Bluetooth ear protection is one of the aspects of lawn care and landscaping that I look forward to most; yes, it's a necessity for hearing health, but noise isolation is something I enjoy more than I'd like to admit, especially on those weeks when I'm hours behind on my podcast lineup. The latest innovation from 3M—the WorkTunes™ Connect + Solar Hearing Protector—takes the Bluetooth ear protection I love one step further.
"Protecting your hearing is an important aspect of personal safety - once you lose it you can’t get it back," reminds Jason Lunn, Application Engineering Advanced Specialist, 3M. "Prolonged exposure to noises over 85 dB can cause hearing damage. Hazardous loud noise can come from things like lawn mowers, snowblowers, and other power tools. With the 3M™ Worktunes™ Connect + Solar, you can help protect your hearing from hazardous noises, and still be entertained with music, podcasts or even take calls while you’re getting that outdoor work done."
So, what sets this hearing protector apart? It's the first of its kind to feature solar-powered charging, thanks to Powerfoyle™ solar cell technology. With continuous charging from both indoor and outdoor light, you can say goodbye to battery anxiety and focus on what really matters: getting the job done while keeping your hearing safe.
Solar-Powered Convenience
"A great aspect of the new 3M™ Worktunes™ Connect + Solar is the flexible Powerfoyle™ solar cell that charges the lithium-ion battery continuously in outdoor or indoor light," highlights Lunn. "This means you can work as long as you want and not need to stop and charge your hearing protector mid-project." Unlike traditional hearing protectors that rely on frequent battery changes or plug-in charging, this headset stays powered as long as there's light—whether you're indoors or outside. The integrated Powerfoyle technology captures energy from any light source, allowing the built-in lithium-ion battery to charge continuously.
This is a game-changer for people who spend long hours in noisy environments, like job sites or even home improvement projects. No need to worry about the battery dying in the middle of your workday. With virtually unlimited power, you can enjoy hours of music streaming, phone calls, and hearing protection without interruptions.
Protecting Your Hearing
Products like wireless earbuds don't always cut it; we like them for desk work, but not for hours spent mowing the lawn. Hearing loss over time due to exposure to noise is more common than you might think. In fact, Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is entirely preventable if you use the right protective equipment. The 3M WorkTunes Connect + Solar Hearing Protector has a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 26 dB, which significantly lowers the risk of hearing damage in noisy environments.
If you're regularly exposed to sound levels above 85 dB—whether you're working with loud equipment on the job or using power tools at home—this headset provides reliable protection. It's designed to reduce harmful environmental noise while allowing you to enjoy other activities, like streaming music or making phone calls, thanks to its Bluetooth connectivity.
Comfort, Entertainment, Productivity
Of course, protecting your hearing is essential, but 3M also knows that other factors matter too. (They might not have realized how much I rely on my Bluetooth noise-canceling headphones for productivity.) This headset isn't just functional—it’s also designed with maximum comfort in mind. The ear cushions are soft and conformable, making it easy to wear for hours at a time without discomfort. Plus, the headset is water and sweat-resistant; if you've ever worn ear protection for eight straight hours on a 90-degree day, you'll know how important that is.
The built-in microphone also allows for clear phone calls, even in noisy environments, thanks to intelligent background noise reduction. Whether you're calling a colleague from the job site or being summoned by your kid from inside the house, you won’t have to remove the headset to stay connected.
