Ear protection for hunting.

[Kingcreek]

I hunt with a bow. The noise doesn’t bother me much.

 

[JmacD]

I hunt with a bow. The noise doesn’t bother me much.

The three shots when you get lost are problematic though…

 

[PWC]

I haven't read all the posts, but I was shown by an audiologist the proper way to insert the yellow foam ear plugs. I have used this with my muffs to great effect and I have taught Jr. shotgun and smallbore programs this method.

Roll the foam plug into a tight cylinder; with your left hand, reach over your head and grab the top back of your right ear and pull up and back. This straightenes out the ear canal. Insert the foam cylinder in the right ear and hold it with your finger for a minute. You will feel it begin to expand and hear the sound begin to be attenuated. When it is fully expanded, do the same for your left ear; put on your muffs and you are good to go.

 

[d2wing]

Thanks for the info, It is Friday, a week later, It is better but still is noticeable.

 

[Patocazador]

I use the Radians moldable putty that you mix and stuff it in your ears until it sets. It conforms to the whole inside of the ear and shuts out all noise. It's cheap and it works. However, it doesn't allow one to hear squirrels, deer, turkeys or anything else BUT it does stop hearing damage.
It takes about 5 seconds to put each one in so it's not really quick. They supply a little black sack with drawstrings and I keep them in my shirt pocket until I get in my stand.

 

[ms6852]

I hunt with a bow. The noise doesn’t bother me much.

Thank goodness for using string silencers and limb dampeners.

 

[I6turbo]

One shot out in the open isn't going to permanently damage your hearing.

I foolishly shot thousands of rounds in my younger years without ear protection, shotgun, rifle, and handgun. And I've had some very, very loud sound systems with a lot of listening time. Thank God it hasn't yet caught up with me (perhaps the faintest bit of ringing when I'm in a completely quiet environment), but every time I read some of the horror stories that some guys post about how bad their ringing is, I cringe. Over the years I've read several accounts where people said that one single shot outdoors triggered the ringing years ago, and it hasn't gotten any better since.

These days I would NOT risk that one outdoor shot, regardless of whether it meant a giant 12 point buck might get away, or any other reason short of life-and-death self defense. Would it be okay? Probably. Perhaps. But definitely not guaranteed, and absolutely, certainly, not worth the risk.

 

[dweis]

I use Otis Ear Shield outdoors and indoors. Mine are the 31NR model. Work great.

EarShield™ Scout Hearing Protection

At Otis Technology we innovate gun care; from the original Breech-to-Muzzle® breakthrough to world-class manufacturing facilities. We work endlessly to be trailblazers. Whatever we make, we make it better, faster and most importantly, smarter. Otis is Smart Gun Care.

otistec.com

 

[Gun-Reck]

For several years I have hunted with a Tikka T3 in 7-08 with a muzzle brake. It hasn't bothered me before now, but this year I hunted from an enclosed stand with a roof. Even with the muzzle outside the stand the blast was too loud. I shot a deer Saturday and today, Tuesday my ears still ring. I plan on removing the muzzle brake for hunting.
Any other suggestions for ear protection while still being able to hear deer?

1. Lose the muzzle brake.

2. Have used Norton Sonic Valve II's for ever.

 

[zdc1775]

For the past few years I have been using the AXIL GS Extreme 1.0 earbuds which have somewhat recently died on me, so I upgraded to the AXIL XCOR model. Haven't used them for hunting yet but did use them for a range day and for two rounds of skeet shooting so far and I really like them.

 

[PWC]

I've posted this before in other hearing threads, but I'll do it again here.

If you are a veteran with hearing aides, next trip ask the audiologist to make an xtra set of ear impressions to use as plugs. (You didn't know your ear canal was shaped that way.) I have used mine with headset for years and they work great. If you leave them in a hot car or truck (think AZ) they will shrink some.

Also, noise and vibration comes thru the stock at your cheek weld via bone conduction. I put 2 layers of mole skin on the stock at my ckeek weld at my natural point of Aim. I think it helps with noise, I know it helps acquire my correct cheek weld, and in the cold, it's warmer than the stock.

 

[.38 Special]

I've posted this before in other hearing threads, but I'll do it again here.

If you are a veteran with hearing aides, next trip ask the audiologist to make an xtra set of ear impressions to use as plugs. (You didn't know your ear canal wasshaped that way.) I have used mine with headset for years and they work great. If you leave them in a hot car or truck (think AZ) they will shrink some.

Also, noise and vibration comes thru the stock at your cheek weld via bone conduction. I put 2 layers of mole skin on the stock at my ckeek weld at my natural point of Aim. I think it helps with noise, I know it helps acquire my correct cheek weld, and in the cold, it's warmer than the stock.

Just for what it is worth, there are multiple different materials used for impressions, and some of them are more stable than others. The one we use at the clinic gives a very accurate result, but only lasts for about six months before it starts to break down. As temporary ear protectors they are great, but they are very temporary!

 

[Paul7]

I always wear ear protection, sometimes double up when at the range or shooting shotgun.

I never wear ear protection when hunting, as I'm not normally shooting. Listening to the surroundings is a key aspect when hunting. One shot out in the open isn't going to permanently damage your hearing.

Nonsense, see post #10. I always wear hearing protection when hunting, I've had guides who didn't like it, I don't care.

 

[HKGuns]

Nonsense, see post #10. I always wear hearing protection when hunting, I've had guides who didn't like it, I don't care.

Nonsense, done it my entire life, including loud guitar amps and my hearing is fine.

You do you, I will continue to do me.

 

[buck460XVR]

Thanks for the replies. I have ordered a Walker Razor ear muff,

I have a coupla pairs of them myself. They work well enough, but become uncomfortable when wearing for long periods of time. They also will make your ears "sweat" if it's warm or you are doing something like still hunting or walking. Make sure you remove them periodically so they don't get damp inside from the sweat. They will tend to quit working otherwise. Walker has a promotion going on right now for a BOGO with the Razors..... Razor Deal

I also have these as well as the Axil GS, they work well also and have a much higher noise reduction rating.......Rope Hearing protection

One needs to realize that protecting your hearing is an lifelong investment. I learned this way to late in life, either going without, or going cheap. The technology has gotten to the point where quality ear protection with sound enhancement is affordable for anyone who can afford to hunt. I have found with my impaired hearing that having sound enhancement makes so I can hear those subtle turkey calls/sounds that I missed for years. I never go into the turkey woods without some form of sound enhancement. The protection from the muzzle blast is just a plus.