[Carbon_15]

I will be using my Browning BAR 30-06 with a BOSS for the first time this year for whitetail hunting. I will also be carrying a handgun for backup, and/or hog hunting. The BAR is extreamly loud and handguns are more than uncomfortable, so I would like to use some sort of hearing protection. my biggest concern is not hearing loss from a single shot, but that I might flinch in antisipation of the sound if I know I don't have hearing protection. I target shoot alot, and it feels very unnatural to shoot sans muffs or plugs. I would be very aware of the lack there of.
I don't like the electronic muffs or plugs because of the unnatural nature of their sound. Does anyone use 'baffle' type plugs? Do you leave your plugs in all the time, or just when you think a shot is imminate?
Thanks
Jason

[Piney Woods]

I can't imagine using hearing protection when hunting. The ability to clearly hear the sounds of the forest contribute greatly in the success of a hunt. Many, many times I have heard deer (turkey, ducks, geese, squirrels, etc.) long before I saw them.
I would think that in using hearing protection you'd be cutting your chances of a successful hunt practically to zero.

[Art Eatman]

One shot isn't gonna make all that difference, insofar as damge to your ears. Think "Sight Picture". Keep on thinking "Sight Picture".

You'll never hear the muzzle blast nor feel the recoil. Not enough to matter, anyway.

Art

[Trip20]

I agree with Piney Woods in that hearing is an essential part of any hunt. Therefore I protect my hearing when pulling the trigger with these cheap ear plugs from Remington (http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=486901).

A chord holds them together so you can leave them hanging around your neck while not in use. You leave them out of your ears of course, so you can hear what's going on around you while hunting. I only put them into my ears if/when the animal I've already identified as a shooter is in sight, and I'm ready to prepare for the shot.

These particular plugs are very soft/pliable and thus are easily placed into your ear using just a thumb and forefinger from one hand. I literally put it in the canal opening and push. The plugs snake their way into the canal to create a seal and protect your hearing.

Is it necessary to take precautions for just one shot? That’s debatable. But when taking the precaution is made so easy by such an inexpensive easy to use product… why not do it just in case?

[sixgunner455]

Lately, I've been using electronic plugs. My ears don't ring after the shot, and I can still hear with as much volume as I want -- amplified, if I want to put up with wind noise. I have enough tinnitus and hearing loss from an unprotected handgun shot near my head. I don't need more.

I'm more satisfied with these than normal plugs. I can't imagine wearing electronic muffs.

[carnaby]

Those remington plugs would be good for hunting, you just stuff 'em in and don't have to wait for expansion. I personally just wear a pair of muffs on my noggin and pull 'em down when I'm ready to shoot, well, at least that's the plan. I'm a bit of a noob and haven't had an opportunity... yet :D

I have tinnitus, you never know if you're going to get it or not, but better to aim on the cautious side. I'd pay $1,000,000 to lose the ringing if I could.

[Lennyjoe]

Of all the shots I've taken I dont think I remember hearing the report of any of them.

I did wear a pair of Caldwell electronic muffs while on a dove hunt last year and they didn't hinder my ability any. Actually, they helped me hear my buddies better when they let me know that birds were coming my way.

If I had the money I'd try the Walker game ear and see how they help. To hear the crunch of leaves or a snap of a twig sooner would be an advantage.

[JShirley]

The last time I was able to spend time in the woods hunting, I carried ear plugs with me. I used them if I had to take a finishing shot.

If I were hunting small game or birds- anything that I knew would take multiple shots- I'd be sure to wear electronic muffs.

John

[hps1]

I use the Walker Quad Four game ear muffs when hunting or on the range. They amplify normal woods sounds. I can hear hogs moving through the brush that I could not hear without the muffs due to hearing damage from firing everything from 81 mm mortars to .22 LR over many years.

Wind noise is a problem and I often wear the muffs above my ears on windy days and slip them over the ears for a shot. Once in a while I forget and shoot without sliding them into place, but for the most part I will protect my remaining hearing.

