Hearing protection Help

[BoydAllen]

Electronics allow you to hear with protection in place, they do not to my knowledge increase NRR.

I would never be on a firing line that had a mix of firearms that included pistols, short (but legal) barreled CF rifles and muzzle brakes with single coverage of any kind. Been there done that. Typically, with my 33NRR plugs, I pair slim shotgun muffs that may only have a NRR of 21 or so.

On the subject of amplified muffs, I have seen and tried on muffs that were slim enough not to interfere with my stocks' combs, but of course we are all built differently, so they might not work for some.

I pay close attention to the level of ringing in my ears, which tends to increase after I have been exposed to noise without adequate protection, or when I have consumed certain foods, like diet Pepsi.

Some time back I read something about a small percentage of a test group having a significant reduction of their tinnitus by taking taurine. I put this up on Benchrest Central some time ago, with a link, and the general reaction was to discount it. Sometime later a shooter who I know posted that since the cost was minimal, he tried it, and it resulted in a 75% reduction in his tinnitus. In the test that the link led to, well under half saw a reduction, but what if you are one of those that would?

 

[johnfred1965]

As far as generic foam plugs, my favorites after years of noisey jobs are the ones called Meteors. I don't recall the manufacturer, but they are very soft, kind of hourglass shaped with a NRR of 33. I like them better than the Howard Leight Max with the same rating. In a run and gun match, they provide plenty of protection, but when I am at the range, I can take my time and I will use a cheap pair of muffs over them. This gets me well over the protection level mentioned above where bone conductance kicks in.

Edit: The Manufaturer is Moldex, and if you get them be sure to get the solid green ones, the multicolor type has a lower rating for some reason.

 

[Dos XX]

Those Etymotic GSP's work great. I have been using the same pair since March 2014. They come with a selection of inserts, or they did when I got mine. I use the grey round foam inserts. They offer the most reduction. Just like foamies, they have to be rolled up, inserted, and allowed to expand.

I would buy another pair if mine went down.

 

[Steve morgan]

I use the Howard Leight plugs that come in the little blue ear shaped container, like Boyd said most don't get them in far enough. I have found that after I started getting them in far enough it was night and day difference. I to have ringing in my ears that never stops and after a trip to the VA for a hearing test I found that I have a 90 degree turn in my ear canal was told this was unusual. Was told if I tug rearward at my ear while inserting the ear plug it would be easier to insert, they are also hard to get out sometimes as Boyd mentioned but worth the trouble.

Custom molded plugs are what I have used for years

 

[JRS]

MAX or Moldex plugs.

 

[DRNewcomb]

....I pay close attention to the level of ringing in my ears, which tends to increase after I have been exposed to noise without adequate protection, or when I have consumed certain foods, like diet Pepsi.....

I laid off the artificial sweeteners for a whole month to see if it would make a difference. At the end of the month I couldn't notice any difference. I'm willing to give taurine a try. How much is suggested?

 

[BoydAllen]

I laid off the artificial sweeteners for a whole month to see if it would make a difference. At the end of the month I couldn't notice any difference. I'm willing to give taurine a try. How much is suggested?

I found the old thread. Post #17 tells what one fellow did. I do not thing that twice that much taken twice a day would hurt a bit. Do a little research. Taurine has multiple benefits.
http://benchrest.com/showthread.php?88778-For-those-of-us-with-ringing-in-our-ears/page2
The link is for page two. You can navigate to the first page that has the link to the study.

 

[rardoin]

MAX or Moldex plugs.

I use these: http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/s...mpaignId=T9F&gclid=CLi-_JKdmNQCFQGqaQod3roNdQ

I have a couple of boxes and keep some everywhere I am around loud noises (I have very significant hearing loss). When shooting rifles I use the MAX foamies inserted as deep as I can get them and still retrieve them. As Norm has stated, the insertion depth is critical in achieving the rated attenuation of sound. I also use a set of MSR Sordin muffs with the gelpads....belt AND suspenders... The Sordin gelpads are the only pair of muffs that I can wear (that have decent sound attenuation) and still not touch my stock while in position (and they are exceptionally comfortable....and pricey). I have a set of custom molded Defend-ear that an ENT colleague of mine made at cost and I use those for hunting where the 'headset' type of protection interferes with my hood on my parka.

 

[savagedasher]

Just do be stupid no way can you use too much . My aids are $ 3000.00 per ear and I can't hear the bird sing Larry

 

[dcali]

The smaller muffs are dicey. I have a set of MSAs that are very well made and comfortable, but the attenuation isn't so hot at low frequencies. I double them up with foam plugs and turn the volume up until I can hear range commands. Seems to work well.

