Hearing Protection Earbud Type Options?

[Kittitas George]

I'm looking for a pair of earbud type hearing protection that will not block conversation or range commands, but will block the guns ka-boom. I now shoot with electronic attenuators that also amplify conversation or range commands. If I'm shooting the bigger rifles I'll use the soft ear plugs also. Sometimes I leave my hearing aids in but turned off, when shooting rimfire alone. Something like the Walkers Game Ear, is what I want. What I've found on Amazon has 'blue tooth', not what I need. The attenuators, my cheek and the stock are having comfort issues.

 

[chop house]

i had, for the longest time, a pair of orange colored ear plugs that had a stainless valve in them. it was a mechanical device, non amplifying, that closed the valve at a certain spl (sound pressure level). they were however 'harder' rubber, not foam, that soon irritated my ear canal.

all this to say, the mechanical ones do exist and work in some situations, but i found them mildly irritating.

 

[avidflyer]

Bought a pair of small in the ear electronic plugs at shot show about 7-8 years ago from Ear inc. Custom molded from your ear internals. Not cheap think around $1,200. I’m sure with technology they probably offer a better set cheaper now, maybe a company to check out.

 

[Retired shooter]

Hello all
During a trip to the range the end of July my already old age hearing went further downhill. Was able to get in to audiologist. He wanted me to see ENT before further testing or recommending anything. ENT is also a shooter. Yip he said due to yrs of noise exposure, I had lost 50 % of hearing. Back to audiologist, and about 5000 good reasons to protect your hearing, I left with hearing aids.

Both the ENT and the audiologist who also shoots recommend the foam plugs, they claim those are the best, if you want put muffs over the ears. Nothing else is better. I know someone will roast me for that, however coming from two experts in the Hearing medical profession I take them at their word.

After another trip to the range last weekend I tried some foam plugs called. Hearos a foam twist in plug with a short handle. Worked great by themselves, and tried just a set of el cheapo muffs over the top. Yip left my good muffs at home in the bag, as I was not shooting

Hope this helps fellow shooters

Happy shooting to all.
Retired shooter

 

[CJ6]

If you use the hard plastic ones a little Vasoline will help with the irritation..That being said I now use custom molded.

 

[BoydAllen]

My standard range hearing protection consists of 33 db foam plugs combined with slim amplified shooting muffs. The amplification allows me to hear conversation and range commands through the plugs. The muffs do not contact my stocks.

Honeywell Howard Leight MAXIMUM® Pre-Shaped Uncorded NRR 33 Disposable Ear Plugs, 200 Pair - 1454 - Northern Safety Co., Inc.

www.northernsafety.com

Howard Leight Impact Sport Slim Amplified Muffs: https://amzn.to/3RqoK2s

Forum Boss: I do the same. But I also sometimes use the 33 NRR Leight Max plugs connected with cords: https://amzn.to/3CHvaGx

 

[divingin]

I use the Etymotic GunPro (I think they're called; about $300), modified to use Softees foam earplugs as the ear-tip. I was dissatisfied with the fit and function of the various ear tips that are standard, so punched a hole in the Softees (leather hole punch tool) and contact cemented them onto the little silicone tube that's in the standard ones. Much more comfortable, at the expense of maybe half the amplification (on the low gain setting - Hi gain seems fine to me.) I can wear these all day now.

That said, the GunPro's use a #10 hearing aid battery that's good for about 3 weeks of all-day weekend shooting; If I had it to do over, I'd get one of the newer ones that are rechargeable. There's several different brands available.

 

[newbieshooter]

.....
After another trip to the range last weekend I tried some foam plugs called. Hearos a foam twist in plug with a short handle. Worked great by themselves, and tried just a set of el cheapo muffs over the top. Yip left my good muffs at home in the bag, as I was not shooting

Hope this helps fellow shooters

Happy shooting to all.
Retired shooter

My standard range hearing protection consists of 33 db foam plugs combined with slim amplified shooting muffs. The amplification allows me to hear conversation and range commands through the plugs. The muffs do not contact my stocks.

Honeywell Howard Leight MAXIMUM® Pre-Shaped Uncorded NRR 33 Disposable Ear Plugs, 200 Pair - 1454 - Northern Safety Co., Inc.

www.northernsafety.com

another option:

https://www.costco.com/hearos-xtreme-protection-ear-plugs%2c-200-pairs.product.100804733.html

 

[Retired shooter]

Yes basically the same, other than ones I used, and will be buying more of just a little shorter with a short wooden dowel that is used to twist them into the ear. Worked really well.

Happy shooting to all

Retired shooter

 

[Kittitas George]

Has anyone experience with Walker's GWP-SLC Razor Silencer? It amplifies conversation and range commands but quiets the rifles ka-boom. Another Walker model is the WGE-XGE2B does anyone have experience with it? I need the conversation/ range command amplification. I'm quite experienced with the foam ear plugs, I worked as a heavy equipment operator on big construction projects. Foam ear plugs and attenuators work well, but changing from plugs to hearing aids repeatedly is a PITA. I have three pair of attenuators, they aren't comfortable for me. I use them, but maybe there is something else that will work.