Anyone have any recommendations for small noice canceling sound enhancement ear buds that are comfortable, small, and not easily lost in hunting situations? I need to save the little hearing I have left.
Noise canceling ear buds
- Thread starter helmut in the bush
- Start date
I use the Walker’s Game Ear Bluetooth version. They are comfortable under my electronic ear muffs at the rifle range, and they are comfortable for all day stand alone use in the pheasant fields too.
I've got a pair of Axils. Not real impressed with them. They might be better with a better seal. I pland to try an ear plug molding kit, in hopes of incorporating them into the mold and ultimately a better seal..maybe. They're fine under muffs but not enough protection alone, imho.
Retired Grunt
F Open Shooter
I bout the Walker Silencers in June and liked at first, but I can't really get a good fit and the batteries don't last. I use Walker Razer Head Set when I am scoring or not shooting and regular Triple Flange inserts when I shoot.
Shooter13
Gold $$ Contributor
Our buddy @John Beauchamp just purchased a pair and he's not in love either. I like my older Walker "around the neck" ones, they are green, the newer black ones are not good.
From what I've read the Otto mini are great but @$350-$400 they should be.
I had the name wrong, the ones I have are the Walker Silencer BT like this:
shop.opticsplanet.com
Walkers Silencer BT 2.0 Bluetooth Earbuds GWP-SLCR2-BT Color: Black, Fabric/Material: Polymer, 24% Off, Blazin' Deal w/ Free Shipping
Shop Walkers Silencer BT 2.0 Bluetooth Earbuds | 24% Off Highly Rated on 6 Reviews for Walkers Silencer BT 2.0 Bluetooth Earbuds Blazin' Deal + Free Shipping over $49.
RegionRat
Gold $$ Contributor
https://soundgear.com/collections/custom-fit/products/custom-product
The buying process requires a visit to an affiliated hearing aide shop in order to have the mold made.
Once you are past that, the rest is a piece of cake. These use a size 13 hearing aide battery, and you can read the rest yourself.
The buying process requires a visit to an affiliated hearing aide shop in order to have the mold made.
Once you are past that, the rest is a piece of cake. These use a size 13 hearing aide battery, and you can read the rest yourself.
butchlambert
Site $$ Sponsor
Got rid of mine after hearing a lot of feral hogs around my deer blind. Found out it really was my stomach growling.
Boilermaker
Silver $$ Contributor
I have a pair of Isotunes that I bought for working in the wood shop that have found there way to the range with me. I like them a lot, but they did not have a model for sound enhancement when I got mine. They were just Bluetooth connected noise canceling ear buds. They have since added a line that includes sound enhancement that I would purchase if I was looking for a new pair. They are around $140.
There's a local guy that is a dealer for InstaMold custom earplugs (http://www.instamold.com/consumer-products/) that are just great - $60 - made while you wait. They're extremely comfortable - I've had them in for hours with no discomfort.
When I told him I wanted something that would allow me to hear conversations he suggested I get a Walker Game Ear (I got this one https://www.amazon.com/Walkers-Game...ild=1&keywords=game+ear&qid=1633893759&sr=8-1) and he attached the Game Ear to one of the custom ear plugs. Now I hear all sorts of things in the normal sound range but when a gunshot goes off the Game Ear cuts it off.
Maybe InstaMold can connect you with someone local if this type of solution is of interest?
Jim
When I told him I wanted something that would allow me to hear conversations he suggested I get a Walker Game Ear (I got this one https://www.amazon.com/Walkers-Game...ild=1&keywords=game+ear&qid=1633893759&sr=8-1) and he attached the Game Ear to one of the custom ear plugs. Now I hear all sorts of things in the normal sound range but when a gunshot goes off the Game Ear cuts it off.
Maybe InstaMold can connect you with someone local if this type of solution is of interest?
Jim
Retired Grunt
F Open Shooter
How is the Battery Life?
jghoghunter
Gold $$ Contributor
I have the Walker Razor XV 3.0. They seem to work very well I have a set for in the shop and also that goes to the range. The app. is a little funny to work with but once you figure it out these have worked well for me.
muleystalker
Silver $$ Contributor
OTTO NoiseBarrier Micro have been the best I have found, they come with a waterproof case that also is a recharger. You can fit different ear pieces to them too. I think the case will charge them 5 times before it needs to be charged. Shop around for best price. https://www.otto-comm.com/noizebarriermicro
The jury is still out re battery life. I've only had this solution about a month...had them out to the range 3 or 4 times. I am still on the first battery - I've had the unit actually turned on approximately 11 hours. This Game Ear uses the zinc-air hearing aid batteries. I'm new to this type of battery - but apparently once the sticker is removed from the battery it starts to lose power.