Regards,
hps

[Grumulkin]

By using electronic ear muffs you get used to them and the difference in sound stops being a bother.

Any kind of loud noise can damage hearing and the damage is cumulative. If you don't take care of your ears now, you may not need the muffs later because you'll be deaf.

I admit, carrying muffs is a pain. At the least use the foam ear plugs when ready to shoot if possible. If you don't want to wear two ear plugs, if shooting right hand at least wear one if the left ear since that one will be exposed to the most noise. The baffel plugs don't work.

[Skoghund]

I bought a pair of Peltor Sporttac about two months ago after i found that even the crack from the :22 blank in the dummy launcher made my ears ring.
It was strange at first wearing them while hunting but i'v just about got used to them now. I have always used ear protection down the range and at work.
You can hear normally when wearing them and even turn up the volume. They cut out all sound over 80db.
I set the volume at about what i normally hear. Turn the volume up and there is just to much noise out there.

[ScottsGT]

I bought a set of the Remington electronic muffs from Wal-Mart when I used to take my .44 mag. hunting. Only problem I had was that the muffs got tight on my head after wearing them for two hours. And when I took them off, the silence was eerie in the dark woods after hearing so good with them on.
I've taken a shot from the stand with the adrinilin pumping, and as Art said, you won't notice how loud it is. But physically, I think it can still do damage, but as little as I get to take a shot, I don't worry too much. (5 years hunting and only seen one running that I shot at)

[22-rimfire]

I use the Silencio ear plugs (cheap kind) while hunting like Trip20 said. Keep them around my neck on a shoe string. Put them in as game approaches. But, the lack of ear plugs would not stop me from taking a shot if it comes down to that. I have been considering the game ear or muffs as an experiment.

[Twycross]

I've used muffs a few times for varmint hunting, but thats about it.

[dracphelan]

I use the cheapo Cabelas electronic er plugs with audio protection. I love them for both the range and woods.

[S&Wfan]

I agree about using hearing protection! I know too many hunters that can't hear well anymore!

The muzzle blast of a hot-loaded .44 mag. handgun is rough on the ears, even though you don't "hear it" as normal when you touch off the round!

I too use the $100 Reminton amplified range muffs. They are great on the range during competitions . . . but they are also wonderful during the hunt.

http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/246/246167/folders/193542/1994987Remingtonearmuffs.jpg

Like the other poster said about his, you get used to them (in stereo by the way) and when you remove them the woods seem SO QUIET!!!

They don't amplify a lot in the wood, but they DO help . . . and their sound triangulation is virtually the same as one's normal sound detection.

For $100 they were a great set of range muffs . . . with the ability to keep me from blowing out my ears while hunting.

Great idea!

T.

[ryan56507@msn.com]

unless your doing something with tons of shooting like say duck or dove hunting, dont use it. One shot every couple weeks at the most maybe only once or twice a year will not damage your ears that much. You may not have anyhting to hear if you use them cuz you wont hear animals and people yelling "dont shoot!" lol. Unless your thinking about taking about five or six shots dont worry about going deaf

[bearmgc]

I also use the Cheapo Cabelas electronic amplifying ear plugs with audio protection. I have them out sometimes to hear the direction of animal movement. That's the only major disadvantage of these things. You can hear the movement, but the direction of it is hard to determine. Yes hearing loss is cummulative, and I can tell who, at work, is a hunter/shooter.

[grizz]

Where I hunt, and with the style I choose to employ (spot n' stalk) I almost always hear deer before I see them. Can't imagine using earplugs or even amplified earmuffs.

When I'm about to pull the trigger, the last thing that I'm worried about is noise or recoil. With that much adrenaline I don't flinch and after the shot, I've never once thought, "da*n that was loud".

[Oldnamvet]

For those who think that hearing protection doesn't matter, you ought to have your hearing checked every year. The loss will be there. It is insidious in that you don't notice it until there is a substantial loss. Then all you can do is relegate yourself to saying "what?" a lot and protect what you have left. I use a Hunters Ear which amplifies sounds and cuts off when loud sounds (like my shot) occur. Been there, and now my world is very quiet when I don't have my aids in.

