Let's talk hearing protection

t bell

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What do you guys use? Are the noise canceling ones good? Or will the earplugs suffice? I've seen a few guys at the range with over the ear headphones. Not sure about that.
 
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I generally use the disposable foam jobs. I sometimes use the headphone style but find them uncomfortable with shooting glasses. The headphones press the glass' ear pieces into my skull and begins to drive my nuts after a while. I have never tried the electronic noise cancelling ones but figure I would have the same problem as with the regular headphone style ones.

Between firearms and power tools my hearing is already shot. If there is any amount of background noise such as in a restaurant I can't hear a conversation at the same table I'm sitting at.
 
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I use the Pro Ears electronics and add ear plugs under them on indoor ranges.

If you don't use quality ear protection of some kind, you will regret it.
If your ears ring after shooting, your protection is inadequate.
 
I can only talk about my experiences with MSA Sordins with gel cups. They work great outdoors by themselves but indoors in confined shooting booths with magnum loads, I wouldn't use them unless doubled up. I switch to 33NRR foamies indoors.
 
I use neoprene plugs, shooting and everyday. Disposables just don't cut it. My ears ring before I shoot. Tennitus is very puzzling as it can be much worse when I have had no encounter with loud noises.
 
Save your hearing and always use ear plugs and muffs. The extra sound protection will stop most all damage. Gun shots are one of the most damaging sounds.

Bob
 
I usually use the round ball push in ear plugs. They work really well for me.
 
I use the muffs that cover the entire ear with good results. Unfortunately, for many years starting in the early 60's at the range we used spent cartridges in esch ear. obviously not good and for many years I've had severly diminished hearing in my left ear (I'm left handed.) Good ear and eye protection are a must.
 
I've used the foam( irritating),muffs(too hot in the summer) and have settled on the silicone? On a string plugs for now.Ive always been good about hearing protection for shooting and very loud tools,but a lifetime of power tools has made my hearing loss quite noticeable in noisy restaurants and such.
 
Hearing protection

HAving been on and worked firing ranges for 40 years ( rifles large & small, SMG's, Shotguns and hgn's), I use the Peltor TAC 7 electronic muffs...started using them in 94....I also use them with sonic ear valves......I have a constant ringing in both ears 24/7.....if the Peltors had been available years before, I wouldn't have the hearing loss.....as a tactical trainer I have worked inside shooting houses for years being exposed to countless flashbangs being fired off in the same room, which in an enclosed area w/o protection would have ruptured my ear drums from the over pressure.....I have fired every man portable shoulder fired platform in enclosed areas with the Peltors and the ear valves.....Peltor makes several models and if I am using a shoulder fired weapon I opt for the model that has the scalloped shell, so that I don't "crack" a muff with the stock of the weapon. The real beauty of the electronic muff is that I can crank up the audio gain, with the plugs in and hear everything around me, all vocal's, commands, etc.....but the instant a loud noise happens the muffs attenuate instantly.
I also shoot a lot of 50 BMG rifles and 338 Lapua's, and the muff's and ear valves are wonderful there also. Protect your hearing, use good muff's and plugs....and always use eye protection....good shooting.
 
I have two pairs of Howard Lieght Impact Sports. The second is for backup or for my wife or friend.

Really comfortable, adjustable for both fit and volume. And a it has jack for your smart phone for the all important shot timer app!

Awesome option for ear protection.

Dave.
 
I use Peltor TacSports. They've got the electronic noise cancellation technology. They seem to work well, but after reading this thread I'm going to start using the foam plugs in conjunction with the muffs, because I use an indoor range exclusively.:cool:
 
Hearing loss is very sneaky.I was unaware i had any until a friend started commenting that I heard little of what she said to me in a crowded environment.Use those plugs when running power tools and lawn mowers too.
 
Yes, protect your hearing because you can't get it back.

I recently purchased a set of these: Sport Ear Custom30 I manged to get them for a little less that what that site says, but I admit they are pricey.

Even so, they work great. I can talk to people at a normal level and still be well protected. As a pistol/shotgun instructor this is invaluable.
 
Howard Leight

I bought Howard Leights slimline L3s for the family. I find them very satisfactory and they don't get in the way. Even with the booming going on I forget that I have them on.


PS: That is outdoors. They may need a little extra in the indoor magnum department. I mean to try them on an indoor range soon.
 
I bought Howard Leights slimline L3s for the family. I find them very satisfactory and they don't get in the way. Even with the booming going on I forget that I have them on.


PS: That is outdoors. They may need a little extra in the indoor magnum department. I mean to try them on an indoor range soon.


I use the Howard Leights as well. The slim design is comfortable and noise canceling.

Indoors, I put in foamies and then put on my Howard Leights. I turn the volume all the way up so even with double ear pro I can still hear conversations fine while the gunfire is muted.
 
I can't use muffs because they get in my way - I shoot mostly rifle and shotgun. I had been using foam Skull Screwz with decent results, then at last years clays tournament a travelling gunsmith made me a set of custom molded silicone ear inserts. They work great but there is a trick to putting them in with the right twist motion.
The skull screwz are foam inserts on a small shaft. A lot of people don't use the inserts correctly and that's why they don't work well. Any foam insert is meant to be rolled between fingers to make it smaller diameter, then they are installed quickly before they swell up again. Once they swell up in the ear canal they work. If you just "push them in" they don't seal correctly.
 

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