PRO Aware

I've got a set of earbuds that function in industrial environments as noise cancelling earbuds, and also have some innate sound blocking in the ear fitting. Isotunes. Not terribly expensive, and makes a table saw sounds like a slightly noisy dishwasher. They also have models that will allow direct conversation to filter through. So, 25 db sound blocking of sm isn't nonsense, but when someone comes up and talks directly to you it comes through with only partial deadening. Enough to get your attention. The other thing to consider is actually trying to solve the problem. Find other folks who have similar concerns, bring it up at a staff meeting, if you have the right kind of environment for that discussion. I've definitely had direct conversations with folks while I'm talking to a customer. Getting someone to eat their fucking apple quietly might be a bit of a challenge.

I use ISOtunes pro and ISOtunes aware earbuds because they are the only ones I’ve found that I can have in/on my ears for more than 2 hours without my ears hurting. They do a great job with decibel reduction but the quality for music isn’t great. I don’t care about great music quality, I’m working and the music isn’t background noise not something I’m actively listening too. The batter life is good, their customer service is good, and I really like that the aware ones work to filter sounds so you can hear people talking. Everyone has their opinion and mine is that I’ll actually wear ISO tunes for hours which helps me not just start using a tool “just for a quick cut” without hearing protection.

I use ISOtunes pro and ISOtunes aware earbuds because they are the only ones I’ve found that I can have in/on my ears for more than 2 hours without my ears hurting. They do a great job with decibel reduction but the quality for music isn’t great. I don’t care about great music quality, I’m working and the music isn’t background noise not something I’m actively listening too. The batter life is good, their customer service is good, and I really like that the aware ones work to filter sounds so you can hear people talking. Everyone has their opinion and mine is that I’ll actually wear ISO tunes for hours which helps me not just start using a tool “just for a quick cut” without hearing protection.

For the price of airpods, you can get isotunes.  The aware models are osha approved hearing protection and have pass-through. 

Isotunes has ANSI-rated buds that can do that, and provide better protection. I used isotunes Aware at work for a while, and they were fantastic.

I use ISOtunes Pro earphones. I’m quite happy with both the noise reduction capability and the sound quality. Not an audiophile, so it probably depends on your standards.

The downside of over the ear pro is that if used with safety glasses (you are using safety glasses, aren’t you?), sound will “leak” in around the glasses arms. I have a pair of ISOtunes Pros that work very well for noise cancelling (passive), and are fairly comfortable as well. They are passive noise cancelling though, so if you want to have a normal conversation you will need to take them out.

Loved my isotunes, up until I changed my phone and they didn't connect anymore.