Do I need plugs and muffs? When would I need them? Who makes the best non electronic muffs?

Yes, every time you shoot it. Most soft plugs are adequate and muffs are even better.

I see patients every day with hearing loss, it is not something you want.

If you are shooting a 460 or 500, doubling up on hearing protection will save your hearing and a headache.

I don't know who makes the best but go to some of the big shooters supply sites and see which ones have the highest dB reductions.

Good Luck.

GREAT ADVICE..

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

I use softies and muffs and taught my kids to do the same whenever shooting anything louder than a water gun.

EVERY TIME !! Shooting, music, chainsaw lawn mower, etc. Protect your ears like you would your eyes. When you lose it you can not get it back. Tinnitus, ringing, 24/7. I wish somebody had made me use hearing protection 45 years ago!!!

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I BACK OUR BLUE

What's that you say vipermd? I need to turn up the volume in these things in my ears. Seriously, GREAT advice.

I always wear hearing protection when shooting any caliber. I use a pair of the Howard Leight Impact Sport electronic earmuffs and really like them. I also have some of the Surefire Sonic Defender ear plugs if I want something very low profile, but the electronic ones are my favorites.

I wear plugs always and anything more than rimfire the muffs go on.

I wear muffs too, but it makes you wonder how guys fight in wars. Are they coming home deaf? Imagine a firefight in a house? And how do guys hunt? I'm not a hunter, but do they wear muffs while sitting in a tree stand? If they put them on before the shot, doesn't the movement scare the game off?

Only thing i EVER shoot without anything at all is a .22 rifle. And thats probably not even the smartest thing to do. A .22 pistol is surprisingly loud due to the short barrel. I NEVER shoot centerfire rifles or ANY caliber pistols without muffs on. This forum is full of post and threads about the 460/500s with owners of said weapons offering up advice based on experience they have using them. And they all strongly recommend double protection when shooting those big bores. The only variation I have seen is when hunting. Electronic muffs are the recommendation, since you have to be able to hear when in the woods hunting. From what I have read here, Im sure multiple shots with muffs only will take its toll on your ears.

YES, everytime you pull the trigger on that hand cannon. Thanks to shooting, flying in helicopters for 22 years and shooting guns without double hearing protection I've lost 40 and 60 % hearing loss in my left and right ears.

I wear custom fitted plugs I had made up courtesy of the US Coast Guard a couple years before I retired. Cannot remember who made my muffs but will get back to you on them as they are great. Paid big bucks for em but the hearing loss is with me forever as I started too late(:.

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V/R
Roger / SG

WHAT?

/c

Especially those poor fellas on the artillery crews!

I asked that same question as I am considering a 460 for my next Smith for big game hunting. I asked in this forum and it was recommended to sit in the woods with a good pair of electronic muffs on. While I never go to thr range unprotected with my .357, I figure I can tolerate a single shot to take game. But, the 460/500 are totally different critters. I was told on no uncertain terms by forum members here that not even a single shot from a 460 or 500 is tolerable without any protection. When target shooting, everyone here seems to recommend double protection, (plugs and muffs).

I wear plugs and muff for everything other than a .22 LR rifle.

Re combat, if I were in that environment, I'd wear something like Walker's Game Ears in one ear and a plug in the other. That way I could hear what I need to and not kill my hearing

Interestingly enough in my case, in the old days, Navy ships conducted gunnery exercises with the weapons officer on the bridge with one ear uncovered, the other ear using sound powered phones linked to gunnery stations. I did that for probably 1000 rds of 5"/54. Don't think it did much to me, but the muzzle of the gun was a good ways from my ears. I think what damage I got from the military was being around jet engines. Don

I wear plugs and muffs every time I shoot indoors. Even if I'm shooting .22's, someone always shows up with a .357 Sig and sets up in the next lane. If I'm with someone I just talk really loud. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

If you develope tinitis as I did, you will quickly realize the 24/7 ringing in your ears isn't worth the chance you take without protection. You should also note the big bang from a magnum isn't the only thing that can cause it - small calibers such as a .22 can also damage your hearing over time. Best advice from me - anything louder than normal requires protection.

I wear muffs anytime I am target shooting or plinking with anything (except rimfire rifles outdoors). I don't wear them hunting. Hearing is part of the hunting experience and even electronic muffs screw that up to a degree. I was alerted to a turkey sneaking up to my call early this morning by just a soft 'putt.' If I hadn't heard that I would have messed up the situation and not bagged the bird.

