At very high levels of noise the sound transmits right through the bone structures and you go deaf.
So the answer to the original [poorly stated question] which is better? is NEITHER!
Reworded to at some range/type of noise, which is better? Now that's a good question.
I've used foam for many years with never a problem but I have a friend that was told by his doctor that he damaged his eardrum with the foam plugs. Apparently the plug(s) created an airtight seal in his ear and when he pulled it\them out the vacuum damaged his ear drum. I wasn't there and am only repeating what he told me.
Someone gave me these orange foam plugs. They seem to cut 12-15 dB, or cut down the sound less than 1/2 . Ok for cutting the lawn, but hardly enough to eliminate sounds. Open cell foam, so you don't screw up.
Greg
If they cut the sound by 12 to 25 dB that is about 10 to 300 times. 3 dB will cut the sound in half. the dB is a log scale.
Maybe not, but I'm hoping to fall asleep. If it werent' for the claustrophobia, I'm sure I could ignore the noise. the small space, the noise, the instruction not to move combined are a problem.
Anyhow, I brought my own foam ear protectors and my own face mask, and the face mask wasnt' as cheap as I remembered, (two elastic bands and plenty srong) so I used than so they didn't have to waste theirs, but I took the ear plugs becacuse people here said they ge old and hers were new.
With the foam in place correctly, I had a hard time hearing what she was saying. She had to come closer and face me. (I think everyone read lips a little bit.)
I used only one thin pillow so my face as far as possible from the top, and most importantly I avoided looking at the machine and I didn't take the mask off even a bit aftrer i lay down, when there was nothing above me. I felt the table move, but it seemed like only 6 inchesf. It must have been a very quiet table.
So not knowing I was in the tunnel was a big help. It was also more open than the other open one totally open to my left, from under by back to at least 30" high. I think the ring was a lot shorter too. More liek a real doughtnut than the tub toilet paper comes wrapped on. Which means easier to get out. I've also lost 20 pounds so I'm more agile and can lift myself more easily. (90 more pounds to go.)
She gave me a hand-held buzzer so I wouldn't have to screeam like last time.
At about 40 minutes she wanted to know something, I forget and said it was only going to take 20 more minutes. I think I really did fall asleep for that part.
Strangely, though I didnt complain, the someone (the doctor?) chaned the instructions on the piills from 90 minute in advance to 60. Then they delatyed me further by saying the test would start late. I finally found out how much late. 5 minutes. I said i need 60 minutes or the pills to work, like the doctor wrote on the instructions. She said< No you don't. They work fasther than that. Who to believe.
I hope this is the last ime.
Uh - huh.
The foam is comfortable and convenient. Sometimes at 65MPH with the top down I use it because wind noise is bad. Below 60 the wind noise isn't bad.
No. 3dB cuts sound less than 1/2 . DB is power. It takes 10dB increase to make sound twice as loud, which actually converts to about 3 times the intensity expressed in volts , because thats how the ear responds. It's not all that simple, because of various levels and frequency, thus the Fletcher monson curves.
Greg
An airplane doesn't seem that loud inside, but when I started using ear plugs or earbuds air travel became FAR more comfortable.
i used to try all sorts of ear plugs
now, i just use Cotton Balls, or half cotton balls,
and the head phone things, that shooters use, if i need extra protection
marc
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