Any of you folks out there use electronic ear muffs??? The ones that you can hear whats going on but then turn off at the sound of gunfire??? I see they now make some that look like they are pretty thin, kind of low profile I guess so they don't interfere with shooting. Some of these are pretty expensive, but I see several guys with the one made by 3M Peltor called the WS Tactical. I get that foam ear plugs will do it, but what do these things do for $400.00????
Hearing protection???
- Thread starter msinc
- Start date
I know a lot of shooters that use the Howard Leights. They are about $40 and work great. I dare say they are the most commonly used electronic ear muffs.
I've used the Peltor. They are nice, but come with features you probably don't need. Such as the ability to have radio comms and gel ear cushions instead of foam.
I still wear foam earplugs with electronic muffs. Hearing loss is cumulative and inevitable if you shoot a lot. I'd like to minimize the loss.
I've used the Peltor. They are nice, but come with features you probably don't need. Such as the ability to have radio comms and gel ear cushions instead of foam.
I still wear foam earplugs with electronic muffs. Hearing loss is cumulative and inevitable if you shoot a lot. I'd like to minimize the loss.
TAJ45
Silver $$ Contributor
I had an online confab with an audiologist some years back on this subject who had also competed until a vehicle wreck ended her competition days. She cautioned that you wanted at least a 26 db rating if you weren't going to wear the soft plugs along with the muffs.
I have a pair of 31/33 db (I don't remember which) of the Gold Pro Ears for BE pistol comp as well as a slimmer pair (around 27db redux iirc) for rifle work. I ALWAYS wear the soft roll ups with either of these........just crank up the volume when needed for conversation. If glasses are being worn and we all should be wearing at least safety glasses and us G I Ts (geezers in training) are into bi if not trifocals by now, the seal is obviously compromised so it's false security thinking you're getting the stated rating - thus the soft disposable plugs are nearly mandatory. I don't have a much audio acuity left but need to conserve as if it were gold dust.
Yes, they are invaluable for instructing, imo. I wouldn't do w/o them. Even more so than cruise control on a trip.
Joe R
Gold $$ Contributor
I use the Peltor TEP-100 earplugs. I've had them about 5 months and I'm very pleased with them. I bought them after I saw a friend using them. I paid $225 for them.
I bought them because I was missing range commands during matches. With them on I can hear people talking and range commands and they filter out the damaging part of the gunshots. I don't like the ear muff because they interfere with my shooting from a prone position.
Regards,
Joe
I bought them because I was missing range commands during matches. With them on I can hear people talking and range commands and they filter out the damaging part of the gunshots. I don't like the ear muff because they interfere with my shooting from a prone position.
Regards,
Joe
Thanks for all the informative replies!!!! I think for $400 I would like to get a little better than 20db protection and I really am not interested in listening to music or talking on a cell phone while I am trying to shoot. The stereo sound part seems like it would be nice though. Does anyone know how those Howard Leights sound??? Is it like a kids walkie talkie or do they sound nice and clear???
I could stand all the hearing protection I can get these days, I already have constant ringing and really don't need it to get any worse.
I could stand all the hearing protection I can get these days, I already have constant ringing and really don't need it to get any worse.
Liven The Dream
Gold $$ Contributor
Howard Lite and Peltor these are the most used in Long range shooting
I have Howard they plug in to most 2 way radios for Range word.
I have Howard they plug in to most 2 way radios for Range word.
TAJ45
Silver $$ Contributor
Just one additional thought. Auto off and battery size - I also like the LED if no auto off. I was surprised at how many times the knob on my smaller 27db Pro Ears got rolled on when storing or transporting and I am very easy on equipment.
The Pro Ears take as size "N". Weight and size loom large as a design parameter but IMO going to double or triple A is a far greater gain. If I were to do over again, I would look elsewhere for anything smaller than the 33 NRR Gold but keep the Gold for pistol work. I just realized I mislabeled the rating in my first post.......not dB but NRR.
So much for the CRS syndrome. I ain't as stoopid as I write - most of the time.
The Pro Ears take as size "N". Weight and size loom large as a design parameter but IMO going to double or triple A is a far greater gain. If I were to do over again, I would look elsewhere for anything smaller than the 33 NRR Gold but keep the Gold for pistol work. I just realized I mislabeled the rating in my first post.......not dB but NRR.
So much for the CRS syndrome. I ain't as stoopid as I write - most of the time.
It is a real shame there is so much anecdotal evidence on the net about hearing protection.
Bottom line, you need as much noise reductions as you can get! The limiting factor is your Mastoid bone. This bone surrounding the ear passes sound into your inner ear with about 40 dB reduction. 40 dB is a factor of 100 for Sound Pressure Level, the metric used for sound loudness.