[quatin]

Hearing loss is cummulative, much like vision loss. You don't notice it until you put on a pair of glasses or a set of hearing aids or when it's too late. It's really up to you whether you want to do it or not. I picked up a pair of rubber plugs for $9 that's supposed to reduce quick pressure (like gun shots), but allow voice to be heard. They really suck when compared to foam plugs or ear muffs, but I guess for hunting it may bring the shots to a bearable (not quiet) level.

[frankt]

I hunt with a handgun 90% of the time so I will not shoot without hearing protection. I sometimes will shoot a rifle for one shot but if time allows the plugs go in.

I wear the Sound Bans and leave them around my neck or hat and it just takes a second to put them in place.

Damaged hearing will not heal itself.

http://www.pro-am.com/Catalog/Exec/product.asp?product_id=939

[bclark1]

+1 to everyone who's said that hearing protection is unnecessary. let's say you want to bag two deer opening day. even if you're a horrible shot, that shouldn't be more than 5-6 shots in a day. 2-3 in any short span. that's not really going to do damage, and as everyone said, the loudness and recoil really don't bother you during the excitement of a hunt. if you're taking more shots than that, it's either time to switch your caliber or hang up the camo until you figure out how to shoot better, probably the latter.

[sixgunner455]

Every shot does damage. I have significant loss from one incident, one shot. Hearing loss is cumulative. Every shot does an amount of damage.

http://www.dangerousdecibels.org/hearingloss.cfm

Do some reading here.

The electronic hearing protectors that allow normal hearing but shut out loud noises are the way I hunt, unless I'm doing archery. And with the loss I have in my right ear, I may start using them then anyway!

[Trip20]

+1 to everyone who's said that hearing protection is unnecessary. let's say you want to bag two deer opening day. even if you're a horrible shot, that shouldn't be more than 5-6 shots in a day. 2-3 in any short span. that's not really going to do damage, and as everyone said, the loudness and recoil really don't bother you during the excitement of a hunt.

Should you have the opportunity to teach younger shooters, I hope you forget to pass on this bit of advice.

There are plenty of practical/affordable ways to hunt whilst protecting your hearing. Shooting with out hearing protection permanently damages your hearing. Period.

It may not "bother you during the excitement of a hunt", but that’s non sequitur. To avoid this inevitable cumulative damage, protection is a must - completely opposite your advice.

You want to damage your hearing -- feel free. You're also free to smoke and not wear your seatbelt, but do you suggest youngsters do the same? Well, there may be young shooters who cruise this board for advice -- think about it.

[B.D. Turner]

I agree with some of the others on here I never ever remember hearing the shot I fired at a deer. I do wear hearing and eye protection when firing a pistol in the yard. I am tone deaf and use a hearing aid type device when deer hunting to help me hear what I would have missed.

[Manedwolf]

I can't imagine using hearing protection when hunting. The ability to clearly hear the sounds of the forest contribute greatly in the success of a hunt.

And..um..hearing damage kind of removes that ability, y'know?

There's lots of micro-sized electronic devices out there now that cut only impulse sounds and even amplify others. I can't image why you'd not choose that option, now.

+1 to everyone who's said that hearing protection is unnecessary. let's say you want to bag two deer opening day. even if you're a horrible shot, that shouldn't be more than 5-6 shots in a day. 2-3 in any short span. that's not really going to do damage, and as everyone said, the loudness and recoil really don't bother you during the excitement of a hunt.

I see you've decided to spend the latter part of your life with obvious hearing aids. Well...that's your choice, I guess.

[Legionnaire]

I don't wear hearing protection when hunting with a long gun. However, the first time I shot my Contender (15" .35 Rem barrel with muzzle break) at game in the field, my ears rang for three days. That was a Friday. The following Monday I ordered a set of Peltor Tac-7s. I wear them all the time now when hunting with a handgun. Since they are stereo, I can still hear directionally. They are what I wear at the range, as well.

