Jeff423
US Veteran
Until the NRR ratings for the electronic earmuffs are as high as the best passive earmuffs I won't be buying any.
Electronic Hearing Protection
- Thread starter Jon651
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I've also noticed this but have not checked any recently. Perhaps the decibel ratings have increased on the electronic models. Whether they have or haven't, maximum hearing protection should be the most important factor in selecting what you use.
Wear ear plugs under muffs - Regardless whether the muffs are electronic (amplified) or not and regardless of what their NRR is. Electronic muffs are great. Whether running a range/firing line as an Instructor, or, just a shooter on the line. As a shooter, they allow you to hear range commands. As the Range Officer/Instructor, they allow you to verbally communicate with students without having to remove your hearing protection. ANY hearing protection is better than NO hearing protection at all.
I'm on my 2nd set of the HL Impact Sport muff's. The first pair still work fine, but the ear pieces are getting hard and the liner in the headband is peeling, (after only about 15 years of constant use). I have hearing loss from the USAF, Tinnitus ringing. The only thing I don't like is they work so well, if you are talking to someone and a near by shot goes off you just see the lips moving and hear nothing! Great muff's.
It took me a long time to give 'em a try but I finally got some. I wish I'd done it years sooner. I have 2 pair, They are different kinds but I don,t know the brand names. They both work well but one pair is a little too tight and are uncomfortable after a few minutes.
target tech
Member
Some may cringe at the price, but MSA Sorin electronic muffs are a very nice piece of kit. Superior electronics and really comfortable. They just don't fold up as well as my old Howard Leight muffs.
I find that the electronic muffs are an essential tool in teaching a novice person at the range.
I find that the electronic muffs are an essential tool in teaching a novice person at the range.
I don't have a pair myself (I rely on the top 3M/Peltor non-ampliied muffs) but the MSA Sordins are supposed to be the best, but they're not cheap! Specs for the Supreme Pro series is here (PDF)
Noise reduction depends on frequency, the higher frequencies (1K and up) being easier to suppress. These run 25dB@ 1k and go up from there. Their spec sheets are very detailed, with both European and N.A. measurements.
I have used Peltors for years and am a fan, but for awhile now I've gone in a different direction. Here is a review of the product I am using with great results. No electronics, no batteries, and zero interference with long guns.
Review: Decibullz Custom-Molded Ear Protection | RECOIL OFFGRID
Review: Decibullz Custom-Molded Ear Protection | RECOIL OFFGRID
A local company here does a similar type of mechanical ear-blockers and they're supposed to be pretty good. I have their solid (non-mechanical) plugs in custom moulds and find they provide good protection for handgun shooting, although I sometimes use the big Peltor muffs and they're much better. On the rifle range I use both. I'd probably want both on an indoor pistol range that has no absorptive panels.
I find the various noise reduction standards and measurements pretty confusing. The Decibullz only measure about 15dB and 24dB reduction at 1kHz and 2kHz respectively, which isn't all that good on paper, but they may work better than the specs iindicate. I guess only a hearing test before and after will tell.
I am amazed that hickock45 only uses Howard Leight banded "foamies" and can hear anything at all. I've used them when I've needed to shoot a predator in the back forty, but that's just one or two shots and the adrenaline seems to help as well. Given the amount of shooting he does I can't figure why he isn't totally deaf!
I've been thinking about this lately....
...so this thread is very valuable to me.
...so this thread is very valuable to me.
bbqncigars
Member
I've got three different makes of electronic muffs. The Pro Ear has best NRR, the Impact Sport is slimmest, and the Peltor w/optional gel cups are the most comfortable and better NRR than the Sport. That said, I use Peltor TEP-100 electronic plugs when its hot out.
