3M Pro-Grade Earmuff, Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) 30 dB, Lightweight & Adjustable Ear Muffs, Reduce Pressure Points For All-Day Comfort, Steel Wire Headband With Rubber Overmold Design (90565-4DC-PS)

TL;DR - great at-home earmuffs for adults with auditory sensitivity. Can be worn with earplugs but not AirPods. Disclosure: I bought these for my husband who is ASD and ADHD neurodivergent with hyperacusis. In other words, he’s mildly autistic, has severe ADHD, and is sensitive to sound. Neurodivergence in general and autism in particular are still highly misunderstood, and the stigma associated with “being autistic” is painfully alive and well. My husband is open about his own reality, so I am, too, and I use the terminology he prefers (i.e., being autistic versus having autism). Others have different preferences, though, so if you know someone on the spectrum, please be respectful and follow their lead, especially with regards to disclosure and terminology. Context: Most people seldom notice everyday background noise. My husband, however, is not most people. For him, the incessant barrage of little sounds can be intensely uncomfortable, both mentally and physically, and highly distracting. I picked these up for him to wear when working from home, and they’re now one of his can’t-live-without items. Effectiveness: These do a great job at REDUCING THE INTENSITY OF SOUND, which is what they’re designed to do. To put that in other words, THESE MUFFS ARE NOT NOISE CANCELLING, NOR ARE THEY SUPPOSED TO BE. These are simple barrier ear protection. If you’re not sure what that means, cover your ears with your hands. Yep, that’s all these do - just much more effectively than your hands. True noise cancellation requires creating a sound that negates the other sounds - hence the term “cancellation.” These muffs have no electronic components at all. They don’t need Bluetooth or a charger. You just put them on your head and voila, you’re the living embodiment of the Hear No Evil monkey figurine your grandma had on her mantle, except better because you can still use your hands. So, what effects do these muffs have on sound? -Loud noises like the neighbor’s kids shrieking are muffled enough to be bearable. That alone is enough to make them worth it. -Mid-volume sounds become ambient. If I speak at a normal volume, my husband says it sounds like a TV on in another room. He can understand me if he’s paying attention, but otherwise, it’s just background noise. [Yes, I’m aware that statement opens the door for a flood of jokes - I just don’t care. It’s the easiest way to explain the effect, so I’m rolling with it.] -Low volume ambient sounds like a lawnmower or the click of our dog’s nails on the wood floor are entirely suppressed. Because these muffs provide relief from noise without completely cutting off the outside world, they’re viable for daily use. They can also accommodate earplugs for additional noise reduction, which I’ll touch on more later. Comfort: These are surprisingly comfortable! The whole set is very light despite its bulk, and the cushions are soft and pliable. They’re not hot like over-ear headphones, nor do they put uncomfortable pressure on the head. My husband can even nap in them - sleeping on his back, of course. Size: THE SIZE CANNOT BE ADJUSTED! Not surprising for the price, but still important to note. I’m honestly not certain how to measure something like this, so I’ll try to give a frame of reference: - My husband: adult male, 5’11”, 165 lbs, wears 30x32” pants, 15.5” neck in dress shirts, and size 10.5 shoe - Me: adult female, 5’5”, 125 lbs, wears size 4/6 clothes, 8.5 shoe, 5.5/6 ring I am probably the smallest someone could be and still wear these comfortably. They don’t slip or even rest on the tops of my ears, but they do feel the tiniest bit loose. My husband is clearly in the size range these were intended for because they fit him perfectly. He can still pull one side a significant distance from his head, so they would also work for someone considerably larger than him, though I don’t know the upper limit of the range. Durability: These are industrial/construction earmuffs - the type stereotypically worn by big, sweaty dudes wielding jackhammers. They feel a little flimsy because they’re so lightweight, but I think it would actually take some real effort to break them. Appearance: These are definitely focused on function over form. They’re bulky, highly noticeable, and decidedly unfashionable. Whether that’s actually a problem is up to you. For me, the high visibility is great because I can easily see when I need to get my husband’s attention before speaking. Compatibility: These cannot be worn with AirPods or other earphones with stems. It seems like they should work, but the padding presses on the stem in a way that’s super uncomfortable. That said, they probably can be worn with earphones that sit more fully with the ear because they work with Loop Switch 2 earplugs, which are structurally similar. To sum it all up, are these the absolute best, be-all, end-all, holy grail product for every autistic adult with auditory sensitivity? Probably not. Everyone’s different. They’ve been beyond helpful for my husband, though, so if you’re in a similar boat, I highly recommend giving them a try.

