Hearing protection for shooting rifles and shotguns

I wear plugs and muffs too if I'm under a cover or indoors. If I'm in an open area, it's generally one or the other. If I'm shooting shotguns---double up always. I get my hearing tested every year at work and I'm always in the top 5% and I'd like it to stay that way! :D
 
You will absorb some sound through your skull and the rest of your body, all hearing protection can do at present is reduce the noise to a comfortable and tolerable level.
 
I like the in the canal ear plugs with the string. They are very effective, and light weight. Also easy to remove during a cease fire. They cost less than $3. If it is super loud like shooting super duper loud boomers I will also use a pair of muffs. The $20 some odd dollar non electronic ones work better for me than the electronic ones. Without my hearing aids I can not make heads or tails of what someone is saying anyway.
 
I also double up at the range but in the field bird hunting, I put in soft plugs very loosely. I have found that anything else gets irritating after a few hours and I sometimes spend all day in the field for 3 days in a row. Also, if you are the only shooter around and firing a shotgun, that's all you need. And, at age 45, I still hear better than just about anyone else. It's annoying really but probably better than having a really keen sense of smell which sounds intolerable.
 
No experience with the suppressor asked, but since..

1983 has doubled using "EARS" and either my Dave Clark 310 or old pair of Willson "Sound Barriers" from the mid-70's (now retired as seals no available).
Above done for Hi-Power rifle comp and trap & skeet.

Keep the EARS in for off-line use @ trap&Skeet, everything on on the Rifle range.

Have done hunting also and worked as a millwright / machinist, now have slight ringing, but for 58yr old male hearing test is great.
 
I've already lost a third of my hearing and have the test results from the audiologist to prove to my wife that I'm not ignoring her.
I have always doubled up plugs and muffs since then (Electronic muffs or plain).

I notice a lag in the reaction time of my electronic muffs, so for a moment I'm exposed to a good portion of a shot's sound before the electronics kick in and reduce the sound level. I don't think that's a good thing.
 
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I did the research and that is not what I found. I bought Pro Ears Pro Tac Mag Gold NRR 33 muffs and they work, but they're expensive. They're even better with foam plugs under them. I've worn plugs under muffs for so many decades it's just habit.
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+1 I have older Pro Ears Pro Mag's with 33db reduction. I usually wear plugs and muffs. My plug are 30 - 33db reducer's also. If needed, I can turn the electronics on on the muffs. I find plugs only ok off the firing line 10 - 15 feet, unless there is a 50 around.

Shotgunning is a hard call. Maybe slim muffs would be good with plugs.
 
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