You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Ear Plugs
- Thread starter BradS
- Start date
Most of the time I use ear plugs with electronic muffs over them. The nrr on electronic muffs is typically quite low, with one exception I know of, and I'm sure more that I don't know about. Its a lot easier to find a set of nonelectronic(?) muffs that have a sufficiently high nrr.
I have this set, it has a good nrr of 30, but the sound quality of the electronics leaves a lot to be desired in my opinion.
https://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leigh...9Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
I have this set, it has a good nrr of 30, but the sound quality of the electronics leaves a lot to be desired in my opinion.
https://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leigh...9Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
There's not that much to hear on a range, and even in classes I usually can still hear what I need to hear.
Cheap foam earplugs from any drugstore will work -- Mack's are a good brand. Just make sure you roll them tight and insert them far enough into your ear.
I put a pair of NRR 30 muffs over them and it's an effective combo, especially when someone is shooting a rifle there. I found the "Pro Fo Sho" brand on Amazon to be low profile and very comfortable.
Cheap foam earplugs from any drugstore will work -- Mack's are a good brand. Just make sure you roll them tight and insert them far enough into your ear.
I put a pair of NRR 30 muffs over them and it's an effective combo, especially when someone is shooting a rifle there. I found the "Pro Fo Sho" brand on Amazon to be low profile and very comfortable.
I double up most of the time. But if I have to go with one only, it's the generic bright orange foam earplugs, the ones that feel almost moist or squishy. They seem to have a higher NRR than more dry foam or reusable rubber/silicone earplugs.
Roll them up to a thinner sliver, straighten ear canal by pulling the middle of the ear back to your rear while inserting. Of course, leave enough protruding to pinch to remove.
They're a little pricey but look up "noise fighters" on Amazon, gel replacement cups for earmuffs. They are like $40 each if I remember, and I don't remember what model ear muff they go with. But I hear they are very comfortable and transform ok ear muffs to great feeling ones.
By doubling up, it feels almost like I'm cheating, the noise is cut back so much I can really concentrate and build some good habits. I wish I had done it sooner, when I was first discovering my fundamentals. I can still speak and hear doubled up.
Roll them up to a thinner sliver, straighten ear canal by pulling the middle of the ear back to your rear while inserting. Of course, leave enough protruding to pinch to remove.
They're a little pricey but look up "noise fighters" on Amazon, gel replacement cups for earmuffs. They are like $40 each if I remember, and I don't remember what model ear muff they go with. But I hear they are very comfortable and transform ok ear muffs to great feeling ones.
By doubling up, it feels almost like I'm cheating, the noise is cut back so much I can really concentrate and build some good habits. I wish I had done it sooner, when I was first discovering my fundamentals. I can still speak and hear doubled up.
American Man
New member
Here is a good set. Need to use muffs over them if you are shooting heavy 44, 454 and bigger. But for 9 and 45 they are excellent.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001V2SS9G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001V2SS9G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Good luck Brad,
Ear plugs are 'highly personal', in that everyone's ears are different. I tried the custom plugs, do it yourself form fitting, cylindrical yellow foam, and the tapered "cheap pink" (or yellow) bulk soft rubber disposables. The latter work best for me, but you're going to have to try them all as you ear canals are likely very different from the other posters here.
(I also wear earplugs with electronic muffs over them. Wish I had started doing that decades ago...)
Ear plugs are 'highly personal', in that everyone's ears are different. I tried the custom plugs, do it yourself form fitting, cylindrical yellow foam, and the tapered "cheap pink" (or yellow) bulk soft rubber disposables. The latter work best for me, but you're going to have to try them all as you ear canals are likely very different from the other posters here.
(I also wear earplugs with electronic muffs over them. Wish I had started doing that decades ago...)
I find electronic muffs not altogether necessary. More accuratey, there is a lot of conversation on a firing line I just don't care to hear.
I urge you to redirect your search to a pair of muffs that are comfortable. Your hearing is worth it.
I put some cheap ear plugs in, and put my cheap electronic muffs on. I can hear conversation near me, but not five stalls away, and I can turn the sound off if I am near someone who comes to the range for conversation.
BradS said:I have searched the Forum and the internet in an attempt to find ear plugs that are effective ear protection for the range.
I have been using electronic earmuffs and although they work, I find them to be uncomfortable.
I urge you to redirect your search to a pair of muffs that are comfortable. Your hearing is worth it.
OhioGuy said:I put a pair of NRR 30 muffs over them and it's an effective combo, especially when someone is shooting a rifle there.
