Hearing aids?

[normmatzen]

Hearing aids have a built-in vent connecting the ambient directly to the ear drum. So, NO don't use hearing aids for protection against gun shot noise.
There are a number of solutions to protection as well as still hearing range commands. On easy way for folke using the thin, light weight electronic ear muffs along with Etymotic ER-20 or ETY-PLUGS. These cost $10 to $15 or so and make the muffs safe due to the extra 20 dB attenuation. You can still hear your neighbor talking and range commands.
There are a number of elecronic shooting noise protection ranging from a street price of $200 or so and up to $2000. Most of these electronic protectors use digital amplifiers, but I wouldn't use them for things like hunting ,military use and police use as the digital amplifiers add a varying delay to each ear individually which really louses up your "situational awareness" or ability to localize sounds. I prefer, and only wear Etymotics GSP-15. I wear these for a couple reasons, 1. they are relatively inexpensive, 2. were designed by folks that really do understand the difference between normal industrial noise and gun shot noise
and 3, I designed the amplifier in them and am very prejudiced!
YelloFoamies are still the absolute best double up method as they still yield the best individual protection IF INSERTED CORRECTLY.
Check out the two graphs attached. The first one shows the shot noise attenuation of a yello foamie as a function of how deep it is inserted.
The second graph (courtesy of Dr. Mead Killion,
Berger and others. This graph shows total attenuation with muffs plus yello foamies. Notice the 125 and 250 Herz data points show a steeper down curve . That is due to the relatively poor low frequency attenuation of muffs to periodic wave noise. The result of this is that the improvement of muffs over foam plugs inserted properly becomes quite small, so don't short change yourself, Use the best protection you can, muffs and foamies . If you insist on only one, make it yello foamies or electronic protection such as the GSP-15 and others. With proper insertion, they approach 38dB wich is about as good as it gets. By the way, a 2dB difference is only 20% and 6 dB
is 50%.

 

[BenPerfected]

Hearing aids have a built-in vent connecting the ambient directly to the ear drum. So, NO don't use hearing aids for protection against gun shot noise.
There are a number of solutions to protection as well as still hearing range commands. On easy way for folke using the thin, light weight electronic ear muffs along with Etymotic ER-20 or ETY-PLUGS. These cost $10 to $15 or so and make the muffs safe due to the extra 20 dB attenuation. You can still hear your neighbor talking and range commands.
There are a number of elecronic shooting noise protection ranging from a street price of $200 or so and up to $2000. Most of these electronic protectors use digital amplifiers, but I wouldn't use them for things like hunting ,military use and police use as the digital amplifiers add a varying delay to each ear individually which really louses up your "situational awareness" or ability to localize sounds. I prefer, and only wear Etymotics GSP-15. I wear these for a couple reasons, 1. they are relatively inexpensive, 2. were designed by folks that really do understand the difference between normal industrial noise and gun shot noise
and 3, I designed the amplifier in them and am very prejudiced!
YelloFoamies are still the absolute best double up method as they still yield the best individual protection IF INSERTED CORRECTLY.
Check out the two graphs attached. The first one shows the shot noise attenuation of a yello foamie as a function of how deep it is inserted.
The second graph (courtesy of Dr. Mead Killion,
Berger and others. This graph shows total attenuation with muffs plus yello foamies. Notice the 125 and 250 Herz data points show a steeper down curve . That is due to the relatively poor low frequency attenuation of muffs to periodic wave noise. The result of this is that the improvement of muffs over foam plugs inserted properly becomes quite small, so don't short change yourself, Use the best protection you can, muffs and foamies . If you insist on only one, make it yello foamies or electronic protection such as the GSP-15 and others. With proper insertion, they approach 38dB wich is about as good as it gets. By the way, a 2dB difference is only 20% and 6 dB
is 50%.

Thanks to you Norm, you have been a great coach on how to minimize hearing loss in the shooting sports. I have had some measurably hearing loss, but a whole lot less than I would have if I wouldn’t have switched to foam plugs topped with very good ear muffs.
Thanks for your input Norm,
Sprague

 

[Liven The Dream]

Check out more than one Audiologist.
Like your rifle they are different. I have been taken to the cleaners ..
Remove them at the Range ... Howard Lite Ear Muffs work well .

