I ...will.... be using them WITH muffs.
This is a critical application as so far I am into about $4000 in hearing aids and doctor visits for hearing damage suffered WHILE using muffs.
However, the muffs were NRR22 and had worked fine for a year or so of shooting at the OUTDOOR range. However it does have a roof and a guy about 2 benches to my left was shooting a braked SOMETHING.
I know I heard it EASILY ....thru.... the muffs. No earplugs with them though.
(I have replaced those muffs with the Howard Leight NRR 30 ones)
The Kaiser hearing aid provider has made some FITTED ones but we are still ...working... on getting the right one to be as good as the left one.
He "adjusted" the right one, but I can tell that when shooting (even .410) that the right one is not fitted as well as the left one.
Also when I remove the left one, I get a palpable suction sensation and the right one just comes out fairly easily.
It's what got me thinking of using COMMERCIAL plugs as I remember having a pair that seemed to suck themselves into the ear canal.
That was before the hearing loss, though.
It just SEEMS to me that a plug that EXPANDS into the earhole should be better than ANY "fitted" ones as they would "fit" each time.
I sure do wish the range would ENFORCE using their concrete pipes that are PROVIDED for the guys who shoot braked guns.
Thanks for all the suggestions. I will research each of them.
I wasn't aware til now that even the PLUGS have a dB rating.
onward.....