Best Ear Protection?

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Vincent1966

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I was at a range and mistakenly removed my ear protection. The sound from the AK47 next to me made me rethink my ear protection strategy. I'd like to hear from some of you what are the types of ear protection you use. I am especially interested in the electronic ear protection out there.

Thanks,

MC
 
Look at the NRR. That is all that counts, assuming the muff or plug is comfortable enough that you don't take it off next to somebody with a rather short barrelled rifle.

Electronic shooting muffs are NOT noise cancelling like a Bose stereo headset. All the electronics do is to pass conversation through the muff and shut off faster than the speed of sound when a loud noise is detected. So you have to look at their NRR, too.

For serious protection, wear the inexpensive foam plugs under good electronic muffs (not the cheap-o 19 dB model) and turn the volume up so you can hear range commands through the plugs.
 
I wear the L3 by Howard Leight. NRR 30. They look bulky, like something you'd see guys wearing out on the tarmac at an airport, but I've used them when shooting clays with a shotgun, and punching paper with a bolt action rifle, and they've never interfered with cheek weld or comfort at all.

At $30, I can't recommend them enough. Very comfortable, lightweight, no "pressure spots" even during extended wear.
 
I use the Peltor Tactical Sport (model MT16H210F) and am pretty happy with them.

They are a fairly low profile electronic muff that only slightly interfere with rifle/shotgun cheek weld. They use AAA batts, which I have yet to change after 3 years. Comfortable, I've worn them for hours while driving my tractor.

They are 20dB rated, but at times at indoor ranges, I think better sound isolation would be advantageous. When shooting outside though, they are great. I love the way they amplify the low level sounds. Very strange to hear your brass hit the concrete after the shot! Conversation level noise sounds like not wearing hearing protection.

I typically have to keep my eyeglasses on the outside of the muff as going between the ear pad and my head causes sound leaks.
 
meatcreeper,

If you do a quick search for "NRR" you'll get several threads asking your same question that can give you these and other good recommendations. You'll see consistent recommendations to wear muffs over plugs to protect your hearing. You can loose enough in small enough bites that you don't notice until you find you've lost too much. Like being bled dry a little at a time.

I recommend the Howard Leight Impact Sports worn with ear plugs. Other electronic hearing protection muffs from Peltor are good as well.
 
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Thanks everyone for their suggestions and thanks hso for alterting me to the search option here. I am used to a field and a button that says "Search" on it. Hope I did not break any rules or mess up any kind of way. Now that I've found the search option, I may never need to post again!

All the Best,

MC
 
I agree with Jim Watson - I like to double up with foam plugs under the muffs. Back when I was younger and stupider*, I didn't always use appropriate hearing protection (hey, who's not invincible as a young man?) and I pay for it now, at 52. Or maybe it was seeing Kiss live, but still... I don't think you can be too cautious.

With my foam plugs, I like these:

opplanet-howard-leight-impact-sound-management-electronic-hearing-proctection-earmuffs-r01526.png

http://www.opticsplanet.com/howard-leight-impact-sound-management-electronic-hearing-proctection-earmuffs-r01526.html

They're narrow, which is important if you're going to cozy up to a rifle stock.

Here's some good info on the process of how you end up saying "what?" a lot:

http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/pages/noise.aspx

* One 9mm cartridge in each ear does not make as effective a set of hearing protectors as you would think when firing an HK-91.

Mark H.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I keep hearing about the electronic earmuff/earplugs combination from a number of the people posting. I think that will help with what I am doing (comp shooting w/instructions). The higher the NRR number the better right? I am asking because I went into a gun shop yesterday and asked a rep about the NRR number on a couple of items. He has been selling guns at that location for at least 3 years. He told me the LOWER the better! He recanted after I turned the items over and read the part that said the HIGHER the better. He said, "Oh, I guess so..." Nothing against him or anyone, I am just trying to protect my ears.

MC
 
He's going to get people hurt.

The higher the NRR the greater the protection when used properly. That "used properly" part is important.

Make sure the plugs are well down in the ear, the muffs completely cover the ear and that the gap from the safety glasses is as small as possible.
 
He's going to get people hurt.
Click to expand...

Yes, he will. He probably should not be selling them guns either.

I went back and searched the previous discussions on ear protection. There seems to be a consensus that a proper ear muff/plug combination will provide maximum protection. That is what I want. The problem is, while we are getting specific about the ear muffs, I don't see specific brands or types of ear plugs is mentioned to use in combination with ear muffs. I am participating in comp shooting and thus shooting more than I did in the past. My hearing protection (Academy branded??) worked fine in the past but now I need to upgrade. Can anyone give me some specific info on ear plugs combined with ear muffs? Thanks for all the other advice/recommendations/mentions.

MC
 
The clerk is nuts. NRR is the Noise REDUCTION Rating. More reduction is better.

If you want a brand recommendation, I like the Howard Leight Super Leight 33 dB foam plug. Comfortable and quiet. And if you scout around, you can find them in bulk for low prices.
 
The simple foam plugs will do fine. You can get them from hardware departments or buy boxes of them from Grainger's. You're looking for occupational safety name brand NRR 30 foam plugs. 3M and EAR are common
 
I Found What Works for Me!

Thanks to everyone for their advice, comments, and explanation of what works for them. I am glad forums like this one exist because it gives me an opportunity to learn from others and figure out what works for me.

I've since adopted a combination of earplugs rated at 31 nrr with electronic muffs. This works great for me because I can get the protection of the earplugs and then turn the volume up on the electronic muffs so I can hear the commands for my shooting event.

When I am not in competitive events, I can adjust the volume in the electronic muffs appropriately. Thus, my journey to find out what works for me has ended and I am pleased. Thanks again.

MC
 
Make sure that everything fits. To put foam plugs in my right ear, I pull up on the top of my right ear a little with my left hand, roll the plug back and forth with my right index finger and thumb to compress it, place it into my ear, and then block it with my finger to keep it from popping out until it expands. This is especially important with younger shooters as improperly inserted plugs into smaller ear canals will fall out. Also, avoid the plugs with strings attaching them together. I've found that noise and vibrations follow the string.
 
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