I'm looking for recomendations for plug type hearing protection. Don't care for the muff or over the ear type, feel combersome and awkward. Just my opinion. I would appreciate any feedback as to what you would consider to be the best plug hearing protection. Some appear to be very expensive, are they worth the extra money and perform any better than a moderate priced set? Money isn't a limiting factor but don't want to throw money away either.
As always, your comments would be appreciated.

Rgds,
Ray

You're probably wanting advice on the high dollar electronic devices. The sonic valve type have never provided enough noise reduction for me. My preference is the plain old foam plug, in the highest NR rating I can find. I currently use some sold by Stanley that I buy in bulk at the homecenter. I could not afford the electronic in-the-ear type. I also use a set of Pro-Ears muffs.

I went to my local audiologist and got some in-the-ear plugs custom made. Yes, they 'caulk' stuff into your ear to create a mold, and it feels quite disgusting, but $60 later, I love them.

Ray,

About 5 years ago at a local gun show an Audiologist had a table set up doing custom molded ear plugs. He used a two part rubber type material that he mixed and inserted in each ear, resulting in a GREAT seal custom molded for YOUR ears. I've been using them ever since. I can wear them for hours with no problem. I believe you can find a kit to do them yourself.

Hope this helps!

Bill

I suggest that you go on line and search for: hearing protection+ear plugs. There are many types of plugs, I like a type that has several conforming ridges, and my wife hates them.
I had a custom fitted set made at work don't like them.
Some of the sellers will send you an assortment for low bucks, try many types, pick what works best for you, order a bunch, they get dirty and lost.

I wear both muffs and plugs when shooting anything but .22.

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Ipsis Rebus Dictantitbus

Bill,

I use the E.A.R. brand ear plugs. They have an NRR rating of 29 and are a great plug. I re-wash mine when the jeans go in the washer and they're in the pockets! I've tried the custom moulded, fit the ear canal plugs, and found them to be cumbersome to use and not very comfortable,plus they were expensive. There are other brands of foam plugs out there, and as long as the NRR is 29 or better, should be just as good as the E.A.R. plugs. I re-tired 17 years ago and I'm using the same E.A.R. plugs that I got from the company!

In MY opinion different types of shooting require different protection. The noise impulse from a shotgun vs a pistol vs a rifle are all different. For shotgun (skeet and trap) I use the North Sonic units with excellent results but the minute I go to a handgun or rifle I put a set of Peltors OVER the Sonics and have total peace and quiet. The downside to wearing muffs over inserts is that I literally can't hear ANYTHING, which could be a safety factor if someone yelled LOOK OUT!!!!!!! But so far in life I've survived........

I suspect that fit is everything, and ear-canal size varies. I had some custom-made ones a long time ago, and they weren't that great, although they WERE comfortable. By far the best I have ever used are the old orange one-size-fits-everybody miltary issue with three rings for seal. I doubt that they fit everyone, but they fit me. If I were you, I'd buy one of every cheap pair that I could find, and write down where I found them. Then start trying them out.

By the way, we used to insert the GI plugs by taking a GI ball-point pen apart, inserting the shaft of the earplug into the pen shaft, and using that to insert the earplug while pulling the earlobe to the rear with the offside hand. That straightens out the ear canal a little. Just don't insert the plug any farther than necessary!

Good luck.

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Formerly Model520Fan

"old orange one-size-fits-everybody miltary issue with three rings for seal."

Generally that is the type that I use, the AirSoft brand (howard leight) has four rings nrr 27, works forme.
Many now come with a short stiff plastic stick for insertion.

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Ipsis Rebus Dictantitbus

I had a custom set made at the NRA meeting 2 years ago. They are comfortable and work well for handguns. If shooting a hi-power rifle you might want some extra protection. I think they were $55.00. Our local audiologist advertises that they make them also.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has tons of information on hearing loss including ratings for all types of ear plugs, etc:



NIOSH - Hearing Protector Device Compendium Search

NIOSH Topic: Noise and Hearing Loss Prevention: Learn More About HLP: Choose the Right Hearing Protection | CDC/NIOSH

Some time back I started using Brownell's "Ultra-Fit" push-in types that are on a sticky plastic cord. Good sound protection, hard to lose, and inexpensive if I do. They seem sufficient for outdoor highpower rifle and pistol, and I always have a set in my gun bag and in the little plastic case attached to my hatband.

I rarely bother with conventional earmuffs anymore. If I shot inside at all no doubt I would.

Brownell's stock # is 284-340 001AB.

...to only consider plugs for hearing protection. The most protection you can get, even from custom plugs is about 35db reduction. A 12 gauge shotgun goes off at about 165db. Anything above 110 can do permanent damage to the ears.

Find a pair of static or electronic earmuffs, and wear both. The amount of ear protection achieved, while not linear, does provide a great deal more protection.

You'll overcome the "awkwardness" after a while. And it's far better to feel a bit of "awkwardness", than to lose your hearing.

Some logic to this. I can be a little casual about my hearing as I've already shot a long, long time and the only apparent hearing loss I have is normal for my age. I don't carpet the ground with brass and most of my firing is way out in the open.

For anyone else I would suggest they err on the side of caution. Especially kids.

+1 to dennis the b, I always wear both except for the 22 when I usually wear nnr 33 earmuffs alone.
Yes I didn’t in days of yore, the Army didn’t when I was in, may have offered cotton batting that’s all.
Its not just you it’s everyone around firing around you, when you loose it won’t be coming back-----time may take it anyway, why rush things.

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Ipsis Rebus Dictantitbus

Good news/bad news, first the bad, already have a slight high frequency loss from working in a very noisy environment. Good news is my medical insurance will get me into a set of custom digital hearing plug/aids. Will addresss both issues, help with the HF loss and also work as a sound reduction ear plug for shooting. So a no cost win/win. A possible nice option for lots of folks with this issue.

Ray

I have a slight loss in my left ear - from leaving the window down while driving!

I wear earplugs while doing yardwork and recently started using them on the motorcycle.

My father and I never used them while restoring a handful of cars years ago. I got lucky since he was usually operating the pneumatic tools. He gets free health assessments at work and started using earplugs for yardwork over a decade ago, but the damange is already done.

I use the regular 30 db foam plugs from the drug store AND passive ear muffs (Pro Ears Ultra 28) when shooting large calibers. I even put extra foam in the muffs as I had blown my left ear drum years ago while scuba diving.

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Still Running Against the Wind