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Hearing protection Help

Over the years I have used various types of ear protection. I have not been completely satisfied with any of them. The GSP 15 is probably very good but $299 is not "a little more". They are costly and I do get that they perform a vital task. I'll probably end up with a pair eventually. Hell I've tried everything else.

The very best thing that the shooting community can do to protect from hearing loss is embrace the use of suppressors. For too long the NRA and most of the shooting disciplines have sided with the government in reference to suppressors. The PRS and Long Range community have been the only groups to allow suppressors.

In my opinion the best protection one can have is a suppressor and I believe everyone should have at least one.

Last week I was at the range testing some loads in my 6.5CM and the only other people there were a very old man and his grandson. They were shooting some old military guns and having a time about 6 benches away. I shot a group with the muzzle cap, then another with the muzzle brake and the third with my suppressor. I heard the old feller say "that's more like it". Then they came over and we talked for a while. I offered to let them shoot it but they declined but said they really liked the can.

NBRSA AND IBS need to wake up and start supporting suppressors. What's the matter afraid of a little competition?

Joe
 
For some reason, I have no idea why, custom molded ear plugs work great in my left ear but won't hold a seal on my right ear. If I move my jaw much I have to reseat the right one. It's not to bad when I'm standing or sitting but it's hard to keep the right one in place when prone. I've had three different molded plugs for my right ear.
That is why foam plugs are the better choice. Once inserted correctly, they don't move/back out. Molded plugs/hearing aids will lose their seal by coughing, sneezing, jaw movement, weight loss, etc. In the industry in which I worked, molded plugs were not approved by the safety department, and frowned upon. Those wearing them were required to sign a waiver.
 
That is why foam plugs are the better choice. ......
I'm not taking a general position on this. If molded plugs work well for someone, that's great by me. I use them when shooting pistol. Just saying that when I get down in a prone position, something gives and an air gap develops between the plug and my ear canal. In this particular case foam plugs work better for me.
 
DRNewcomb,

Great comment about position problems with ear plugs.

Our ear canals are divided into two different canals. The outer 1/2 of the canal is called the cartilaginous region and the inner 1/2 is called the bony region. Yah! I know you have already figured out what that means, but the result is that if a ear plug or electronic plug only extends 1/2 way into the canal, it is only in the part whose walls are thin skin over cartilage and the cartilage isn't rigid enough to allow a good seal. Once in the bony region, you are sealing effectively to the mastoid bone and then you will find the best seal and sound level reduction.
This is why simply inserting plugs slightly into the canal does little or no good.

With yellow foamies, roll them up slowly between thumb and index finger till it is a small rod, then insert it quickly before it can expand again and hold it in the ear with your little finger as far as you can. Now you should have a good seal and shooting prone should not make a difference. Same goes for any plug, electronic or plain, that has a foam tip. Same thing with those tips with 3 or so ridges like mushrooms stacked on top of each other. These silicon tips must be lubricated ( lick 'em, and don't say you haven't had your tongue in someones ear!) and insert carefully. It also helps to take your arm on the opposite side of your head from the ear you are inserting the plug and grab the top of your ear with thumb and two fingers and pull it up and back. This tends to align the cartilaginous region with the bony region helping the plug go in easier and farther.
 
I think SavageDasher is usually joking around, and is sometimes hard to distinguish between the two.

OP, what I said about me using both muffs and plugs really are very effective. But like someone mentioned, there will be a time where someone is saying something to you that you want to hear. And for me, I have to pull the ear muffs off and plugs out. Then when they are finished, put it all back in. -- It's a cheap solution that is more important to me, and I just go to the extra trouble and do what I gotta do when someone is talking to me.
 
My hearing is so bad I wear both foam plugs but I wear ampfied hearing ears . Range commands If I take the ears off I can't hear . Sure crests problems at the range .
Remember only you can prevent hearing loss . Don't go cheap the best you can buy may not be good enough . Larry
 
I used to have molded ones years ago when I was shooting trap a lot. They were good for several years but ended up no longer fitting.

I like the idea of trying the GSP 15's with a good pair of electonic ones over them but I am a little concerned the GDP 15's will eventually not fit also. I really don't care that much how expensive protection would be, I just don't want anymore damage if I can avoid it.

This rifle that I am having built will have a break with it. I have only been around a few, but those darn things are loud. I guess I really should invest in a suppressor too. That won't help when I am next to some else who doesn't have one through. Good hearing protection first, then a suppressor sounds like the way to go. Thx again
 
I don't understand what all the debate is about. You are all willing to spend a couple of thousand for your rifle, then add another 2k for a scope, then up to $300 for a case to carry it all in but when it comes to saving your hearing you only want to spend pennies on foam plugs.
Your hearing never heals invest some of that money on the best you can buy- electronic plugs even if it means something else in your arsenal must be a little less expensive.
And yes I do have the LE 15"s step up from GS 15's but same price $299.
 
