In the ear noise canceling buds

[nmkid]

I found some old posts on this subject but was wondering what the latest and greatest product is available. Do earbuds work as well as ear muffs?

 

[K22]

I've lost all my high frequency hearing due to my time in the Army and being ill-informed in the 70's and 80's shooting a lot of pistol with cotton in my ears. Obviously dump and dumper.

Fast forward today, I wear hearing aids in both ears that restores some of my hearing but not all of it - you don't want to go there - so protect your hearing at all costs.

I'm no audiologist, but I can tell you what mine advised me. Use double protection, foam inserts that mold to the ear canal and the highest DB reduction muffs you can find and afford. The muffs are especially important today because of the widespread use of muzzle breaks and the shock wave they generated for someone alongside of you.

Even if you shoot a suppressor (I love those guys) you need to go maximum protection because of the guy who may be shooting next to you.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Not the ones I have. If they sealed better, it might make a big difference, though. I sometimes wear them while walking around the parking lot near the firing line. They do seem to help there but on the line, I think the problem is two fold. One, they don't seal in my ear well enough and two, I don't think the electronics in these is quite up to snuff either. They seem slow to respond, especially while multiple guns are going of essentially at the same same, repeatedly. Just my two cents. Mine are Axil brand. I've thought about trying to mold the buds into a custom fit ear piece. I think that might be worth trying but I haven't got to it yet.

 

[KMart]

Not the ones I have. If they sealed better, it might make a big difference, though. I sometimes wear them while walking around the parking lot near the firing line. They do seem to help there but on the line, I think the problem is two fold. One, they don't seal in my ear well enough and two, I don't think the electronics in these is quite up to snuff either. They seem slow to respond, especially while multiple guns are going of essentially at the same same, repeatedly. Just my two cents. Mine are Axil brand. I've thought about trying to mold the buds into a custom fit ear piece. I think that might be worth trying but I haven't got to it yet.

Now that we have all that hair growing out of our ears instead of growing above the ears, it is harder to get those things to seal.

 

[mongo chicago]

I use foam inserts for rifle and shotgun. They cut the decibles down more than muffs. For indoor pistol I use muffs. Any hearing loss has been caused by the wife.

 

[Willoughby]

I use Otto brand and they work great . one drawback is when hunting in cold weather 20's and lower they run down in 2-3 hours . they do have a small box you can put them in to recharge multiple times so your only down for 1/2 hr or so . I also like using them at the range as they are easier to shoot with than some other options . they amplify light sounds and block loud sounds so you can still hear everything. they come with foam and plastic tulip ear pieces , both are comfortable enough to wear all day

 

[xswanted]

I use Peltor 3m noise cancelling plugs.

I’ve tried a lot of them and these ones are the best I’ve used.

Comfortable, very good hearing protection with the skull screw plugs and they amplify all other noises.

Spendy bit cheaper than hearing aids for sure.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I use hearing protection when hunting but the vast majority of my shooting is BR and a lot from indoors. So it takes pretty good stuff but I can always double up...It'd just be nice if I didn't have to, especially in summertime.

 

[SEGARE]

I don't anything about electronic buds, but I've been doubling up for years. The few years I've been using electronic muffs over foam plugs. I use them anytime I'm using a saw, shooting, or mowing. For hunting, I just using electronic muffs. I keep them stretched across my leg while on the stand. It doesn't take but a second to grab them a put them on. I had Walkers for a couple of seasons. I bought Howard Leights last year and like them better. The sound is more natural (as much as possible) and I THINK they are a little more sensitive.

 

[spaniel]

I use Soundgear for hunting and they work great for that application. They are not sufficient for range use where others are showering you with concussion. For range use (for me, that's just F-class) I use plugs and muffs.

The advantage of Soundgear is that a) batteries last days as long as you don't let them sit once opened (great during season, non so great for occasional use), and b) when they are in it's pretty much like they aren't even there until you pull the trigger.

