A question re hearing protection

F

FoghornLeghorn

New member
Back in the day whenever hunting we never used hearing protection. I hear cicadas 24/7 now.

Lately I double up w/plugs and muffs. That's recommended.

However, I see recommendations for this.

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This is the equivalent of a plug only, correct?

If, say, firing a magnum firearm with a short barrel necessitates plugs and muffs, how can the Walker Game Ear (pictured above) prevent hearing damage?

thanx
 
Rated at 29 dB, which is as good as all but the very best.
Better than nothing, and I don't know many hunters who double plug.
 
I have a Walker Game Ear somewhere in my kit bag. The hearing protection seems fine for outdoor use, but the microphone doesn't perform well in wind. But mine is a few years old, so perhaps they've improved the design...
 
I generally don't wear hearing protection while hunting, I do while dove hunting but that's about it.

all other times while shooting I wear the Howard Leight L3 earmuffs, I (NRR 30) I really hate any type of hearing protection that involves sticking stuff in my ears.
 
I generally don't wear hearing protection while hunting
Click to expand...

That's a bad idea. Any noise/explosion at 140dB or above causes/can cause instant hearing damage. Every gun in my arsenal generates noise well above that level. The only exception is the 22 long rifle. It's about 10dB under that.
 
There are two main areas you need to protect - whether gunfire, loud music (especially with headphones on), loud equipment - the ear canal (plugs) and the mastoid bone surrounding the ear (muffs). The bone will transmit the sound vibrations to the middle and inner ear and cause damage over time if not protected
 
I prefer to wear muffs while deer hunting but it depends on your climate. I wouldn't want to be hunting south Texas whitetails with ear muffs on. In my area, they keep your ears warm so it's great.

There's only so much you can do in terms of protection. Frankly, even with the best possible protection a gunshot is still too loud for your ears. You're just lowering it to the point that it takes sustained exposure rather than a brief blast to do damage.

I have a Walker's Game Ear Digital and it works very well. Mine has the "wireless" radio gizmo too, which is especially cool. It's not really wireless, it's just not attached to the Game Ear. There's still a wire that attaches to the radio and goes up to your neck.

Generally speaking, if you have to choose just one, plugs OR muffs, most plugs (the foam type) are better than most muffs. Muffs that reach the same level of protection as plugs are usually thick and bulky.
 
Brian, I live in central FL, and I shoot a LOT of shotgun several times a week and I wear those muffs - even in this heat of July/August. Yes my ears feel like they have been in a sauna, but having lost a lot due to loud music and construction, i am not about to lose the rest because of a little heat and humidity
 
I wear a set of ear muffs from Radio Shack that have a radio mounted. They have decent reception too. Nice to sit there and listen to the Stones or Molly Hatchet while concentrating on the brush below for my quarry with eye movement only. My muffs don't interfere with the stock and no wires hanging down to snag like the Ipod perhaps would. A great you to you birthday present and much better than a salty bag of jerky or a can of constipating popcorn._:D

S/S
 
I wear custom molded in-ear's. The kit to make them is about 15 bucks, Amazon. Mix the two parts, push it in your ear, 10 minutes later you get a soft rubber thing shaped like your ear canal.

They reduce noise the same level as any other in-ear protector. But they are immensely more comfortable. Don't forget to take them out when you go to the BBQ place after the range.


Sgt Lumpy
 
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