Your thoughts, please, about electronic hearing protection

[Prince Yamato]

I'm a classical musician, so I ABSOLUTELY depend on my hearing and as such have looked into all sorts of hearing protection. My advice for best hearing protection: the $1.99 pack o' ten orange plugs at Walmart + a pair of soundproof headphones. Never had a problem with that combo. No need to spend $100+ on the noise cancelling ones. Plus what if the battery fails and the guy next to you shoots off his Mauser?

 

[CypherNinja]

On the electronic ones, if the battery is dead they are just regular muffs. The electronics merely transmit sound through the "barrier" (while ignoring or reducing anything really loud) with a mic and speaker.

 

[Kenneth Lew]

Cost to me would be $24 a set, and retail is anywhere from $35 to $40, plus shipping.

He sent me a set, and so far I'm impressed, although I haven't done a full range test yet.

My questions for those of you who are willing to reply are:

1. What decibel level (85, 90, 70, etc) do you consider to be acceptable?

2. How much static do you consider acceptable? (These muffs don't have much, but there's a little bit).

3. What other features or creature comforts do you look for in electronic shooting muffs?

I have tried those cheap eletronic ear muffs and threw it away after the first range session at an indoor range. I am not impress with the response and the dampening at all. I was somewhat deafed by the experience (what padding).

If it is for personal safety, don't go cheap.

 

[Lupinus]

I like them personally

I have a pair of Caldwells (el cheapo on sale for 20 bucks 29.99 reg if I remember correctly) and I haven't used my old muffs since.

They don't cut out over anything, basicaly a loud hand clap will shut them down. I esspecialy liek that up to a certian sound level the level of hearing is actually increased, on a range where Im the only one with muffs I am always the first to know when someone is coming up to the range. As for protection they do just as well as standard muffs.

You get what you pay for, and IMO the pair I have are well worth what I paid for them. I am sure the 160 bucks one are far far better, but you know I am a simple guy with simple needs.

 

[hso]

Prince Yamamoto,

$100+ on the noise cancelling ones

Noise cancelling ear muffs are not the same as the electronic muffs used by shooters.

 

[Prince Yamato]

Noise cancelling ear muffs are not the same as the electronic muffs used by shooters.

I'm not talking about the Bose Quiet Comfort variety either. I know which kind you mean. I'm merely saying that you can save $100, get foam earplugs and headphones from Walmart and they should suffice. Seriously.

 

[B yond]

What about the in-the-ear ones?

Got the Harbor Freight version; they work well for pistol shooting but I can't use them with a long gun because they mess up my cheek weld.

I did see an add in Cheaper than Dirt or Sportsman's Guide for some in-the-ear electronic hearing protection. I think it was called the Bionic Ear 2. Has anyone used these? I think they were less than $40.

 

[Werewolf]

I'm merely saying that you can save $100, get foam earplugs and headphones from Walmart and they should suffice. Seriously.

True - except that while wearing that combination one becomes effectively deaf. When shooting on the range and especially while hunting it is necessary to be able to hear range commands or the ambient sounds of the area around you when hunting. Electronic muffs provide this capability as well as dampening the sound of gunfire to safe levels (and mine at least can be worn comfortably for hours which cannot be said for the $20 Walmart non-electronic muffs).