they are inexpensive and available in the paint section of wal-mart)

April 8, 2009, 05:14 PM	#4
Japle Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 2004 Location: Viera, Florida Posts: 1,340	Any good sunglasses that fit your face and have wire frames will do. Make sure they're rated for impact resistance. Those thick plastic frames on commercial "safety glasses" really wreck the seal on muffs.

April 9, 2009, 10:01 PM	#5
StratoCactus Member Join Date: January 30, 2009 Location: VA Posts: 20	Thanks everyone. I appreciate the tips.

April 18, 2009, 09:29 AM	#7
Arkatect Junior Member Join Date: March 7, 2009 Posts: 6	I understand what you mean. For this reason I Switched to Ear Plugs. Very comfy and a better NRR.