Question on ear protection/hearing attenuator for hunting

[40X Guy]

In the market for some kind of Game Ear that provides protection against muzzle blast and also helps with amplifying hearing. Have been doing a little research but I know nothing about these products and its kind of confusing. Looking for suggestions on what to buy and real world experience. I am wanting to hunt white tail this year here in PA. with a BOSS equipped Winchester .270 and I don't like ringing ears anymore. Plus I don't want to break the bank.

Frank

 

[JRS]

For electronic muffs, the Pro Ears are probably the best "bang" for the buck Frank

BTW: I wear them over my hearing aids. If you are looking for in the ear protection, spend the money and have a set custom molded to your ears. Stay away from the universal/one size fits all junk.

 

[wapiti25]

Howard Leight muffs are good for the price. Don't go too cheap, what is your hearing worth. My hearing is GONE and I wish I had used more protection 40 + yrs ago. I just this yr bought a hearing aid type that works good for hunting in warm weather ($400). Found them on Long Range Hunting, save your hearing as it is a bitch when all you hear is ringing. You can never get it back. A lot of my loss was from the army but hunting has not helped. I used to duck hunt out of a boat and got the blast from the other hunter.

 

[wapiti25]

The hearing aid type I bought is made by SoundGear, they worked good during an antelope hunt in Wyoming and a deer hunt in Utah. They are not uncomfortable to use for 4 hours or more. I use electronic muffs in cold weather, no more cold ears.

 

[40X Guy]

Wapiti25, thats what I am looking for are the hearing aid type. I can't stand wearing muffs for any length of time. I'll check out Soundgear's offerings. Thanks!

Frank

 

[40X Guy]

wapiti25... are your Soundgear hearing aid's in the ear type?

Frank

 

[Cort]

I like the GSP-15's from http://www.etymotic.com.

Cort

 

[40X Guy]

Cort, thank you for the link, those have some excellent reviews also... And thanks to everyone

Frank

 

[drags]

Frank, contact Bruce at McDonald Sportsmen, there is a guy there that make custom ear plugs. Both Herb and Bruce use them.
Joe

 

[IMMORTAL]

Frank,I use the Howard Leight electronic muffs. Muffles the blast but pics up other sounds very well. I keep the volume turned to about half way. Anymore and they are too loud.

Dave

 

[wapiti25]

My SoundGear hearing devices are the instant in the ear canal type, SoundGear makes several types so check them out and see what is the best for you.

 

[normmatzen]

++ on the GSP-15 from Etymotic Research.

These devices offer unity gain or 15 dB gain (X5) at the flip of a switch. They offer the high gain in low noise environments and as the back ground noise rises, the gain decreases to minimum at 90 dB SPL. 90 dB SPL is the sound pressure level equal to a mans voice at his mouth. Above 90dB SPL the gain does not change but the amplifier in the device cannot produce a sound pressure level in the ear canal higher than 117 dB SPL which is below the pain threshold of sound. In addition, if the devices are inserted carefully into the ear, the attenuation of the device with batteries removed is comparable to yellow foamies inserted correctly at around 38 dB. This level of attenuation CANNOT be duplicated by an ear muff type device.
The GSP-15 uses an analog amplifier which actually has way better fidelity than most digital devices and offer the advantage of contributing no time delay into the amplified audio so you maintain situational awareness. That means you still have excellent ability to determine what direction the sound is coming from. Etymotic also makes a device (essentially identical to the GSP-15) that is clinically tested and approved for Police and military use. This is primarily by the situational awareness factor.

How do I know all this stuff? I worked for Etymotic Research till I retired 10 years ago and designed the amplifier used in the GSP-15! I am also an electronic Engineer and I took a graduate course in audiology.

Oh! Yes! I use my GSP-15's for competitive shooting
(Long Range Bench Rest, F Class and some military matches with the old K-31) and have never looked back.

 

[40X Guy]

Norm, I thank you for an excellent post! I am short for time right now as Pa. deer season starts monday morning and I'll be using my sons electronic ear muffs but don't like them. I will be buying the Etymotic Research units and consider them a lifetime one time buy that should do the job!

Frank

 

[michaelnel]

++ on the GSP-15 from Etymotic Research.

Hi Norm!

I bought a set of these based on your recommendations and used them at Bob's "Range 11" thing yesterday. I was impressed. I was able to hear birds singing in the trees in between gunshots, and the gunshots were well muffled. I shot about 70 rounds of 6mm BR and had no discomfort at all.

I'm sold!

 

[40X Guy]

Michaelnel, that's what I like to hear. Thank's everyone!

Frank

 

[LCazador]

I've been wearing "in the ear" protection for about 20 years now. I've asked myself at least 100 times why I didn't make the purchase sooner! I went to a local hearing aid shop that worked with ESP(the company that made them) and had molds made for my ears. They sent them to ESP in Colorado, and voila, I've had excellent ear protection since, in the field hunting or on the range. I also own a pair of ProEars, which I use in cold weather or sometimes use to augment the ESP's. I find sometimes at the range that I need the ProEars over the ESP's. Muzzle brakes are noise makers! I was out quail hunting this weekend and without the amplification of my ESP's, my 67 year old ear's would not have heard the quail calls. Between the two types of protection that I wear, I spent over a $1000. IMHO that was money well spent !!

 

[CaptainMal]

I have three Model 70's with BOSS. Love them all. This season I took two shots and killed two deer with the 270 one. Never heard a thing.

I always use ear protection while shooting. Never while hunting. Seem to get so excited I don't hear anything while shooting at game. Also, it's very few shots - 5 this year with different rifles. Now that would not be so varmint hunting where I wear a pair of those LeeSonic ear valves that fit inside the ears and don't bother my face on the stock.

Good luck with your decision. Those "game ear" things all seem to get in the way when you shoot.

 

[JRS]

I have three Model 70's with BOSS. Love them all. This season I took two shots and killed two deer with the 270 one. Never heard a thing.

I always use ear protection while shooting. Never while hunting. Seem to get so excited I don't hear anything while shooting at game. Also, it's very few shots - 5 this year with different rifles. Now that would not be so varmint hunting where I wear a pair of those LeeSonic ear valves that fit inside the ears and don't bother my face on the stock.

Good luck with your decision. Those "game ear" things all seem to get in the way when you shoot.

Huh? Couldn't hear what you said Will you repeat that please ;D

 

[michaelnel]

40X Guy, keep in mind I have a profound hearing loss that requires hearing aids to hear even somewhat normally. I seldom hear birds at all. Hearing them while having my hearing protected to this extent was pretty cool.

 

[d.id]

I can't stand muffs and don't shoot comp or public range.
Once we started using brakes it became apparent something was necessary for the field. The game ear hd ultra is about a $130 and I think I have five years on mine ,full time threw bear, dear and elk season. Great protection, really impressive amplification.
Needs a $3 replacement foam plug every year pretty much.