Talk with your Audiologist for your needs .
If they tell you the Model you need is the ones that have the unit behind your ear ? Get them
I didn’t at first cost me twice .
I have no insurance to cover them ....

 

[carlsbad]

Costco. Get some that can bluetooth connect to your phone. Take them out, leave them in the car, and wear automatic headphones to hear range commands. I've only had mine a few months but they are awesome. I don't believe I've asked a single person to repeat themselves.

The costo hearing aids for just under 3k are equivalent to the 8k hearing aids at a specialist and the fitting/ programming was first class.

 

[Olde Man]

I take mine out and leave them in the Tahoe as opposed to leaving them in my pocket. I don't like subjecting them to the db of a braked 338 on the bench next to me.

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

Most of my loss came from over 20 years of sirens and air horns, first it was just high pitches now it is just about everything. Back ground noise is just a loud hum that is annoying as all hell. I'll try the Costco near me ( 10 min. drive) for the test and if need be the better aids.

Sounds to me like you are a retired Firefighter. I am a retired Baltimore City Police Officer. I retired in 1989 with 32 years service. I recently learned that my hearing aids are covered by Workers Compensation. I have an 85% hearing loss from both shooting on the pistol team and various training exorcises. When I entered the department in 1958, we were told to use a spent 38 special inserted in the ear to protect the ears. Well that didn't work out to good for us. I never realized that they were compensable, so I paid over $3,000 for the first set in 2005 and $5,000 for the second set in 2010. I filed a claim and the city has reimbursed me for both the old sets and just paid for my new $7,000 set of Oticon S1, plus a nice big disability settlement. I had to swear that I only learned about being eligible for a claim within the last two years which was true.

The first set did nothing to clarify speech but did make it possible to hear better. Second set were better but still not able to really make it possible to discern the difference between certain words. But they were a vast improvement.

Now the new technology has made all the difference in the world. Rarely do I ask my wife to repeat what she said.

I won't go out on a limb and advise you what brand is better, but I will say that I really enjoy being able to distinguish between similar sounding words. Have not been in a crowd yet but I am hoping they are good there also.

Now I went to the range yesterday. I have always used electronically enhanced ear muffs which have volume controls and used the same set this time. Worked perfectly.

I also learned I am entitled to a new set of aids every three years and batteries are supplied free. If you had a union, call them and find out about your coverage under Workmans Compensation. Or see an attorney who specializes in Workmans Comp cases.

Good luck.

 

[C.E.Smith043]

It is time to get a hearing test and some hearing aids.
My concern is what do you do at the range with them? Remove them or cover over with good electronic muffs? I found out the other night that some one behind me speaking is just noise, it is getting to where I can't make out what is being said, and I am worried that when I get them I won't hear range commands if I remove. I hear them fine with electronics on but then what do I do with the aids.
Opinions or advice.

I recently had a hearing test done and had hoped to qualify for hearing aids. Oddly i passed the test with no problem worthy of hearing aids. Although i didnt get them, the Dr. assured me that they can adjust hearing aids to fit practically any need. Like me, the Dr. was a fellow shooter and hunter and his set was designed to amplify animal noises while hunting and also designed to shut down to a certain decb. level when a gun shot went off. They were not cheap though. At $4,500 per ear im glad i passed the hearing test.

Iirc, his set had a small switch on the outer part of the hearing aid with 3 notches. And each of those notches was a preset value customized to hopefully match the environment you are in.

 

[rjtfroggy]

Sounds to me like you are a retired Firefighter. I am a retired Baltimore City Police Officer. I retired in 1989 with 32 years service. I recently learned that my hearing aids are covered by Workers Compensation. I have an 85% hearing loss from both shooting on the pistol team and various training exorcises. When I entered the department in 1958, we were told to use a spent 38 special inserted in the ear to protect the ears. Well that didn't work out to good for us. I never realized that they were compensable, so I paid over $3,000 for the first set in 2005 and $5,000 for the second set in 2010. I filed a claim and the city has reimbursed me for both the old sets and just paid for my new $7,000 set of Oticon S1, plus a nice big disability settlement. I had to swear that I only learned about being eligible for a claim within the last two years which was true.

