H/D - use fancy electronic hearing protection?

[Smurfslayer]

So I heard the following "advice": You should get the <whatever brand/model> fancy electronic ear protection and if you hear someone in your house, put them on before you might have to shoot. That way you can still hear, but if you have to fire you'll still be able to hear afterwards.

so...

 

[JohnKSa]

I've got a pair that I use when I'm instructing.

I keep them by my nightstand along with a flashlight, my glasses, my nightstand pistol and a spare mag. I certainly wouldn't bother with the muffs if things were going south fast, I'd probably forget they were even there.

But if there were a "bump in the night" situation (vs an immediate threat), they might be worthwhile. If you get a good set, they actually improve your hearing.

 

[Preacherman]

I also keep a pair of electronic muffs next to my bed. If I have time, before going to investigate a bump in the night, I'll certainly put them on - not only will they protect my hearing, but when turned up, they actually enhance my hearing. However, if it's a SHTF situation and I have to respond instantly to someone charging into my bedroom, obviously I won't waste time with the muffs - my ears will just have to take the strain!

 

[Azrael256]

It isn't such a bad idea, especially for the hearing enhancement. I think, however, that we're overestimating the effect of gunfire, particularly what you're likely to use in a HD scenario. If you look at any of these news reports about SD/HD shootings, you come up with one, two, or *maybe* three shots fired. Shooting a burglar/rapist/murderer is not too likely to be a battle for Iwo Jima type situation. You'll expend a few rounds, your ears will ring for awhile, and then you'll be okay.

While serious hearing damage can come from a single loud event, you are more likely to damage your hearing by chronic exposure to noise just above the damage threshold. I believe that's 85dB. Lots of work around loud engines (I'm talking about bulldozers or race cars, not jets which are well above the threshold), loud music, power tools, etc. are a MUCH bigger threat to your hearing than a couple of gunshots because you're not likely to think it's loud enough for damage. Thus, you will not use any kind of hearing protection. I'll cite my grandfather as an example. He landed at Normandy, but he has always protected his ears when working around loud machinery like the trucks he drove for four decades. He's now 82, watches the TV with the volume way down, and can hear me talking quietly across the house.

 

[chopinbloc]

yeah, what they said. i keep a set by my bed and if i had time i'd put 'em on but i'm not real concerned about it. btw, not exactly an unbiased poll

 

[CTMB590A1]

I am glad you posted this poll:

Say you do have on ear protection and end up shooting a BG in your home.

How will this look in court?......If you are so scared and concerned for the safety of your family, how could you take the time to put on hearing protection?

Your thoughts?

 

[Smurfslayer]

not exactly an unbiased poll

I'll concede to a little sarcasm, but I did provide for a range of responses.
I'm waiting for some of the more ... shall we say...tactically oriented folks to reply...

So if you can actually hear *better* with the fancy ear protectors, can you "outhear" your canines? Can I plug in an IPod?

My thoughts on the court aspect; as a lay person, the argument that you can amplify your hearing with them would be significant to me, particularly for someone who may be or have been exposed to a lot of chronic noise as previously pointed out. Yard equipment, shooting, motorcycles, loud pipes Harleys, hot rods, machinery, etc... all of these can mess up your hearing, so if someone puts on a set before having to defend themself I would just have to dismiss that as anything showing "intent" to do anything other than behave lawfully and quietly & peacefully enjoy their home.

Thanks for the responses so far...

 

[chopinbloc]

everyone so far has said they'd only do it if there weren't an immediate threat. i.e. i heard glass break, i put on my ears and picked up my rifle, two minutes later the dumb fool walks into my bedroom and i put two in his chest. or for those who have a good reason (children in other rooms) to clear the house, the same but it happened a couple minutes later in a different room. i don't see a problem but then again, everyone likes dead criminals in az.

 

[NMshooter]

I believe we have had this discussion before, I will give the same answer I did then.

Since you will not be able to hear much, if at all, after the shooting starts, hearing protection is well worth it if you have the opportunity to use it.

Auditory exclusion does not mean you are magically protected from permanent hearing damage and tinnitus, it means you cannot hear normally.

This is why tunnel vision is such a big deal, and why you have to constantly scan around you, because once the shooting starts you have lost your second most important sense, hearing.

 

[strambo]

Electronic ears are a great idea...should grab the gun and flashlight first though. Yeah, the poll was kinda biased, it's not an either/or type thing. Have them handy, if you get a chance, put 'em on.

 

[JohnKSa]

can you "outhear" your canines

Probably. You can turn them up enough that the air hitting the microphones is loud.

BTW, shooting two or three shots indoors is certainly enough to cause permanent hearing damage. I know my hearing has never been the same since my indoor ND--that was only one shot.

 

[ctdonath]

The core issue is exactly why I'm considering an 11.5" AR-15 with suppressor.
If I have to pull the trigger indoors, I probably won't have time to fumble around with muffs, and won't want to suppress quiet noises indicating what/where the perp is.

 

[riverdog]

Thanks for reminding me

It's time to change out the batteries in my Tac 6.

