Hearing protection question

[campman08]

OK, this may seem dumb, but can someone explain the NRR rating system to me? I've been wanting to buy some electronic earmuffs but the NRR rating is only 22. Currently I use some regular muff with an NRR of 29. They work well but make it hard to hear regular conversation. I read a little more on the electronic ones and they said they block db above 84. If that's the case, then how does the NRR factor into it? What's the difference between an NRR of 22 and 29?
Thanks for any help.

 

[NateHaler]

http://www.coopersafety.com/NoiseReduction.aspx

I recommend you wear ear plugs AND ear muffs. The former work well under electronic muffs, which typically have a lower NRR than non-electronic muffs.

 

[Phil3]

I agree, wear ear plugs and muffs, but I really don't know what to do about the interference between stock and muffs. Even the slim ones are a problem, at least on my AR rifle, which admittedly has a pretty low scope.

Phil

 

[campman08]

I shoot F T/R and the regular muffs work fine even under a metal roof (they really don't get in the way of my shooting). Thats why I was curious about the ratings. I want the electronic muffs but if you have to wear plugs as well, then I don't see the need really to change from what i have.

 

[Rustystud]

First, let me say...Protect your hearing! I have been shooting for 50 years. I have not always used hearing protection. I now have an eighty percent overall hearing loss in my right ear, and 60% over all hearing loss in my left ear. That means I have a 100% loss in some frequency ranges. Yes, I could have done a better job of protecting my ears. I wear hearing protection now every time I shoot. With guns having muzzle brakes I wear both custom made plugs and ear muffs.

Nat Lambeth

 

[Erik Cortina]

I wear ear plugs and electronic muffs with volume turned up so that I can hear well when someone is talking to me. When the shot goes off, I have double protection.

 

[JRS]

I shoot F T/R and the regular muffs work fine even under a metal roof (they really don't get in the way of my shooting). Thats why I was curious about the ratings. I want the electronic muffs but if you have to wear plugs as well, then I don't see the need really to change from what i have.

You don't need both. The foam plugs offer the highest NRR. The plugs I use offer a NRR of 33db. You will not find the ear muff type to equal this rating. The old tale about ear muffs over ear plugs to double the NRR is just that..... a tale. The best muffs used in conjunction with the best foam plugs offers a reduction of about 3 decibels. There is a ceiling effect that limits the amount of hearing protection we can achieve using dual protection. We don't get to add together both types of protection.

 

[BoydAllen]

http://www.coopersafety.com/NoiseReduction.aspx
IMO a NRR rating of 22 is too low to provide adequate long term protection for centerfire shooting on a covered range. I have used the softer, more effective foam plugs, under electronic muffs, and the combination works very well, both for protection, and being able to hear range commands. As a matter of fact, I can wear thin, low rated non-electronic muffs over the best foam plugs, and still hear range commands. Hearing loss is not the worst consequence of not protecting your hearing, that would be tinnitus. I have a little of both, and want no more of either. On that subject of combining plugs and muffs, you might want to read this.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CDwQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.e-a-r.com%2Fpdf%2Fhearingcons%2Fearlog13.pdf&ei=L1LlUfiFJ6n3igLDrYDIBA&usg=AFQjCNEri2MQ_KlbgiHLq8G6Il49cRMmXQ&sig2=-OdH6OS4zytd42V_9kpFtA&bvm=bv.48705608,d.cGE

 

[ryanjay11]

I picked up a set of these and wish I would have several years ago. They are pricey, but well worth it if you need to hear what is going on and ear muffs aren't an option.

http://hear-pro.com/shop/activeguard/

I have never been able to use ear muffs while prone due to my head position, but I really like the electronic capabilities so I can hear range commands. I have used a set of the Howard Leight muffs for years while shooting shotguns and handguns.

 

[JRS]

Good read Boyd

Using the test chart provided in your link, the deep insertion plug + the muff offered a NRR of 35 decibels. That is only a 2 decibel advantage over the plugs I use at 33.

 

[butchlambert]

I wear custom molded plugs and thin muffs. I think it also helps you shoot better. No pulling your 1 1/2OZ trigger when somebody else fires their rifle.

 

[dickn52]

From my shotgun sporting clays days I used and still do use the ESP Analog sets at 25 NRR. They clip when the gun shot happens and everything else is amplified. In your ear so they do not interefere with stock mount. Kinda takes a while to get used to hearing people walking on peagravel, but not gun shots when they shutdown. $900.00 for the analog, and I'm told that the digitals are nice too, but of course more money. No one has told me the advantage of digital vs analog yet.

