Ear protection tips?

[B!ngo]

I'm a 50+ year old guy, have enjoyed a number of loud activities (motorcycles, general aviation/aerobatics) over the years and, as a result, my hearing is probably borderline 'good enough'. As I return to handgun range shooting after being away from it for a few years I thought I would ask for tips on hearing protection.
Is it best to wear ear foam plugs, headsets, both? What are the latest/best in modern ear protection? Is there any downside (safety I'd presume) in really damping down the noise?
Thanks,
B

 

[Loosedhorse]

Both. Downside is you may not hear range instructions (CEASE FIRE!) well.

Wouldn't worry. ROs and others are used to persons who shoot being close to deaf. If you don't respond to verbal command, they will get your attention in another way.

In all seriousness: protect your hearing.

 

[W.E.G.]

For outdoor shooting, foam earplugs.
Push them in until they are touching.

For indoor shooting, plugs as above, and muffs.

Amplified muffs alone for eavesdropping on conversations.
Not for shooting.

 

[Azul]

Pro Ears Ultra 33
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1871222091/pro-ears-ultra-33-earmuffs-nrr-33-db

These are the best, most comfortable muffs that I've ever worn. Well worth the price.

Make sure you pay attention to the NRR (Noise Reduction Rating) whatever you get. 33 is the highest for both plugs and muffs. Put a pair of 33nrr plugs under those pro ears, and that's the best you're going to get. I personally wouldn't use any muffs under 28nrr or any plugs under 30nrr.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Foam ear plugs typically have a significantly higher noise reduction rating so if you must choose one I'd go with the foam plugs. Personally, I reccomend you shoot at outdoor ranges and double up. I do that and even with both, I can hear the ceasefire without any problem. Also, when cease fire nears, you will notice a significant drop off in the number of others shooting so that shoudl help aleart you that a cease fire is near.

 

[MutinousDoug]

I'd advise the cast-in-ear-canal silicone plugs.
I don't know about all the gun-show outfits, although I've had a satisfactory set made there. About $50? My 1st two sets were made for me by my employer (factory environment) and that sold me on their efficacy. They are unaffected by safety glasses and can be worn under muffs, no problem, assuming you can shoot with muffs on. They last about 10 years before developing tears that compromise their effectiveness. Wash them in the dish washer.
HTH

 

[dillardrg]

I, too just returned to shooting after a 15 year layoff and have the same hearing problems and I don't want to make my hearing any worse than it already is.

I use the red foam "in the ear" plugs along with "over the ear" muffs. With this combination I can not hear anything except the shot.

I shot a IDPA course last month and could not hear the starter's "beep". He was good enough to tap me on the shoulder to get me started.

I don't need to tell you that that was not acceptable.

I ordered a set of Howard Leight electronic muffs(about $50) and find that a combination of in the ear plugs and the Howard Leights is just about perfect.

The built in mic and volume enhancement makes it possible to hear commands and the electronic starter/timer.

Getting old is not for Wusses.


Springfield Armory 1911A1, Taurus PT145 Millenium Pro, Para-Ordnance 13 round receiver under a Colt slide.


Taurus Mill Pro in JB Custom Leather holster and mag pouch.

 

[RalphS]

I wear both. I've heard that the generic foam plugs are actually better than the custom molded plugs for reducing noise but I like the molded plugs

 

[gdesloge]

I recently read something to the effect that foam or insertable earplugs still allow vibration to damage the three ear "bones" (which transmit vibration), while earmuffs help protect the bones.

I have also heard of similar hearing loss associated with the vibration from helicopter transmissions.

I usually wear a pair of "Silencio" ear muffs (NRR 29), and they're quite comfortable.

Also, apparently the NRR of earplugs combined with earmuffs is not additive; that is, the resulting NRR is not the sum of both items, but it does increase the level of protection.

gd

 

[dmazur]

I found out that the Pro Ears "Pro Tac 200" is an economical solution, though its NRR of 19 doesn't look like much...

I wear foam ear plugs with NRR 32 under the electronically amplified muffs.

When there's no firing the gain of the electronic muffs makes loud voices audible even through the ear plugs, so I can hear range commands.

When there's firing, the muffs "clamp" the noise to 85db, and the effect is definitely quieter than the ear plugs alone.

I read of a few others who do this sort of thing, so I'm not the only crazy shooter who thought of this.

 

[B!ngo]

Thanks all. I'll check out the 'double-up' model but will heed the potential safety concern (which was my concern) when shooting indoors as I usually do. May try a set of electronic ones when I'm reloading, wasting time, etc. And then when firing shut off the mike.
I've been using foam plugs for years and for most sounds they are the most effective, but a range has different noise types than most I have been exposed to. I've gotten quite proficient in sealing them in my ear, learned while flying noisy little planes. And then got to practice often when flying round trip from CA to Europe every other week (makes you crazy even without the noise). In that case it was earphones over the plugs. If you turn it up all the way you can hear the movie.
BTW, has anyone ever tried something like Bose ANR (active noise reduction) headphones over plugs? On a long flight, you might as well be alone in your space suit but I don't know whether the response characteristics of ANR's would work for a gunshot.

 

[B!ngo]

For outdoor shooting, foam earplugs.
Push them in until they are touching.

For indoor shooting, plugs as above, and muffs.

Amplified muffs alone for eavesdropping on conversations.
Not for shooting.

