New Hearing Protection - Behind the Neck / Bluetooth

[NCBeagle]

Picked up some new hearing protection for the range. This is from a local company, HearGuards. The company's owner, Gary, molds the ear pieces and then attaches them to this device.

This rests behind the neck, as opposed to overhead. It does not squeeze the head, interfere with hats, or trap heat, etc. The electronics reduce very loud sounds (gunshots, etc.) to safe range without shutting out all sound. It transmits and, if necessary, amplifies regular noises, voices, etc. It is perfect for safety classes, training, and other scenarios that require one to talk and communicate between intermittent gunfire (like driving in west Charlotte ) It has Bluetooth connectivity to connect with iPhone or other devices, answer calls, listen to podcasts, music, etc.

Any other good hearing protection options? What do you use?

 

[rockquarry]

I doubt you can beat plugs and non-electronic muffs for the very best in hearing protection, but it's old technology and much too simple and inexpensive for many today.

 

[mckenney99]

I'm not sure of the correct percentages, but a large percentage of the damaging sound waves are actually transmitted via the bones of the head around the ear, thus the reason muffs provide greater protection than simply plug type hearing protection.

 

[snw19_357]

I have an earlier version of your Walker's and absolutely love them.

Turn on the outside mics and can hear everything at range and they shut off instantly when there's a loud noise. Turn back on quick enough that you can clearly hear the smack of the steel you were aiming at.

I wear them at the shop to cut out the machine noises or when working in the yard with loud tools, while also listening to my toons.

Their 31dB rating is hard to beat, even with muffs.

 

[M29since14]

I’ve been tempted to try the Walkers like yours, but haven’t jumped yet. Until now, I’ve been using the soft, yellow foam plugs together with various sets of ear muffs. Of course the drawbacks are (1) it’s not very comfortable and (2) I can’t hear much of anything going on around me. I’m willing to put up with the lack of comfort to avoid losing what little hearing I have left.

 

[Onomea]

NCBeagle, are those earpieces custom molded to each owners ear canal? If so, can it, the molding, be done remotely? (I have a hard time finding earbuds that fit my ears comfortably.)

Are they comfortable over several hours? I find my electronic earmuffs grow uncomfortable after an hour or so.

Also, about how much do they cost?

 

[Warren Sear]

I doubt you can beat plugs and non-electronic muffs for the very best in hearing protection, but it's old technology and much too simple and inexpensive for many today.

Unless shooting rimfire (and usually then too) I use both ear plugs and headphones. I have some hearing loss already, and don't want it to get any worse if I can help it.

 

[wood714]

I have the massive earmuff kind. They work great, but I can't talk to people with them on. I signed up for a year at a nice local range about 9 miles from me, and have been shooting at least once a week.

I'd like to get something more modern that offers protection while being able to talk to people.

My hearing is most damaged already from being too cool to wear hearing protection at work, loud music, and lots of shooting without hearing protection. A 38 or 357 in the ear doesn't offer any protection. We'd try that after out ears were hurting from shooting.

 

[H Richard]

I wear Howard Leight Sport muff's. Electronic, will block out Indoor range pistol noise near completely, and you can carry on a conversation, but the split second the shot goes off it blocks all, shot and conversation. For shooting trap/skeet I wear Howard Leight plugs. they swell up in the ear canal and block the shot sound, but you have difficulty hearing any conversation. My shotguns bump against the muffs is why I use plugs with shotguns.

 

[smitholdtimer]

Interesting!

Hello Ryan are you able to furnish a link or the company address, have had no luck with Google? Thanks

 

[jkmo]

I got some Pro Ears a couple weeks ago. Similar to yours. I’ve worn them shooting pins and skeet and I like em

 

[BC38]

I like my Walker Razors. They work great and I can actually hear conversation with them on - but they are just a tad bulky. Not as bulky as the old school muffs, but bulkier than the ones pictured in the OP.
Another thing I like about them is the snap-on 2-way radio accessory. I have a couple of pairs and when you're too far apart for normal conversation, like riding quads or out hunting, the radio works quite well.

 

[NCBeagle]

NCBeagle, are those earpieces custom molded to each owners ear canal? If so, can it, the molding, be done remotely? (I have a hard time finding earbuds that fit my ears comfortably.)

Are they comfortable over several hours? I find my electronic earmuffs grow uncomfortable after an hour or so.

Also, about how much do they cost?

Yes, custom molded. Probably no way to do it remote. I just got them, but it seems like it would be comfortable for a few hours. Cost $280.

 

[NCBeagle]

Hello Ryan are you able to furnish a link or the company address, have had no luck with Google? Thanks

Sam,

I'll text you a picture of Gary's card. He set up Carolina Sporting Sporting Arms and another shop a couple times a month. I'll post the card here too.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

That band goes around your neck like a collar?

 

[Old 44 Guy]

Hearing loss, Yes. Started hunting when I was 13. In the service firing M-1 Garands we stuffed cleaning patches in our ears. Then many years later I noticed I had to turn the volume up on TV & radio. My daughter told me " You need hearing aids" So I bit the bullet and got them 4 years ago. Expensive Yes but worth it.

 

[H Richard]

FYI, check with the Veterans Assoc. The VA does furnish hearing aids. I'm on my 3rd set from them. Not cheapies either . Phonac behind the ear that will work with Bluetooth. Takes a little paperwork and some time, but worth the effort.

 

[TX-Dennis]

Old fashioned muffs when it's cool, plugs when it's hot. No electronics for me. I can still carry on a conversation with them in or on if we speak loudly. My son likes his (expensive) Sordins because he can connect them to his phone via bluetooth and listen to music. Makes it hard to talk to him, though.

 

[snw19_357]

My son likes his (expensive) Sordins because he can connect them to his phone via bluetooth and listen to music. Makes it hard to talk to him, though.

I have to laugh at that. I've gotten better at 'pausing' music (instead of the phone making a call) when someone comes and talks to me because like your son, even with the outside mics turned up and being able to 'hear' the person clear as a bell, I'd be too focused on the music to 'listen'.

 

[tlawler]

I use a pair of Howard Leight Laser Lite plugs with a set of his Impact Pro muffs for big caliber loud stuff (and .327FM!), especially inside. For rimfire, I’ve got some around the neck plugs that are quick on and off and a little more convenient. They are the type that Hickok45 uses and where I got the idea from.

I like stacking the plugs and muffs because you lose some of the muffs effectiveness from the temple pieces of your eye protection. Also, with the volume of the muffs cranked up, I can still hear normal conversation even with the plugs, though somewhat muffled.

I use the around the neck plugs at work also because I need something I can put on and take off rapidly, as the noises I encounter are loud and brief.