With your skull limiting the protection to 40 dB, you need 35-40 db of reduction in your hearing protection.
Now is time to pay attention, ear muffs are commonly rated at around 25 dB NRR. With really good fit and design, you can get up in the 30's, but most folks would not like them as they are too big and too expensive!
Most people use ear plugs under muffs. I cannot figure why as the ear plugs do all the heavy lifting and one would get the same protection with just the plugs! However, using something like the Etymotic ER-20 under the muffs with the built in amplifier makes sense as the ER-20 adds 20 dB of protection as well as maintaining frequency response (which foamies don't!) and adding 20 dB to the meager protection of the muff. Now you have protection as good as you can get and still be able to hear adequately when there is no shooting.
I now do not shoot without my Etymotic Sound Blasters. These active ear plugs allow me to hear normally and yet the gun fire is reduced up to 38 dB.. The NRR of the sound blaster is lower than that but that is an OSHA requirement due to the ability of the user to miss-install them (so, WHATEVER PLUG YOU USE, INSERT IT CORRECTLY!). These may be expensive, but I can hear the competitor next to me talking and the amplifier automatically reduces the gain as the exterior noise increases. I pay a lot of money for my bench rest equipment, isn't it common sense to invest a small amount for proper hearing protection?
Bottom line, you need as much noise reductions as you can get! The limiting factor is your Mastoid bone. This bone surrounding the ear passes sound into your inner ear with about 40 dB reduction. 40 dB is a factor of 100 for Sound Pressure Level, the metric used for sound loudness.
With your skull limiting the protection to 40 dB, you need 35-40 db of reduction in your hearing protection.
Now is time to pay attention, ear muffs are commonly rated at around 25 dB NRR. With really good fit and design, you can get up in the 30's, but most folks would not like them as they are too big and too expensive!
Most people use ear plugs under muffs. I cannot figure why as the ear plugs do all the heavy lifting and one would get the same protection with just the plugs! However, using something like the Etymotic ER-20 under the muffs with the built in amplifier makes sense as the ER-20 adds 20 dB of protection as well as maintaining frequency response (which foamies don't!) and adding 20 dB to the meager protection of the muff. Now you have protection as good as you can get and still be able to hear adequately when there is no shooting.
I now do not shoot without my Etymotic Sound Blasters. These active ear plugs allow me to hear normally and yet the gun fire is reduced up to 38 dB.. The NRR of the sound blaster is lower than that but that is an OSHA requirement due to the ability of the user to miss-install them (so, WHATEVER PLUG YOU USE, INSERT IT CORRECTLY!). These may be expensive, but I can hear the competitor next to me talking and the amplifier automatically reduces the gain as the exterior noise increases. I pay a lot of money for my bench rest equipment, isn't it common sense to invest a small amount for proper hearing protection?
fx77
Gold $$ Contributor
Sensitive ears..foam plugs and MSA Sardines
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QV4OCDA/?tag=accuratescom-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QV4OCDA/?tag=accuratescom-20
I have a pair of Pelters that say Dillon on them that I have used for about 30 years. They were around $ 70 back then. Any hearing protection that work is fine, but the ability to amplify when the shot is not being fired is a great aid when hunting. I would check around a lot before I would spend $ 400 on muffs though, there is bound to be some thing a lot cheaper out there.
I vote for the predator gold that works with your smart phone. Made in USA, they stand behind their product. Ive had mine for a long time. Can here critics approaching from a long ways off. I work construction with loud environments, I put on on in my ear plugs before I put on my tools. I had the pelters. No comparison.
Shynloco
You can lead a horse to water, but ........
msinc,
I cannot impress upon you enough, that your hearing is of utmost importance and the expense of protecting your hearing is a little price to pay to save it. I have a 50% hearing loss and now wear solid ear plugs PLUS "earmuffs" in an attempt to save what I have left. I wear hearing aids when I'm not shooting or at the range, and even with ultra expensive hearing aids ($7,000 retail) my hearing is CRAP!. My point is simply don't try and skimp on hearing protection. Save and protect what hearing you enjoy, for going deaf is not pleasant and a pain in the ass! Guess I spent too many years as a kid shooting and riding motorcycles and there is a price to be paid for being STUPID!
Alex
+1
Don't wear any type of electronic plugs in your ears that amplify sound. It defeats the purpose of hearing protection. Really no different than wearing hearing aids under muffs!
Gsxr,
And your clinical testing proving your position came from where?
And your clinical testing proving your position came from where?
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.