Hearing Protection (Earbuds)
- Thread starter jeguia
- Start date
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
Is there such a thing for shooting? We do have a full fledged audiologist on staff here
Earbuds are not enough to protect your ears, you must have hearing protection that covers your ears and bone around your ears. I use both soft plugs and sound attenuating headset so when the guy next to me shooting a 300 Win Mag with a brake lets loose and blows my headset off, I still have the plugs in place...
DaveTooley
Gold $$ Contributor
I've used custom fit plugs and muffs with a NRR rating of 30. I've been able to keep what hearing I have for the last 20+ years by doing this. These are expensive but good. They can be easily refurbished as they age.
https://proears.com/product/pro-ears-gold-ii-30/
https://proears.com/product/pro-ears-gold-ii-30/
garandman
Bolt Gun Bodacious
Earbuds are not enough to protect your ears, you must have hearing protection that covers your ears and bone around your ears. I use both soft plugs and sound attenuating headset so when the guy next to me shooting a 300 Win Mag with a brake lets loose and blows my headset off, I still have the plugs in place...
I'm getting more and more noise intolerant myself...
jds holler
Gold $$ Contributor
I'm getting more and more noise intolerant myself...
Me too. Sometimes just you'se guys posts is enough to set me off.
jd
garandman
Bolt Gun Bodacious
Me too. Sometimes just you'se guys posts is enough to set me off.
Yer hearing internet posts? You DO have super sensitive hearing.
Sport Ear
I have seen this company for several years at the shot show. They're a subsidiary company of a hearing aid company. If I remember correctly they are next door to each other in Salt Lake City Utah. I've spoken with the guy there on several occasions.
These are similar to electronic shooting earmuffs without out, ear enclosure, head band etc.
They're not cheap by any means. They have several different models and the start at $139 and goes up to $3,500 a pair. My hearing aids cost $6,400 a pair. The sales guy stated some people use these on a daily basis instead of regular hearing aids.
I have seen this company for several years at the shot show. They're a subsidiary company of a hearing aid company. If I remember correctly they are next door to each other in Salt Lake City Utah. I've spoken with the guy there on several occasions.
These are similar to electronic shooting earmuffs without out, ear enclosure, head band etc.
They're not cheap by any means. They have several different models and the start at $139 and goes up to $3,500 a pair. My hearing aids cost $6,400 a pair. The sales guy stated some people use these on a daily basis instead of regular hearing aids.
What are the best ? All in one's opinion. seems to me however that the majority of the shooters in various stand up/on the run type shooting use the molded inner/full ear type. Bench shooters seem to prefer the muffs. Some even use the ear bud type and a muff over them.
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
I have been using the peltor shotgunner over the years and i have never found a stock they wouldnt let me shoot- unlike any other over ear protectors out there
Earbuds are not enough to protect your ears, you must have hearing protection that covers your ears and bone around your ears. I use both soft plugs and sound attenuating headset so when the guy next to me shooting a 300 Win Mag with a brake lets loose and blows my headset off, I still have the plugs in place...
I’m that guy...
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
I shut a stupid phone conversation down a few weeks ago with my 33 nosler and muscle brake under a tin roof. I waited with dirty looks for 5minutes on a hot line
About 15 years ago, I did a fair amount of action pistol at a club. One member owned an audiologist business. Based on some of our conversations, he said I need to stop by, have my hearing checked, and discuss options. I wanted an in-the-ear electronic to wear hunting, and plugs for dedicated shooting. Ended up with a nice custom digital electric set for about $1k, and custom molded plugs. At a benchrest match, I'll generally wear the electronics, and when I'm shooting I'll add thin muffs. Just the electronics are good if I'm observing behind the bench.
The electronics work great for hunting. I can hear ducks, a pheasant flush, or if we're pushing thru a tree line deer hunting, I can hear other hunters or a deer running. And my ears are not ringing for a day. Plus I can wear plugs under a stocking cap. Muffs and stocking caps don't mix real well.
As that audiologist said, "pay me now, or pay me later".
A few years ago the electrics died. Just spend $400 getting them repaired (replaced all electronic components). I'll be using them deer hunting in a couple weeks.
Lots of options. Look at whats out there, and what works best for your situations.
The electronics work great for hunting. I can hear ducks, a pheasant flush, or if we're pushing thru a tree line deer hunting, I can hear other hunters or a deer running. And my ears are not ringing for a day. Plus I can wear plugs under a stocking cap. Muffs and stocking caps don't mix real well.
As that audiologist said, "pay me now, or pay me later".
A few years ago the electrics died. Just spend $400 getting them repaired (replaced all electronic components). I'll be using them deer hunting in a couple weeks.
Lots of options. Look at whats out there, and what works best for your situations.
Why block out the noise, when you can shut it up? 
Shooter13
Gold $$ Contributor
I use the Walker around the neck https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RR3JQTC/?tag=accuratescom-20
PLUS the over the ear pro gold, I can take the over the ear off and hear very well without my hearing aids in with the Walkers. That's my $.02 worth.
PLUS the over the ear pro gold, I can take the over the ear off and hear very well without my hearing aids in with the Walkers. That's my $.02 worth.
jghoghunter
Gold $$ Contributor
I have the ear plugs that you mold yourself and a pair of the walker game ears electronic muffs. The noise rating on the muffs is 26 db. thats the best i could find for electronic muffs and this seems to work for me.
I wear over the ear hearing aids in both ears, too many decades of loud music and aircraft engine noise. Mine supposedly have noise dampening, but I take them out anyway and put in foam plugs at the range. The one time I forgot I had my aids in and shoved a foam plug in on top of it, I ended up going to the doctors office a week later to have the plastic dome removed from my ear canal. It'd come off inside my ear without my noticing it. 
One very undesirable characteristic of hearing aids is that is ruins my ability to locate where sounds are coming from. There's a small delay in the signal between the hearing aid microphone and speaker and it's enough to screw with the brain's ability to decipher where the sound is coming from. Word of warning to those who wear H.A's while hunting. I'd hate to be caught looking the wrong way when a big ol' Black Bear emerges from the thicket intent on making a meal of me.
One very undesirable characteristic of hearing aids is that is ruins my ability to locate where sounds are coming from. There's a small delay in the signal between the hearing aid microphone and speaker and it's enough to screw with the brain's ability to decipher where the sound is coming from. Word of warning to those who wear H.A's while hunting. I'd hate to be caught looking the wrong way when a big ol' Black Bear emerges from the thicket intent on making a meal of me.
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