Jay Christopherson
Not An Admin
I'd be curious to get input from @normmatzen.
"new" ear plug technology?
- Thread starter Jay Christopherson
- Start date
TAJ45
Silver $$ Contributor
Norm is The Man here on this subject. Also whom I alluded to as I couldn't remember his name.
Alexander-M
Gold $$ Contributor
The foamies work well to suppress noise, but they also suppress conversations, unfortunately. Electronic muffs work OK to suppress noise while allowing you to carry a conversation, but they can interfere with the stock for a proper cheek weld.
After several styles of foamies and electronic muffs, I decided to try the Etymotic ear plugs. Wow! At least for me, they work great. I am hard of hearing, but I can hear much better when I am wearing the Etymotic plugs. They also do a fine job at suppressing the loud firearm firing.
Another thing I am going to try is to wear them while hunting. Shooting noise when hunting is not a concern, but if the Etymotic can help me hear other faint sounds more clearly, they would give me the edge I have lost due to my failing hearing.
Alex
After several styles of foamies and electronic muffs, I decided to try the Etymotic ear plugs. Wow! At least for me, they work great. I am hard of hearing, but I can hear much better when I am wearing the Etymotic plugs. They also do a fine job at suppressing the loud firearm firing.
Another thing I am going to try is to wear them while hunting. Shooting noise when hunting is not a concern, but if the Etymotic can help me hear other faint sounds more clearly, they would give me the edge I have lost due to my failing hearing.
Alex
Alexander-M
Gold $$ Contributor
John,
These: Etymotic Research GSP15 GunSport PRO High-Definition Electronic Earplugs, 1 pair, Black ($299)
Here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J5P8OGS/?tag=accuratescom-20
You have to select the eartip that best fits you ears, and this is critical, but not difficult to determine.
I am going to try them while hunting (deer - archery) tomorrow for the first time.
Alex
dmoran
Donovan Moran
Jay -
I bought the "Walker Razor XV w/ Blue Tooth" ($129) earlier this summer.
Besides for shooting, like them so much I wear them all the time on a daily bases to amplify my hearing and for the blue tooth phone headset. They come with several different size foam tips to get a matching fit to your ears and uses the same micro USB cord as my cell-phone to charge the battery.
Best thing I've bought in a long time !.!.!
Donovan
I bought the "Walker Razor XV w/ Blue Tooth" ($129) earlier this summer.
Besides for shooting, like them so much I wear them all the time on a daily bases to amplify my hearing and for the blue tooth phone headset. They come with several different size foam tips to get a matching fit to your ears and uses the same micro USB cord as my cell-phone to charge the battery.
Best thing I've bought in a long time !.!.!
Donovan
Larry,
Do you just push the all thread, all the way through, and lock from both sides with washers and wing nuts. Sounds like it should work to me, and one size fits all. LMAO.
Paul
That how I see it . LarryLarry,
Do you just push the all thread, all the way through, and lock from both sides with washers and wing nuts. Sounds like it should work to me, and one size fits all. LMAO.
Paul
I'd also like to read Norm's opinion on these. I do have a pair of Etymotic Research GSP15 and love them. Been using them for several years now that I don't have much hearing left. They work great IMO and I wear them during all shooting events and deer/elk hunting. Wished I would have had something like these back in the "good ole days" when one could blast ducks over the decoys all day. Donated most of my hearing to a shotgun in my younger days. Just wish the "grey" inserts would hold up a little better. They seem to peel away from the inner tube rather quickly. Curious to those who have them, if the custom molded earpieces for the GSP15's are effective? Eric in DL
Jay -
I bought the "Walker Razor XV w/ Blue Tooth" ($129) earlier this summer.
Besides for shooting, like them so much I wear them all the time on a daily bases to amplify my hearing and for the blue tooth phone headset. They come with several different size foam tips to get a matching fit to your ears and uses the same micro USB cord as my cell-phone to charge the battery.
Best thing I've bought in a long time !.!.!
