Thinking about buying Bluetooth hearing protection? If so, you came to the right place. We have assembled a significant amount of research and analysis in this article to provide you with options for the best Bluetooth hearing protection (Bluetooth earmuffs). For this article, we reviewed different sets of Bluetooth earmuffs and have provided a recommendation on the best set for each of the following three groups:
The pros and cons for each set are listed out in bullet point format.
Bluetooth hearing protection is a set of protective earmuffs that use Bluetooth technology to stream audio from any Bluetooth connected device. You can stream audio to your Bluetooth earmuffs from your iPhone, iPod, iPad, Android phone, tablet, or almost any other device available today. You can listen to any digital media including internet radio (Pandora, Spotify, etc.), iTunes, MP3’s, podcasts, and audiobooks. Many models also allow you to listen to AM/FM radio through a built in receiver. This all happens wirelessly with no cords getting in the way.
3M WorkTunes | Ion Audio Tough Sounds | 3M Peltor WS 100 | 3M Peltor WS Tactical Sport | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Best For | Top Pick for Homeowners | Runner up for Homeowners | Top Pick for Workplace | Top Pick for Sportsman / Hunting |
Price | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
Bluetooth Enabled? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) | 24 dB | 25 dB | 20 dB | 20 dB |
Battery Type | AA Batteries with an optional lithium battery pack | Rechargeable lithium ion battery (battery and USB charge cable included) | 2 AAA rechargeable batteries (batteries and charger included) | 2 AAA rechargeable batteries (batteries and charger included) |
Color | Black | Black | Black | Orange or Green |
Weight | 13 ounces | 13 ounces | 12.4 ounces | 12.4 ounces |
AM/FM Radio? | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Can Answer Calls? | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Type | None | Built In | Boom Microphone | Built in |
The 3M WorkTunes Bluetooth hearing protection headphones is the best option for homeowners or those who occasionally need hearing protection. Priced at well under $100, they are a great Bluetooth hearing protection option for light jobs such as mowing your lawn, working in your shop, or even going to a NASCAR race.
With a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 24 dB, they offer a similar amount of noise protection that you would expect from other high quality earmuffs. A lawn mower emits noise at a rate of about 100 dB. With these earmuffs, that noise may be reduced to 76 dB, or about the same level as a vacuum cleaner.
The 3M WorkTunes Bluetooth earmuff is compatible with your iPhone, Android phone, iPod, MP3 player, and any other device that has Bluetooth technology. Almost every modern device, including your smartphone, is compatible and will work with this headset. Through Bluetooth technology, you can wirelessly stream audio from your phone or other device to the headset. No cords or wires to deal with. This means you can listen to music from the internet or any MP3’s or podcasts you have downloaded.
In addition to Bluetooth, this set features a built in AM/FM radio. If you just want to listen to regular radio, you can do that with this set. You can save up to 50 stations as presets. The radio functionality is especially helpful if you are attending a sporting event such as a football game or NASCAR race. You can watch the race or game while listening to the commentary via radio.
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If you have any problems or questions about the 3M Bluetooth earmuffs you can call 3M’s technical services department at 800-494-3552. You should also view 3M’s safety site for additional information about their Bluetooth hearing protection.
Note: If you need a set of Bluetooth earmuffs for work every day, consider the 3M Peltor WS 100. They are higher end Bluetooth earmuffs (also more expensive) and are geared more towards those who work in a manufacturing facility, construction, or landscaping (equipment operators) every day.
The Ion Audio Tough Sounds are a great option for Bluetooth hearing protection. This pair is our runner up for the best Bluetooth hearing protection for homeowners. They fall just behind the 3M WorkTunes model. They have a built in AM/FM radio and you can connect your smartphone or any other Bluetooth enabled device to it. This means that you can stream your favorite internet radio app, such as Pandora, or listen to a podcast while you work. If streaming via Bluetooth, you can skip tracks, adjust the volume, etc. through the headphones and do not have to take your phone out of your pocket.
An added bonus with this set of Bluetooth earmuffs is that you can answer a phone call without taking them off. This is especially convenient if you need to continue working while you talk.
It also features a rechargeable lithium ion battery which means there is no need to buy additional disposable batteries when the charge runs out.
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The 3M Peltor WS 100 Bluetooth earmuffs (model MT16H21FWS5UM580) are a great option for workers who need to communicate while on the job. In fact, we picked this pair as the best Bluetooth hearing protection for workers who wear a pair of earmuffs every day.
This set of Bluetooth earmuffs amplifies the sounds you want to hear and silences loud noises that could damage your hearing. They allow you to hear what someone else is saying while wearing the headset. They do not have to be speaking through the microphone; you can hear their spoken voice. This is possible through the sound amplification technology.
You can turn the volume up or down depending on how loud you wish to hear outside sounds. You can also hear approaching vehicles with the earmuffs on. It blocks out high decibel sounds, such as machinery and equipment, and amplifies sounds such as speech. The loud noises are silenced because the earmuffs have an output limit of 82 dB. This means the maximum sound that is electronically transmitted through the earmuff is 82 dB.
It includes a boom microphone which allows you to take calls while on the job. You can receive calls without removing the headset. The boom microphone allows you communicate with the person calling. You can receive calls through your phone without taking the headset off.
