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Extra ear protection.

I have lost most of my hearing, in some part due to my time in the Army where we wore plastic plugs that offered little if any protection. Besides basic training, I was a firearms instructor for a while.

For the last 40 years I have always worn double protection. Soft foam plugs with high quality muffs. This combination works well for most shooting situations. Just don't try to extend the life of the foam plugs, as they hardened, they lose their protection.

The problem arises shooting next to guys with muzzle brakes, the blast is so bad at our clubs with semi-auto's that I pack up and either move, if possible or leave if one sets up next to me.
 
I am not sure why, but for some reason my ears are starting to hurt when shooting at a match. I really never was affected by muzzle blast....mine or anyone else's.....but now!!!:eek: I see people using both insertable ear protection along with regular muffs. I tried that at the last match with those soft orange plugs, but had a hell of a time getting them into my ears. Like they were TOO soft and even when I lubed them up I really couldn't get them into the canal.

What are the other options besides the soft orange throw away types?

Thanks,
Tod
a few years ago I ordered a pair of custom ear plugs. made w plastic. two sets. if I can find them. mostly I use foam plugs and pelitor muffs. pretty good. I have read that good foam plugs are very effective.
 
Check with your health care person and make sure your ears are not clogged with wax. With tapered plugs (that have a conical nose) you should have no trouble inserting them if you roll the foam plug first and insert gently.

As a motorcyclist I have worn plugs for hours at a time. The foam plugs I strongly recommend are the Howard Leight Max-1 plugs. These have a smoothly curved inner side, and a flared outer side. Inserted correctly these can be worn all day comfortably while offering 33 dB Noise reduction rating.

1720069430688.png

Howard Leight Max-1 Plugs, $8.99 for 20 pairs
 
The 3M Pod plugs shown above are easy to insert, but some folks do not really get them seated right. The plastic "handle" can also catch on the pads of your earmuffs and come loose.

These 3M are quick to insert, but they only have a 25 dB NRR, which is way less that the Max-1 from an energy standpoint as the decibel scale is logarithmic. The Max-1 is rated at 33 dB NRR, 8 decibels more reduction.

1720071861530.png


+10 dB = perceived as twice as loud by the average human (about 8x increase in sound energy)
 
I used foam plugs for work and shooting and also used 'muffs' when shooting. But I didn't use them enough, I have had hearing aids for quite some time. They are a tremendous help, but not as good as the original equipment. I've had them tuned, adjusted, then retuned and adjusted. I still miss a lot. Just 'turn up the TV' is not a fix, you are still missing some of the 'key words' and guessing about the conversation. Music and women's voices don't come in "loud and CLEAR". So please do anything you can to protect your hearing. Hearing may decline with age, but at least you can say "I really did try to protect it" 'Good hearing will give you tighter groups' 'Ya want the good lookin' blonde to whisper in your ear, not yell'.
 
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As a motorcyclist I have worn plugs for hours at a time.
My24/7 tinnitus sounds like a dentist drill, and is from industrial noise, rock concerts, and easily 30K miles on my motorcycles without hearing protection.
@brokeasajoke 's suggestion is excellent. While pulling up on the ear, I also tilt my head away from the hand inserting the plugs, making my ear canal level with the ground. I find it makes insertion easier.
 
I just for these and love them, takes some time to get them, but works and good price

 
Remember 20% cannot be protected.
Unless you wear your motorcycle helmet to the range while shooting.
Haven’t seen that yet, but I’m really not surprised much anymore.
We did have a knowledgeable site member who seemed to have a lifetime of information. No longer on the site. I consider that my loss.
 
I am not sure why, but for some reason my ears are starting to hurt when shooting at a match. I really never was affected by muzzle blast....mine or anyone else's.....but now!!!:eek: I see people using both insertable ear protection along with regular muffs. I tried that at the last match with those soft orange plugs, but had a hell of a time getting them into my ears. Like they were TOO soft and even when I lubed them up I really couldn't get them into the canal.

What are the other options besides the soft orange throw away types?

Thanks,
Tod
Go to a Walgreens or CVS and get the moldable silicon earplugs under the brand name Mack’s Earplugs. They are all I wear when I shoot. I don’t wear the electronic phones over them. Makes hearing other people tough, but I like it that way. Lol.
Dave
 
I use these under my ear muffs


You can push them in as far as need be and the handle lets you pull them out with ease.

Forum Boss: I have used these type of plugs. They are relatively easy to insert, but they foul easily with earwax and skin, and my Ear Specialist doctor does not like them because they foul more easily and cause irritation. I kept some like these as an "instant in" type for use at range, but they actually caused problems with frequent use. I definitely do NOT recommend those for use with a motorcycle.

I believe those Axbus plugs linked above are made in Asia (probably China), and I am very skeptical of the claimed NRR 32 Rating. Note -- similar flanged plugs from Peltor, a 3M US company, are rated at NRR 26. I know that the Chinese makers regularly lie about the true NRR of their muffs.

1720131805040.png
 
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I like the silicone ones they're really soft easy to put in and out. You get about 15 to a pack on Amazon
 
I use these under my ear muffs


You can push them in as far as need be and the handle lets you pull them out with ease.

Forum Boss: I have used these type of plugs. They are relatively easy to insert, but they foul easily with earwax and skin, and my Ear Specialist doctor does not like them because they foul more easily and cause irritation. I kept some like these as an "instant in" type for use at range, but they actually caused problems with frequent use. I definitely do NOT recommend those for use with a motorcycle.

I believe those Axbus plugs linked above are made in Asia (probably China), and I am very skeptical of the claimed NRR 32 Rating. Note -- similar flanged plugs from Peltor, a 3M US company, are rated at NRR 26. I know that the Chinese makers regularly lie about the true NRR of their muffs.

View attachment 1569191
I actually use the plugs for sleeping too. My wife snores a bit so these help a lot. Yes, I do have to wash them from time to time.
 
If you use passive ear muffs (would also work on amplified units, for attenuation, but would muffle the amplified sounds), stop by a drug store and buy a bag of cotton balls. Open the bag at home, and stuff half the bag in each ear cup. Pack it into the outer part of each cup as much as possible, leaving an indentation for your ear to sit in without pressure. Should increase the attenuation of outside impulses by a substantial amount.

Gel ear pads seal better than the normal vinyl/foam (and are more comfortable) so may be worth the expense.

For plugs, I use Moldex Softies (available on Amazon and I'm sure other places.) They're a bit longer than most, I think, which gives you a little extra length to push on when inserting. They're also the most comfortable of several other brands I've tried. I roll them to a tiny rod (about the size of the business end of a chopstick), tilt the ear to be plugged up, and quickly insert the plug while pulling upwards and back (relative to my head) on the upper ear. It's correct when you feel the tip of the plug slip past a little turn in the ear canal.
 
I just wish that I could use ear muffs, but I can’t get my big head behind the scope with them on. Even thin ones are annoying to me.
Any tricks to be able to get down on the scope with em on ?
 
Are they foam? If they are, you need to roll and compress them between your thumb and pointer finger then reach over your head with opposite hand and pull ear up and insert them then hold till it expands.
^^^ yes, it really helps me insert foam plugs by doing ^ this.
 

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