I used to have molded ones years ago when I was shooting trap a lot. They were good for several years but ended up no longer fitting.

I like the idea of trying the GSP 15's with a good pair of electonic ones over them but I am a little concerned the GDP 15's will eventually not fit also. I really don't care that much how expensive protection would be, I just don't want anymore damage if I can avoid it.

This rifle that I am having built will have a break with it. I have only been around a few, but those darn things are loud. I guess I really should invest in a suppressor too. That won't help when I am next to some else who doesn't have one through. Good hearing protection first, then a suppressor sounds like the way to go. Thx again
I used to have molded ones years ago when I was shooting trap a lot. They were good for several years but ended up no longer fitting.

I like the idea of trying the GSP 15's with a good pair of electonic ones over them but I am a little concerned the GDP 15's will eventually not fit also. I really don't care that much how expensive protection would be, I just don't want anymore damage if I can avoid it.

This rifle that I am having built will have a break with it. I have only been around a few, but those darn things are loud. I guess I really should invest in a suppressor too. That won't help when I am next to some else who doesn't have one through. Good hearing protection first, then a suppressor sounds like the way to go. Thx again
Get the GSP-15! Money well spent
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J5P8OGS/?tag=accuratescom-20
I've been wearing aides for 3 years now and was advised by my audiologists the GSP-15s were the best in market for our sport. They are all you need for outdoor competitions or outdoor shooting. Double up anytime you shoot at indoor ranges or covered benches as the sound is amplified. Double up also whenever shooting a brake. It only takes 1 shot from a brake with no protection to give permanent hearing loss. I have loss NO additional hearing since going to the GSP-15 and always doubling up when indoors for the last 3 years (as proven by my annual hearing test) Someone said early in this thread the foam inserts included with the GSP offer the best protection and I concur 100%. You can order replacements from Amazon for $17 for a pack of 8.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009OWP866/?tag=accuratescom-20
Do not take your hearing lightly. I would pay 100 times what I have in my Etymotics GSP-15 to get what hearing I lost back!!
 
This time I'm not re-writing the whole story, search on my name for that.

Eddie, that is a good article on simple ear plugs andit amplifies what I have said that yello foamies are the best protection, but they don't touch on muffs (VERY poor protection generally) and electronic protection.

Larry, you are kind of right, but anything over 40 dB IS wasted. Our Mastoid bone transmits directly to our inner ear with slightly slightly over 40 dB attenuation. That means with a completely plugged ear canal we still hear outside noises with slightly over 40 dB attenuation. That is the maximum protection we can achieve.

Still, people continue to use muffs! And, only the thin ones are comfortable to shoot with and are reletively cheap. DON'T GO THERE! On average, these muffs have only 26 dB or so protection! Sure, you can buy safe muffs, but no one wants to spend what they cost or wear huge blobs over their heads!!!
If you persist in wearing muffs, at least buy a pair of Etymotic ER-20 Hi-Fi ear plugs. These are about $10 on line and offer 20 dB attenuation as well as hi fidelity as opposed to yello foamies that reduce the highs more than lows and they sound very muffled. ER-20s under muffs, especially electronic muffs, are a good alternative to yellow foamies and you can still hear your neighbor till you start shooting than the attenuation goes up due to the compressor amplifier in the muffs.

A couple questions you all may have, 1. Why do I stress Etymotic products? Simple, for two reasons, one, I worked for them before I retired and I consider the President a personal friend and I respect his competence as well as his morals! Two, They are an audiology based company ( The President has a pHD from Northwestern in Audiology and teaches Audiology at North Western as well as another university in the Chicago area. They also have the facilities and the knowledge to exhaustively test products as well as testing the competition.

2. What do I use when I shoot? Simple, I always use Etymotic GSP-15 Blast Protectors. Of course these cost more than yello foamies but they use a high quality hearing aid analog compressor amplifier in them. Why do they use an "Old Technology" for their amplifiers? Simple, they work better! The general public is totally unaware of how bad most digital hearing aids sound. Their fidelity in some cases is on a par with a 1960's 4 transistor radio! They also introduce a delay in the amplifier channel. This is why the GSP-15s have been clinically tested to not degrade situational awareness for military and police use. The combination of high fidelity and no built in delay makes determining the origin of a sound as accurate as with no hearing protection! And, I'm prejudiced, I designed the amplifier!
The GSP-15 is actually cheaper than the digital competitors and supplies more life-like sound.


Norm,
What do you think of the preformance of these electronic muffs offered on Amazon? They have excellent reviews but they are pricey.

MSA Sordin Supreme Pro X - Premium Edition - Electronic Earmuff with black leather band, black cups and gel seals fitted
28 customer reviews
| 9 answered questions


Price: $275.00 Free Shipping for Prime Members

Sold by ACE-Instruments and Fulfilled by Amazon.
 
