ear protection

[skeetlee]

What are the best non electrical earmuffs on the market? I need a set that blocks the most noise as possible. My current sets just don't cut the sound enough. Any thoughts? Lee

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I dont think you will find any that are that much better than the cheap ones. I double up, foam plugs in my ears and muffs over that.

 

[CatShooter]

What are the best non electrical earmuffs on the market? I need a set that blocks the most noise as possible. My current sets just don't cut the sound enough. Any thoughts? Lee

The best is muffs over plugs - preferably hard plugs. The suppression is additive - 30db for muffs and 28db for plugs = 58db suppression, which is a hellova lot!

 

[DOGCAPPER]

Look at navy aircraft carrier surplus.

 

[bheadboy]

I have lots of ear problems, and have been advised by shooting doctor to use muf and foam plugs, it works.

Bob

 

[Cort]

Look for a set of muffs with a NRR of 29 or better and add plugs. I can't seem to get the foam plugs to seal properly, so I use a set of custom molded plugs. I don't think the brand of muffs is as critical as the NRR number and I think that foam plugs are excellent (and less expensive) if you can get them to seal properly.

Cort

 

[VaniB]

It works fine when I wear cheap foam plugs with cheap muffs over them. The only problem I have, especially with my braked rifles, is when I'm resting my right cheek firmly on the rifle stock and the muff makes slight contact on the stock; I will often not be aware when the right muff is being lifted or pushed up slightly to allow some of the blast to enter the muff. It results in instant louder ringing in my ear. (I use the term "louder", because for over 20 years I already have 24 hour ringing in my ears)

 

[dickn52]

It works fine when I wear cheap foam plugs with cheap muffs over them. The only problem I have, especially with my braked rifles, is when I'm resting my right cheek firmly on the rifle stock and the muff makes slight contact on the stock; I will often not be aware when the right muff is being lifted or pushed up slightly to allow some of the blast to enter the muff. It results in instant louder ringing in my ear. (I use the term "louder", because for over 20 years I already have 24 hour ringing in my ears)

Look for the contoured muff. They make them for shotgunners. Double is the way to go for max protection. Pay for the fitted plugs though, and then muff over top for about 50-60 NRR total. As stated, that is a lot.

 

[normmatzen]

Sorry gents, it's only additive to a degree.

The mastoid bone is the limit to noise suppression. No matter what you put in your ear canal, the mastoid bone transmits sound with about 40 or slightly more dB of reduction. So a perfect plug only gets you down to the 40 dB of the mastoid bone.
And, no ear muff is going to do very well compared to plain old yellow foamies at 38-40 dB WHEN PROPERLY INSERTED!

For really good passive protection, go to a licensed hearing aid dispenser and ask for custom ear plugs that extend past the second bend. They will know what that means. They will make an ear impression and send it to an ear mold lab to make the actual plugs. These may cost up to $100 but it will be the best you can get!

Remember, Best---Custom ear plugs
second best ---Plain old properly inserted yellow foamies


What I use (and I am a trained audiologist/hearing aid dispenser) is Etymotic Research active Blast Protectors.

note: Properly inserted means rolled up to a tiny rod, stuck into the ear canal and screwed in and held by your little finger till they expand fully. You will think you won't be able to get them out, but you can.

 

[Joe R]

Hi skeetlee,
I assume the reason you're asking for extreme ear protection is because you're afflicted by tinnitius or other ear problem. Have you considered asking your doctor about it? They are great sources of specialized equipment and you may get your insurance to pay for some of it.

Take care.

Sorry, Norm already answered that one.

 

[skeetlee]

I have at least sets of custom made ear plugs, and I don't like wearing them at all. first of all the don't block out as much sound as my cheap muffs do, and secondly having objects stuffed in my ears gives me a headache for whatever reason.
I asked about muffs because I don't like having plugs in my ears. I have looked at several different sets, but I don't know what the best ratings are, so I don't know what set to try. I see some with a value number at 25 some 27 and one rated at 30. Some rate as decibels some rate in other abbreviations that I don't understand there meanings, or values. dB VS NRR
I want a basic set of over the head muffs with the very best noise reducing ratings available.
I do have some hearing loss, mostly high pitch sounds. My wife disagrees, as she claims I cant hear anything she says. None the less, I am not happy with my current sets of muffs and I want a better set. thanks Lee

 

[Lapua40X]

I did a lot of competition pistol shooting back in my youth and I remember when our "ear plugs" were empty .38 cases stuck in the ear canal. Oh how I miss the naivete of my youth.
I don't have tinnitus, thank goodness, but my hearing loss at various frequencies is (according to my audiologist) consistent with what one might expect from weapons firing.
I prefer to use foam ear plugs with ear muffs. I have learned that pulling back on the ear lobe makes it easier to get those foam plugs more securely positioned in the ear canal. Interested in trying something new, I just ordered some "Silent Ear" reusable ear plugs. I'll try them under the ear muffs and see how they work.

http://www.earplugstore.com/nsearch.html?catalog=earplugstore&query=silent+ear&Go.x=0&Go.y=0

I have learned that pulling back on the ear lobe makes it easier to get those foam plugs more securely positioned in the ear canal.
IMO, ear protection is like eye protection. A nuisance to be tolerated because there is no replacement for eye sight or hearing.

 

[ShootDots]

My hearing is somewhere between "Deaf in one ear and can't hear out of the other"!! We shot everything as kids without hearing protection at all! Then played Led Zeppelin, Cream and Jefferson Airplane on full throttle all night!! LOL!!!

 

[Ron IA]

Lee for no longer then you need plugs in and muffs do the best you can to live with it you get one set of ears hearing aids are ok but will NEVER be as good as what the good LORD gave you trust me iam there wished I would have took care of mine years ago shot gunners and plugs all the time for me now after I take my hearing aids out !
Ron

 

[Dos XX]

3M Peltor X-Series have NRR of 30. I think it is the highest for muffs. They are huge, however, and may interfere with cheek weld. I have a pair, but haven't tried them with prone rifle yet.

 

[58weasel]

Put a suppressor on the end of your barrel. Expensive;, but if you have a number of rifles, put an brake or flash suppressor, or combo on the end of each barrel which will all take the same suppressor. Knocks about 30db off the blast.
Add earplugs to that and you have a relatively "quiet" set up where you can easily lay your noggin' on the stock.
The suppressor will ruin you; it make shooting much more enjoyable, and you can have a normal conversation with friend while on the range.
Just a thought. Advanced Armament Corp has such a setup for 22 or 30 cal tubes.
Some accuracy types don't like suppressors. Too heavy on the end of the barrel.

 

[Dos XX]

And suppressors aren't allowed in some competitions.

 

[jonbearman]

I have the peltor 6s I believe and they are rated at 29.They are electronic and you can talk normally and hear better to boot. They work well for 60.00 and are really thin to boot for cheekweld if you need it. Lee you shoot free recoil anyways so the size shouldnt matter in that respect.

 

[skeetlee]

I did some further research and settled on a set made by peltor. NNR of 30dB so I should be good to go. They look a little bulky but that shouldn't matter as Jon said. They will be here in a couple days so I will post my findings. thanks men! Lee

these are the muffs I purchased
http://www.amazon.com/3M-Peltor-H10A-Optime-Earmuff/dp/B00009LI4K

 

[LHSmith]

Shooting free -recoil or not, I don't believe ANY earmuffs that are not thin like the Peltor Shotgunner will work without interference with the stock.....unless you have scope rings that go well beyond the super tall heights. Such high dB muffs are non-existent ON the firing line at matches.....great for spectators behind the line.