I like the idea of the foam plugs on a string around your neck. Think I'll start doing that when hunting with a long gun.

[Legionnaire]

I like the idea of the foam plugs on a string around your neck.
Liked the idea so much yesterday, that when I stopped by Gander Mountain to pick up some ammo today, I bought a couple of pairs. :D

[JohnKSa]

Every shot does damage. I have significant loss from one incident, one shot. Hearing loss is cumulative. Every shot does an amount of damage.Same here. One shot, noticeable and lasting hearing loss. A coworker's wife had a self-defense situation that resulted in her experiencing two shots without hearing protection. She reported noticeable hearing loss from that single incident.

I'm not saying everyone exposed to gunfire without hearing protection will experience noticeable loss immediately, but it can certainly happen. And even if the loss isn't noticeable, it is almost certainly there and will get worse the more you abuse your ears.

Remember, a certain amount of hearing loss is inevitable with age. Adding to that loss isn't going to make you a happy camper down the road...

[NAK]

I wear electronic, amplified protectors for both hunting and range shooting.

If I had started wearing hearing protection for EVERY SHOT thirty years ago, I would not need amplified hearing protectors now.

I am sure my overall hearing loss came gradual with each shot fired, but the tinnitus (ringing) came with a SINGLE SHOT and has not left me for over 20 years.

[22-rimfire]

Really an excellent thread. Sure beats the 9mm vs 40 S&W caliber wars. Use hearing protection if it is at all possible whenever shooting firearms, even a 22LR. The science does not lie; hearing loss is cumulative. Nobody wants to have a permanent ringing in their ears and I feel sorry for those have that have this due to shooting guns or in the military.

[Carbon_15]

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice guys.
I have a hearing problem with my left ear from a full-house .357 going off in a car right by my head (you don't want to know ;) ). That was later componded by a hot welding spark going down my left ear canal a few year later.
I would like to keep what hearing I have left. Besides that, the problem with my left ear causes gunshots to be very painfull. Even a .22 feels like an icepick stabing that ear. I'm mostly worried that knowing that might make me flinch.

[GRB]

One shot every couple weeks at the most maybe only once or twice a year will not damage your ears that much.

I fired a single shot with a .357 Magnum revolver while in the border patrol about 25 years ago. My left ear is still ringing from the effeects of that shot. It was fired in a normal manner. Please don't tell me how firing once in a while will not badly effect your hearing, because there certainly is just such a possibility, though less with a rifle or shotgun.

All the best,
Glenn B

[.38 Special]

FWIW, the typical gunshot easily falls into the 120+ dB range that can cause instant hearing damage. That does not mean that it is guaranteed in every circumstance with every shooter, but believing that a single gunshot definitely won't cause any damage is a mistake.

Also, a note on the "You won't even notice the gunshot when hunting or firing in self defense": this is often true, but is a central processing issue (a fancy way of saying "If you are sufficiently preoccupied with something else, your brain may not bother telling you about loud noises") rather than an ear issue. It is akin to cutting yourself while fleeing from an enraged bear or something: you may not notice the damage at the time, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen or that you won't notice it later.

As an aside, there is a system by which the ear tries to protect itself from loud noises. There are several tiny little bones in your middle ear which connect your eardrum to the part of the inner ear which transduces mechanical energy into electrical energy. That part of the inner ear is susceptible to damage from loud noises and is the part most often responsible for hearing loss. The ear protects itself by tightening muscles connected to the little bones of the middle ear and preventing too much mechanical energy from entering the inner ear. You may notice this reflex if you listen to music through headphones: the initial volume, which was comfortably loud, may seem to quiet after a period of continuous listening.

The problem with this reflex is that it is not rapid enough to protect from an instantaneous sound like a gunshot.

