Double Hearing Protection Question

[Catfur]

Some of our bangy stuff is pretty loud, and I'm looking for a set of electronic earmuffs to wear over traditional foam earplugs. I'd like to be able to actually hear, too, so my question is are there any electronic earmuffs that get loud enough to hear clearly through foam earplugs, while still cutting off blast noises?

 

[David101]

I have used a very cheap pair and the Peltor Tac 5 version and both could be heard with foam earplugs in. They dont really need to be that load.

 

[Dave Marshall]

Any of them work if you crank the volume all the way up.

 

[Retired Grunt]

I have the earmuffs and the small insert in your ear type electric muffs. My ears must be an odd size because I can never get the small ones to stay set so I use the muffs more. As a suffer of Tinnitus with mild Hearing loss, use something, anything.

 

[rardoin]

Get a muff that has gel ear pads as an option; they will be much more comfortable and seal much better. As a result the internal amplification will be more effective and allow voices/range commands to be heard even with properly inserted foam plugs in place. I use MSA Sordin muffs but much cheaper Howard Leight muffs (I think it is the thin sport models) have aftermarket gel pads available and work almost as well.

 

[K22]

Take it from a guy who has significant hearing loss after 50+ years of shooting and learning too late to use the maximum protection - purchase the best available muffs for hearing protection and use plugs plus muffs.

I guarantee it's cheaper than hearing aids. Also, once you loose it - you can't get it back.

Also, if possible, avoid shooting next to guys with muzzle brakes - the sound in horrific. Suppressors offer the younger generation a chance to avoid deafness. It would be nice if these would become the standard in the firearms industry.

 

[BoydAllen]

I use the Howard Leight electronic muffs over their 33db foam plugs. I can hear normal conversation and get good protection. I will have to look into the aftermarket gel pads. They sound interesting.

 

[Shooter13]

I use these with electronic muffs, for an old man with limited hearing they work great!

Amazon.com : Walker's Electronic Behind the Neck Retractable Plugs : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : Walker's Electronic Behind the Neck Retractable Plugs : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

 

[HandgunHTR]

I use these: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/101712898
with these: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2099110047

I have no problem hearing normal conversations with the electronic muffs turned on. If you want to turn them down, you can tune out just about everything. Plus, with the Bluetooth, you can use them to listen to music or whatever if you want to. I use my muffs for yardwork too and will sometimes listen to a podcast while shooting if I am alone at the range.

 

[wedgy]

I use these: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/101712898
with these: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2099110047

I have no problem hearing normal conversations with the electronic muffs turned on. If you want to turn them down, you can tune out just about everything. Plus, with the Bluetooth, you can use them to listen to music or whatever if you want to. I use my muffs for yardwork too and will sometimes listen to a podcast while shooting if I am alone at the range.

I have some E muffs that work well but the thought of listening to music etc while working has me wanting a pair of these !
As another posted stated it only takes one shot to get permanent damage. A buddy got the ringing in one ear after a pistol shot..... in high school. So that's about 40 years ago.

 

[mongo chicago]

Get a muff that has gel ear pads as an option; they will be much more comfortable and seal much better. As a result the internal amplification will be more effective and allow voices/range commands to be heard even with properly inserted foam plugs in place. I use MSA Sordin muffs but much cheaper Howard Leight muffs (I think it is the thin sport models) have aftermarket gel pads available and work almost as well.

I personally would avoid the gel filled muffs. Have seen too many leak. The recruits said they had to throw the shirt away.

 

[Eric Leonard]

It’s loud where I work. In places we have to wear muffs over plugs. They tell us we can’t add the db reduction of both together that when doubling protection to take the higher reduction number and add 5 to it ..idk if that’s actually how it works or just some Osha bs.

but since 105 db is actually 5 times louder than 100 db those extra 5 is a lot

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

I wear plugs and peloton muffs. not great, but pretty good.

 

[bsekf]

I'm with Boyd. You can turn the muffs up or down. Down cuts out the kibitzing when trap shooting.

