earmuffs

[thecfarm]

Wife needs something while she is mowing.
She does not want to listen to music.
Just a pair of earmuffs to deaden the noise.

[Magicman]

No muff help from me.  We both wear earplugs. LINK  This is the same earplugs that I wear sawmilling.

[Southside]

I prefer the style where the band goes behind your head instead of over it, makes wearing a hat comfortable. 

[Stephen1]

I have a pair that is nice foam, and I can listen to the music when no one is around. I am looking for something like what SS said so I can wear a wide brim hat. 

[doc henderson]

I have a variety of hearing protection.  many made by 3M.  I do have two that can Bluetooth to my phone and play music and let me answer my phone.  It also blunts gun shots, or sudden loud noises, but can amplify voice. 

[SawyerTed]

The 3M Peltor series offers up to 30 db noise reduction.   They are commonly available in both over the head and behind the head style.  

Be wary of bargain brands, the noise reduction rating is not always accurate.  23 db reduction is common in the lesser brands and consumer versions.  23 is sufficient for most mowing and residential/light industrial.

More noise reduction is better, less noise related fatigue for longer duration.  

Ear plugs aren't as hot and sweaty for me.   Noting the noise reduction of the ear plugs is important as well.  Not all are created equal.  

[Old Greenhorn]

My philosophy is this may (probably?) be wrong but at my age, as my hearing is still pretty good, I am just looking to take off the loud, sharp, damaging peaks in the sound wave, not block it all out. SO I don't get real picky, besides I only wear them for long periods at the sawmill. Shop work is usually short duration. I keep pairs of muffs hanging all over in a variety of brands including 3m and peltor.. I don't like the distraction of music when I am working, except running the log splitter.
 I stopped using plugs almost 2 years ago because of outer/inner ear infection issues. I may try them again now that it's been a while. I like muffs because they are easy on and off. I do not like muffs in the heat, the sweat can make the slide around. Also, they are not as effective with safety glasses on.
 Mostly it seems I use the cheapos from HF because I have a pairs hanging all over. I have a pair in the Mule, in the truck, hanging on the splitter, and various places in the shop. The band on those goes over the top or will swing down around the back of the neck. If I do it right, that band will hook over the adjustment knob on my hard hat and hooks in. This keeps the muffs up and the hat on when things get sweaty.
 YMMV, get what works.