Hearing aids with sound compression?

[Guy B. Meredith]

Has anyone found hearing aids which are able to handle the noise of firearms as is done in electronic earmuffs?

 

[Tom609]

I've been wearing HAs for about six years now and haven't seen anything like what you're asking. I did a quick search here http://www.hearingaidforums.com/index.php?
but couldn't find anything. It would be a good place to ask. My gut says no because it's not going to give the tight seal that's needed.

 

[xfyrfiter]

Etymotic has a shooter specific hearing protection device that has a built in amplifier that affords a good seal and plenty of amplification. They are a bit pricy and are not completely hidden when worn but they seem to do a pretty good job. They are primarily used in the music industry or law enforcement.

 

[brickeyee]

The aids themselves cut off, but the lack of any 'seal' in the ear canal allows the full volume of gunfire to reach the ear drum/middle ear/inner ear/cochlea and produce damage in the cochlea (breaks off the sensory hairs damaging hearing pretty much permanently).

 

[kanook]

http://www.earscopes.com/

The aren't cheap, but my hearing is worth more.

If money for a nice firearm/car/house/vacation can be saved, there is no excuse on why the same can't be done for hearing protection and a safe.

 

[eeh]

My experience with hearing aids they are off or on..

 

[whughett]

I've worn Acto Pro by Oticon for two years now ,even at $2200 each, with $100 each custom molded inserts they are not safe to use as hearing protection the simple reason being the inserts are vented. I can shut the mics off but sound still enters the vented ear piece. Going out on a limb here but anything worn in the ear canal for extended periods will have to have vents if for nothing more than moisture ventilation.

 

[WSM MAGNUM]

I concur with whughwett here.

Hearing aids are not designed for hearing protection. I have a Phonak UP Naida S which cost me $3500. It does have noise suppression, but it is not enough to supress gunfire. I could ask my audiologist if the suppression could be adjusted to suppress gunfire to a safe level, but I doubt it.

 

[Furncliff]

I have a set of aids that when adjusted will shut down at a high noise level. But it's not nearly fast enough to deal with gunfire and there is not enough suppression in the inserts to protect you. I usually take them out when shooting and use 30db muffs.

http://www.nuear.com/hearing-aids/products/imagine/technology-features.jsp

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

I wear Widex 440, I have bilateral severe/profound loss. I was also told they cut off for really loud sounds but it's not something I'm willing to test. I'm having my audiologist make custom ear plugs and I'm going to look for some good rated ear muffs to wear on top of that. You can never have enough protection for your hearing.

Laura

 

[whughett]

And some of us can blame some of that hearing loss from shooting without any hearing protection. I sure did. Still never wore any type hearing protection while hunting.