Ear muffs or ear plugs?

[bdjansen]

What do you like when shooting? I see most people use the muff over the ear type. But ear plugs have a slightly higher db rating. I used ear plugs for the first time at the range today and really liked them. They are cheaper, more portable, provide more protection, and best of all, don't press my glasses into the sides of my head (ie more comfortable).

So what do you like and why?

 

[indie]

33 db ear plugs so far.

 

[Novus Collectus]

You forgot "both".

Although I only use earplugs, the other day I took a friend and her 13 year old daughter shooting for the first time. I said she should use both. That extra few decibels of protection goes a long way, especially for someone so young and with many years ahead of them.

 

[RioShooter]

You need one more choice in your poll. I use both at the same time.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

I use muffs because they are super quick to take on or off but I'll have to start trying plugs since the shooting-glasses-into-temples problem is annoying.

 

[Bazooka Joe71]

both





when I remember

 

[Bruce333]

Both. I use foam plugs and electronic muffs.

Plugs are great, but the bone behind your ears conducts sound also. Muffs help reduce expose that way.

 

[shadowalker]

muffs at outdoor ranges, often both at indoor ranges.

 

[coat4gun]

Muffs when shooting a handgun, plugs when bench shooting a rifle.(muffs get in the way when bench shooting a rifle)

 

[Thad]

I have had custom made ear protection, it is expensive($100) but more than worth it. They have a string and clip for your clothing to aid in ease of removal and they are there when you need to put them back in.

 

[Nomad101bc]

Agreed muffs can get in the way which is why i got these specail low profile ones. Thier muffs but very thin no larger than a centimeter beyond your ear so i hardly notice them.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

Yep, both electronic muffs and 33db plugs here.

 

[Feanaro]

With glasses AND safety glasses on, I can't get a good seal from muffs. I use plugs, even though I find them deathly uncomfortable(ear infections from my childhood left me with some very messed up ears).

 

[glockman19]

At the range I wear muff's. when hunting I'll most likely wear plugs.

Feanaro,

With glasses AND safety glasses on, I can't get a good seal from muffs.

Your Glasses are the only eye protection you need why do you wear safety glasses over yoru regular glasses? I just had Lasik and woul highly recommend it. Do a search and find the thread and you might end up ditching the glass.

 

[eastwood44mag]

Plugs when hunting, muffs when at the range.

 

[FuzzyBunny]

Please wear BOTH!

If you have to choose then go with the muffs. The muffs WILL cushion the bone behind the ear and reduce transmitted vibrations that can cause damage.

Plugs are better than nothing. Even your fingers in your ear is better than nothing.

I'm sure you know that hearing damage is cumulative. Every noise (even 22s) that makes your ears ring has done some amount of damage that can not be repaired.


edit: sorry I did not see your post Bruce333. It is worth repeating though!
I like the slimline Peltor amplified muffs. There might be some better but I got these avout 10 years ago and have not needed to replace them yet. I do not know which muffs are better nowadays as I'm not in the market yet.


Sorry Bruce333 I did not mean to dupe what you said. I should have read before posting. It is worth repeating though

 

[FireArmFan]

I wear both as well

 

[Feanaro]

Your Glasses are the only eye protection you need why do you wear safety glasses over yoru regular glasses?

My glasses are not ANSI rated. Neither are most regular glasses. This is what happens when a projectile hits non-impact resistant glasses. The idea of my eyewear exploding into a thousand tiny projectiles is not one I cherish. I've been hit by more than a few ricochets, several times by whole bullets that nearly broke the skin.

I just had Lasik and woul highly recommend it. Do a search and find the thread and you might end up ditching the glass.

I've already done research into LASIK and PRK. Not interested right now.

 

[cdrt]

Both!!!!

 

[10-Ring]

Ear muffs for handguns, ear plugs for long guns -- sometimes both, if the situation calls for it

 

[Hoffy]

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

 

[springmom]

I wear both

If I don't wear double ears, I come home from the range with a migraine. With them, I do a lot better. I used to get very cranky about people with .223's or .44 mags (you know, like the ones I shoot and the double ears made my range time MUCH more pleasant (and my after-range time usually headache-free).

Springmom

 

[MOSINS]

I use plugs, they're more comfortable,

though there are times that I use a full on ear muffs when shooting my fifty BMG.

 

[hankpac]

Both.

 

[BigBlock]

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