Ear muffs or ear plugs?

[Hoffy]

Both at the indoor range...plugs only when plinking with a 22 pistol outside.

 

[MOSINS]

I can't stand having plugs in my ears, they drive me crazy. Am I the only one?

They make some soft foam plugs that are comfortable.

or one of those form fitted to your ear.

 

[fletcher]

I use both.

 

[Matt King]

Both!

 

[obxned]

Most of the family prefer muffs, but a couple want nothing to do with them and insist on ear plugs.

 

[wally]

I can't stand wearing plugs, although with some rifles I've no choice as the stock interferes with my muffs, so I put a disposable plug in the right ear and let the stock break the seal on the muff when shooting. Needless to say these are not my favorite range rifles.

--wally.

 

[Scanr]

The electric muffs are something else! I do not own any, but my ccw instructor let me use his and they were fabulous. They are well worth the money.

Harbor freight sells them and I plan to buy them when I get the money.

 

[torpid]

Electronic muffs plus foam plugs make for happy ears.

 

[testar77]

Depends

Like others I'm sure, I tend to just use earplugs when shooting rifles (since muffs tend to get in my way), muffs when shooting pistol, and both when shooting indoor pistol.


Toby

 

[redneck2]

I used to use muffs when shooting clays, but the bottom of the muffs rubs against the top on the stock and gouges it. I use plugs for SC

For pistols, particulary loud ones like my .357 Herrett I double up.

 

[K3]

Both.

 

[Trebor]

I wear both. You should too. Hearing damage is cumulative and permament. Every little bit of hearing you lose now you'll really notice later. This is especially true indoors or when firing large caliber rifles in any circumstance.

Neither ear plugs or muffs provide enough protection if you are a regular shooter firing primarily centerfire rounds. With plugs alone the sound can still be transmitted through your bone. With muffs by themselves the problem is getting a good seal as safety glasses tend to break the seal slightly. That reduces the effectiveness of the muffs.

The best thing to do is use the highest rated plugs and muffs you can find. You should realize that in most cases you the protection you are getting will be short of the "maximum" protection rating. For ear plugs that's because most people do not insert them correctly and they then won't give the full rated protection. For ear muffs that's because the glasses temples break the seal slightly and lower the protection value.

When you wear both muffs and plugs you increase the total effectiveness of your hearing protection.

If you keep the plugs in when you remove the muffs, like when you *think* everyone is finished shooting and your packing up, you'll also get some protection against that "unexpected" shot. That's happened to me a few times over the years and I'm glad I had the plugs in at least.

 

[lcambre]

Another vote for both.

 

[skinnyguy]

Plugs because of glasses, would prefer muffs though.

 

[thebaldguy]

I always use one or the other when exposed to loud sounds. I keep muffs handy while using a circular saw, because I only need them for a short time. For longer continuous use, like a concert or a long shooting session, I use earplugs. I always try to use the ones with the greatest noise reduction. I found a bunch of foam earplugs which I think have a 30 decibel reduction. I think I will try plugs and muffs next time I shoot.

Between military service and numerous rock shows, I have to save my hearing. My girlfriend's brother in law lost his hearing after 25+ years of construction. He now has hearing aids in both years, and he's my age of 42 years.

 

[dracphelan]

I wear both. Also, I had my prescription glasses cut to safety lens specs. This solves the entire need of an additional set of safety glasses. I have had my eyes protected by these glasses when walking down the sidewalk.

 

[MP5]

Always both when shooting.

 

[Hands of blue]

I use muffs. I think I will start using both

 

[GRB]

Most of the time at the range, I prefer both, especially if shooting s shotgun or rifle that may dislodge my muffs.

All the best,
Glenn B

 

[Regolith]

I use muffs. I dislike having things inside my ear canal, and 26db muffs have always been sufficient. I always shoot outdoors, though.

 

[pdowg881]

Muffs can get in the way when i shoot rifles, so i usually use the plugs that are on the string. But takimg them in and out gets annoying.

 

[scurtis_34471]

I wear both.

 

[DMK]

I always use ear plugs. They are cooler in hot weather and don't interfere with the stock on a rifle.

Sometimes I use both if it's exceptionally loud.

Interesting about the bone transmitting the sound. Wouldn't that transmit lower frequencies mostly?

 

[Dave R]

Muffs, plugs, empty 9mm brass, whatever.

Just kidding (mostly--I have used 9mm brass when I forgot my regular hearing protection. It works.)

I got some electronic muffs this year. Just love 'em.

 

[Average Guy]

Indoors, both. Outdoors, usually just muffs (31NRR).