With the Bluetooth technology, you can also stream audio wirelessly from your phone or other Bluetooth enabled device to the headset. You can listen to internet radio such as Pandora, and other media including podcasts.
Overall, the 3M Peltor WS 100 Bluetooth earmuffs are a great option for workplace Bluetooth hearing protection.
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The 3M Peltor WS Tactical Sport (model MT16H21FWS5U-584) is the best Bluetooth hunting ear protection. They can amplify the sounds around you while help protect you from loud impulse noises such as a gunshot. The maximum sound that enters your ear electronically is 82 dB, or about as loud as a window AC unit. Since a gunshot is much louder than 82 dB, the earmuffs limit the electronic noise to 82 dB. This is not to be confused with the actual sound entering your ear. As with any hearing protection, that is dependent upon the NRR rating. The NRR rating is a standard measure of noise protection for all earmuffs. The NRR rating for this set is 20. If a gunshot is 130 decibels, this set will actually reduce the outside noise to 110 decibels. The maximum NRR rating for earmuffs on the market today is 31 decibels.
If you think you do not need Bluetooth earmuffs for the sole purpose of hunting ear protection, keep in mind that they can serve other purposes as well. You may enjoy listening to music while you mow the yard or are on the job. You may need Bluetooth hearing protection while at a NASCAR race so you can block out the noise of the race and listen to a live stream through your phone. Why buy a separate set? With these you can use them for hunting ear protection as well as other activities where there are loud noises.
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Below is a YouTube video of the 3M Peltor WS Tactical Sport headphones in action:
Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the second most self-reported workplace injury. This injury can be prevented by wearing the proper hearing protection. Exposing yourself to a high decibel noise environment can cause irreversible hearing damage. In fact, for workers, OSHA requires you to wear hearing protection if you are constantly exposed to more than 85 decibels for 8 hours per day. Noise is measured in decibels and the higher the decibel the louder the sound. Decibels are often abbreviated as “dB”.
Anytime you are exposed to a high decibel noise environment, you should wear hearing protection. This includes working with equipment such as a lawn mower, tractor, chainsaw, woodworking equipment, or working in many manufacturing facilities.
According to Purdue University, lawnmower noise is 100 decibels. At 100 decibels serious hearing damage can occur after only 2 hours. Also ranking in at 100 decibels or more are motorcycles, tractors, boat motors, and jackhammers.
Below is a table of noise levels measured in decibels by source.
Source | Noise Level (in dB) |
---|---|
Jet Airplane (100 feet) | 150 |
Gunshot | 130 |
Siren (Threshold of Pain) | 120 |
Lawn Mower | 100 |
City Traffic | 80 |
Vacuum | 70 |
Conversation | 50 |
Mosquito | 40 |
Whisper | 30 |
Rustling Leaves | 10 |
You should consider wearing hearing protection in loud environments for your own well-being. Earmuffs are worth the small price to protect your hearing, and Bluetooth earmuffs can greatly enhance your experience while wearing them. Your hearing is worth protecting!
Hearing protection should be used anytime noise is consistently over 85 decibels. Studies have shown at this level, chronic hearing loss can occur. This is the level where OSHA requires all employees to wear hearing protection when exposed for 8 hours. Below is a chart for OSHA’s permissible noise exposure levels in decibels, by hour.
Noise Level (in dBA) | Exposure Limit |
---|---|
90 | 8.0 hours |
92 | 6.0 hours |
95 | 4.0 hours |
97 | 3.0 hours |
100 | 2.0 hours |
102 | 1.5 hours |
105 | 1.0 hours |
110 | 30 minutes |
115 | 15 minutes |
Here are a few examples of when wearing Bluetooth hearing protection is appropriate:
Most of the electronic earmuffs on the market today are wired earmuffs. However, if you want to connect to your smartphone to listen to internet radio (Pandora, Spotify, etc.), podcasts, audiobooks, etc. you would need to run a physical wire from the device’s output jack to the earmuffs. A physical wire can be very inconvenient and can even be a safety hazard while working.
Bluetooth hearing protection is the answer to this problem. Bluetooth earmuffs are wireless. You can wirelessly connect your phone or Bluetooth enabled MP3 player to the earmuffs. This means no cords to get in the way and reduces the risk of an accident while you are getting work done.
Noise Reduction Rating, or NRR, is a measure of how much noise a piece of hearing protection can eliminate. The highest rated earmuffs available on the market today are 31 NRR and the highest rated earplugs are 33 NRR.
The NRR is important because it is used to determine your “protected exposure” while wearing your Bluetooth earmuffs. The average riding lawnmower emits noise at a rate of 100 decibels. The NRR rating on the 3M WorkTunes Bluetooth Hearing Protection is 24 decibels. This means that your “protected exposure” is 76 decibels (100 – 24 = 76), or about as loud as an office environment.
Bluetooth earmuffs can offer similar hearing protection as other quality earmuffs while enhancing the experience of wearing them. If you enjoy listening to music, talk radio, or sporting events while you work, Bluetooth earmuffs will get the job done. We recommend buying a set. They are worth every penny.
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