Knowing what I know about hearing loss, I wouldn't not recommend others do as I do, but I have not suffered any ill effects yet. I am over 60 and been hunting (LOTS!) since I was ten, including some types that include high volume shooting (doves). My hearing is still excellent, better than most folks much younger. I know hunting without muffs is a bad idea, but I probably won't change (except for doves next year). Again, I wear them for all other shooting.

Any time you do anything that exceeds about 70 dB(A)s That not too high of a threshold.

You can look up the typical amount of noise/sound at lots of websites==some even go so far as listing brands of equipment.

(ps I'm the Collateral Duty Safety Officer (OSHA) for my office.).

I bought a pair of Pro Ears amplified for $300. They are the only company that makes amplified protection with a NRR of 33. I hear of a lot of guys rockin' the cheapo Harbor Freight versions, but the Pro Ears don't clip at gun shots, they still work during them.

Under those I wear custom molded plugs I had made at a gun show. Turn up your amplified muffs and you can hear conversations without yelling.

My neighbor is a former SEAL and he gave me a pair of new Peltor Tac 6's, so it's good to know that at least our Special Forces are taking care of their hearing.

Assuming that they still allow a low level of sound through, that NRR is outstanding. Don

For any "nay" sayers here -- just keep a couple of thoughts to keep in mind....

1. Hearing loss can be instantaneous without prior warning. All it can take is one shot.
2. When it happens it is permanent.
3. It is irreversible leaving hearing aids as a poor remedy at about $5000 a pair.
4. It is preventable for those who will listen to the experience of others.

I hunt with a 500. Hunting the game I do requires the ability to hear game movements. I understand the risks to my hearing but I accept that as a necessity to have hunting success. One shot in a wide open environment doesn't threaten my hearing at the same level as shooting a box of hot ammo in an indoor or outdoor covered range. But I'm clearly aware that every shot can be a "**** (dice) shoot" when it comes to hearing loss....

JMHO

I'm going to chime in with the same advice as others, wear ear, and eye protection EVERY TIME you shoot. In my younger days, including time in the military, I considered myself too tough to use ear protection. I can't tell you how many thousands of rounds I, and others with me fired over the years.
Now, past 50, I am dealing with severe tinitus. 24 hours a day, every day, I have the sound of standing in a field full of crickets and tree frogs ringing in my ears. Some days aren't bad, some nights I can't sleep due to the volume.
It isn't worth acting the badass when shooting, it will catch up to you, and others with you, your loved ones and friends. Insist all wear proper ear and eye protection.
All young folk never think about the life they will lead when they start gettiing up in years. I didn't, really never thought it would happen, but it does, so take care of the gifts God has given you, you'll never get another chance to end life with the same blessings you were given at the start.
RD

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Got a Phd from Hard Knocks U

I was just remarking the other day about hearing loss being painless in most instances, you don't know you are getting the damage till its too late! Some form of protection is an absolute must. You only have one set of eyes...protect them well also!

I shoot a 9x25Dillon cartridge and they are loud and have a significant blast...more high pitch crack than the 357 mag and almost as much blast as a rifle...Yes to wearing muffs outdoors at the least and plugs and muffs indoor ranges. I try not to shoot them indoors...

I just bought two pairs at my local Home depot. They have rechargeable Lithium ion batteries, so no battery memories to develop. They work great at both indoor and outdoor ranges....I was really surprised. 69 bucks...can't beat the price!

What a bunch of wimps! You don't need no stinkin ear plugs.

Would someone answer that damn phone!

When my best buddy and I were in our late teens, we both bought Rem Model 700s in 7mm Rem Mag (MANY years ago when the caliber was new).

I remember using my hand on top of a fence post so he could get a good rest. I wasn't too far back from the muzzle. In those days, hearing protection just wasn't around or at least not given any significant publicity. Ah, the ignorance of youth. Don

As an amateur musician by night, shooter by day, I wear plugs and muffs anytime and everytime I shoot anything. Hearing loss does not heal itself. What you lose is lost for good. Wear both always, is my recommendation, regardless of caliber.

Mr. O

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USMC/5803 '79-/91
FBINA- 163rd

I have always worn at LEAST plugs. Then at one match I was getting painful ears from a shooter's hot 38 Super loads....they actually DEMANDED I go get my muffs to survive the match.

