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Cough-Quieting Devices - Page 1, 2, 3, 4
Cough Muffler vs. Silencer
Here's a brief overall comparison between the two...
Function
Cough Muffler - quieter, directs air back into user's face.
Silencer - expels air away from user, and a "blowing" noise can be heard.
Ease of use
Cough Muffler - larger mouthpiece, greater airflow.
Silencer - smaller mouthpiece, more restrictive airflow (usually only noticeable with more violent coughs).
Cleaning
Cough Muffler- comes apart easily, requires a wash or replacement of the filter, which must be dry to reassemble.
Silencer - comes apart easily, toss out cottonballs and replace, baffled portion comes apart for easy cleaning.
Convenience
Cough Muffler - bulkier, no neck cord, requires good-sized pocket.
Silencer- less bulky, includes removable neck cord, will fit in smaller pocket.
Quality
Both the Cough Muffler and the Silencer are well-made of sturdy black plastic, with a satin finish to minimize reflections. If I had to choose one based on its design, I'd opt for the Silencer, because I prefer the way the cap screws on, rather than relying on friction to hold it together... but it's a close match on quality. Neither package tells me where the product is manufactured... the Silencer package proclaims, "It's Guaranteed!" but doesn't give details.
(Photo by Russ Chastain, world rights reserved)
Overall, it's a pretty tough decision. This product idea is a great one, and I plan to tote one of these with me in the woods from now on. For ease of carrying and cleaning, and a more refined product, the Silencer's the apparent choice. For more thorough silencing of coughs and the increased volume of airflow, I'd lean toward the Cough Muffler. In the end, it's up to you... but I hope I helped make the choosing easier. Be sure to tell them you read about it on About.com's Hunting & Shooting site.
-Russ Chastain