For those like myself using the GSP-15 earplugs I've found the 3M skull screws that are for the 3M electronic earplugs work very well. I discovered this after returning the 3M electronic earplugs for a refund and having a bunch of skull screws to go with the 3M's.
 
I don't understand what all the debate is about. You are all willing to spend a couple of thousand for your rifle, then add another 2k for a scope, then up to $300 for a case to carry it all in but when it comes to saving your hearing you only want to spend pennies on foam plugs.
Your hearing never heals invest some of that money on the best you can buy- electronic plugs even if it means something else in your arsenal must be a little less expensive.
And yes I do have the LE 15"s step up from GS 15's but same price $299.

If just throwing money at the problem was the solution there probably would not be so much discussion. I don't mean that in a snarky way, but everyone is built a little differently and we all may have different expediences or tried different products. Personally, I like to hear all of the different point of views. I will say though, that at this point I do like the idea of electronic plugs under electronic muffs so you get protection and still have somewhat of a chance to hear whats going on around you.

That being said and since I am the OP, I would now like to ask all of you what is your opinion on the best electronic muffs? I know some have already commented on them but I would like to hear (no pun but it is a little funny) more on them. Thanks and have a nice weekend
 
David I can't comment on what muffs are the best because I just don't know.
What I can say is that the two pairs I have are no better than the plugs I mentioned, they work the same way they just don't interfere with setting down on the stock and getting a good solid cheek weld. I can hear everything around me, they cut off the muzzle blast and no other devices needed.
 
I can't use muffs shooting a rifle. Use them with my pistol. The eletronic ones are nice.

I use the surefire. They work great for me. The mediums fit well.

http://www.surefire.com/ep3-sonic-defenders.html

If someone plops down next to me with a brake i ask to be moved. Even with total ear protection the muzzle blast destroys my concentration. If they can't move me i leave.
 
I can't use muffs shooting a rifle. Use them with my pistol. The eletronic ones are nice.

I use the surefire. They work great for me. The mediums fit well.

http://www.surefire.com/ep3-sonic-defenders.html

If someone plops down next to me with a brake i ask to be moved. Even with total ear protection the muzzle blast destroys my concentration. If they can't move me i leave.

I don't even know if I will use the break that he puts on my gun. It's a 6 Creedmoor and I am used to shooting 308, 30-06, 300 and 358. I can't see recoil being that bad on that little laser anyway.
 
Benperfected,

I'm not really impressed with these especially concerning the price! They may be a high quality system, but if you look carefully, the NRR is only 16 dB! That is rally poor and they claim only the high 20's for "best case". The compression to 82dB means the audio amp clips at 82 dB SPL. in comparison, the GSB-15 clips at 117 dB SPL. I don't know anything about the muff's amplifier, but the GSP-15 clips symmetrically and coupled with the high level, the ear isn't sensitive to distortion there. If you do your maths, when a large rifle fires, it produces an impulse of ~170 dB SPL. 170 minus 117 equals a 53 dB drop. This exceeds the old mastoid bone attenuation of a little over 40 dB so you actually hear more through your mastoid bone than thru the amplifier. And, same with the muffs which may actually cover the mastoid bone. However the 16 dB NRR tells me there is great difficulty sealing to the skull for most folks so the potential is never reached.

I'll keep on using my GSP-15 with the better of the tips and insert them carefully!

Norm
 
Get the GSP-15! Money well spent
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J5P8OGS/?tag=accuratescom-20
I've been wearing aides for 3 years now and was advised by my audiologists the GSP-15s were the best in market for our sport. They are all you need for outdoor competitions or outdoor shooting. Double up anytime you shoot at indoor ranges or covered benches as the sound is amplified. Double up also whenever shooting a brake. It only takes 1 shot from a brake with no protection to give permanent hearing loss. I have loss NO additional hearing since going to the GSP-15 and always doubling up when indoors for the last 3 years (as proven by my annual hearing test) Someone said early in this thread the foam inserts included with the GSP offer the best protection and I concur 100%. You can order replacements from Amazon for $17 for a pack of 8.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009OWP866/?tag=accuratescom-20
Do not take your hearing lightly. I would pay 100 times what I have in my Etymotics GSP-15 to get what hearing I lost back!!
I did a little bit of research and could only find a mention of a NRR of 25 is there a link that you can post that indicates more than that?
 
None of what I have read here, or anything that I know explains how well these work.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FEW4GE/?tag=accuratescom-20
The most eerie quiet that I have experienced while shooting came from deeply inserted 33 NRR foam plugs, these added, properly "installed". All that the rifle sounded like was a sort of ping...very different. I did not buy them because I needed something better, but rather as an experiment. The results were interesting to say the least.
 

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