Donovan
I've been looking at those.
I have to ask: How do they work at cancelling more monotonous sounds like lawnmower, etc?
I have a set of Pro Ears Gold, and they are great for shooting noise reduction, but don't respond to lesser, sustained noises; i.e.: lawn mower engine, etc.
Thanks,
ED
johnnyi
Gold $$ Contributor
Jay -
I bought the "Walker Razor XV w/ Blue Tooth" ($129) earlier this summer.
Besides for shooting, like them so much I wear them all the time on a daily bases to amplify my hearing and for the blue tooth phone headset. They come with several different size foam tips to get a matching fit to your ears and uses the same micro USB cord as my cell-phone to charge the battery.
Best thing I've bought in a long time !.!.!
Donovan
I liked mine until the line went hot.. I could hear everything very well with all of the range commands, etc.. but the constant firing during a match didn't work well.. I got a few full power blasts that was not muted.. I think they will be great for hunting for 1 shooter. But they didn't seem to work for me on the firing line.
dmoran
Donovan Moran
To bad, maybe give Walker a call...
Had mine at the 2016 Montana 1000 BR Championship, worked flawless on the firing line for 2-days straight.
Donovan
O! K!
Norm's back!
I would pay no attention to these products or anything advertised like them!
They have no reference to clinical testing and do not show any attenuation specifications and not even a NRR rating!
These plugs look like a turned metal core with a foam "hat" on top which is actually the sealing part of the plug. And, different metals with different prices!
Remember, the limiting factor in ANY ear plug is the mastoid bone which has a parallel attenuation of somewhat over 40 dB. This means if you use a "perfect" ear plug you can get nothing better than about 40 dB attenuation. And the "perfect" ear plug is still pretty much yellow foamies that are CORRECTLY inserted!
But, the foamies sound muffled when some one speaks to you because of the fact the foam attenuates high frequencies more than lows. Maybe this is why these new wonder plugs discuss equal attenuation of low frequencies. But the lower attenuation of low frequencies in the foamies is not really an issue. The foamies also make your voice sound loud and strange due to occlusion effect. This is when you plug the ear canal below the "second bend" which is the case in any plug not inserted far enough. Just try sticking your fingers in your ears and talk, that is occlusion effect.
This is why I recommend using Etymotic ER-20 (ETY-PLUGS) under your muffs . With ER-20, the frequency response is HI-FIDELITY. Not as good as Etymotic ER-15 and ER-25 but good enough that wearing them at a rock concert still sounds fine! ER-15 and ER-25 are fitted by Hearing aid dispensers who are aware of Etymotic Musicians ear plugs and will charge you over $100 for a pair. These are popular with professional musicians while practicing with an instrument potentially damaging to their ears.
So, NO on the face of it, I don't recommend these new Wonder Plugs and consider them something made by a company not well versed in Audiology and do not actually know how the ear works.
Your best bet is still (in my opinion) Etymotic GSP-15 with proper ear tips. Next are muffs (either amplified or not) with ER-20 plugs under them (not foamies). And last is plain yellow foamies.
Norm's back!
I would pay no attention to these products or anything advertised like them!
They have no reference to clinical testing and do not show any attenuation specifications and not even a NRR rating!
These plugs look like a turned metal core with a foam "hat" on top which is actually the sealing part of the plug. And, different metals with different prices!
Remember, the limiting factor in ANY ear plug is the mastoid bone which has a parallel attenuation of somewhat over 40 dB. This means if you use a "perfect" ear plug you can get nothing better than about 40 dB attenuation. And the "perfect" ear plug is still pretty much yellow foamies that are CORRECTLY inserted!
But, the foamies sound muffled when some one speaks to you because of the fact the foam attenuates high frequencies more than lows. Maybe this is why these new wonder plugs discuss equal attenuation of low frequencies. But the lower attenuation of low frequencies in the foamies is not really an issue. The foamies also make your voice sound loud and strange due to occlusion effect. This is when you plug the ear canal below the "second bend" which is the case in any plug not inserted far enough. Just try sticking your fingers in your ears and talk, that is occlusion effect.
