Neighbor's daughter's hearing protection...

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Poper

Poper

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As I was setting up at the range Sunday, I noticed the fellow at the table next to me had his young daughter (about 8 or 9 year old) with him and was showing her how to insert her foamies into her ear canal. I also noticed he did not have over-ear muffs for her.
I always double up, (foamies and over-ear muffs) because I have lost most of my hearing from waterfowl hunting in my early years. (My ears ring constantly and sometimes even keep me awake at night.)

Because I always carry extras in anticipation of an invitee joining me at the range, and because I would be shooting my .300WSM with muzzle brake, I offered him my spare over-ears for her use. He graciously accepted with a polite thank you. I noticed she seemed quite comfortable through out the morning and did not jump or flinch when my muzzle braked rifle was fired. She returned them at the end of the day with a beaming smile and a shy "thank you". I think she thoroughly enjoy her day at the range with Daddy, too. :)

FWIW, I believe keeping youngsters or newbies we bring to the range comfortable, and protecting their hearing is the least we can do to help their comfort level and spark an interest in the shooting sports. If all it takes is loaning a pair of spare muffs on occaison, so be it. I'll do it every time.

Just my 2 cents...

Poper
 
A friend of mine has a great picture of his daughter (about 2 years old at the time) sitting in her stroller just behind the firing line, fast asleep, with a big pair of muffs on, while daddy fires a belt-fed 1917 Browning machine gun about 10 feet away...
 
I personally only use ear plugs except when there're lots of rifles being shot at the range or if someone has a muzzle brake.

Doubling up on hearing for young shooters is a great thing.
One of the biggest factors in flinching is anticipating the sound. With that out of the equation it's easier to learn to shoot.
 
Good idea. I have only worn muffs, but I might pick up several pairs of plugs for my range bag. You only get your hearing once...why not protect it the best you can. At worst they'll be useful if I forget my muffs at home.
 
Great timing, right gear, special event, yup you had a good day. I cant wait to find a range here in Falls Church so I can get a feel for the place. I also met a guy who is a fence sitter. Gotta drag him along one day with spare stuff as you mentioned.
Great now I got the jones for the weekend and it is humpday tomorrow.
 
Good for you!

We've had good discussions on hearing protection for kids here at THR.

Peltor makes muffs for kids.
images.php

And there are even "Jr" foam ear plugs sized to fit the smaller ear canals of children.
earplugstore_1999_250153956
http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/ear-muffs-for-children.html

My daughter wears the Surefire EP3 plugs in small under Peltor electronic muffs.
 
Foamies and muffs for me when on the rifle range, just muffs for pistol though. My friend Cody, who is actually totally deaf from birth, uses both all the time. The loud volume still causes PAIN, even if he doesn't hear the sound itself.
 
My friend Cody, who is actually totally deaf from birth, uses both all the time. The loud volume still causes PAIN, even if he doesn't hear the sound itself.
Click to expand...

Thats very interesting. Any chance you could tell me a little more about that? Is it just the pressure of the sound wave hitting his eardrum?

That's why I always keep at least 3 pairs of quality plugs, plus a handful of foamies and a set of muffs in my range bag. Doesn't take up that much room, but if someone needs them, they're always glad I have them.
 
I only use foamies. I collect a fresh pair every time I hit the flight line, so I have a few dozen spread around my flight bag, range bag, truck, desk, everywhere.
The foamies keep every gun I've ever heard on a range at a comfortable level. I put them in before I even get out of my truck.
I shoot and fly loud airplanes for a living, and take my hearing seriously.
 
I bought the Winchester SXT earmuffs from Walmart some time ago, I'll say this, the noise reduction is probably the best I've seen.......uhhh....with my ears.
 
Doubling up does little to add to the protection of your hearing. It may make you feel better, however, based on how the decibel scale works it does little to protect your hearing.

Get the highest rated protection you can find and go with that. There are hearing protectors made just for kids due to their smaller size.

"When to wear both ear muffs and ear plugs
If noise exposure exceeds 100 dBA, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends wearing both ear muffs and ear plugs for extra hearing protection in cases of extreme noise such as power saws, pneumatic hammers and jet airplanes at takeoff.

However, doubling up ear muffs and ear plugs does not result in double the hearing protection - since the physical energy of noise doubles with every three decibels.

If, for example, you have two machines each producing 60 decibels of noise, the combined noise level will not be 120 decibels; rather it will be 63. Similarly, if you double up with ear muffs and ear plugs both rated at say, 28 decibels, you will gain only three decibels of protection, for an effective NRR of 31 dBA." http://www.worksafely.com/safety-equipment/noise-control/ear-muffs.aspx
 
Doubling up does little to add to the protection of your hearing.
Click to expand...
OSHA guidelines say doubling up is worth 5db. A 3db decrease alone would be a 50% decrease in sound intensity. With the sound pressure levels coming from guns I think every db counts.
 
I used to double up, but I don't much anymore, now I just use plugs. With plugs I never notice overly loud noises or ringing. When doubling up I noticed that often (with rifles) the muffs would get dislocated by the stock, so the ear closest to the rifle wasn't doubly protected.

Besides, muffs don't work with the floppy hat I wear to the range- no hot brass down my collar, no sir.
 
I have a great pair of plugs rated at 32db decrease in noise. With these I have no problems. But, for kids who ears are more sincetive than many of ours you should always double them up on a shooting range.

I have the constant ringing in my ears from years of shooting and running equipment without hearing protection. I take what I have left and protect it the best I can.
 
What gets me are the geniuses I see who stuff the plugs into their outer ears. Sometimes sideways. I've even seen this in the spectator stand at Knob Creek... Sigh... Once it's gone, it ain't coming back.

Roll the things, and slide 'em into the ear canal, and let them expand.

If you occasionally need to hit the toolbox for a pair of hemostats for removal, you're doing it right.
 
Not to be obtuse, but for those that say it doesn't help to double up with in-canal and over ear protection, I suggest you try it both ways and go with what you are comfortable with. I am not a hearing or hearing protection expert, but I can tell you that I find a much greater comfort level with double protection. I have spent many hours both ways and even without protection. The difference between doubled up and single protection is very, VERY noticeable.

With kids that have much more to lose, why take the chance? I've already lost most of mine and will never get it back plus the added benefit (?) of permanent ringing in my ears. I think we should give our kids every chance to preserve their hearing for as long as possible. The extra couple bucks are well worth it.
I noticed that often (with rifles) the muffs would get dislocated by the stock,
Click to expand...
I had this problem with the first pair of muffs I had, too. However, I cured the problem by going to a smaller profile design. Just happens to be the ONLY piece of Dillon equipment I own, too. ;)

Just my thoughts. I hope they are helpful.

Poper
 
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I use these:

earhorn.jpg


No, I usually just use cheap muffs but I'm going to try doubling up. Especially when firing the PLR-16, that sucker barks.
It was a nice thing you did for that girl and a good reason to bring extra muffs when at the range. A uncomfortable experience for a new person isn't good for creating new shooters.
 
You did a good thing to offer your extra set.

I am glad to hear Papa was trying to pass on his love of the sport to his daughter.
 
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