[Horoscope Fish]

If you want some really good earmuffs I can't say enough about a pair of Peltor 10's or H10A's

Both are cheap (~$20), comfortable and very effective.

 

[Horoscope Fish]

How does the ratings on these ear muff's work the higher the number the better the protection? Can someone explain it to me I would really appreciate it.?

Understanding decibels involves some pretty complex math (read: way over my head) but here's a simple explanation taken from How Stuff Works that puts it into perspective without all the head-scratching:

On the decibel scale the smallest audible sound (near total silence) is 0 dB. A sound 10 times more powerful is 10 dB. A sound 100 times more powerful than near total silence is 20 dB. A sound 1,000 times more powerful than near total silence is 30 dB. Here are some common sounds and their decibel ratings:

• Near total silence - 0 dB
• A whisper - 15 dB
• Normal conversation - 60 dB
• A lawnmower - 90 dB
• A car horn - 110 dB
• A rock concert or a jet engine - 120 dB
• A gunshot or firecracker - 140 dB

You know from your own experience that distance affects the intensity of sound -- if you are far away, the power is greatly diminished. All of the ratings above are taken while standing near the sound. Any sound above 85 dB can cause hearing loss, and the loss is related both to the power of the sound as well as the length of exposure. You know that you are listening to an 85-dB sound if you have to raise your voice to be heard by somebody else. Eight hours of 90-dB sound can cause damage to your ears; any exposure to 140-dB sound causes immediate damage (and causes actual pain).