noise canceling headphones

[urbpan]

I'm going to spend some time working in a cage with 400 budgies (parakeets).  I'm going to need ear protection.  Have you ever used noise-canceling headphones?  Would they even work in this situation?  Do they need to be plugged into something?

Edit: I'm fairly certain I'm just going to buy industrial earmuffs, like they use on construction sites and gun ranges.  It seems like they cost about 20 bucks.  But if you know anything about noise canceling headphones, I'm still interested.

Comments

[antarcticlust.livejournal.com]

I have a pair of Panasonic noise-cancelling headphones, and they require a battery but do not need to be plugged in or playing music in order to reduce noise. I'm not sure how well they'd work if if they'd be appropriate in that situation, unless you wanted to listen to music...but they're a lot more expensive ($100-200+) depending on the brand. I love my Panasonics so far, even though everyone raves about Bose. They seem comparable for slightly less.

[ruthling.livejournal.com]

are you remaking Barbarella?

If not, how does one get to be in a cage with that many budgies?

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

"get to be?" I've been dreading it for months!

We're making one of these:

[ruthling.livejournal.com]

ah, so you're doing that with budgies instead of lories? I still think it would be fun, but I heart birds. And the beaks aren't big enough to take off a finger or an eye or anything.

[wulfsbane.livejournal.com]

I'd see if you could get a reading of the dB in the budgie area. Some noise-canceling headphones are rated better than others, and some that are labeled "noise canceling" actually only prevent the music from going anywhere but your ear, thus canceling others from hearing your music.

[squire-jons.livejournal.com]

I share a room with ONE parakeet, I don't think any noise canceling headphone will save you from 400 of them.

IF you do, lean towards the full, closedearmuff kind that will use both noise reduction circuitry and a good seal around the ear to reduce noise.

[propaddict.livejournal.com]

The Bose ginormous full ear muff-style ones are hands down the best. And they don't need to be plugged in to work. They are seriously overpriced, though.

The Sony ones work well, but I find them to be very fragile. Still, a lot of $$.

In terms of a cost/performance ratio: the Phillips ones are the best. Mine were something akin to $40 and have lasted 3 years. My daughter likes to wear them when we go places that have bands because the music is usually too loud for her tender ears.

That said, I don't know that this is what you need. You're thoughts on some shooter's muffs seem better for this application. And to present the hybridized bastard child of all the options: electronic noise-canceling shooter's muffs are the best. They'll run you anywhere from $60 to $200, but they are made for attenuating really frickin' loud noises. You can easily slide in a pair of foam ear plugs under them, too, if it's really THAT loud.

One comes with the added bonus of being able to listen to music after or even while working. The other just gives you the option of being able to let loose some magnum hollowpoint fury on some paper targets, which may play into your calculus here.

[perspicuity.livejournal.com]

the bose are verah nice. these aren't so bad either, i've pointed several people at them, no complaints:
http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/relxnocahe.html

yah, for the over ear muffs, shooting style is best (more range, but the $20 home despot fold variety are pretty good, and can be used for vacuuming at home too. if i want more quiet, i also wear earplugs, that gives you a touch more protection (dBs don't add, pesky fellows)

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[pipu.livejournal.com]

I HIGHLY recommend the shooting-range style ear protection. That's what I used in college (in the foundry/metal shop) and I loved them. The ones I had said "MAGNUM" and had a picture of a gun on the side.

[vampyrusgirl.livejournal.com]

We have a big pair of headphones that people - er, one person - uses around the macaws sometimes. Not sure if Franklin has a pair floating around. Check with BW, maybe?

[ndozo.livejournal.com]

Do you have to wear breathing protection as well? If I was ran a noise-canceling-headphone company, I'd give you a set for free so I could use the in a commercial. I hope you'll take a video with sound.

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

I don't expect that I'll have to wear breathing protection, but I bet that I'll have to wear a surgical mask. I can make a video but it will have to be limited audience only.

[nypunkeer.livejournal.com]

Hi there. I'm Jared. I've been lurking for a while, enjoying your journal. I have no clue how I got to it, I think it was when I was searching for information on a plant species that you had profiled, and I was struck by your view of the world and life, etc., all that.
Anywho, if I may weigh in, go with either earmuffs for an industrial setting or shooting headgear. Both should have listed at what decibels they protect up to, and what they effectively lower the volume to (which is usually something around 20-30 db. They are by far the most economical option.
You can also do something like this with them, (http://www.metacafe.com/watch/548578/headphone_hack_make_you_own_noise_eliminating_headset/). Have not done it myself, though.

[tabort.livejournal.com]

Noise canceling headphones are great but the technology is still evolving. They work best with constant, low frequency sound. Budgies are the exact opposite. I doubt even the best noise canceling head phones would do much for the short high pitch chirp of a budgie.

I've worked in high noise environments quite a bit and I prefer the in the ear foam earplugs. But over the ear earmuff work great too.