Ear protection
 

Sean, who is my new son-in-law will be attending the Gators with my daughter Ashley and their 18 month son Logan. Only Ashley has national event experience and knows what a pain ear plugs are to contend with. There is no way Logan is going to contend with them. So, what is the best type of ear muff protection for Logan. Brand names, quality, effectiveness?

As a side note I would like to thank all the people who kind of accepted Sean into the racing community at the last two divisionals.

He is also Billy Nees "approved" Now that will get him some noteriety.

Ron Ortiz
U/SA what, I can't hear you.

Re: Ear protection
 

Ron,
The simple truth is very young children do not belong at national events. It is almost impossible to protect them 100% of the time and all it takes is one loud noise spike to permanently damage their hearing. The loud noise adversely effects the soft and still forming inner ear of infants and children. Damage can range from hearing loss and speech impediments to brain damage. It drives me crazy to see a parent holding an infant or a child near the fence; especially when the pros are running.

A few years ago I sent several return receipt letters to nhra and asked them to put up some signs to warn unsuspecting parents as they entered the track. nhra would not respond.

There are many well intentioned parents who think there will be no permanent damage to their children, however, it may not show up until years later. Why take the chance?

Re: Ear protection
 

Ron: I have had two grandsons attend national events with ear muffs. I do not know the brand names; however, I do know that they both were able to attend the races and did wear them. Two sets came from Harbor Freight, one got broken by and adult and the next set came from the sporting goods section (hunting) of the Walmart. One grandson is now 11 years old and my second grandson, who still uses his, is now 3 years old. The little guy can go to the track and enjoy it, just takes some coordination.

Have fun at the races, there is nothing like three generations of a family out to enjoy the drag races.

Re: Ear protection
 

Ron---make sure you get something that has a high number of Decible protection and also is adjustable to fit the person wearing it----Now the problem comes in with trying to rationalize with a 2 year old about anything much less keeping his earmuffs on---A combo of the earmuffs and a parent holding them in place when near a running car usually(sometimes) will solve the problem---U gonna be at the Gators ??? I talked to you a little while back about buying property in Englewood/North Port Remember me??? LOst Don Himes # I see he is entered will be at the Gators--Comp 387

Re: Ear protection
 

ron my kids go to the track with me all the time,i have a 6 and a 3 yr old.i found at bass pro shops has in the hunting section a combo set of safety glasses and ear muffs for smaller kids.the set fit's my 3 yr old and has fit him very well since he was about 18 month's old also.cabella's should have a setup similar also,if you have any of these around you,if not i also found this kind of earmuffs at a gun supply shop.hope this helps.

Re: Ear protection
 

Ron, If you are going to a national event, they sell them at the NHRA souvenier trailer and the Nitro Mall. I'm not sure about the divisionals. but I know for sure at the nationals.

Re: Ear protection
 

When my son was a little shaver(2 yrs old),I used silicone swimmers ear plugs and a pair of shooters earmuffs from Sports Authority at the same time.He never had a problem with either and actually slept in his stroller whe Top Fuel was running.

Re: Ear protection
 

Great suggestions on safety glasses and ear protection. Ear plugs won't work for young children. But some kind of ear protection is definitely needed, or the kids will grow up like me, and walk around saying "What?", "didn't hear you" a whole lot of the time.

Not hearing as well does have it's advantages though, as even when you do hear, you can pretend you don't and ignore what you didn't want to hear in the first place...

David
________
Maruti Suzuki Specifications

Re: Ear protection
 

Ron,
I have a pair of these for both my kids who were hanging out at our local track with me since they were infants.
http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/ejuearmu.html
Hope this helps.

Re: Ear protection
 

Boy, is he in a world of trouble. :)

Re: Ear protection
 

Ron,

I have a pair of hearing protector, brand name Aeciro Peltor, made in
Sweden.

Art# H10A These are called Hearing Protector twin cup headband

The noise reduction rating is 29 decibels.

I used these when I still worked for a scrap metal company and we ran
a scredding machine that had a decibel level of around 100 or more.

My wife now uses this when I take her to the races.

Re: Ear protection
 

The most important part is to have the ear muffs so as to cover as much around the outer area of the ear. Also having ear plugs and ear muffs the decible rating is not an additive number. It would be best to use both plugs and muffs, that will give the best protection. A gun supply would be the best place to go.

Sean

Re: Ear protection
 

Ron, Sean is by far one of your best picks for a crew member,(next to Cindy of course) but in the way of grand kids my son brought my 18 mth old to Dallas for national .We went to bleachers to see top fuel and funnycars. Coolest think they tuaght him" EAR MUFFS" when dad said ear muffs Preston covered his ears with his hands to muffle sound. I just thought that was trick no expense! and my thought is if I had not been to Nationals when I was A KID LOL! HOW WOULD I HAVE TURNED OUT! No helmet on my bike, no carseat ,no liscense at 15 driving on the road,and no seatbelt. oh never mind you get the point

Re: Ear protection
 

Thanks to all for the information as it has led my wife Cindy to start looking heavily on the net, going to various sites from NASA to Al-Anabi Racing. We are going to use military style Pro Ears Ultra 33 they have the highest decible rating of 33 and are lightweight. Additionally Logan is going to have ear plugs Combat Arms Ear Plugs, 22 decible rating and has dual features allowing conversation to be heard but blocks out loud noises. We found these items at the Cabellas site.

Cody, I would purchase them from the NHRA, I just do not want to pay the extra 100% markup to NHRA, they already got me for entry and a surcharge (entertainment fee)

I suggested a Bell Diving suit that way he would be protected from noise and would be pretty much stationary avoiding race traffic. Wife did not go along with it though.

Charlie_S. Sean might be in trouble for now but sooner or later he is going to turn Billy into a much friendlier person.

Bruce, I understand your point perfectly. We will protect him thoroughly. Again, thank you all very much.

Ron Ortiz
U/SA I can hear clearly now