As an unbiased customer who values both comfort and safety, I am delighted to share my experience with the 3M Pro-Grade Noise-Reducing Earmuff in Black. These earmuffs have proven to be a reliable and well-made solution for my noise reduction needs. First and foremost, these earmuffs are incredibly comfortable to wear. I regularly engage in yard work involving loud machinery, including a woodchipper, and the earmuffs effectively bring the noise to a safe and manageable level. I can work for extended periods without any discomfort or strain on my ears, thanks to the thoughtful design and cushioning of the earmuffs. One of the standout features of these earmuffs is their compatibility with glasses or goggles. Many hearing protectors can cause discomfort when worn simultaneously with eyewear, but I have experienced no such issues with the 3M Pro-Grade earmuffs. This convenience allows me to maintain full eye protection while ensuring my hearing is adequately safeguarded. The build quality of these earmuffs is exceptional. They are sturdy and durable, capable of withstanding the demands of regular use. The pads are soft and provide an excellent seal around the ears, effectively blocking out excessive noise. I have conducted extensive research into protective hearing products, and I can confidently say that the 3M Pro-Grade earmuffs have exceeded my expectations. In terms of noise reduction, these earmuffs boast an impressive Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 30 dB. This rating indicates their ability to reduce noise to a safe level, preserving my hearing health while allowing me to engage in loud activities without worry. In conclusion, the 3M Pro-Grade Noise-Reducing Earmuff is a top-notch product that combines comfort, durability, and effective noise reduction. I wholeheartedly recommend these earmuffs to anyone seeking reliable hearing protection. This review is unbiased and based solely on my personal experience and thorough research into protective hearing gear.

high quality and comfortable. block the noise from what wood saw

Update - After using these (one day out of three @ COTA) I would say these are overkill in most situations and very warm if the outdoor temps are high to start with. They might be fine for NASCAR, but that's a "horse of a different color." WEC, my experience ... cheaper "earplugs" will suffice. If you are wanting extreme decibel reduction this is your ear protection. What follows was my evaluation before using them for a WEC race. Starting with the cons: They pretty tight, the ear cushions aren't as comfy as I'd prefer. Yes, they're a bit heavy. Yes, they will feel warmer in the late summer heat than I'd prefer. The cushion that surrounds the ear is not soft material . My ears are average size and fit inside but if you've got larger than normal ears, they may not be big enough. The way they look with them on your head, because of their large size is, "clunky." You aren't purchasing these with a concern for fashion/appearance. Pros: I have a powerful leaf blower that provided the perfect test of sound deadening. With 3 speed levels, levels 2 and 3 put out a very loud noise. With these on my ears when using the blower, level one is almost totally diminished - very faint, levels 2 and 3 only a little louder. There is a noticeable improvement in the amount of noise getting to your ears. Also, as I was getting ready for the test, a helicopter was passing nearby putting out a loud whop-whop. I put these over my ears thinking that distinctive noise may be the proof I need. Indeed, it worked as advertised because the helicopter's noise pretty much disappeared altogether. If the leaf blower sound was a 5 (loudest) before putting them on, it was a .5 (soft) with them on, almost as if the sound totally disappeared. I will be curious to see how they work for 3-day car races at COTA in Austin. I may come back to edit this (to a 5 star?) because I only wore these for 10-15 mins, and not for an hour +. I can wear them under my wide brimmed sun hat. That's probably because the hat doesn't fit on my head overly tight, so there's just enough space to accommodate the head strap. Conclusions: If you have a big head, (hat size) I don't know if these can be stretched as some have claimed here in the reviews, so you're taking a chance. There are minimal vertical adjustments. The Head strap (horizontally) is not adjustable. With gaps provided in the head strap, it may be cooler than other brands, but I've not used ones like this before for a comparison. They do the job without question and in the worst-case scenario I will have a pair of foam ear canal inserts to add for extra protection. I'd say that they are worth the money and to eliminate the cons I have mentioned you probably would need to spend a lot more money.

Excellent product. Work great at the range. Fit comfortable over my big head and ears. Delivered when promised.

I have Tinnitus and experience constant ringing in my ears. I always use hearing protection while using yard maintenance equipment or vacuuming or power tools. As a result I am always looking for good protection products. These ear muffs check all the boxes. Comfy, covers my big ears 👂 quiets the outside world 🌎 and the new open design head band doesn’t get as hot as the old design.

These work REALLY well in reducing construction noise such as circular saws, nail guns, etc. Our only caution is that they squeeze your head pretty tightly; but that seems unavoidable if you want really want truly effective noise blocking.

These earmuffs have a number of features lacking in comparable products. I'm using them because of the 100 dB + noise coming from my neighboor's construction project. There's plenty of room to wear airpods or other earbuds inside the ear and these will fit over them easily and comfortably. Although collapsible, they're easy to extend and put on over your ears. At 34 NRR, they're also about the highest protection you can get. I tried 2-3 different models, and these are by far the best. In addition, 3M is a reputable company that makes quality products, so you don't need to worry about having bought just another knock-off. And the price is very affordable.