Electronic ear muff question

[perryhd]

I'm wanting to up grade my electronic ear muffs and I'm looking at Proears Gold series. My hearing is so bad that I have to use electronic muffs because with plugs or regular muffs I can't hear it thunder. The Proears have more amplification and quicker response time than others I have looked at. They are a little pricey so I was wondering if anyone has experience with them.
Thanks in advance for any and all input. Dan

 

[AzShooter]

I have a number of electronic muffs but the ones I use are the Pro Ears. The others are for my guests at the range.

The Pro Ears are worth the extra money. They are more comfortable and pick up sounds better. They also have a fast response to loud noises like when the gun fires.

They make it easier to hear range commands from the RM when they call a cease fire and I can still talk to my friend while shooting and understand what he is saying.

 

[Mainsail]

Wife and I each have Pro Ears. Love them.

 

[galena]

I used Proears electric muffs for years..........batteries never lasted very long. My wife works for Home Depot, she gave me a pair or Ryobi electric ears. They are better than anything I ever used before and cost around $60. Plus, the batteries can be recharged and they come with a charging unit. Response time is immediate, amplification is great as is loud sound reduction.

 

[perryhd]

Can anyone give me an idea as to how many hours a set of batteries last?

 

[df06]

I concur on pro ear battery life, it is short, but I don't recall how long they last.

 

[chief38]

Just a word on electronic ear muffs...........

Yea they do work well when voices need to be heard. That said, they do NOT offer the level of protection of standard ear muffs and plugs do. Just saying.....

Howard Leight MAX ear plugs are rated at 33 dB NRR

Many standard ear muffs are rated to 30 - 32 dB NRR

AFAIK the best electronic muffs are rated to 28 dB and most to 26 dB or less. Please correct me if I am wrong here.

I use BOTH the 33dB plugs in conjunction with the 30 dB muffs to preserve what ever hearing I've still got.

 

[chief38]

While I am not an ENT Dr. I do know NOW that hearing loss is like death from 1,000 cuts. A little at a time is really not too noticeable until one day your wife keeps telling you to get a hearing aid! Been there - done that!

IMHO one should wear the BEST ear protection they can and forego the fancy stuff. Just my opinion and YMMV, but REMEMBER...... once your hearing is gone it isn't coming back!!!

 

[2ffat]

I use the Axil M-4 ear muffs. I like them.

 

[perryhd]

Thanks to all who replied to my question. I want to say that I totally agree that standard muffs are better than electronic and muffs over plugs is the best way to go. Back years ago I shot a lot of NRA hunter pistol silhouette and any time I went to the firing line I had plugs and muffs. Now days with just standard muffs on I can't hear range commands or have a conversation. That's one of the reasons the vast majority of my shooting is 22 long rifle. The only competition I shoot now is a monthly rimfire steel match and I have to have electronic muffs to shoot that match. Thanks again for all the input I really appreciate it. BTW I have a set of the Pro Ears ordered I hope they will be better than what I've been using. Dan

 

[chief38]

Remember - guys who preach ear protection are the ones who KNOW!!! UNFORTUNATELY (myself included) they know after the fact.

 

[AzShooter]

My ProEars Gold batteries tend to last only one or two two-hour range sessions.

They burn out so fast that, normally I use them as non-electronic ear muffs, with spent batteries doing nothing.

Funny, I've been using the same set of batteries for 6 months without having to change them. When I use my Pro Ears I have them on for approximately 4 hours at a time, two to three days a week.

 

[perryhd]

Az
What brand batteries do you use.

 

[catadjuster]

Walker Razor

Walker Razor seem to be about the best for me nowadays. I used foam plugs under them and turn the volume up to maximum. That allows me to hear range officers, but still the muffs pinch the sharp report and the plugs do the rest.

 

[Bkreutz]

I went through a number of electronic ear muffs, didn't care for the way most of them clipped off all sound when a shot was fired. The Pro Ears Gold were the best. I used them for a couple of years until I has some Sound Gear, in the ear, custom hearing protection fitted, now I can wear them all day at a match and forget that they are in. I will say that if you are getting ear muffs, the Pro Ears are the best. I shoot USPSA Open and they did a great job of quieting down my somewhat loud 9 major open gun.

 

[AzShooter]

Energizers. The copper top battery.

 

[Racer X]

Just a word on electronic ear muffs...........

Yea they do work well when voices need to be heard. That said, they do NOT offer the level of protection of standard ear muffs and plugs do. Just saying.....

Howard Leight MAX ear plugs are rated at 33 dB NRR

Many standard ear muffs are rated to 30 - 32 dB NRR

AFAIK the best electronic muffs are rated to 28 dB and most to 26 dB or less. Please correct me if I am wrong here.

I use BOTH the 33dB plugs in conjunction with the 30 dB muffs to preserve what ever hearing I've still got.

I use the Howard Leight by Honeywell Impact Pro Sound Amplification Electronic Earmuff They are rated at 30dB. They are a rare exception. Auto power off in 4 hours FWIW.

[ame="https://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-Amplification-Electronic-Earmuff-R-01902/dp/B007BGSI5U"]Howard Leight by Honeywell Impact Pro Sound Amplification Electronic Earmuff (R-01902) - Hunting Earmuffs - Amazon.com[/ame]

 

[ladder13]

It's hard to get a cheek weld on an AR pistol with a buffer tube. Any ideas on muffs?

 

[Shield 9 WV]

I am a casual shooter, Shield 9. I plan to shoot on weekends at the farm occasionally. Is there any reason NOT to get these?

This is the #1 seller on Amazon, $40, Howard Leight (click on the yellow Amazon URL link)

[ame]https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001T7QJ9O/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1[/ame]

 

[Tom S.]

I also own a pair of Pro Ears. As said, they do not lower the sound level as well as non-amplified muffs, but a 26db reduction should be sufficient in most shooting situations, unless indoors at a range with no baffling where everyone is shooting 500 magnums.

I've had no issues with battery life, but I run them at low volume and often will only turn one on. For maximum life, try lithium batteries.

Midway happens to have a special on them right now for around $125.