The Best Hearing Protection

[schmeky]

I have been using those cheapie foam ear plugs and cheap Silencio ear muffs. I need to step up to something better. I used to work (in my college days) at a papermill during the summer and we were issued a soft rubber ear plug that was excellent.

I would also like to know which ear muffs provide the best effectiveness vs cost. Don't want to spend $200.00 on a set of muffs, but would go $100.00.

Any suggestions on sources and were to buy would be appreciated.

 

[Dick1911]

The Peltor Classic Tactical 7 is available online for around $100. It rated at 25 db for the headband model and is electronic so if you use it at the range or in competition you can easily hear the range commands. Pair that with some 25db earplugs you can really kill some sound. You don't need to spend that much, if you don't want any of the electronics. Just get a pair with a sound reduction rating (SRR) of at least 25 db.

Ear muffs are not necessarily any better than the ear plugs, either. They are easier to use and in actual application you may get better sound reduction. However, a good ear plug, properly used, can be very effective.

 

[PotatoJudge]

The Howard Leight L3 has gotten pretty good reviews. I plan on ordering a pair or two whenever I get around to it.

http://www.sportco.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=43791&idcategory=0

 

[Synergy]

I am more comfortable wearing the foamy ear plugs. I am using AO Safety disposable ear plugs (reusing the same pair many times). They have a 32 db rating, which is the highest I have found for in-ear plugs short of getting custom fit ones. I got the bulk pack at Lowes. I can still carry on a conversation and hear talking well.

 

[allank]

I use the Howard Leight Max plugs. They are NRR 33. They definitely need rolled and inserted correctly to work, but they do work well!

 

[skinewmexico]

The NRR isn't dependent on price.

 

[cdrt]

Shooting Bullseye matches, I wear both plastic plugs and a set of Peltor President's model muffs. For dove hunting, I use a set of Caldwell electronic muffs that I got from Midway when they were on sale for less than $30. They work great and the price was right.

 

[brickeyee]

The cheap foam plugs have very consistently had the highest NRR of all the things available.
The penalty is convenience in inserting and removing them correctly.

I purchase EAR plugs in the box of 200 fort around $30.

 

[BamBam-31]

Foam ear plugs teamed w/ Howard Leightning 31db muffs are pretty darn tough to beat. I've been told that plugs alone do not prevent hearing loss, as the outer ear is still exposed. Best to double up.

 

[skers69]

I think BamBam has it right. I have used 35 db muffs alone. I have used 32 db foam ear protection alone. I now use both together when I am at the range. Best to double up. I guess I don't want to pay a ton of money on those fancy electronic ear plugs or muffs. Yet I think I am getting plenty of protection with the combo approach to save the hearing I have left.

 

[greenled]

I have a pair of Pro Ears Pro Tac Dimension I - highly recommended over the clipping technology of the Peltors, especially if there's a lot of firing going on around you and you want to still hear range commands.

 

[shdwfx]

I always double up.

My sensitive ears ring for a day after using muffs or foam alone at the range.

Together, it's the cheapest, most effective way to block out everything.
No pain. No ringing.

 

[stephpd]

best hearing

+1 for double up, foam plus Mickey Mouse ears.

 

[Vicious-Peanut]

How do y'all manage to shoot comfortably at the range with rifles with muffs on? I cant do it.

 

[BamBam-31]

Thin muffs, or muffs specifically contoured for rifle/shottie shooting. That said, when I shoot trap, I go plugs only and ditch the muffs cuz they get in my way. Rifles and pistols, I double up always.

 

[bogie]

I use the "shotgunner" muffs- I think they are peltors. And inside 'em, I have got the Leight "max" earplugs.

It's all good.

 

[Hands of blue]

The Howard Leight L3 has gotten pretty good reviews. I plan on ordering a pair or two whenever I get around to it.

http://www.sportco.com/productcart/p...1&idcategory=0

I have these the work fine for handguns but are to big for me to use with my AR. I got some ear plugs for when I shoot the AR

 

[Richbaker]

From what I've seen, both at work and at the range, most people don't put the foamies in properly.
I roll them VERY tight, and put them in until I feel them touch my eardrum....it is slightly uncomfortable, but as they expand, they go out of contact. It is also necessary to pull up on the top of your earlobe, per the instructions, to straighten the ear canal so they go in all the way. I usually have to use tweezers to get them out.....and they are FANTASTIC at pulling out earwax!
I was amazed the 1st time I put them in like this....I couldn't hear anyone, no wind noise, no engine noise, (riding my FJ)...nothing.

 

[SoCalShooter]

For matches and regular practice I like to use HOWARD LEIGHT L3. Wish I could use plugs at the same time but the voices in my head are just far to loud.

When I hunt I use just crappy walmart foamines 30db.

 

[cowssurf]

Those cheapie foam ear plugs usually out-perform the expensive headsets. Just look at the Noise Reduction Rating on the back of the box. I use cheap foam ear plugs because I care about my hearing and want the best protection I can get. If you roll them up and stick them in your ear like the directions show, they're hard to beat. Most are between 30 and 33 NRR. Of course if you're really concerned, you can put in the cheapies, and then wear the headset over top of them. The headsets are usually around 20 to 30, depending on quality. So that's a total of 50 to 63 NRR. A .300 Win Mag would sound like a little bunny rabbit belching.