I put some cheap ear plugs in, and put my cheap electronic muffs on. I can hear conversation near me, but not five stalls away, and I can turn the sound off if I am near someone who comes to the range for conversation.
Being able to hear what's going on without taking the muffs off provides a lot of protection compared to just one or two unprotected shots because the muffs were removed to hear something and not replaced in time. That's the main reason I finally switched to electronic muffs.
I also bought a model that had gel pads available for it so that the comfort was good enough to wear them all day.
I also bought a model that had gel pads available for it so that the comfort was good enough to wear them all day.
For pistol shooting I use plain muffs, and that's enough. However, the AR's stock pushed the right muff up and off the ear, so I need backup on that side, in spite of the fact that the right ear is 90% deaf anyway. The range sold me a pair of soft 3-flange plugs that do fine; I don't remember the brand name, and the packaging is long gone. I can't use the squishy ones from the drug stores. My ear canals are very small, and I can't squeeze them small enough to fit.
D
D
Custom molded ear plugs.
https://www.safetygearonline.com/cu...MInuyEs8aB5gIVqyCtBh3b9Qw4EAQYAiABEgI-0_D_BwE
I recommend buying two different colors to make left and right easy to tell apart.
https://www.safetygearonline.com/cu...MInuyEs8aB5gIVqyCtBh3b9Qw4EAQYAiABEgI-0_D_BwE
I recommend buying two different colors to make left and right easy to tell apart.
My wife took an audiology class is college. Custom plugs are the way to go if you can afford it.
I usually run orange foam plugs from Harbor Freight in conjunction with Howard Leight Impact Sport Electronic Muffs. I can still shoot high powered rifles under a steel visor and keep a decent conversation going.
The Howard Leights by themselves are good for pistol only or maybe small caliber rifle. Add a scope and they tend to pull off the ear a bit.
A word of wisdom- if you run electronic muffs please don't put in alkaline batteries and keep them in there. Almost ruined a set when the batteries corroded. Now I run either lithium camera AAAs or NiMH rechargeables. Even if the NiMH batteries discharge all the way they are unlikely to do damage like alkalines do.
I usually run orange foam plugs from Harbor Freight in conjunction with Howard Leight Impact Sport Electronic Muffs. I can still shoot high powered rifles under a steel visor and keep a decent conversation going.
The Howard Leights by themselves are good for pistol only or maybe small caliber rifle. Add a scope and they tend to pull off the ear a bit.
A word of wisdom- if you run electronic muffs please don't put in alkaline batteries and keep them in there. Almost ruined a set when the batteries corroded. Now I run either lithium camera AAAs or NiMH rechargeables. Even if the NiMH batteries discharge all the way they are unlikely to do damage like alkalines do.
https://www.ammunitiontogo.com/lodge/nrr-ratings-and-ear-protection-for-shooters/
Some audiologists say moulded ear plugs are better for impulse noise from firearms.
Some audiologists say moulded ear plugs are better for impulse noise from firearms.
Last edited:
Onward Allusion
New member
I use the green translucent Peltor plugs with the 3 flanges. It's fine wearing them alone for outdoor shooting, including AR Pistol, 44 Mag, & 30-06. I always double up with plugs & muff indoors 'cause sound travels thru bone, too.
FrankenMauser
New member
Figure out what fits you.
My ear canals don't get along with any kind of generic formed/molded plugs, especially the ribbed types. So, I only use foamies. But, even then, the tapered ones still don't work for me. I have to use the old school cylindrical plugs. (Now '3M Tekk' I believe. Formerly 'E-A-R'.)
But if I'm wearing plugs, there's a 90% chance I've got muffs over the top, too.
Plugs are good.
Muffs are decent.
Double protection is better.
Find a set of muffs that fit you properly.
...And add plugs, too.
My ear canals don't get along with any kind of generic formed/molded plugs, especially the ribbed types. So, I only use foamies. But, even then, the tapered ones still don't work for me. I have to use the old school cylindrical plugs. (Now '3M Tekk' I believe. Formerly 'E-A-R'.)
But if I'm wearing plugs, there's a 90% chance I've got muffs over the top, too.
Plugs are good.
Muffs are decent.
Double protection is better.
Find a set of muffs that fit you properly.
...And add plugs, too.
AreYaSerious
Inactive
As most has said hearing protection is personal preference, what I feel is a good balance between quality and price is Decibal Defense, but honestly I prefer muffs over just plugs, however if I was going with plugs, I would go with Decibullz, or just some good old fashioned Howard Leights.