Hearing Protection (Earbuds)

[normmatzen]

Again,

The best protection is still a pair of yello foamies! BUT, they must be inserted correctly!
Check out the graphs below.
Properly fitted yello foamies yield nearly 40 dB protection.
I personally use OTTO amplified hearing protection. These have a list price of $399 or so and I don't know what the street price is.
I prefer these plugs as they provide 38 dB protection with the foam tips and the ridged tips are very close behind. With careful insertion, they yield as much protection as you can practically get. They are analog amplifiers which means the fidelity is great and the analog amplifiers give excellent situational awareness. They have re-chargeable batteries which is a real plus. And, yes, I designed the amplifier.
There are many more electronic plugs on the market and if you pay more than $200-$400 you are being gyped. Bottom line ,,,,learn how to correctly insert them.
Notice the only examples below that beats yello foamies is yello foamies PLUS LEAD EAR MUFFS!!!

 

[sparkyv]

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/

NRR of 30 is about the best you can do unless you wear muffs over the plugs. NRR of 30 is excellent protection. But I use generic plugs, non-electronic.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

@normmatzen are these the otto you speak of?

https://www.otto-comm.com/noizebarrier-active-hearing-protection

 

[kolar55]

Again,

The best protection is still a pair of yello foamies! BUT, they must be inserted correctly!
Check out the graphs below.
Properly fitted yello foamies yield nearly 40 dB protection.
I personally use OTTO amplified hearing protection. These have a list price of $399 or so and I don't know what the street price is.
I prefer these plugs as they provide 38 dB protection with the foam tips and the ridged tips are very close behind. With careful insertion, they yield as much protection as you can practically get. They are analog amplifiers which means the fidelity is great and the analog amplifiers give excellent situational awareness. They have re-chargeable batteries which is a real plus. And, yes, I designed the amplifier.
There are many more electronic plugs on the market and if you pay more than $200-$400 you are being gyped. Bottom line ,,,,learn how to correctly insert them.
Notice the only examples below that beats yello foamies is yello foamies PLUS LEAD EAR MUFFS!!!

If you designed this amplifier, is it the same as the Etymotic GSP15? If not is this one better for a guy like me that needs hearing aids for daily activity. I've tried the Etymotics and they did a fine job of blocking out the gun shot on low volume but then I couldn;t hear conversation as well as needed. Put on high, I could converse ok but then the shooting seemed too loud. So which one would be better for me? Thanks Lonnie

 

[Knotwild]

Not really ear buds, but has anyone tried these? Stated NRR is 31.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1016637971

Or these, also stated NRR 31.

https://www.midsouthshooterssupply....worn-rechargeable-electronic-ear-plugs-nrr-31

 

[normmatzen]

SPARKY V

Check out my graphs (not really made by me, but some well respected folks in the hearing protection business.) and you will see that well inserted yellow foamies can yield close to 40 dB attenuation. Don't mistake the NRR value for the actual attenuation. NRR is best attenuation minus usual mis-insertion losses. With careful insertion, any plug inserted into the canal correctly yields way more than the NRR. Except, that is, for some muffs that cannot get any better than NRR.

DUSTY,
Yes, they are. The main difference between GSP-15 and Otto is that the Otto has rechargeable batteries and GSP-15 uses disposable batteries.
KOLAR55
Yes, same amplifier, GSP-15 just as good protection as Otto but Otto has rechargeable batteries.
When you switch on high gain, you are getting 15 dB gain and the mid level sounds do sound louder, but the maximum limitation is still 117dB. Any sound you hear beyond this 117 dB is due to bone conduction.

JOE R
Both Otto and GSP-15 allow hearing normal at low levels and compress gain as sound gets louder till at 117 dB the output is limited to that value.. Both have 38dB attenuation with correct, careful installation.