 

[LCazador]

I wear custom molded plugs and thin muffs. I think it also helps you shoot better. No pulling your 1 1/2OZ trigger when somebody else fires their rifle.

I'm with Butch on molded ear plugs . Proper fitting "in the ear" protection is the best way to go . Ear canals are not round , so a properly molded plug will completely seal off any harmful sound . I use ESP in the ear protection with ProEars electronic muffs .
This combo allows for the best protection as well as being able to hear range commands IMHO . The ESP's also work very well for hunting/field shooting , allowing you to hear little rattling things we seem to run into here in Arizona ;D !!

 

[Forum Boss]

These MAX-1 nrr33s are the quietest ear plugs I have tried -- and I have used just about every brand:

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2013/06/recommended-gear-howard-leight-max-1-nrr-33-ear-plugs/

Between shooting, riding motorcycles, and working with gas-powered yard equipment, I probably have foam plugs in my ears 8-12 hours a week. These MAX-1s, with their bell-shaped flared end are very quiet, but also comfortable.


Muffs over plugs will reduce noise even further. But, as JRS noted correctly -- you don't "double the NRR rating". But good-fitting, quality muffs placed over plugs will provide a meaningful reduction in sound energy -- and every bit counts.

 

[ratguner]

You don't need both. The foam plugs offer the highest NRR. The plugs I use offer a NRR of 33db. You will not find the ear muff type to equal this rating. The old tale about ear muffs over ear plugs to double the NRR is just that..... a tale. The best muffs used in conjunction with the best foam plugs offers a reduction of about 3 decibels. There is a ceiling effect that limits the amount of hearing protection we can achieve using dual protection. We don't get to add together both types of protection.

A 3db reduction is one half the power level. There is MUCH protection to be gained using foam plugs with over the ear muffs.

Over the ear muffs will also protect the auditory nerve at the base of the ear.

 

[campman08]

Thanks to all for the comments and articles - good reads about this topic. Nat, I know exactly what you and others are saying. My last ear test showed some loss of hearing in a certain db range in my left ear. The tech's first question to me was "do you shoot guns"?

Boyd mentioned tinnitus. Yes, the sound of silence to me is a constant Teeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. Sad to say from years of hunting as a child without any protection in ignorance. Now I diligently protect my hearing and hence the questions. As for the plugs, my ear canals are a little large and not the same size for both ears so while I agree plugs work great, I noticed changes in placement as I shift my head around and it only takes a small slide of the plug with a magnum shooter next to me to ruin my day. That's the main reason I'm looking for muffs - give me a little more piece of mind.

Wanted to try Leight's Impact muffs but the nrr is only 22 . . . I may just save my $$ and buy anther pair of regular muffs with an mrr of 29 -31.

Alex

 

[dickn52]

I gotta say that if head to stock mount is an issue, and you want the best. Then go to any gun shoot where they have a vendors row and buy a set of custom molded ear plugs. Go to almost any shotgun big shoot, state championship for sporting clays or trap and they'll be sitting at tables waiting for you. They usually run in the 25 to 35 dollar range, and they will beat any 25 NRR muff out there. Pay the extra 3 to 5 bucks and have them put on the neck cord so you don't lose them. ESP's that I wear are very expensive, but I was shooting about 600-800 12g rounds a week when I was prime. But I also carried two sets of custom molds for backups.

 

[NateHaler]

I shoot F T/R and the regular muffs work fine even under a metal roof (they really don't get in the way of my shooting). Thats why I was curious about the ratings. I want the electronic muffs but if you have to wear plugs as well, then I don't see the need really to change from what i have.

You don't need both.

It is inarguable that ear plugs AND ear muffs offer more protection than either alone. If you shoot a braked rifle, or are anywhere near a .50 BMG when it goes off, then you are risking immediate and permanent hearing damage by not protecting your hearing with both.

If you want to go deaf, then wear none. Or stick .45 ACP cases in your ears like the old school Marines used to. Tinnitus isn't fun or funny. It's permanent ringing of the ears. Nat Lambeth is right. Hearing loss sucks.

 

[BoydAllen]

For those who like to read: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decibel
If A sound is 3 DB louder, it is approximately twice as loud. It is a logarithmic scale. You might want to keep this in mind when considering the differences between hearing protection. For me, twice as loud is a significant difference.

 

[Lapua40X]

I wear custom molded plugs and thin muffs. I think it also helps you shoot better. No pulling your 1 1/2OZ trigger when somebody else fires their rifle.

A 1.5 ounce trigger is liable to break without touching it if the guy shooting next to you has a muzzle break on a .338 Lapua Mag.