This is why I recommend using Etymotic ER-20 (ETY-PLUGS) under your muffs . With ER-20, the frequency response is HI-FIDELITY. Not as good as Etymotic ER-15 and ER-25 but good enough that wearing them at a rock concert still sounds fine! ER-15 and ER-25 are fitted by Hearing aid dispensers who are aware of Etymotic Musicians ear plugs and will charge you over $100 for a pair. These are popular with professional musicians while practicing with an instrument potentially damaging to their ears.
So, NO on the face of it, I don't recommend these new Wonder Plugs and consider them something made by a company not well versed in Audiology and do not actually know how the ear works.
Your best bet is still (in my opinion) Etymotic GSP-15 with proper ear tips. Next are muffs (either amplified or not) with ER-20 plugs under them (not foamies). And last is plain yellow foamies.
wise old indian saying.
"if it's too good to be true, it's too good to be true."
I recall being offered shares in a needleless syringe start up company.
the guy starting the company went to jail, and all the investment money had been spent.
none of mine thank god.
"if it's too good to be true, it's too good to be true."
I recall being offered shares in a needleless syringe start up company.
the guy starting the company went to jail, and all the investment money had been spent.
none of mine thank god.
rjtfroggy
Gold $$ Contributor
Cakes the custom molds do work, however there are some draw backs.
1. they are the same clear color so no way to tell right from left, also made from an unmarkable silicone.
2. After a few uses one of mine will not hold the plug, it seems to pop out like it is under pressure in or out of the ear.
3. At $150 they should last a life time, they don't even have a way to put a cord on them. When you take them out you need a container to put them in because you can't just drape around your neck.
I would think you can buy a lot of the standard inserts for the cost.
1. they are the same clear color so no way to tell right from left, also made from an unmarkable silicone.
2. After a few uses one of mine will not hold the plug, it seems to pop out like it is under pressure in or out of the ear.
3. At $150 they should last a life time, they don't even have a way to put a cord on them. When you take them out you need a container to put them in because you can't just drape around your neck.
I would think you can buy a lot of the standard inserts for the cost.
Rjtfroggy
I'm guessing your $150 plugs are not Etymotic ER-15 or ER-25.
If they were there is a red dot on the right plug.
Also the dispenser should replace the bad ear mold at no cost .
I'm guessing your $150 plugs are not Etymotic ER-15 or ER-25.
If they were there is a red dot on the right plug.
Also the dispenser should replace the bad ear mold at no cost .
rjtfroggy
Gold $$ Contributor
Well Norm your guess would be wrong. My plugs are EB 15-LE at $299.99 + tax + shipping total $333.37 ( direct online purchase).
Then I had to fill out and mail registration then go to local audiologist for ear molds and have him send them in, cost to him $150.
When ordered we requested two different colors and a molded in cord, what I received was two clear blue plugs no markings and no cord. When we asked why they said that's the way we do them.
Now they are over a year old ( even though not used for that long) I was told SORRY OUT OF WARRANTY, so I can guess you know how I feel about this product.
By the way I bought these based on YOUR glowing reviews.
This is my experience and I will not get into an internet argument over it nor will I bash Etymotic their plugs work as advertised.
The custom plugs not so much.
Then I had to fill out and mail registration then go to local audiologist for ear molds and have him send them in, cost to him $150.
When ordered we requested two different colors and a molded in cord, what I received was two clear blue plugs no markings and no cord. When we asked why they said that's the way we do them.
Now they are over a year old ( even though not used for that long) I was told SORRY OUT OF WARRANTY, so I can guess you know how I feel about this product.
By the way I bought these based on YOUR glowing reviews.
This is my experience and I will not get into an internet argument over it nor will I bash Etymotic their plugs work as advertised.
The custom plugs not so much.
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