Turning up the volume on hearing protection

On any building site, alongside the clang of metal and the whirr of saws, there’s another constant: music. But for tradies, there’s a problem. They can either protect their hearing from construction sounds or enjoy their favourite tunes. Enter Mufftech: the Bluetooth earmuffs that do it all. 

Mufftech founder Simon Stone is a licensed builder with over a decade of experience on construction sites. He’s also an avid music lover who knows just how much good music can change the mood on site. “Having the right soundtrack can transform the experience from something you’re just enduring into something more energised and engaging,” he says.   

Over the years, Simon struggled to find earmuffs that ticked every box. “Too often I was faced with trade-offs: not robust enough for the job site, uncomfortable after a few hours, or poor sound quality”. He couldn’t find a pair that had the perfect mix, so he created them.   

Mufftech earmuffs let wearers enjoy their favourite tunes, take business calls with ease, and stay protected from hazardous noise. Simon worked closely with tradies in New Zealand and Australia to fine-tune every detail. They’re built to withstand the tough construction environment and are sweat and weather-resistant. The fit is comfortable for all-day wear, even with safety glasses and hard hats. A long-lasting battery ensures the sound stays crisp from clock-on to knock-off.   

“We designed hearing protection people wanted to wear, not just had to wear,” says Simon.   

Since first launching in 2023, Mufftech has significantly grown its retail presence across New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and the UK. More recently, Mufftech has worked with WellingtonNZ to support this expansion. “It can be a pretty lonely road starting a business. [The WellingtonNZ team] helped us connect with industry partners and key players, which has definitely accelerated our growth trajectory,” says Simon. 

In June 2025, Mufftech was named a finalist in the Best Emerging Business category at the ExportNZ ASB Central Region Export Awards. This is a real thrill for Simon. “It’s been rewarding to see Mufftech grow from a local solution to something with international recognition.” Looking ahead, there are big plans for Mufftech. North America and Europe are the next key targets to turn the company into a global name. He also hopes to expand the product line, focusing on earmuffs designed for extremely high-risk environments. 

The long-term goal is to position Mufftech as the leading hearing protection solution across construction, agriculture, manufacturing, and even recreational sectors. Simon isn’t stopping there — he’s working on incorporating new tech to shake up the hearing protection market even further. “We believe this could be a game changer,” he says, hinting at exciting developments to come.