You mean they touch in the center of your head? Doesn't that hurt? (sorry, couldn't resist). Yea, I push them in while warm and compressed until they touch my eardrum, then back off just enough for them not to touch and let them expand. Probably .5mm if I was guessing.
BTW, has anyone tried 'behind the head' cushions? I see a set from Peltor and for aviation, I really liked their stuff. Comments?
B

 

[JohnBT]

"I recently read something to the effect that foam or insertable earplugs still allow vibration to damage the three ear "bones" (which transmit vibration), while earmuffs help protect the bones."

Could be, but I've never seen it mentioned. From what I've read, the problem is sound transmitted through the mastoid bone (or mastoid process). That's the bone you can feel behind the ear. Muffs cover some of the mastoid and prevent some of the sound from doing an end run around the ear canal to reach the middle and inner ear.

Just for fun, if you know a musician or audiologist with a tuning fork, strike it and hold the base against the mastoid. The rest of the skull transmits sound to the ear as well, but the mastoid is much closer. I did this once. I think it was in an audiology class in 1973.

John

 

[jcwit]

Howard Leigth Sport electronic muffs. Reasonably priced, confortable, auto shut off if you forget to turn them off, ect., ect., whats not to like. Government uses them, can't be all bad.

As with all muffs, double up.

 

[mdauben]

Both. Downside is you may not hear range instructions (CEASE FIRE!) well.

I agree, that both are the way to go if you want to preserve what is left of your hearing (being a motorcycle rider myself, I can relate). I use electronic muffs, though, which aleviate the problem of not hearing range instructions. The muffs still block the sharp sound of gunfire, while amplifying the sound of voice commands enough to hear through the plugs.

 

[mgmorden]

Depends on the situation. I find earplugs uncomfortable, so typically I usually just use a pair of muffs (non-electronic). If shooting indoors though there's an echo effect increases the sound pressure so about half the time when at an indoor range I'll bite the bullet and double up on plugs and muffs.

Exception: for whatever reason, I've found that I absolutely cannot line up the sights on my AR15 with muffs on. They hit the stock-tube before I can get a sight picture. I haven't had this problem with any other rifle I own, but when shooting the AR I pretty much have to use plugs instead.

 

[cavman]

Downside is you may not hear range instructions

as others have said, get a pair of electronics and Double up with foam plugs and a pair of Howard Leights or similar
http://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight...QJ9O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323964887&sr=8-1

You will have the benefit of better protection from loud noise, as well as being able to hear even low talking.

EDIT:

And then when firing shut off the mike.

Just in case you didn't know, the electronics are able to be kept "on" when shooting, but the loud noise of a gun report (or maybe even a loud clap of your hands) will automatically turn off the earphones' electronics, thus giving you the protection of being doubled up. But when there is no loud noise of shooting, the electronics go back to "on", allowing you to hear things such as speaking

 

[BearAZ737]

Whatever you choose don't do this!

 

[1KPerDay]

For the in-ear foamies, be sure you roll them small, lift up on the top of the ear with the opposite hand to help straighten out the canal, and shove them deep and let them expand. Using them improperly blocks about 10 db... nowhere near enough. Using them properly blocks 27-33db, which is good. Indoors, use both plugs and muffs. Outdoors as well if you can hear well enough.

I really like the electronic muffs now. Very nice.

 

[BADUNAME37]

I wear both the foam ones and a great pair of Peltors, or, if I want to hear, my Pro-Ear headset.

Some people be cautioned, I need to carry a pair of hemostats with me to grab onto the foam ones to pull them slowly out of my ears many times. My fingers are too big and my ear canal is apparently a bit longer than average. Nothing more frustrating than trying to get the foam ones out and inadvertently pushing them in a bit further until they are nearly touching my ear drum or are touching it!

With hemostats, especially fine-pointed ones. I can easily grasp enough of the foam to get a good, firm grip on it. I open my mouth as I slowly pull them out so as to not damage my ear drum by pulling them out too quickly. I learned that one when a relative pulled one out fast once, since then, only I do the pulling!

 

[hso]

Everyone should use the most protective plugs they can find carefully inserted with good quality muffs over them. Be sure to check the muffs with your shooting glasses to be sure they fit comfortably and seal well.

I personally wear electronic muffs over plugs almost all the time, but then I'm often yakking almost all the time.

***

Nothing more frustrating than trying to get the foam ones out...

They make foam plugs with lanyards.

 

[BADUNAME37]

I need to get me a set of those! I wonder if I poked a string through regular ones and then tie a small not at the ends if that would work well. I like the cheap ones as I buy like a bottle of 100 of them. I just am careful to not be left without my hemostats when I go to use them!

I wonder how the cost compares of those pictured to buying regular ones at bulk.

 

[fixrspazz]

PLEASE tell me this is Photoshopped......

 

[Bovice]

I shot an AR indoors with nothing but foam plugs, as muffs get in the way for me with the cheek weld. It wasn't loud at all. I always roll them up and stuff them way down there.

I hear range commands equally well through earmuffs or plugs. I've never used both in conjunction.

 

[JohnBT]

Fwiw, those green plugs in the pic are the most comfortable I've ever used. I started out using the ones sold by Remington, but then discovered they're Howard Leight Max Lite plugs. I use the uncorded ones.

Maybe my ear canals are undersized even though I have a size 8 head, but the typical yellow plugs feel like they're going to split my ears apart after about 10 minutes.

The green ones are soft and nearly smooth, too. I just bought a box of 200 pair and the label says 5mm to 10mm if that means anything to anybody.

John