Electronic ear pro?

[Rob560]

I can't stand foam ear plugs. They're so good at blocking noise but that's a negative as well as a positive. I start going crazy just listening to my ears ringing and my own breathing and not being able to carry a conversation.

Anyways, I saw online somewhere that wearing electronic ear pro over your foam plugs and jacking up the volume allows you to have conversations and actually hear things while also having the protection of the foam plugs. Has anyone done this and if it works can someone recommend an affordable pair?

 

[burrhead]

Electronic muffs over foam works quite well. Affordable means different things to different people. I have a pair of these and they work pretty well. $40.

http://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight...&sr=8-1&keywords=howard+leight+r-01526+impact

These are better. $240.

http://www.amazon.com/MSA-Sordin-Su...+muffs+electronic&refinements=p_89:MSA+Sordin

 

[rabid wombat]

Pro Ears - Stupid expensive, but typically you do not need plugs underneath....hear like a champ. Plugs for tightly enclosed places, BIG magnums, and goofy muzzle devices. A variety of shapes for different shooting styles (different dB, also). I have used Pro Ears in classes, indoor ranges, hunting....

In short, how much are your ears worth?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...3COF2YBG9MFJC&psc=1&ref_=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl

 

[Robert]

Howard Leight Impact Sports. Best $50 I ever spent.

 

[sl33py]

I have the Howard Leight Impacts, Peltor 6s tacticals (older model), and the ProEars Pro Tac Mag Gold. I especially got this model that accepts the more standard 123 battery vs the more obscure N battery most of theirs use. I even have some 123 rechargeables i can use or carry as spares.

For years with the Howard Leight and Peltors i would double up with foam plugs underneath. Like you said - turned all the way up so i could still hear folks, but also a bit extra dampening for the first part of the muzzle report.

ProEars - i can wear plugs as well, but actually pretty comfortable even with out. It definitely catches the muzzle report/blast a lot faster than the others so is much more comfortable. I've been wearing them at some indoor ranges and steel plates (also indoors) and they do a much better job than the others overall. And in an enclosed space that's a challenge.

I would look at the slimmer ones possibly that have NRR of 26 or 28 iirc. the NRR 30 is great as well, but they are bulky. And the advertisements on their site over estimate or at least the example of talking while shooting - not quite accurate, but it's hugely improved over the others which cut out all sounds during the report/blast. You can actually hear your RO w/ the ProEars vs the others you can't as it dampens all noise.

Price - like mentioned... what are your ears worth? Not cheap, but i did some serious digging and with a rebate i got the ProEars for ~175 shipped. Happy with that. Patience and Optics Planet...

My .02. HTH - GL!

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I have used Caldwell low profile electronic for several years with no complaints.

 

[sl33py]

Another option besides foam plugs - molded / custom plugs! I got some for my motorcycle that fit comfortably under my helmet, and they work great for going to the range! Work a little "too well" under even electronic muffs as turned all the way up it's still hard to hear your RO.

Costco i believe can make them in their hearing aid department and they are ~$50 - which is a lot cheaper than the ones that i got at the motorcycle show (it is costco).

HTH!