Been shooting since the 90's, in indoor ranges or rifles - I use plugs and electronic muffs. Went to the audiologist a couple of weeks ago. Hearing test ok except for the loss expected in the higher frequencies for older folks (76). No discernible damage but age.
avoiding ear damage with powerful rifles
- Thread starter mainecoon
- Start date
MarkIV70
Member
I use both ear plugs and muffs, especially with the 375 H&H and 450 Alaskans. Only the 22 hornet lets me do plugs alone.
The 338-06 and especially 338 WM need both.
The 338-06 and especially 338 WM need both.
Bill460
Member
Just read that Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Paul McCartney all have severe hearing damage. (McCartney wears 2 hearing aids). This from decades of playing loud, amplified music on stage.
I read that if you sit in the front several rows of most rock concerts, the DB level is above the sound level generated by a 747 at takeoff. Heavy metal is even worse. I doubt of any of them ever fired a gun. Let alone enough to cause hearing damage. It's not only gun owners who are affected by hearing loss.
I read that if you sit in the front several rows of most rock concerts, the DB level is above the sound level generated by a 747 at takeoff. Heavy metal is even worse. I doubt of any of them ever fired a gun. Let alone enough to cause hearing damage. It's not only gun owners who are affected by hearing loss.
James Collins
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I went to a concert and was right in front of speaker- I thought my ear drum burst but it didnt feel like I’m just getting old
Lo-Profile
Member
I also wear ear plugs with muffs over them.
I don't wear electronic muffs for powerful guns or for indoor shooting.
I do wear electronic ones most of the time shooting alone outdoors
I don't wear electronic muffs for powerful guns or for indoor shooting.
I do wear electronic ones most of the time shooting alone outdoors
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It's just combinations of things to make it better. Plugs, muffs, and a suppressor will help a lot.
James Collins
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Yeah not sure complete silence is a real thing
For those of us that like to get out to see live shows there is EarPro for this to.
In the past 10yrs we have been using Music earplugs, its nice to take them out after the show and be able to hear normally.
I have these two brands. Even gave them to my kids.
DownBeats sells the best concert hearing protection earplugs. Our ear buds let you hear the music while cutting out all of the extra noise.
downbeats.com
I think I like these best,
We bring you high-fidelity noise-reducing earplugs for concerts. Designed to protect your hearing without compromising sound quality. Perfect for loud events.
hearprotek.com
In the past 15yrs or so I have been much better about using hearing protection when mowing and working in the garage. I keep plugs in the cars.
In the past 10yrs we have been using Music earplugs, its nice to take them out after the show and be able to hear normally.
I have these two brands. Even gave them to my kids.
Products
DownBeats sells the best concert hearing protection earplugs. Our ear buds let you hear the music while cutting out all of the extra noise.
I think I like these best,
Sound Reducing Earplugs for Concerts
We bring you high-fidelity noise-reducing earplugs for concerts. Designed to protect your hearing without compromising sound quality. Perfect for loud events.
In the past 15yrs or so I have been much better about using hearing protection when mowing and working in the garage. I keep plugs in the cars.
What?Too late for me...
bbqncigars
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- Mar 30, 2023
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I double up on electronic plugs and electronic muffs. I can still hear most of what's going on, and be safe when shooting my big rifles. (.50BMG with brakes)
I shot once a month or so with just ear plugs, then went to plugs under muffs. Just like I don't trust auto darkening welding hoods, I don't really trust electronic muffs that will dampen before the sound gets there. That said, I'd accept its easier to beat sound to the punch than light.
Funny you should say that. I've been using auto darkening welding hoods for well over a decade, nearly close to two now. The only time they don't fully work well is either with a dead battery or working outside. However, with the latter, some of the Miller hoods have X Mode which is supposed to help with that. Supposedly it makes it so only an arc flash will set it off.
Far as electronic ear muffs go, used them shooting this last September for several hours and no issues. The microphone will not allow for loud noise to be transmitted into your ears. Pretty sure if the batteries crap out, it just defaults to just normal muffs. Walkers are great. You can get for for like $50 or if you want Bluetooth, you can spend I think it's like $75 or so. For the longest time, the only electronic ear pro that I recall were the 3M Peltor electronic ear muffs. Those start at well over $100 normally.
Far as electronic ear muffs go, used them shooting this last September for several hours and no issues. The microphone will not allow for loud noise to be transmitted into your ears. Pretty sure if the batteries crap out, it just defaults to just normal muffs. Walkers are great. You can get for for like $50 or if you want Bluetooth, you can spend I think it's like $75 or so. For the longest time, the only electronic ear pro that I recall were the 3M Peltor electronic ear muffs. Those start at well over $100 normally.
TitanicTortilini
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You should stop listening to whoever told you that, jet engines are orders of magnitude louder than any concert ever staged. A jet engine reaches 150-160db, as loud as an unsuppressed firearm. Concerts rarely go above 100db and trust me it's not a 'heavy metal' thing to play loudly, one of the loudest shows I've ever witnessed was The Dead Milkmen.
Plus there's no correlation at all between musical taste and having or shooting firearms, all my metal head friends shoot, hunt, collect, etc, firearms.
James Collins
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I just got these new headphone like earbuds that I wear when I sleep- drowns out enough noise- wonder how they would work cranked up? Probably not ideal
Are plugs and muffs really enough though?
Bill460
Member
Most ALL of the long lasting rock band members admit to having substantial hearing loss, from playing for decades on stage, giving live performances. Extreme noise is damaging. Musical "TASTE", has nothing to do with any of it. Talk to an audiologist. I have.You should stop listening to whoever told you that, jet engines are orders of magnitude louder than any concert ever staged. A jet engine reaches 150-160db, as loud as an unsuppressed firearm. Concerts rarely go above 100db and trust me it's not a 'heavy metal' thing to play loudly, one of the loudest shows I've ever witnessed was The Dead Milkmen.
Plus there's no correlation at all between musical taste and having or shooting firearms, all my metal head friends shoot, hunt, collect, etc, firearms.