I know foam is suspposed to be enough, but that's not my experience unless pain is considered good enough. Between dirt, dust, eye protection, and changing positions, you really ought to be doubled up.

 

[David247]

I sure appreciate all of the responses. I am trying to read and reread all of them and the links. It sure gives me hope that there are better methods than what I have been trying. Some are costly but $3,000.00 per ear for aids??? Are you kidding me? I had no idea. That will make you g I am also glad to hear the link on the taurine. My hearing loss is not that bad but that never ending ringing is annoying to say the least. I'm definitely be studying up on that.

Thanks again!!!

 

[DRNewcomb]

... Some are costly but $3,000.00 per ear for aids??? Are you kidding me? I had no idea. ....

Hearing aids are a racket. If you ever get hearing aids, particularly the in-ear type, be sure that you can hear the sound of the hearing aid feeding back on itself (high-pitched whistle). All they have to do is get a little loose for it to happen. When they do the hearing aid becomes useless for the wearer and annoying for the folks around them. I can't tell you how many times I've had to tell a completely oblivious elder that their hearing aids were whistling. If I ever need hearing aids, I'm going for the over-the-ear type which are less prone to feedback.

 

[DRNewcomb]

... Some are costly but $3,000.00 per ear for aids??? Are you kidding me? I had no idea. ....

Hearing aids are a racket. If you ever get hearing aids, particularly the in-ear type, be sure that you can hear the sound of the hearing aid feeding back on itself (high-pitched whistle). All they have to do is get a little loose for it to happen. When they do the hearing aid becomes useless for the wearer and annoying for the folks around them. I can't tell you how many times I've had to tell a completely oblivious elder that their hearing aids were whistling. If I ever need hearing aids, I'm going for the over-the-ear type which are less prone to feedback.

 

[savagedasher]

Hearing aids are a racket. If you ever get hearing aids, particularly the in-ear type, be sure that you can hear the sound of the hearing aid feeding back on itself (high-pitched whistle). All they have to do is get a little loose for it to happen. When they do the hearing aid becomes useless for the wearer and annoying for the folks around them. I can't tell you how many times I've had to tell a completely oblivious elder that their hearing aids were whistling. If I ever need hearing aids, I'm going for the over-the-ear type which are less prone to feedback.

Mine is in the ear and I don't have that problem.
But that is the reason for that price .
Best thing to do is protect them to start with.
Cheap herring protection is not the way to go . If you thinking it is enough your joking your self . Larry

 

[RustyMetal]

I use regular ear muffs over ear plugs. I use the generic brands and they are not expensive at all, and very effective. As long as I use both.

 

[Average joe]

Foam ear plugs always seemed a little lacking to me.... My company brought in a third party to test individual hearing protection on the employees,,,,, with several style plugs rated around 30 db nrr, I was only getting a reduction of 7-11 decibels! Explained why I always felt the need to double-up with muffs.
I had some custom molded plugs made, and the difference is night and day.
Try the custom ones, they work.

 

[DRNewcomb]

.....Try the custom ones, they work.

For some reason, I have no idea why, custom molded ear plugs work great in my left ear but won't hold a seal on my right ear. If I move my jaw much I have to reseat the right one. It's not to bad when I'm standing or sitting but it's hard to keep the right one in place when prone. I've had three different molded plugs for my right ear.

 

[LCazador]

I am having a rifle built and I met the smith at his range while there was a lot of shooting going on as we tried to talk. There were even some 50's being used and I noticed that the foam plugs that he handed me seemed to work as well as the pricey ones and the seal didn't break no matter what I did for an hour or two. I guess I will try using them and also find where to get the molded ones and try them too.

How about the electronic muffs, are they worth the effort and expense or are the passive ones as good or better?

At some point you're going to be faced with the decision of being able to hear commands or voices while on the firing line. With that said, a good pair of electronic ear muffs or "custom fit in the ear" electronic protection will be ultimately the only solution. If you have the money, and I don't understand not spending $1500 for ear protection, buy both "custom fit in the ear"" electronic and "over the ear electronic". I have been using both for over 30 years, the best money I've ever spent. Notice I said custom fit, that crap "that fit's most" is not good in any way shape or form!!

 

[Patch700]

Just do be stupid no way can you use too much . My aids are $ 3000.00 per ear and I can't hear the bird sing Larry

Oh real nice Larry... When I asked your opinion on making a muffling device for my range that has horses nearby you told me to bungee pillows to their ears lol.

 

[savagedasher]

Oh real nice Larry... When I asked your opinion on making a muffling device for my range that has horses nearby you told me to bungee pillows to their ears lol.

I think you have the wrong Larry . lol
Larry