> I find that ear plugs not only help protect your hearing from sound or crap
> getting in there but also lets you tune out a lot of background noise and
> concentrate on listening for engine knocks or air leaks.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for mentioning this.
The noise-filtering ability is a very under-appreciated value of earplugs, and one that I rely on constantly whether in a boiler room, where I can hear someone close talking to me without him having to yell (try convincing someone without plugs of that, though), or driving The Beast, where one can then hear other road or vehicle noises over the engine roar.
I get a certain amount of ribbing from some older steamfitters on the job for always carrying plugs with me and USING them frequently. I have a pretty high threshold of pain in general, but a very low one for loud noises, which are extremely painful for me. Been that way all my life. Plus, I'm also a musician, so most of my enjoyment in life and a certain amount of income comes from my hearing.
Once it's gone, it's GONE. You don't 'get used to' loud noises.
I'm the second youngest (40) on our mechanical service crew, and the only one who can still hear small leaks in pneumatic controls. I can also usually tell the difference between a pnemo leak and air hissing from a breach in the ductwork by the difference in high frequencies.
I do a little oxyacetylene welding on occasion, and ear plugs help cut the roar of the gas through a large tip orifice, which can drive you crazy on short order. I always wore them when stick welding, too, between the spark factor (OOOOOUCH!) and definitely needed them when switching from welding to grinding.
Use your PPE. Protect your eyes; protect your ears; protect your hands; protect yourself. Work and life in general is a heck of a lot harder without any one of them.
Regards,
Brian