Hearing protection recommendations?

Beemerguy53

Beemerguy53

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Hi, folks. I need some advice or recommendations on hearing protection.

I’ve always used compressible ear plugs at both outdoor and indoor ranges, and they’ve been fine until recently. But with the number of indoor ranges allowing centerfire rifles these days, noise levels have gone waaaay up, and earplugs are no longer adequate.

I’ve looked online at various hearing protectors, of all types and in all price ranges, and read a number of reviews. Based on your real-world experience, what do you recommend?

Thanks for your help… :)
 
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In 1975 I purloined these from Uncle Sam as a parting gift.

In my music career, before the invention of in-ear-monitors, they prevented hearing loss. They look like Uhura communicators but they sure beat cigarette butts.

I also have Howard Light electronic ear muffs.

 
FWIW...

I like behind the neck electronic muffs. I don a cowboy hat. The absolute best I've found are the el-cheapo Caldwells.

They may not be the most comfortable but they really perform extremely well. They seal good and are quieter than any pair I've ever tried.

I shoot over 12K rounds annually. Sometimes the cost doesn't necessarily reflect the performance of a product.

IMG_4103.jpeg
 
For indoor I like to double with foam plugs and muffs. I use generic foam plugs and the Leightning L3 muffs. NRR is 30. Larger than average, they block sound well. My son insists on Sordins electronic muffs. They are expensive, but apparently work well.

Outdoors (which I prefer) is one or the other depending on weather. Cooler = muffs, warmer = plugs.
 
I bought my grandson some electronic ones that actually work pretty darn good. Any sudden loud noises and they shut the world down around you. I should have bought two pairs. They were on sale for about $65. They actually work; I’ll see if he can give me a brand name, I sure as heck don’t remember. I will post the brand if he answers my text.

Brand name is Walker’s Hearing Protection….best I can get tout of him!
 
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Howard Leight Impact Pro is one of the highest noise reduction ratings in an electronic earmuff.. But some who are concerned that they will look like an old foggie with the bigger style chose to wear smaller sleeker models.......with a less NRR.

Ear plugs do just OK. But there have been studies that show that since the ear and bone structure around the ear is not covered, there can be long term damage to the hearing. Indoors I wear Howard Leight Impact Pro and a good ear plug. Because my muffs are electronic I can hear range commands. Outdoors I just wear the muffs.
 
Seriously Unfortunately for me lost most of my hearing in Vietnam. When on Army pistol team we only had plugs until they “ knew you could shoot” then muffs. Muffs ever since but still can’t hear much. Seems women's voice range frequencies are the ones I really have hard time with. Audiologist kind of laughed when he showed me the graph. Since dear wife is gone only have daughter and granddaughters to “ hear”.
 
Indoor= rubber ear plugs and decent ear muffs. Saves your hearing, but not the possible concussive effects. If someone is shooting a high power rifle at the indoor range, i just leave or wait till they leave.

Outdoor=Have gone to electronic ear plugs, that block loud and can amplify normal. Allows use of wide brimmed hat , conversation with other shooters and being aware of what is going on around me or approaching.
 
WardenRoss said:
FWIW...

I like behind the neck electronic muffs. I don a cowboy hat. The absolute best I've found are the el-cheapo Caldwells.

They may not be the most comfortable but they really perform extremely well. They seal good and are quieter than any pair I've ever tried.

I shoot over 12K rounds annually. Sometimes the cost doesn't necessarily reflect the performance of a product.

View attachment 771617
Click to expand...
I wear wide brimmed hats most of the time, and wish there were more behind the neck muffs available. Very limited choices.
 
Shooting any rifle with my Howard Light Impact Sport I cannot get a cheek weld. Walkers Razor Slim may be better.

I use these when shooting rifles: https://a.co/d/grMBJBB The trade-off is the plugs will heavily block sound, so normal voice level speaking may not be heard very well.

I’ve tried several in-the-ear electronic gizmos – they won’t stay in my ear.

The electronic earmuffs are good because I can adjust the sound level.

For electronic earmuff protection, two (2) specifications are nearly always missing from the shooting earmuffs specs and that is (1) the speed at which the electronics will clamp the sound in milliseconds, and (2) at what dB level (85 dB is a risk for hearing damage) does the clamping occur. The “3M Smart Technology” that is sometimes referred to in the description of the earmuffs is stated to clamp sound at less than 1/100th of a second, 0.01 seconds

Why those specifications are missing is strange.
 
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