Hearing Protection

[Everman]

I'm looking for the best hearing protection I can buy for the indoor range, I just use some generic earmuffs doubled up with ear plugs right now.
What do you think about David Clark, seems to be mainly military and commercial use. Their highest rated model is only 27nrr compared to 33 on Pro-ear's top model, however I'm inclined to think that the David Clark model may be better since they have a history of high quality stuff for nasa, military, etc. They have an electronic version, but too expensive at around $500

 

[WoofersInc]

I just bought a set of the Pro Ear Dimensions. They have a noise reduction rating of 33 decibles. I just wish I would have done this sooner. They make such a difference. I am not familiar with the other model you mention but the Pro Ears can be had for around $225 if you search online. The new Dimension 2 even lets you plug in I-pods and MP3 players or a cell phone and they are about $40-$50 more.

 

[makarovnik]

I wear about a 24 ear insert with like 29 muffs over the top. I have had tinnitus for about 20 years now. Too many rock concerts and bar room lounge acts when I was very young. I started going to rock concerts when I was 12 years old (Black Sabbath in 1974). I also worked in the printing industry and construction industry before we new about OSHA and hearing protection. My ears have not got too much worse so I think you are protecting yours about the best you can.

I'm not sure the electronic ones have better protection. I think they are just better at letting low decibal sounds thru. I could be wrong though. Keep those ears covered and happy shooting!

 

[Tyris]

I use the following indoors:

29db muffs (peltor)
33db plugs (various brands)
33db silencer (AAC evo9 - 9mm)

It all helps.

-T

 

[Eric F]

the muffs with ear plugs should reduce your noise levels to safe + some.

 

[Feud]

I'm looking for the best hearing protection I can buy for the indoor range

Get your class three, a silencer, and rent out all the other bays.

If money is an object, however, what is your price range?

 

[Funderb]

Yeah, I remember when someone on THR tried to convince me that earplugs only dampen by 3dB. Yeah. I'd be deaf.

 

[Sans Authoritas]

Funder, I never read the discussion, but are you sure he wasn't trying to say that adding ear plugs to muffs resulted in an additional NRR of 3 dB? Because that's about accurate.

-Sans Authoritas

 

[Everman]

If money is an object, however, what is your price range?

I would consider the pro ears mag plus dimension 2, but while they are rated at 33db nrr, and the David clark's at 27 (thus the pro ears should be 75% quieter since db is a logarithmic scale), the Clark's seem to be of better construction, aircraft carrier deck intended use, and the pads look like they should give a better seal over foam pads.
http://www.davidclark.com/HeadsetPgs/model19a.htm

I dunno, I might pick up both, and use the pro ears for outdoors use where needing to hear range commands and speak to others occurs more frequently. I don't need electronic noise canceling indoors.

So ya, best solution is get both I guess, heh

 

[Funderb]

no, I may be wrong about it being on THR actually.
I was told that I am destroying my hearing because I only use earplugs when I shoot, and they only dampen about 3-5 dB.

Another reason I stopped trying my luck on other forums.

 

[Everman]

I was told that I am destroying my hearing because I only use earplugs when I shoot, and they only dampen about 3-5 dB

A good reason why you should wear muffs is that a good pad will protect a sensitive area right behind your ear, something plugs just don't do.

 

[coloradokevin]

Funder, I never read the discussion, but are you sure he wasn't trying to say that adding ear plugs to muffs resulted in an additional NRR of 3 dB? Because that's about accurate.

I was kind of thinking along the same lines as Sans on that one...


Personally, I wear plugs when shooting my rifles, and muffs when shooting my pistols... I like the muffs for the easy on/off factor, and the plugs don't get in my way as much with rifles.

Unless you are shooting something INCREDIBLY loud, I really think that just one or the other is sufficient (don't have any scientific data to back that up though... just my hunch).