 

[SteveOak]

I found some old posts on this subject but was wondering what the latest and greatest product is available. Do earbuds work as well as ear muffs?

Not for me. Noise cancelling ear buds reduce the noise on the order of 22 to 24 dB and that is only if they fit perfectly. 3 dB is 100% more sound energy.

Good over the ear/earmuffs are more like 28 to 30 dB. I wear both.

 

[pilediver]

I wear Walkers electronic noise dampening corded ear plugs and wear electronic noise dampening muffs over those, so doubled up but still able to converse, hear range commands etc

 

[divingin]

I have a set of Etymotics. I had problems with either getting a good seal, being comfortable enough to wear for an extended period, or having them work their way loose.

My solution was to get a box of soft, comfortable, effective ear plugs (Moldex Softies are the brand), and graft them onto the electronic plugs. I squeeze the plugs down into a disk and use a leather punch (plier type) to cut a small hole lengthwise, and contact cement them onto the little silicone core that comes with the factory ear buds (If you have silicone tubing used as a chainsaw fuel line, that works as well.) Those slip over the stud on the device. Voila: 28-30 dB noise reduction, good seal, and comfortable enough to wear all day.

Only drawback now is that the hearing aid batteries those things use only last a couple of weeks (using them on weekends.) Rechargeables would be nice, but I'm not spending another $300 just to get that. At least not until I have to.

 

[Kittitas George]

I have used foam plugs and electronic muffs for many years, the muffs are not comfortable for me. So I purchased Walker's Rope Bluetooth Hearing Enhancer & Protection ( advertised on the Bulletin). I used them recently at the range, the part that enters the ear, after 'rolling' to compress it would not stay in my ear. The connecting cord may be an issue also. I'm very familiar with the foam ear plugs, I've used them for years, I'm a retired Operating Engineer and construction surveyor. The foam supplied buds large size may fit an elephant. I emailed Walker's for some help, got the standard 'sorry can't help' and offer of a 20% discount "loyalty" offer. Sorry no more Walker's. I will try to take a pair of regular foam ear plugs, then adapt them to the tiny stem in the Walkers. I'll try to do that today and report back.

 

[RCE1]

My Uncle was a US Marshall. My mom thought it would be good if he gave me a shooting lesson. Although I had been shooting on my own for a number of years, I thought it would be fun. We were at the old family farm in Virginia and he produced a Colt Chief's Special. I brought some foam plugs, but when I asked him about hearing protection, he pulled out some spent .38Sp cases and put one in each ear. Said that was how they did it in the Marshall service. The lesson didn't last long as I was shooting his revolver better than he was, but it was funny.

 

[Ernest T]

I looked at them, but the highest NR level I could find was -23 dB and I wear -30 dB ear muffs over -28 dB silicone ear plugs to protect my already damaged hearing. I decided 23 dB isn't enough for me.

 

[Just Dave]

I have a pair of these -->> https://www.earplugstore.com/etymotic-gsp-15-electronic-earplugs.html
Great for hunting, the amplification really makes you aware of noises YOU are making ,, gun-shots are muted nicely.
But for BR shooting, which I do far more of, the expanding foam plugs, with these --> https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/cbgnarus2571/
over the top.
The sound amplification for voices, etc makes a little tinney noise in your ear, so that its actually easier to hear those noises, even with foam plugs in.

 

[RichMoAK]

I've tried the Axil ear buds. They work well for pistols. I find that the recoil from my from rifles (due to my cheek-weld) will dislodge the ear bud from that ear. In other words, since I'm a right handed shooter, my right ear bud will dislodge with every shot. I found myself having to reposition the bud after every round.
Yes, I've tried all the different sized foam inserts; nothing seems to stop them from popping free.
Finally, went back to my muffs.
Not a bad product at all, just didn't work for my needs.

 

[DLT]

Etymotic gun sport pros. I love em.

 

[nmkid]

Thanks, guys. Gives me something to work with.