Electronic ear protection is very effective for those who feel like spending the money and are not too bothered by the slightly unnatural sound. These can actually be custom made to the indivdual's ears and are very comfortable and effective. The only downside is that they will require at least one trip to the audiologist/hearing aid dispenser and will cost between $600 and $3000. And average lifespan for in-the-ear electronic protection is going to be in the neighborhood of five years. Which isn't mentioned in the advertisements.

The "baffle" type ear plugs are surprisingly worthwhile. Most people find over-the-counter models to be pretty comfortable, and for those who don't, custom molded ones are available for less than $200 and should last for decades. Both types work very well to protect against "impulse" noise like a gunshot -- they are not for sustained loud noises -- and restrict normal hearing in normal environments very little.

End of lecture, exam on Monday. :)

[gspn]

I also use a browning with the BOSS. It is LOOOOUUUUDDDD. I began using regular "mickey mouse ears" hearing muffs. I keep them on top of my head until I need to shoot, then pull them down onto my ears, they stay up there very well, they just kind of hug your head. It's the best thing I've found, effective, cheap and easy. When you need them just push on the top and they pop right down onto your ears. I stalk a lot and I need to hear as much as I can.


I shoot about 10 deer a year and a few years back as I lay in the rack at night I realized that my ears were ringing. I had that ringing for about 6 months. I'm a lot more careful now.

[ScottsGT]

I shoot about 10 deer a year and a few years back as I lay in the rack at night I realized that my ears were ringing. I had that ringing for about 6 months. I'm a lot more careful now.

Your very fortunate it went away. I guess someone was kind enough to give you a warning, and you were smart enough to see it.

[Karbon]

I have been really concerned about this (my hearing) for several years. I’m only 30, and I can tell my hearing in my left ear is way worse than my right…maybe even a 30% loss or more. Being a stupid guy and thinking “I don’t need protection” or “hunters don’t/can’t wear hearing protection” I continued to hunt with out them on the opening day of duck season. Well my ears, mainly my left rang and rang all week (and still does a bit) a I finally got fed up and smart.

I sucked it up, went out and bought the Walker’s Game Ears, quad muffs in camo. It took an hour or so to get used to them, but I’m happy I did. I could hear in all directions and having amplified hearing is always a plus. (it will work out great for deer hunting too!) I did get a bit annoyed when I was walking through some grass, but I just needed to turn them down. Granted I may not look as tough or whatever, but as I sat in the boat with my father, 54, and catching him over and over saying “what” or “say that again”, or even missing some of the sweet sounds of duck wings sailing past us…I’m glad I made my selection.

I will use them from this day on, and when my son Ethan is old enough, he too will wear hearing protection. I don’t want him to end up like his Father, grandfather and great grandfather.



Once it’s gone, it’s gone.

[JShirley]

The "baffle" type ear plugs are surprisingly worthwhile

I don't find them so. I have some sonic plugs. They hurt, and I don't notice any noise attenuation.

At the same time, I strongly suggest wearing ear pro whenever possible. My children, when I have them, will always wear it.

John

[carnaby]

I also did not find the baffle type to work very well.

[Karbon]

I tried thoes first...same crappy results.

[.38 Special]

Interesting. You all are the first folks I've heard from who did not like the baffle plugs. Thanks for the info, and if you're in the mood I'd like to hear details...

[carnaby]

Well, to be honest, I'm not sure if I was using them correctly. When I tried them at the range (outdoor, rifle) for a breif moment, they did not seem to be working, and you don't want to mess around with that sort of thing. I tried them again in my garage and noticed that you really need to work them into your ear canal. Still, they don't deaden ordinary continuous noise (which is how they are supposed to work), but I didn't notice them deadening the noise from whacking two 2x4's together either.

I couldn't justify "trying" them at the range, since my ears are already screwed up and I don't want any more. How else could they be tested?

