AO Safety 3M Tekk 90541 WorkTunes AM FM Hearing Protector with Digital Tuning and MP3 Input by AO Safety

Protect your ears while keeping yourself motivated at your job site with your favorite tunes or radio programming with the AO Safety 90541 WorkTunes with digital tuning hearing protector, which includes an integrated AM/FM radio and a stereo input jack for connecting an MP3 player. A great choice for use on construction sites (check your local regulations), in your workshop, or in your yard while mowing or blowing, the WorkTunes hearing protector offers an EPA noise reduction rating of 22 decibels.

The lightweight gel/foam ear cushions offer comfort for extended wear.

You'll enjoy convenient, comfortable hearing protection from the WorkTunes headset, which features lightweight gel/foam cushions that feel great even after wearing for an entire day, an adjustable stainless steel headband with padded top. Hearing protectors are recommended whenever you encounter extended periods of sound levels regularly exceeding 85 dBA--essentially, a level of noise where you feel the need to shout in order to be heard by someone just 3-feet away (see a chart showing typical sound levels).

The radio and its controls are housed in one cup, and you'll be able to quickly tune to your desired AM or FM radio stations with the easily accessible seek/scan tuning buttons. Reception strength may vary depending upon location. You can also save up to 10-preset stations with a dedicated key that sits below the LCD screen, which offers a large-sized display of the radio frequency. Other controls include a combined on/off/volume control and a toggle button that switches between AM and FM radio. The LCD screen also offers a low battery indicator (see a larger schematic image of all controls).

You can also connect an optional MP3 player (such as an Apple iPod), CD player or other portable devices such as a scanner via the stereo input jack (35.mm male-to-male cable not included). Additionally, the WorkTunes headset protects your hearing from both the external environment and the music you're listening to thanks to a volume control limiter that tops out at 85 dB.

The radio and digital input are powered by 2 AA batteries (not included), which provide approximately 140 hours of operating time.

The WorkTunes hearing protector combines an AM/FM radio with digital input for connecting your MP3 player (see larger schematic image).

Owner Reviews, Ratings, Comments and Criticism
I tune and rebuild pianos as a hobby, so you can imagine how much I value my hearing. I never even swing a hammer without hearing protection, so I have a pair of earmuffs on pretty much all the time while in the shop. Of course, I also love music. Since I got the Worktunes headphones, I can listen to my music clearly without having to blast it over the sounds of power equipment. Pros: Digital tuning. Memory presets. Lasts 2 solid days on AA batteries when listening to the radio. Pretty durable. Great reception in rural areas (as good as can be expected from an antenna of this size). Speaker sound quality and dynamic range from an external MP3 player is excellent - much better than I expected. Cons: In cities and areas of strong signals, the receiver frontend saturates easily and you will hear several stations poorly at once (intermodulation). This is a common problem for many simple FM receivers. The volume knob doesn't function for the MP3 input... it would be nice if I could change the volume of my music without fidgeting with the MP3 player. This also means that the MP3 input bypasses the amplification circuitry. The power for sound comes from your tiny MP3 player's battery rather than the cheap robust AA batteries in the headphones. That was poor engineering, as it would have been very easy to pipe in the input through the audio amp - sparing the tiny MP3 battery and utilizing the volume knob. In fact, I will modify the input in this manner very soon. With the radio and the noise reduction, you really can't hear a darn thing that is going on. That could be good and bad. Someone could be robbing your shop in a bulldozer and you'd never know it. Two people have already snuck up on me while wearing these. Be aware of your security. I would not recommend using these while working in a bad neighborhood, or in a situation where a partner will be depending on you to hear screams for help. Summary: For the price, don't expect anything perfect. The radio problem is minor and common. The noise reduction is excellent. This product exceeded my expectations. If I break these, I will gladly buy another pair. I don't know how I lived without them!