The first set did nothing to clarify speech but did make it possible to hear better. Second set were better but still not able to really make it possible to discern the difference between certain words. But they were a vast improvement.

Now the new technology has made all the difference in the world. Rarely do I ask my wife to repeat what she said.

I won't go out on a limb and advise you what brand is better, but I will say that I really enjoy being able to distinguish between similar sounding words. Have not been in a crowd yet but I am hoping they are good there also.

Now I went to the range yesterday. I have always used electronically enhanced ear muffs which have volume controls and used the same set this time. Worked perfectly.

I also learned I am entitled to a new set of aids every three years and batteries are supplied free. If you had a union, call them and find out about your coverage under Workmans Compensation. Or see an attorney who specializes in Workmans Comp cases.

Good luck.

You are right 21 years on the busiest company in city of 110,000, old mill city. Retired because of broken back and too many surgeries. ( all comp)
Not sure about comp but will check with the attorney.
I know that all cancers are now covered but after a certain time frame it becomes a real hassle to file. So far mine is covered by Medicare and supplemental ins.

 

[antelopedundee]

I take mine out and leave them in the Tahoe as opposed to leaving them in my pocket. I don't like subjecting them to the db of a braked 338 on the bench next to me.

Plus you know where they are so less chance of loss. Of course you also open the little door holding the battery so that the HAs aren't active. FWIW best deals for batteries are probably on eBay.

 

[antelopedundee]

I recently had a hearing test done and had hoped to qualify for hearing aids. Oddly i passed the test with no problem worthy of hearing aids. Although i didnt get them, the Dr. assured me that they can adjust hearing aids to fit practically any need. Like me, the Dr. was a fellow shooter and hunter and his set was designed to amplify animal noises while hunting and also designed to shut down to a certain decb. level when a gun shot went off. They were not cheap though. At $4,500 per ear im glad i passed the hearing test.

Iirc, his set had a small switch on the outer part of the hearing aid with 3 notches. And each of those notches was a preset value customized to hopefully match the environment you are in.

Mine [which are made by resound] have a button to push for that. It changes both at the same time.

 

[LarryDScott]

Most high end companies $$$$$ furnish a 3yr supply of
batteries along w/3y warranty.
If you have a moderate to severe hearing loss, mail order HA is not likely going to serve your purpose. You need to be sitting
at the same table w/your vendor while they adjust your set to
what they have derived from your test. Then from there it is
trial and error to tweak them to fit your loss.
For a severe loss you need a set that comes w/a streamer
for your cell and also for your TV. This alone is money well spent.
Saving money is a great idea, but spending money for
a product that doesnt do its best for you is a waste. LDS

 

[C.E.Smith043]

Mine [which are made by resound] have a button to push for that. It changes both at the same time.

That sounds like a nice set.

 

[PDS]

If you're a veteran you might consider the VA. Some people say their hearing aids arn't the best but their price certainly is. If you haven"t dealt with the VA the best place to start would be your county veterans service officer.

 

[normmatzen]

Pay attention to PDS!
I had my hearing tested by the VA about 8-9 years ago and they denied me aids. Fast forward to late last year when I was advised to check out the VA again. I did, and I got hearing aids!
The VA is a much more comfortable path than it used to be! And, I got a pair of top end aids with rechargeable batteries. I was dealt with professionally and skillfully. Did I mention the aids were free?
If you do not qualify as a Vet, I would then recommend Costco They employ VERY competent hearing aid specialists and sell fine products. If the $2000 set looks markedly similar to their $3,000 to $4000 aids, it's due to brand mix-match ! Just ask for directional microphones as that improves your potential hearing in noise VERY close to normal as the directional mic improves your speech understanding about 2:1 and that corrects for an inherent loss with hearing loss of about 2:1

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I have em but neve wear em.. Better that way I might hear something that will just pi%% me off..

 

[antelopedundee]

I have em but neve wear em.. Better that way I might hear something that will just pi%% me off..

I just hear what I wanna hear.

 

[Gappmast]

I'm a big fan of COSTCO aids. Three year warranty even if the dog eats them. Batteries at COSTCO are .17 cents each and last about a week.