Ear Protection - What's Best in Competition?

[Canuck44]

You'd be disappointed to find out the Sordin Supreme Pro X muffs have just a rinky dink 19 to 24 NRR, while the Pro Ears Mag Gold are NRR33 which is as high as hearing protection goes. I bought my Pro Ears and after 4 years and 11 months one of the cups was cutting out. Sent them back and received new electronics in both cups so they're actually better than new, as the newer version turns off after 4 hours

You best re-read what the different NR rankings actually mean. The Sordins are the equal to the Pro Ears and them some. The Sordins have much better rain/water protection as well. I wear glasses and the optional gel cups seal aroind the frames really well.

To the OP if you don't want/need the electronic feature for around $30 a set of Peltors with a rating of 33 are as good as you can get for protection alone. I went with the Sordins because I do a lot of SOing and instruction in IDPA and need to hear the shooters/students.

Take Care

Bob

 

[BobR1]

I shoot outdoors ONLY. We also shoot one shooter at a time.
About 80% of our shooters in our Defensive Pistol and 3 Gun Matches are using Impact Sport Electronic Muffs.

Some times when I am the RO I will wear Peltor Flanged Plugs under the Impact Sport Muffs for 3-Gun. Some of the Carbines are pretty loud with just the muffs.

Out Doors with Handguns I am perfectly happy with the Impact Sport Muffs. They have Great Battery Life. Shut down after 4 hours, Shut down and come back on very quickly, and are not outragesly expensive. The DB Rating is probably a little to low for indoor use however.

Just my 2 cents.

Bob

 

[jat4]

wow these DefendEar products are much more high tech than anything ive seen. I didnt even know stuff like this existed. So they deaden the louder sounds that a firearm would make but they improve hearing say your dog or a shooting partner while hunting? at the same time?

I went back and looked at the hunter model more closely, it is fully digital and does amplify your hearing--there are several videos on youtube where they demonstrate how to use the units:

DefendEar Digital: Turn on - YouTube

 

[Justpaul]

great thread.. thanks everyone for the advise..

 

[all357mag]

I saw in the above threads, no one mentioned that with hearing loss comes pain. I can't hear worth a sh#! after 25+ yrs of chainsaws, jackhammers, guns, trucks, machinery, etc. But lately, loud noises are painful. Buy good protection guys. You don't need to be deaf and hurtin'.

 

[tomcatt51]

Hearing protection: More is better. The higher the NRR the better. Plugs and muffs are pretty much necessary shooting indoors.

"Electronic" muffs usually aren't "best". Look at their NRR. Yes they amplify so you can hear and shut off (some better than others) when they detect loud noises. BUT, when the amplification shuts off they're just another pair of muffs relying on the material(s) in the cups for noise reduction.

My feelings are that with NRR 25 (or less) muffs (electronic or not) you want earplugs too, if you'd like to keep your hearing. Adding plugs becomes a must in indoor ranges.

My rant for the day.

 

[mkk41]

I use foam plugs under one of severarl well rated (ca 23db noise reduction) ear muffs. I admit it is not condusive to chit chat amongst fellow competitors but it does work.

Exactly what I do when I'm at the indoor range. When I back off the firing line , I can pull the muffs off , leave the plugs in and still hear conversation.

 

[trulyapostolic]

I wear plugs that are formed to my ears by a lady at camp Perry a couple years ago. Also use Pro Ears 33nrr muffs.