HS2018 Noise-Cancelling Earmuffs

HS2018 Noise-Cancelling Earmuffs

These passive HS2018 noise-cancelling earmuffs in red block out ambient sound and protect your hearing from noise. At Strefa Kostek we've put them among our blindfold accessories, because silence usually helps more in blindfolded solving than in any other event. The earmuffs have no electronics and no batteries. Just put them on and they work right away.

How they help a cuber

In blindfolded solving, the biggest challenge is memo. A conversation behind you, a cheer after a record at the next station or announcements from the judges are all it takes to lose part of your memorized sequence. The earmuffs reduce these distractions, so it's easier to focus on the letters or images in your memory. The same goes for the execution, when you're counting the remaining targets and don't want anything to throw you off.

They also come in handy beyond 3BLD:

• in multi blind and 4BLD/5BLD, where memo takes a long time and distractions add up,
• in FMC, when you spend an hour looking for a solution on paper,
• when practicing at home with the TV on or family members talking nearby,
• at competitions, while waiting for your group in a noisy venue.

At WCA competitions

The WCA Regulations allow hearing protection without electronic components during solving, and the HS2018 earmuffs are fully passive. Still, check the current version of the Regulations before a competition, as the rules change from time to time, and if in doubt, ask the Delegate.

What to expect

These are simple, lightweight earmuffs weighing approx. 111 g. They don't silence everything completely, but they noticeably muffle background chatter and conversations, so it's much harder to distract you. The voice of someone standing right next to you may still be audible, which can even be useful at competitions. If you need stronger noise reduction, you can wear the earmuffs over earplugs. For blindfolded solving, they pair well with a comfortable sleep mask.

Specifications

• Type: passive noise-cancelling earmuffs with a headband
• Model: HS2018
• Colour: red
• Weight: approx. 111 g
• Power: none (no electronics)