Interestingly, I was talking to an older veteran officer in my department about this issue the other day... He said that when he came on thirty years ago you were shunned for wearing hearing protection on our police ranges. I guess the old-timers back then would tell the new 'boots' to stop whining, and stick a shell casing in their ear if it was still too loud (with the philosophy that "you won't have hearing protection in a real shoot"). I, personally, couldn't imagine shooting the .357's that they used to use, indoors, without hearing protection! Definitely gave me a new respect for why our older guys say "huh?" a lot when we talk to them!

 

[Funderb]

My pops likes earmuffs, maybe for that reason.
I shoot rifles much more though, and have never noticed any distinct hearing dampening from just wearing ear plugs. So then I will continue.
I may not shoot nearly as much as you guys, and would support your hearing if it means extra protection, though.
I only made the m44, "oops forgot one earplug" mistake once. wow.

 

[Farnorthdan]

I just picked up a pair of electronic muffs from midway for under $60 and I love them. I wore plugs mostly before. I read on one of the forums, either here or TFL that muffs are better because they protect the entire hearing, some bone outside the ear that dosen't get protection with plugs only.

I thought the $60 pair would be chinsey but they are very well built with adjustable sound input and a plug in for Ipod cd player or what not.

 

[plexreticle]

Indoors I always double up. Foamys with ears over.

 

[32winspl]

Most foam earplugs have a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of around 32-33 decibels (db). Most muffs db nrr is 25-28; and wearing them together, the nrr's add up ... 32 + 28=60db nrr. For every increase of 6db (at a distance of 1 meter), the "noise" or "volume" efectively doubles. In other words. 56db is essentially twice as loud as 50db. The progression is more logarythmic than linear.
A good article can be found on wikkipedia... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decibel
My opinion is ; wear both plugs and muffs every chance you get, especially indoors.

I wear the foamies (deeply inserted) for lawnmowing, chainsaws, motorcycle riding above 40 mph, with any woodworking tools, concerts, etc.

 

[beaucoup ammo]

Here's a vote for Pro Ear. I've had mine for years and the difference between those and others is remarkable.

 

[Avenger29]

Good plugs, plus good muffs (non electronic muffs are pretty cheap). The electronic muffs merely amplify sounds like conversation and range command, and cut off when the sound goes above the safe level.

Plugs and muffs for me, except when I am shooting a .22 outdoors (alone!), then it's one or the other.

 

[Everman]

the nrr's add up ... 32 + 28=60db nrr.

They don't add up like that. The plugs generally reduce the sound levels by about half when doubling up with muffs, so around another +3nrr.
And personally I got the david clark's, doubled with plugs. I'll update next week about the results. I'll get some electronic muffs for outdoors too though.

 

[OLD DOMENION]

29db muffs
Nothing less. Then I pack the muffs with 1/2\4 inch styrofome for added db protection.

 

[lefteye]

Bell shaped ear plugs and MSA Supreme Pro electronic ear muffs. (Of course, I didn't get the MSA muffs until after I got my second set of hearing aids.)

 

[Pat-inCO]

Start with custom molded ear plugs. Good ones will deliver -30 to -35db. Over that use the Peltor Ultimate 10s.

The custom molded ones - done by an audiologist - will run from $30 to $50. The Peltors can be had for $20 to $30 depending on where you get them (Home Depot has them as AO Ultimate 10s for $19.95).

To spend more is like purchasing a Lamborgini in place of a Porche. If you want status, spend the money.

 

[ColinthePilot]

I use the yellow foamies with nothing else usually. I only use David Clark when I fly. and the $500 set has Electronic Noise Cancellation, which is different from electronic shooting muffs. The ENC headsets are designed for constant noise environments (lawnmower, airport, etc. constant high noise levels.) Those wouldn't do much good for a range. The Electronic headsets are Passive Noise Reduction, and the electronics allow you to hear things that aren't gunshots. Also, it looked like the $500 model was the only one with the ugly light green color. I won't buy it if it doesn't have that green paint.