I am looking for recommendations for good hearing protection. What I use to ward off the noise from a leaf blower is not adequate standing next to .357 shooter at the range - thanks.

For outdoor ranges, I prefer quality electronic muffs. Pro Ears are my favorite, but pricey. Brownells has a heck of a good deal, selling the Pro Ears "Pro" version for $139 under Brownells name.

For indoor ranges, I add ear plugs under the muffs, and avoid standing next to the .50 Magnum revolvers.

P.S. Electronic muffs are a huge safety factor, since you can hear normal sounds with them on, and won't keep lifting them to hear when somebody talks to you. Hearing protection only works if you keep it on.

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Science plus Art

Foam Mack's ear plugs and muffs is what I use at home.

Oops, I mean shooting!

Indoors, next to people with cannons, plugs and electronic muffs are definitely the way to go.

Depnds on what you call "good". Most electronic muffs are NOT "good". A lot of them have a NRR (noise reduction rating) of only 23 - 25. Higher is better. On an indoor range a NRR of 25 doesn't cut it if you want to keep your hearing.

I have "foamy" plugs, Peltor "Nitro" earplugs with a NRR 32. Plus Peltor muffs (Midway branded) with a NRR 30. Frequently on sale very reasonably. Indoor ranges I wear both. Outdoor matches I wear just the foamies, unless I'm ROing USPSA Open shooters, then it's both as the comps do get LOUD. General shooting I wear both.

I work at an auto body shop and recently purchased a pair of electronic earmuffs from a tool truck they are supposed to be use while running are tools and work just as good for shooting guns.

sounds good...and welcome to the forum!

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

Thanks for the advice - I'll heed it. Sounds like Pro ears or Peltor plus foam plugs is the way I'm headed.

Crickets are still there 30 hrs. after leaving the range.

I use the same setup, but do it both indoors and out. I fugure it only takes one time to mess up your hearing. I don't know enough about the electronic muffs to trust them, pricey or not. I'd try some outdoors before at an indoor range.

Thanks for the tip on the Brownells version of Pro Ears. I'll look at them.

When I was shooting sporting clays I had a coupla pairs of custom silicon ear plugs made... the kind where the maker pours a bit of viscous silicon into your ear with a quick setting agent so that the glob sets up and fits each ear perfectly. Coupled with even an average pair of muffs and hearing is well protected. What thats you say? huh?

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Isaiah 55:8-9
Phil. 4:13

The most used electronic muffs for outdoor defensive pistol and 3-gun at our range would be the Howard Leigh Impact Sports. They do not have a real high noise rating, however they have some very good points.

They have super battery life.
They shut down, and come right back on very quickly.
They automaticly shut off after 4 hours. You just turn them off, and back on to reset.
Not picking up Wind Noise is better than average by far.
The price is reasonable.

If you are around very loud gunfire, you might need plugs to go with them. An example would be shooting beside a magnum rifle with a muzzle brake.

Bob

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ICORE MO2908

The listing I found for them shows a NRR 22. You'd definitely want plugs with them.

I use Peltor Muffs. It's too late for me now. I hear the crickets whenever it is quiet. Shot a model 19 as a dumb teenager with no hearing protection along with my AR-15 groundhog hunting. The wife gets kinda tired of having to keep repeating herself whenever she talks to me but she's used to it now.


Chuck

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They hold no Quarter

I use a set of Peltor Tactical Pro and use plugs indoors. Besides using them at the range, I use them for mowing, leaf blower, chain saw and while in the shop using saws (chop,tile,table...).

I have had tinnitus for ever because. We just did not have good protection. Mrs complains all the time I going deaf,, least that's what I'm told..

MSA Sordin Supreme Pro-X ($249) with Gel Earmuff Seals ($34, They're Great) Plus Shipping. They are of a SLIM Design.

Google SRS TACTICAL, they handle them, many in the military like them and everyone at my gun club that has tried them on just love them. They are PRICEY though and not in everyone's budget.

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NRA Pistol/Rifle Inst. RSO

That hits the nail on the head and is why I have (under $20) passive muffs with a NRR 30 along with NRR 32 foamie plugs. Electronic muffs that work well can be nice but a NRR around 25 isn't so nice. I'm 60 and still have good hearing and want to keep it that way.

Pro Ears Ultra 33 for "normal" outdoor range. Add foam plugs for cannon fire and indoors. And let's not forget eye protection. Safety glasses are as important. You should not be on the range without quality eye and ear protection. Period!

"Best bang for the buck" electronics...

http://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-.../dp/B001T7QJ9O

I've had mine for the past 2 years. No complaints. Work great. Add foam plugs underneath for more protection when needed.

What was that? Speak louder. They only have a NRR of 22. That makes "foam plugs underneath for more protection when needed" mean "foam plugs are needed all the time" if you want to keep your hearing.

I agree with the ProEars, I use them and like them. For me, the cost is minimal considering that you only have one pair (in most cases) of ears. The Ultras have an NRR 33.

Although the foam and silicone plugs work very well and have a good NRR, the entire area surrounding ear actually 'hears' not just the drum, that's why it's important to cover the entire area with the muff style protection.

Why skimp on something so important?

My brother gave me a pair Walker's Power Muffs a couple of years ago. Until then, I had never used electronic ear protection. While the Walker's have some issues (the batteries and electronics are accessed through the inside of the ear cups and they get pretty damp during a hot sweaty match), I like using them while shooting with others and pistol matches. I can hear all commands and it makes it easy to help with score keeping at matches. I'm looking for a new set of electronic muffs with access to the electronics and batteries from the outside of the ear cups. I like the Dillon HP1.

I find myself doubling up as the years go by. (Muffs and plugs)

I just bought 2 dozen of the Howard Lieghts (pardon any errors), and they work as good as any of the other top brands.

I purchased Electronic Muffs (Peltor)from Cabelas' after a friend gave me a gift certificate. They have black and hunter orange side covers. If I had any idea they were that outstanding, I'd have bucked-up and got them years ago. Mine were around $110 on sale at the time for about $80 and THEY ARE EVERY PENNY WORTH IT!!!!! I went to the range and forgot them and my day was literally ruined without the E-muffs. My shooting pard and I stay out there for hours and shoot and shoot the breeze. I get tired of taking the durned foamies out of my ears to talk. JMO

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Go big or stay home

At the practice range, when there are other shooters on both sides of me I use good quality silicon plugs and good quality non-electronic muffs. I see a lot of BE shooters with expensive electronic muffs who double up. This combination also works well during 2700 matches when I need to hear the RSO commands. If I can't hear the RSO, I ask that he up his volume.

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Not All Who Wander Are Lost