Tactical Hearing Protection

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Anthony

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Hello Everyone,

For many years Lethal Force Institute (LFI) and Massad Ayoob helped popularize the tactical and range use of the excellent Gentex Wolf Ears muffs. These have been an essential part of my tactical kit for over a decade as they allow me to hear sounds I would not normally be able to hear with my normal hearing and would allow me to retain my ability to hear in case gunfire erupted.

With the demise of the Gentex Wolf Ears, what make and model of hearing protection comes closest to duplicating the old Gentex product for tactical and/or range use?

How about the newer Swedish MSA line of hearing protection?

Thank you for your input.
 
There are several companies that make electronic hearing protection. I am currently using Pro Ears Dimension I's. They have worked great for me. They have very good sound pickup. Also if the batteries go dead they still have a 33 decibel noise reduction rating for use as standard ear muffs.
Pro Ears makes several different models as well as companies like Peltor, Howard Leicht, Etc.
 
one for the nightstand.
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I wouldn't really recommend hearing protection as part of your emergency home response kit. If an intruder barges into your place with intentions to seriously hurt or kill, you: 1: wouldn't have enough to put on the protection, 2: The same protection you are wearing might block out other important sounds, such as the noise made by the intruder, or your family members calling to make sure you are okay.

Reflexes are one of the most important things you need for a self defense or home defense scenario. Being "tactical" is all about being prepared for any given situation. And sometimes, too much "tactical" gear would end up making everything un-tactical.
 
I don't know if they are "tactical" (or overpriced as a lot of stuff that is marketed as "tactical is"), but I have Howard Leight Impact Pro and they are outstanding, especially for the price. They are flat OD, so maybe they will be tactical enough. ;)
 
Rachen,
I understand your concern about standard hearing protection- but the muffs that I am referring to are amplified. I can hear sounds MUCH better when they are switched on than my natural ears. As a test, I asked my wife to go down the stairs and say something in a low voice. Without the muffs, all I heard was a voice- with the muffs, I understood what she said.
 
I have the Peltor muffs. It's nice being able to have a conversation at the range without yelling.

I, also, have considered leaving them on the nightstand in case somebody breaks in. Retrieve gun first, then don earmuffs if time permits. Being amplified for non-percussive sounds, they'd perhaps be better than nothing at all.
 
It seems as though a lot of responders to the OP were in such a hurry to make clever remarks about "tactical' they neglected to read that the OP is referring to sound amplifying hearing protectors.

These amplifying units aren't necessarily "tactical". Lot of people use them so as to better hear range commands, etc in non-tactical situations.
 
I'm not familiar with the other brands that you've described but the Howard Leight Impact Pro "hearing protecters" that I have are been great!

I have a hearing aid due to a 50% loss in my left ear and will not use the hearing aid in a tactical situation. I use the amplified hearing protectors and can "hear" things at night that I can't hear normally.

I use them when working around the house, lawn mower, weed eater, chainsaw, not to mention shooting.
 
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If you are thinking of amplified muffs, DO NOT waste your money on anything that costs less than about $100. The el-cheap-o versions do very little to actually protect your hearing.

Peltor Tac-7 and Tac-6 are both good (the 7 is actually a bit better but the 6 is still well worth the price). The Tac-7 is better for night time use because it has only one volume control, where the 6 has one for each side (too complex when trying to wake up, etc.).

There are in the ear versions that have a radio hook up available, but I'm not ready for $650-$750 per pair. I'm also not willing to spend the time getting them installed and operational when things may just be hitting the fan.
 
I'm using the Peltor ComTac's & they're great. One thing about the Sordin MSA muffs that steered me to the Peltors is that they're not stereo. With the Peltors, if a noise is made on your right side, you hear in in your right ear.

Big deal? Maybe. One of the guys over on 10-8 was running the Sordins on a SWAT call & called out a noise he thought was on one side, but it was actually on the other.

I actually use my Peltors while I'm hunting. No more beating up my ears during Dove season & I can hear as well, if not better than without them.
 
Peltor apparently sells multiple generations of their electronic hearing protection products.

Their latest generation units (TacticalPro -MT15H7F SV) improve on their prior product designs with:

- Auto-off after 2 hrs unless overridden
- Easier to change batteries
- Very long battery life
- AA batts usage rather than 9V
- Audio input jack capability
- Better operator control buttons

I have a set of the TacticalPro's on order thru Amazon (great price :)
 
I was going to make a couple of 'tactical' wisecracks, but I was beaten to the punch at least twice by earlier posts.

Either Peltor Tac 6 or the Silencio amplied models available through Creedmore. Wear foamy inner ear plugs for additional protection.

Paint them black to be tactical. (Couldn't resist:evil:)
 
I got the tactical 7's last year for Christmas. Absolutely great. They allow me to hear range commands without lifting a muff. They will actually amplify sounds so you can hear sounds that would normally be too quiet to hear or define. But it sort of goes without saying I'd have asked for them. My sister does the technical support for Peltor hearing protection.
 
I wear Peltors on deployment in Blackhawks and on patrols. They are fantastic, in stereo, and fit nicely under my Kevlar. Always wonder why I never see anyone else wearing them.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=82706&d=1218089986


My only complaint is that sometimes I forget and leave them on and the batteries run dry. I wish they were auto off after a certain length of time (a few hours) to preserve the battery.
 
If you are thinking of amplified muffs, DO NOT waste your money on anything that costs less than about $100. The el-cheap-o versions do very little to actually protect your hearing.
Not absolutly true in all cases. I bought the cheapest pair I could find just to see how they worked. I'm completly deaf in one ear & can't make use of the stereo feature found in some of the better more expensive models. They still have a 22 NNR. While not as good as plugs or better quality muffs they are great for when I take my grandson shooting & the constant on again off again w/ standard muffs or plugs for the constant questions of a young boy.
Though, in retrospect, the cheap ones have impressed me so much that as soon as I can I'll be buying a better amplified muff.
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I use Peltor 7 and I can hear much better than normal with them. I am hearing handicapped as a result of explosives, and other miltary crap.
It was also fascinating to use them on a stand. You can hear the same things that the animals hear. i found out that snapping sticks are a method of communication among bears.
 
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