[RyanM]

The problem with the baffle plugs is their low attenuation. I think it's only about 15 dB maximum, compared to 25-30 for good plugs or muffs. So a 160 dB gunshot is only decreased to 145 dB, which is still painfully loud. Given that the dB scale is logarithmic, 25 dB foamies protect your hearing ten times better than 15 dB baffles, and will reduce noise to half the apparent volume.

Personally, I have about a 15 dB hearing loss in my left ear, and constant tinnitus in both ears. I never shoot without both plugs and muffs, indoors or out, and I never approach a shooting range without at least the muffs in place. Both the hearing loss and tinnitus appear to be either congenital, or the result of ear infections when I was a kid, but shooting without protection will only make it worse, regardless.

[NAK]

I have tried several types over the years. With the hearing loss that I already had, foam plugs left me completely cut off from the world. I also used the sonic valve type for a while. They were uncomfortable and did not seem to provide adequate dampening of gunshots.

I an now using custom fitted, amplified ear plugs and I love them. I took in my last audiogram from work and they programmed them specifically for the frequency ranges of my hearing loss.

[Karbon]

NAK

How much did those plugs set you back?

Sounds like the ideal soultion to the problem...if you have the means.

[nico]

From what I've seen, plugs like NAK describes range from a few hundred to almost a thousand bucks. Definitely the best choice if money isn't an issue, but I might be more inclined to go with some high end muffs like the Peltor Tac 6/7.

[Karbon]

I only dumped like $220 on the Walker's Qaud Game Ears. They work great, but I would have liked the in-ear low profile option, but cash was a limiting factor for me.

Happy regardless.

[Troutman]

I was taught to listen in the woods, when hunting. Unlike indoors at a range, where you have walls that sound bounces off of. When hunting, it's open country.
But...I still use then when going on hunts. While at camp, and some wife(s) are along. Or some hunter complains. About the weather, it's too cold, how I'm going to cook pancakes on a campfire, too muddy here for my highheels, can we go to 7-11, ect...ect... Then I use hearing protection.

[NAK]

nico is right... the plugs I have were right at a grand for the pair. I tried muffs, but never liked them. They were really uncomfortable with shooting glasses and tended to give me headaches if I used them for more than an hour or so.

I was very hesitant about spending the money for the plugs, but now that I have them, I wish I had coughed up the money years ago.

[S&Wfan]

Soooooo many older hunters, always active in shooting sports and hunting all their lives, are "dang near deaf."

Most of you hunters out there know several I'm sure. The difference between those older deaf ones and yourself . . . is just a matter of years.

Older hunters are so excited when they finally try the really nice hearing enhancer/protectors like the Walker products. They say, "I can HEAR THE DEER WALKING AGAIN LIKE I COULD WHEN I WAS A KID!"

We used to have a hunter on our club who talked louder than h__. He was in his late 50's and he'd lost so much of his hearing.

For you younger hunters, you have the opportunity now to save your keen hearing throughout your entire hunting years . . . by wearing good electronic hearing enhancers/protection while hunting.

For those of you in your mid-50s like myself, who realize that we don't hear 'em slipping past us nearly as well anymore, the devices are a godsend.

For those of you too macho to wear 'em . . . enjoy your hunting while you can, for one day you won't hear those squirrels in the trees . . . or that big buck slipping quietly past you 100 yards away . . . and you'll wonder why you aren't very successful anymore.

FOLKS . . . WEAR PROTECTION!

Again . . . my "muffs." They aren't overly expensive . . . ARE in stereo (and give really good pinpoint placement of all sounds) . . . and allow me to hear MUCH BETTER after the shot, should a deer not go down instantly. It's nice again to hear 'em fall and kick 100 yards away again too!;)

http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/246/246167/folders/193542/1994987Remingtonearmuffs.jpg

[Psssniper]

I cant believe some of the posts that I have read here. Save a copy of this thread and when you cant hear a damn thing in your old age re-read it and weep. ONE incident WILL permanently damage your hearing and it only gets worse with each incident. We spend tons of money on guns scopes trips tags etc but are too damn cheap to protect one of the most important things we have that we can never get back once it's gone, our hearing. :banghead:
As noted there are many options that will protect your ears and amplify the sounds around you. We all make choices and we live with the results of those choices, choose wisely my friends.