One thing I feel is a little funky about this model is that the on/off switch is actually opening the battery compartment door slightly. It seems like it would be easy to forget to "turn it off" when you take the earplugs out. In any event - I keep a couple of batteries in the case with the earplugs.
muleystalker
Silver $$ Contributor
That on off switch may not be a bad idea. I have seen these small batteries leak in hearing aids and and hearing protection like this and it usually ruins the unit. Having the battery door being the on off with will remind a person to remove the batteries when not in use. I remove the batteries out of my hearing aids when not in use as I have had a battery leak.
The OTTO's I posted above are rechargeable, you just put them in the case and it has a built in battery that charges them. The storage box acutely plugs into a USB and can be charged. This assures your units are always charged and can be recharged in the field on an extended trip if ever needed.
divingin
Gold $$ Contributor
I use Etymotics (pretty similar to the Walkers, I think.) I hated the eartips that came with them, tried every style and size, and found them either uncomfortable, ineffective, or insecure.
My solution was to pull the cylindrical foam from their ear tips, take a pair of regular tapered soft foam plugs with a hole punched in them, and contact cement them to the silicone sleeve (you can use appropriately sized silicone tubing if you don't have the original sleeve.) The plugs now go further into the ear canal, so they're secure, and they're comfortable enough to wear all day. I suspect there's a bit more attenuation than normal, but haven't found it to be an issue.
Mine use #10 hearing aid batteries, and, running about 8 hours a day on both weekend days, last about 3 weeks (roughly - sometimes longer, sometimes less.)
My solution was to pull the cylindrical foam from their ear tips, take a pair of regular tapered soft foam plugs with a hole punched in them, and contact cement them to the silicone sleeve (you can use appropriately sized silicone tubing if you don't have the original sleeve.) The plugs now go further into the ear canal, so they're secure, and they're comfortable enough to wear all day. I suspect there's a bit more attenuation than normal, but haven't found it to be an issue.
Mine use #10 hearing aid batteries, and, running about 8 hours a day on both weekend days, last about 3 weeks (roughly - sometimes longer, sometimes less.)
I have the Bluetooth walkers.
They work great IMO. I shoot steel and we all run obnoxious brakes on our rifles. Never felt the need to double up or like they didn't do the job.
The app doesn't work with my phone. Not a deal breaker. But it'd be nice if it did just for easier control.
I love the charging dock. Don't have to worry about having a place to plug it in...throw them in the dock and it'll charge them. Not sure how many charges but it seems sufficient. I usually plug it in about once a month and I use mine atleast 4-8hrs a week.
I use them mowing and running all the other power equipment in the yard...snow blower, leaf blower, chainsaw, weed eater...Bluetooth music and keep my hearing from damage from the engine noises. Works great.
Biggest complaint is the auto shutoff. I get it. Keeps batteries from dying if you forget to shut them off. I have to take them out to turn them back on. Also, battery life. It's somewhere around 4-5hrs while using Bluetooth. On the range without Bluetooth, I haven't hit the limit...
They were a gift...I use them a lot and enjoy having them.
They work great IMO. I shoot steel and we all run obnoxious brakes on our rifles. Never felt the need to double up or like they didn't do the job.
The app doesn't work with my phone. Not a deal breaker. But it'd be nice if it did just for easier control.
I love the charging dock. Don't have to worry about having a place to plug it in...throw them in the dock and it'll charge them. Not sure how many charges but it seems sufficient. I usually plug it in about once a month and I use mine atleast 4-8hrs a week.
I use them mowing and running all the other power equipment in the yard...snow blower, leaf blower, chainsaw, weed eater...Bluetooth music and keep my hearing from damage from the engine noises. Works great.
Biggest complaint is the auto shutoff. I get it. Keeps batteries from dying if you forget to shut them off. I have to take them out to turn them back on. Also, battery life. It's somewhere around 4-5hrs while using Bluetooth. On the range without Bluetooth, I haven't hit the limit...
They were a gift...I use them a lot and enjoy having them.
I really like my soundgear plugs, I have the standard not the custom fit and they suit me fine. They are small devices that slide into a molded silicone ear plug, and come with two different size plugs so you can choose the one that is most comfortable to you, the standard set clips at 95 decibels the OSHA set at 85 decibels.
I have had mine for several years and have had no problems, my son in law has a pair and I gave a pair to a favorite upland guide, like myself, they both have used them for years. In the interest of full disclosure, I use mine exclusively with a shotgun or pistol, I have never used them with a rifle.
I have had mine for several years and have had no problems, my son in law has a pair and I gave a pair to a favorite upland guide, like myself, they both have used them for years. In the interest of full disclosure, I use mine exclusively with a shotgun or pistol, I have never used them with a rifle.
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