Fortunately the muffs/plugs together solved the pain problem. I also bought the Peltor 6s with the metal around behind so I can wear them at my Cowboy Action matches!!!

Turns out they work so well I also use them on the riding mower too.

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Dum vivimus Vivamas

...item of interest -

When you shoot, a gunshot can register as high as 165db. The best ear muffs and/or ear plugs will be about 36db. That still leaves almost 130db of noise that gets through. If you wear shooting glasses, the seal around your ears is broken, and the muffs are rendered less effective. The seal is also compromised by mounting a rifle or shotgun to your shoulder.

Hearing is also somewhat of a cumulative amount of damage depending on how many rounds are fired. That is, if you shoot four hundred rounds in one day, it's worse than shooting two hundred rounds daily over two days.

While the protective effect isn't linear, the combination of good muffs and well-fitting ear plugs are the best. In fact, for less than $100, you can have two sets of custom plugs made. Almost every gun show has a person who sets up, and makes them on the spot. Our own club has a supplier come in once a year. We have a lot of folks sign up, especially the junior shooters.

NIOSHA, a branch of the CDC, has a superb web site, and they rate a lot of the ear muffs and plugs on the market today. This is one service the feds really got right. Here's the link -

NIOSH Topic: Noise and Hearing Loss Prevention | CDC/NIOSH

A couple of years ago, I called their number, and left a message, asking for some information. One of their audio engineers called me back, and spent almost an hour explaining hearing loss and prevention to me. He was eager to pass on the knowledge, and I was eager to learn. Your tax dollars at work, and well-spent.

Plugs AND muffs for me always. I have some hearing loss from playing electric guitars and shooting guns in my youth; I do not want it to get worse.

kbm6893, in regards to your questions, many military veterans suffer permanent hearing damage. Hunters do not use hearing protection as a general rule, but hearing loss is cumulative. The occasional shot will probably not matter, but repeated exposure will slowly and permanently take its toll.

In my opinion, shooting something like the .460 or .500 S&W even once without proper hearing protection is foolish. I hunt deer occasionally with a revolver chambered in .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, or .45 Colt. It is not practical to use muffs then, and it could be at times a deadly hazard. I only get off one or two shots per year (many times zero!) at game, so I take the calculated risk. At all other times I use hearing protection.

Plugs and muffs always - the muffs help even if the seal is compromised by the bows on shooting glasses, because they help to avoid conductive hearing loss (your hearing can be damaged by vibration through your bones as well). One shot in the woods won't matter? Don't believe it! I have fired many rounds through many rifles and shotguns in hunting situations, probably resulting in some minor hearing loss, but NEVER with a .500 or .460. They make electronic plugs or muffs that can work for hunting...they take some getting used to, but will work. The noise from a handgun is much different than a long gun, and these are no normal handgun! If you don't believe it and insist on trying it, at least remove the compensator...but you WILL regret it and possibly suffer permanent damage. Why?

You need to wear ear plugs and muffs every time you fire ank kind of firearm. I can attest from personal experience that hearing loss is not in the least fun.

PLEASE EVERYONE take care of your hearing.

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Always Stay Strong!

I used to get questions like the OP in my CCW and Self Defense classes all the time. I finally went to a hearing doctor (don't remember what they're called right now) and got the straight story. The guy I talked to specialized in hearing damage from loud noise exposure. He said if your head is turned the right way, allowing the shock wave to enter the ear at a certain angle, you can loose 25% of your hearing with one gun shot, and it doesn't have to be a Magnum handgun or rifle.

Wear muffs and/or plugs.

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

I only have about 50% hearing, but always wear muffs. When I worked for a living I was exposed to high frequency noises from electric pump motors, and gas turbines. Now I get to wear a hearing aid $1600. Without it have a hard time hearing what is being said to me. So take it from someone who knows, guard your hearing. I even wear muffs when cutting the grass on my tractor. Frank

Go ahead and skip using them one shot and you'll never have to worry about them again.....your hearing will be lost.

This was actually a question you were compelled to ask??????

I am going to step left of the group on this one.

YES, by all means wear hearing protection. Even then, hearing protection comes in different levels. I have six sets of muffs that ranged in price from $30-120 and I got what I paid for. The more costly the better the protection.

Now does this and all the above postings mean that shooting without hearing protection will make you go deaf? NO.

Hearing is like eyesight, it dims with age and is called Presbycusis. People that have never been around high volumes of noise have lost some hearing with age.