[PinnedAndRecessed]

I share this info with whomever will listen:



Facts on noise levels:

Decibels measure sound pressure and are logarithmic, a 3db increase almost doubles sound pressure, a 6db increase quadruples sound pressure.

Gradual hearing loss may occur after prolonged exposure to 90 decibels or above.

Exposure to 100 decibels for more than 15 minutes can cause hearing loss.

Exposure to 110 decibels for more than a minute can cause permanent hearing loss.

Here are some examples of noise levels:

Video arcades - (110 dB).

Firecrackers - (125-155 dB at a distance of 10 feet).

Live music concerts - (120 dB and above).

Movie theatres - (118 dB).

Health clubs and aerobic studios (120 dB).

Sporting events (127 dB).

Motorboats - (85-115 dB).

Motorcycles - (95-120 dB).

Snowmobiles - (99 dB).

"Boom cars" - (140 dB and above).

Here are noise levels of firearms:

.223, 55GR. Commercial load 18" barrel 155.5dB

.243 in 22" barrel 155.9dB

.30-30 in 20" barrel 156.0dB.

7mm Magnum in 20" barrel 157.5dB.

.308 in 24" barrel 156.2dB.

.30-06 in 24" barrel 158.5dB. In 18" barrel 163.2dB.

.375 18" barrel with muzzle brake 170 dB.

.410 Bore 28" barrel 150dB. 26" barrel 150.25dB. 18" barrel 156.30dB.

20 Gauge 28" barrel 152.50dB. 22" barrel 154.75dB.

12 Gauge 28" barrel 151.50dB. 26" barrel 156.10dB. 18" barrel 161.50dB.

.25 ACP 155.0 dB.

.32 LONG 152.4 dB.

.32 ACP 153.5 dB.

.380 157.7 dB.

9mm 159.8 dB.

.38 S&W 153.5 dB.

.38 Spl 156.3 dB.

.357 Magnum 164.3 dB.

.41 Magnum 163.2 dB.

.44 Spl 155.9 dB.

.45 ACP 157.0 dB.

.45 COLT 154.7 dB.

Properly fitted earplugs or muffs reduce noise 15 to 30 dB. The better earplugs and muffs are approximately equal in sound reductions, although earplugs are better for low frequency noise and earmuffs for high frequency noise.

All of us should be trying to get the greatest Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) that can be put together. NRR 30 plugs with NRR 20 muffs will give you an effective NRR 45 (add plugs and muffs, then subtract 5). If noise levels are 160 dB this gives you an exposure with plugs and muffs of 115 dB. The acceptable exposure time for this is 15 minutes total for the day. If the noise levels are 150 dB the resultant acceptable exposure time with the given plugs and muffs is 1 hour and 4 hours if the noise level is 140 dB. You're not going to find unsuppressed noise levels below 140dB with gunfire.

If you are shooting by yourself, roughly 100 rounds of 140 dB instantaneous noise in a day should not produce hearing damage. Put your plugs and muffs on and you get to shoot up to a thousand rounds without damage (louder ammo/gun and the allowable drops by a factor of 5). Shoot with other people and you have to add all the rounds shot cumulatively (10 people shoot 100 rounds and everybody's done for the day; toss a handcannon or 30 cal rifle in and you're back down to 200 rounds cumulative). If you shoot on an indoor range then all the rounds fired while you are on the range go into your total. So you can see that it doesn't take very long on a range to have a thousand rounds popped off around you.

If you want to know what the noise level you are exposed to is you can rent noise dosimeters that you can wear. They will record the total noise exposure and present the information to you as dB. You can then subtract the adjusted combined NRR of your hearing protection to determine if you're getting too much exposure.

[JohnKSa]

PinnedAndRecessed,

Great information. I guess I had never seen the part explaining cumulative exposure numbers for a day as it relates to gunfire.

