Hearing protection recommendations?

[tlawler]

Like a lot of others, I double up with plugs and muffs. These two products, both made by Howard Leigh, are the best I've found so far for comfort and noise reduction. With the volume cranked up on the electronics, I can still make out conversations with the plugs in. Total dB reduction with both together must be at least 50 dB.

 

[Oldsalt66]

Ordinary Peltor or Beretta muffs over Peltor (or similar) reuseable earplugs have worked great for me indoors or outdoors.

 

[jackmoineau]

I always double up 1. earplugs from Quies 2. Peltor Optime III

It's the best protection you can get (noise protection is less important with electronic). That being said, I only shoot handguns. If I ever shoot a rifle, I'd probably have to buy other earmuffs since they are quite bulky and it could cause problems to take aim.

 

[oldbrownhat]

I use corded custom-molded ear plugs from a local mfr. with big Peltor/3M muffs over them. Rarely do rifle now so cheek weld isn't a problem. For regular noisy work around the house I use Howard Leight banded plugs like Hickock45. (How he can hear anything just using those for shooting baffles me, though.)

 

[tlawler]

It may have been mentioned…

But if not, keep in mind that you lose some protection with muffs from the temple pieces of your safety glasses.

 

[rockquarry]

It may have been mentioned…

But if not, keep in mind that you lose some protection with muffs from the temple pieces of your safety glasses.

That's why you should also wear plugs.

 

[BloodyThumb]

I shoot with kids often so I picked up multiple pair of Walker Razors on sale for $40 a pair. They have been excellent and fit a wide variety of heads. I also picked up a bag of 500 sets of yellow foam ear plugs a long time ago that have lasted a while when the grandkids keep track of them for multiple range trips. shooting glasses are more goggles that go around their heads with a flat elastic strap, eliminating the gap in the headset that glasses cause.

 

[Beemerguy53]

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.

Y'know, that's an excellent point. The last time I was at the range, the guy to my right was shooting an AR, and the concussion was really significant…and bothersome. Years ago, indoor ranges didn't permit that, but I suppose modern backstops are stronger now. I think I'll take your advice regarding leaving or waiting until the rifle folks are finished…thanks!

 

[rockquarry]

Y'know, that's an excellent point. The last time I was at the range, the guy to my right was shooting an AR, and the concussion was really significant…and bothersome. Years ago, indoor ranges didn't permit that, but I suppose modern backstops are stronger now. I think I'll take your advice regarding leaving or waiting until the rifle folks are finished…thanks!

I'd find another interest if I had to shoot on an indoor range. Rifles and incredibly loud handguns come close to overwhelming hearing protection but muffs and plugs still work. I couldn't imagine using only muff-type protectors on an indoor range.

 

[tinkerer]

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.

I still have a couple of sets of those. Getting rather sticky now...

 

[zeke]

Y'know, that's an excellent point. The last time I was at the range, the guy to my right was shooting an AR, and the concussion was really significant…and bothersome. Years ago, indoor ranges didn't permit that, but I suppose modern backstops are stronger now. I think I'll take your advice regarding leaving or waiting until the rifle folks are finished…thanks!

you're welcome

 

[BC38]

I use a set of Walker Razor Slim electronic earmuffs and really like them.
I can adjust the volume to be able to hear conversation, and they will still suppress the sound of an AR pistol at the indoor range to comfortable levels.
I got a two-pair set WITH the add-on radios (so you can use them as hands-free walkie talkies when not at the range) on sale for $49 or $59 IIRC.
Good gear at a good price.

 

[Greyman50]

Cigarette buts. They can be purchased at most local convenience stores in packs of 20.

LOL, in Vietnam we tried that when firing mortars, didn't work. Audiologist told me damaging sound enters ones head behind the ears too so most muffs don't protect 100%.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Yes, I have noted how much sound I pick up even with plugs and muffs. And vibrations. "Someday" I will get-or make myself-custom molded earplugs.
No brand loyalty here, haven't noted that much difference. Zero experience with electronic ear muffs.

 

[WardenRoss]

Really, if you shoot in an indoor range, I don't see how that much noise wouldn't do hearing damage. No matter how much protection you don.

And yes, I had to shoot indoors for many years in my line of work.

Thankfully, I'm done with that chapter of my life .

 

[Greyman50]

Having managed an indoor range in the 70s there were several restrictions on certain weapons . Back then any pistol calibers were fine but rifles over 30 Cal were a no go. Also ones firing rifles of any allowed caliber had the range to themselves as regardless of hearing protection others said it was way to loud. Most females were unable to deal with really loud weapon noise. We had several classes for kids, women and guys. Women were very easy to teach and kids were next. I'll not go into instructing most males, lol. LEos shot for free and got to meet and become friends with many in several agencies, local, state and federal. Nice times.

 

[SMSgt]

I find the electronic earmuffs at Harbor Freight to be more than adequate for pistol shooting. They are a bit large when it comes to rifles, the muffs hitting the stocks. Inexpensive, comfortable.

 

[oldbrownhat]

LOL, in Vietnam we tried that when firing mortars, didn't work. Audiologist told me damaging sound enters ones head behind the ears too so most muffs don't protect 100%.

And they're less effective at lower frequencies. No personal experience with mortars but I'd think there's a lot of LF "whump." I used to do a fair bit of on-location audio recording of choral concerts etc. and on occasion when I had to sit in the auditorium, I used Etymotics in-ear headphones in custom moulds with the big Peltor/3M muffs over top to give me some isolation. They did, but only really above about 250Hz.

Most of the damage comes from middle and upper frequencies, which is why the "squealers" they put on some industrial equipment to warn of danger operate around 2500 Hz, which is the ear's most sensitive region. The threshold of pain is about 130dB and gunfire is well above this. There are a lot of articles on this, some very technical.
Here are a couple:

The Gun Zone:

Unpacking the Sonic Boom: Understanding Gunshot Frequency

Noise Monitorng Services:

Measuring firearm noise levels

I am amazed that vets from eras before there was any thought of hearing protection, could hear anything at all.

 

[65-2x2]

The good thing about inadequate hearing protection is that when you get old, there is a lot less that you want to hear.

I can not stand to put anything into my ear canal so I just use a set of electronic Walkers. To add a set of ear muffs just shop by the db reduction.

 

[rwsmith]

I use a combination of flanged silicon ear plugs and muffs. I used to use Howard Leight plain muffs but last year I got some Walker electronics muff at the suggestion of Autumn' Amory on Youtube. The plain muffs now serve as work

Y'know, that's an excellent point. The last time I was at the range, the guy to my right was shooting an AR, and the concussion was really significant…and bothersome. Years ago, indoor ranges didn't permit that, but I suppose modern backstops are stronger now. I think I'll take your advice regarding leaving or waiting until the rifle folks are finished…thanks!

That's so true. I'm used to all kinds of blast and recoil, but indoors that concussion when somebody shoot a big rifle or a Desert Eagle the concussion alone is disconcerting. You can feel the blast wave.