I can hear better with them on. The microphone is sensitive and if I turn them up every little noise is amplified until a noise spike (eg, gunshot) causes the electronics to shut down the sound. I can communicate, I can hear people better, I can hear the dog barking. . . If time is available, I can think of no downside to wearing them.

OTOH, non electronic muffs and earplugs are fine for the range but not when you need to hear that bump in the night.

 

[Blackhawk 6]

For those of you planning on using your electronic ears, how well do they allow you to determine the direction a sound originates from?

My electronic ears have a bad microphone on one side, but I seem to recall losing that ability when I was wearing them.

 

[nfl1990]

I'll cite my grandfather as an example. He landed at Normandy, but he has always protected his ears when working around loud machinery like the trucks he drove for four decades. He's now 82, watches the TV with the volume way down, and can hear me talking quietly across the house.

That was also outside and probaly at longer ranges.

 

[JohnKSa]

If I have to pull the trigger indoors, I probably won't have time to fumble around with muffs, and won't want to suppress quiet noises indicating what/where the perp is.

On the one hand, a good pair of electronic muffs is a LOT cheaper than a supressor and doesn't open you to federal and local law enforcement scrutiny.
On the other hand, a suppressor is a lot handier than having to deal with muffs.
On the THIRD hand, a suppressor will do nothing to quiet the OTHER guy's gun...

how well do they allow you to determine the direction a sound originates from?

The pair I bought for $160 doesn't affect my ability to locate sounds. In fact since it amplifies the sounds, it can make it easier to locate quiet sounds.

 

[Azrael256]

That was also outside and probaly at longer ranges.

Maybe, but it might well have been inside, and it probably included weapons measured in full inches. The point is that the minimal hearing damage from a double-tap in my front hallway is down about fifty spots on the list of things I'm going to worry about if I ever need to do it.

 

[Legionnaire]

Thanks for the question. I have two pairs of Tac-7s, both in my shooting box in the basement. I need to bring a pair up to the bedroom. I've thought of this before, but never remember at the "opportune" moment. I bought my first pair two days after shooting a TC Contender in .35 Remington with a muzzle break one time while hunting. It was the only time I shot that gun without hearing protection. My ears were ringing for two days, and I decided I wanted some electronic muffs for handgun hunting. Since then I've worn them faithfully at the range and in the field. Really ought to keep a set in the bedroom.

 

[hso]

Gun then light then electronic muffs (I can still see well enough to tell the difference between my 7 year old and a BG). Like the others have said the muffs serve two useful purposes. They enhance my hearing and they protect it at the same time.

Please don't be disingenuous. Your poll was obviously biased against the use of electronic hearing protection.

 

[Tim Burke]

Your poll was obviously biased against the use of electronic hearing protection.

Concur.

I have a set of electronic muffs next to the carbine & shotgun. If I have time to get a long gun, I have time to use the ear muffs. If I don't, I'll have to make do with the pistol I have on, or from one of the ready safes.

 

[crofrog]

What about using a surpessor on your home defense weapon. Saves not only your hearing but everyone elses in the house, and no time spent donning them.

 

[Jeff White]

The VA pays me a disability pension every month for hearing loss. I also have tinnitus. I never shoot or am around shooting without hearing protection.

That said, I don't keep my electronic muffs by the bed. They are in the kitbag with the rest of my Tac Team equipment. I have read posts in other threads about people keeping body armor handy too. I could conceivably totally gear up before leaving the bedroom to check out a threat. IIIA soft armor, SAPI plates, kevlar helmet with electronic muffs etc...but I think that would be overkill.

I guess I'm not willing to train for the time when I roll out of bed, grab the home defense weapon and put my ears on. I have to ask those of you who do keep your electronic hearing protection by the bed, do you ever train for waking up out of a sound sleep and putting them on before you grab your weapon and go? Or do you just assume, you'll remember to do it?

Jeff

 

[Smurfslayer]

On the one hand, a good pair of electronic muffs is a LOT cheaper than a supressor ...

SS: As we say in my barrio... Es verdad....

On the other hand, a suppressor is a lot handier than having to deal with muffs.

SS: I can envision myself dropping the muffs on the floor, having been rudely awakened by the sound of 2 large dogs expressing their fundamental displeasure at a perceived interloper in their territory.

On the THIRD hand, a suppressor will do nothing to quiet the OTHER guy's gun...

SS: 1... 2... HEY WAIT A MINUTE... YOU'VE GOT 3 HANDS?!


so far, over 1/2 indicate they consider this a legitimate concern. So, what about NV goggles?

 

[Michael Courtney]

If you have retreated to a safe room with multiple armed adults with sufficient training and ability for one to cover the door while the other puts on the hearing protection, then it makes sense to put on the hearing protection since there is a small tactical advantage and greatly reduces the risk of permanent hearing loss.

Michael Courtney

 

[waterhouse]

while we're [sort of] on the subject, anyone want to recommend a good make/model?

If I owned them and had the time, sure, why not. If I owned them and I forget to put them on, then I'm no worse off than if I had planned on not wearing them in the first place.