Police officers have fired their guns from within an enclosed car and did not go deaf. Their ears may have been ringing for a few minutes but they did not go deaf. Personally I have been in homes when there was an exchange of gunfire and still can hear a whisper at 10 feet and I am in my late 60's.

Soldiers have been in extended firefights and did not go deaf. Hunters have shot game for years and did not go deaf. Try flying an airplane and seeing how much noise there is on takeoff with full throttle. I have about 7,000 hrs as PIC and will say that on takeoff, the noise is such that you will not hear what is being said in the cabin but I rather listen to tower instructions than wear muffs.

Traffic noise will often exceed 85 decibels and can reach 120 decibels or more. This is constant noise and not sudden. Exposure to the constant noise is worse than sudden since a person becomes accustomed to it. Great example of this is the motorcyclist riding a bike with loud pipes, the driver of a pickup truck equipped with roaring mufflers or even listening to an MP3 player with headsets as one exercises.

A firecracker at 3 feet will produce a louder sound than most gunshots. How many wear ear protection when around exploding firecrackers?

I frequently use a dosimeter in my investigations to see what noise would have been made under what conditions. I have found cars with radio volumes up so loud, the driver could not have heard a siren from 50 feet away and at decibels far exceeding the avg gunshot.

There are a lot of things that we encounter daily that is worse than hearing a gun shot while not wearing hearing protection.

Many drugs, including asprin, can lead to hearing loss. So can chemotherapy.

Should you wear hearing protection when shooting? YES, absolutely and wear the best you can afford. But gunshots are not the loudest thing you will hear during the course of a day.

And George Burns smoked every day of his life and lived to be 100. But is that the rule, or the exception?

Any noise louder than regular human conversation does damage to our hearing.

I did not say that a person should not wear hearing protection but only there are other things worse on the ears (ie firecrackers, traffic) than gunshots. Even the earphones as one listens to music is or can be worse than gunshots.

Question: How many kids does one see wearing ear protection when popping firecrackers?

I do wear muffs but, think you are exagerating this problem. I shoot my JRC 500 regularly and have never had a headache? Anything over 80 dbs is suppose to be damaging to you ears isn't it?
Steve

[QUOTE=Jst1mr;135949101]Plugs and muffs always - the muffs help even if the seal is compromised by the bows on shooting glasses, because they help to avoid conductive hearing loss (your hearing can be damaged by vibration through your bones as well). Jst1mr: Unless you are shooting yourself in the skull and thereby removing bone, sound loud or soft does not damage you hearing from bone conduction. The damage occurs in the inner ear the " cochlea " more specifically to the cillia (hairs ) in the cochlea that are attached to nerve cells and transmit the electrical signals to the brain. We hear by the sound in the air that enters the ear and the sound waves that impact the skull and are transmitted to the inner ear. But I agree always where plugs and muffs !!!!

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I BACK OUR BLUE

kbm: I can not answer for any one but myself, but if I am hunting in a blind I wear both and have spooked game, but I will not subject myself to the pain from firing a 22 lr in an enclosed room let alone my comped 4" 500. I have fired thousands of 06,308, 12 ga without protection and I pay for my mistake 24/7. Just trying to save what I have left. Be Safe.

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I BACK OUR BLUE

Regarding troops, while I don't think the practice is common, I believe that some use things like Walker's Game Ears in one ear so that they can hear commands etc and a plug in the other ear. I know that's what I would do.

As with the previous poster, I wear plugs and muffs for everything I shoot other than a .22LR rifle outdoors. There, I think plugs alone are OK and the main reason I don't wear muffs as well is to avoid scratching a nice laminated stock. Don

Do you need muff's or ear protection, what did you say???

I was at a covered range shooting my colt python with some stout loads. I started off without muff's and was so into the moment i let all 6 shots go in double action. My ear pain was getting worse with every shot but being tough, ya i was a tough guy i stayed pulling the trigger and sucked up the ear pain. It took awhile for my ears to stop ringing but luckily they finally did.

Now do you need ear protection with a 500 S&W I surely think so. From dumb but can still hear 35 years later; Bill

BTW; Doesn't the army helmets cover and protect your hearing by the way the lower flanges are bent?

When i shot a blackbear with my338win mag i didn't hear the guns report at all. The adrenaline was flowing too much to hear anything. My nerves were like cold steel too, i had a job to do and i did it we got a bear.