 

[Rsadams]

Remember that not all disposable foam ear plugs are not created equal.... I like the Howard light Maxx myself...For muffs I use the peltors especially when I am working at the range throwing skeet.... I can hear with the muffs the maxxs work so good sometimes it's hard to hear the pull command....

 

[BlueWater]

... are there any electronic earmuffs that get loud enough to hear clearly through foam earplugs, while still cutting off blast noises?

Sure.

Have been "doubling up" for years. Plugs then muffs over them.

I use some inexpensive Walker's disposable foam ear plugs @ 32dB NR, with Walker's Razor electronic muffs over them. With no electronic, it's very muffled for even the sharpest blast. But cranked all the way up, I can hear people speaking at normal conversation level 6-8ft away. Works well.

Plugs under $20:

Before we continue

Muffs under $60:

Before we continue

Have had a pair of Silencio electronic muffs that worked much the same.

 

[shoobe01]

I like Sordins, and lots of versions so check them out for your needs. Just electronic, BT to connect to your phone, etc.

Friends have Peltors, also totally happy.

Things like the Howard Leight work great until they do not. Not waterproof, so if you are going to be in the rain, even its just very humid and you sweat, they can fail. Some electronics turn OFF when there's a loud noise. Do not get those. Annoying.

All electronics have a volume control. With foam plugs in, you just turn it up 1 or two more notches. I think the audio is so clear on mine that it's easier to hear with them on than with just the foam plugs in.

Agree fully on gel ear seals. Never seen them leak; it's my understanding the gel is not a true liquid even when cut into it. They do wear out also, so I replaced some after about 10 years of use. Also good to get better foam for top bands. Unlike the gel seals, not offered by the mfg, so you have to find aftermarket, but worth it.

Foam ear plugs are mostly worn wrong, so check the how-to-install instructions. Here's some:

CDC - Mining - How To Wear Soft Foam Earplugs - NIOSH

Instructions on how to get the best protection from soft foam earplugs.

www.cdc.gov

I got this info from factory work also, had to sit and be instructed in earpro install. I also brought my Sordins for better hearing and they also said I need to wear earplugs but I just palmed them as it wasn't that loud a place

Also for very loud things: sound doesn't only go in your ears. Your whole head is the receiver, and the Army for example specs their earpro, eyepro, and helmets to go together; they have an approved eyewear list that is not just ballistically rated, but also integrates with the other systems to provide overall sound reduction. Even just a hat and bigger eyepro can help if shooting very blasty stuff.

Watch for gaps. Temples on earpro will cause a small leak and discomfort so you'll take off the earpro more often. I use Wiley X SG1s and have the strap kit so they wear like goggles. Look into that also.

 

[BlueWater]

All electronics have a volume control. With foam plugs in, you just turn it up 1 or two more notches. I think the audio is so clear on mine that it's easier to hear with them on than with just the foam plugs in.

I've noticed the same thing.

With just the 32dB plugs, it's very muffled, with normal speech from 6ft away being fairly hard to understand. But with the electronic muff turned at least halfway up, it's pretty clear and intelligible. Good combination. Better blast protection, but better clarity for conversation.

 

[TrxR]

For you that can wear muffs when shooting it must be great. I've tried different muffs and with the shape of my head the muffs hit the stock hard enough the push the ear muff off when trying to shoot with my trap gun. Im going to try some custom molded plugs.

 

[Hohn]

Remember that muffs are only adding 3-6db of reduction to the foam in-ear plugs. Be sure you are sticking the foam ones in deep. They should nestle well into the ear canal and honestly should be a little uncomfortable. [See Note below]

With proper deep-seated foam plugs, any muff will do. Crank up the volume as needed.

Tge best muffs for actual sound reduction are made by David Clark. You might know them from aviation headsets.
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Forum Boss: The Howard Leight plugs, conical on the inner side and flared on the outside, can be fully inserted and not be uncomfortable.