[Mossberg535]

I definitely agree with wearing protection during hunting.
I shot a 357 6 times 20 years ago without hearing protection and my hearing has never been the same. My right eardrum has been damaged ever since. I have some hearing loss in both ears, more in the right, and certain tones sound like bad speaker distortion in my right ear....all from a few handgun shots 2 decades ago.

You younger shooters/hunters who come by this forum, take these guys who are telling you to use protection ALL the time very seriously.
Im just turning 43 this year and the sole reason for my hearing being the way it is was because a few gunshots where I was just too big a man to wear those sissy looking earmuffs.
And I dont hunt a lot at all, so dont be fooled by someone telling you that only a few shots here and there wont hurt.
I hunted and shot a bit when I was in my teens and early 20s, skipped a whole decade without doing much of either and just got back into it in 05, so I dont have a whole lot of gunplay over the course of my life, but I DO have damaged hearing from just a few shots and not wearing protection.

[carnaby]

Zoinks! I don't even like to shoot the .357 with hearing protection. I can only imagine how bad it would be without ears on.

[BIGR]

Man you dug this post out of the ground, its older than the hills. While I am talking about it though I will comment. I don't wear hearing protection while hunting but I will while target practicing. I guess I should but I like to hear bambi coming through the woods. I know there are those plugs like walkers game ear but I have never tried them.

[K96771]

I'm sitting here reading this thread while wearing my new and very expensive hearing aids. Don't be an ass; protect it while you have it.

[BIGR]

Thats right use it or loose it and don't be a real jack ass.

[MCgunner]

Older'n the hills thread.

No, I don't, except when hunting in box blinds with my 12" compensated .30-30 Contender. I found that one out the hard way. It ain't bad in the open, but in a box blind I keep the muffs on my head and pull 'em down before the shot. I haven't hunted with a revolver in a box blind, but I would do the same for that, too.

[Mossberg535]

Older'n the hills thread.
eh..that was my fault for not looking at the date first :D
I was google searching hearing protection and this thread came up.
I joined and posted without looking to see how oldd the thread was.

[BIGR]

Welcome Mossberg535, no big deal. Using the search feature will turn up tons of info. Wearing hearing protection is a good topic. I agree a 357 will make your ears ring and I learned years ago to respect it. My hearing is probably not what it should be due to some of the work and shooting I have done over the years. Take care

[mswestfall]

Eye protection here but no hearing protection.

[Deer Hunter]

While hunting duck and dove I use hearing protection.

[yesit'sloaded]

Funnily enough most of my hearing loss is from other things than gunfire (formula racing team and I played in a band in high school). I always wear foam plugs when hunting and they seem to work. No ringing ears or pain.

[buck460XVR]

For those that think an occasional shot without having ear protection while hunting will do no harm have never shot a compensated X-Frame revolver. Not only will they make an unprotected ear ring, they can make it bleed. :D

Altho I agree that an occasional shot while hunting with a medium size long gun may not substantially damage ones hearing, this is not always the case. A friend of mine took his young son to Texas for his first deer hunt. Using a youth size gun he proceeded to shoot his first deer with the muzzle inside the walls of the metal box stand. They both now have permanent hearing loss. I myself hunted for years without hearing protection and still go without when using a long gun, but I will not go without whenever I use my handguns....whether the .460 or the .357. I have had good luck with the bellows type I got from work and have used plain foam ones also.....someday I'll break down and get an expensive pair of the electronic ones. I too walk and stalk for deer, but have found that earplugs only handicap me because they quiet the noise I make so I tend to go too fast. I've found most of the time, when I'm successful, I still sight the game first. Those that I hear are already going the wrong way and the most one can hope for is the infamous "Texas Heart Shot".

[langenc]

Dont let anyone tell you "it is just a 22"

Then I suppose a 44 is only 2x as much bang!! Ran into a couple geniuses at the range with a 44 mag. When we quired them about their lack of earmuffs we got "we do it all the time without." What??