Hearing protection - kids

[KIX]

The other hearing protection thread got me thinking a bit more on something I'm working with my son right now - hearing protection.

We are about to pick up something for him (he's 12). Some adult sets seem to "almost" fit.

I noticed at the "big box outdoor store" that Peltor had some combination sets for kids.

Anyone use them, have good luck with them? I use a set of Peltor muffs now and they work and fit just fine.

Should I get the "Jr." set or just go adult.

I also have a ton of foam "in ear" plugs that we can double up on as well.

Just concerned about the little guys hearing (though, if you ever heard his mom, my .40 cal guns are no competition)!!!

Thanx,

Jonathan

 

[Sam1911]

If you can find the Junior style, they'll probably be much better for him. I've had good success with normal adult size muffs with my kids on the range, but you've got to re-check fit and position constantly because they'll shift around a lot and kids don't always tell you when their safety gear has shifted and isn't working right.

The plugs may be a fine answer at his age -- he's pretty old. With younger kids their ears seem to be shaped entirely wrong and the plugs just will NOT stay in.

 

[hso]

Always, always, always double up and wear plugs and muffs.

Fit is very important for hearing protection to work properly. If your child needs the harder to find ear muffs for kids make the extra effort to get the properly fitting muffs. If that means ordering them off the net, so be it. This is one of those situations where "close" isn't good enough. Same for plugs. Some manufacturers make plugs in sm/md/lg because not every ear canal is the same.

It doesn't matter that he'll grow out of them in a year, the damage to his hearing can be permanent.

 

[zombienerd]

The Peltor junior muffs work well, my 5yo wears hers when we go shooting together, I always double and triple check the fit and "seal" before starting a course of fire.

Inexpensive, and have a decent rating.

I also give a +1 to HSO on the plugs and muffs. It is a necessary "evil" when working with kids shooting. It makes the day go by slower, because you have to remove the plugs any time they need instruction, because with doubled protection, they can't hear a word you say.

When using doubled protection with kids, you should always stay within an arms reach to physically correct any safety violations, or remove the firearm from their grasp if necessary, as they cannot always hear you say STOP when they're doubled.

 

[KIX]

Thanx all, seems like the Peltor Jr's might do the trick.

I have very good hearing, and the muffs without the plugs work fine for me, but...... I'm not exactly a growing pre-teen either!

Time to put his "range bag" together....... neat!

Jonathan

 

[hso]

If it's important to you to protect his ears it should be important to you to do everything you can to protect your's as well (and you'll be serving as a good example to him wearing your plugs and muffs).

 

[TX1911fan]

Doubling up is a great idea. My eye protection always pushes out the my muffs and lets noise in, so I've always doubled up my kids and they've never complained.