Hearing Protection

E

Eddie Mullins

Inactive
New to the site and not sure where the best place to post this is, but here goes.

I squirrel hunt with dogs. I am begining to develop some ringing in my ears, nothing serious and I hope not permanent yet, but don't want it to get to be a problem.

What I am wondering is, what are the reccomendations for hearing protection that can be worn in the field which will still allow me to hear and locate my dogs, but adequately protect me from shotgun blasts (and there can be multiple blasts at a given time). I also coon hunt with a 22 pistol and some times think its worse than the shotguns.

thanks in advance
 
I've been wearing a set of Peltor Tac-7s for nigh on ten years now. They are not cheap, but less so than losing my hearing! I wear them every range trip, and while handgun hunting. From your application, you'd want something like the Tac-7s that allow you to hear, but that cut out when a shot is fired. And you'll need a set that is stereophonic so you can hear directionally ... so you can locate your dogs.
 
I read about ear protection that allows you to hear people speaking but will protect you when a shot goes off. What do you guys think about this type?
 
That's just what Legionnaire is describing.
They can be irritating at a range with a lot of activity(constantly on and off). In those case I turn them off for awhile.
 
Legionaire - Have you used those Peltor in the rain much? I had an off-brand of electronic muffs but managed to short them out during gun season this year. Seems they weren't designed for multiple consecutive days in the rain....
 
Actually, no. I use them mostly for handgun hunting, and if the weather is really nasty, I forego the revolver for a long gun. I have worn them a couple of times in the rain, and typically pull the hood of my rain gear up and over them. No problems to date, but I've tried to keep them fairly dry.
 
After I shorted mine out, I switched to my rifle as well. I was just bound and determined to blood my .460 SW this year, but it didn't happen.
 
Thanks for the replies. My preference would be non electronic and not real keen on the muffs. Don't they get in the way?

Those peltor ear plugs looked interesting, and you certainly an't complain about the price.

What about these sonic defenders

Also had a fellow reccomend the ZEM Enhanced Hearing Protection . He said he kept it around his neck until time for the shooting to start, and then slippped them over his ears.

Any other feedback or suggestions welcomed.
 
not real keen on the muffs. Don't they get in the way?
Click to expand...

Some are designed for using w/hat or hard hats.
longgun use and muffs can take some getting used to at best, that is probably why the non- electronic sound limiting plugs are available. I will have to try the
sonic defenders myself:)
 
I use Peltors also. I have the low profile tactical muffs and love them! I cannot say that I have used them in the rain though. Good luck to you in your search.
 
Any of them are cheaper than hearing aids by a long shot. My current set are close to $5000 for the pair.
 
Hope that 5,000 a pair was a typo. But guess you could spend money in other ways. I should have got into hearing protection a long time ago. When your younger you think your bullet proof, but we are not. There is no doubt I am paying for it now. Being in the service sure did not help it at all. They were pretty strict on making sure you wore your issued stuff. But it was next to no good. We wore crap and the officers, and higher ranking N.C.O.'s wore the good ones. We could not afford them plus they were not issued. I hope these days there taking care of that better. But no doubt it is a plus to have good ear protection.
 
Muffs protect your ears better than just plugs alone - most folks do not insert the plugs all the way in to get the maximum benefit. Even if they did, they would then have trouble hearing. The GOOD, (read that not cheap), electronic muffs will allow you to hear, and can even amplify some sounds while blocking sharp retorts from gun fire. If you already have a little ringing, you have hearing damage - I got mine from Jimi Hendrix with headphones at volume 9 decades ago in college - For shotguns, I wear muffs, for rifle and pistols, with their sharper "cracks", I wear plugs and muffs. There are bones around the outside of your ears that muffs help protect from damage compared to the plugs. You'll want a minimum of 25db noise reduction. Even one shot from a .22 rifle can induce hearing issues and they never go away or get better- the damage is irreversible.

Protect your ears!
 
I use Peltor Comtacs, although there are several less expensive and quite good varieties of electronic muffs.

This is my walk-up on a hog I shot this weekend, caught by the feeder camera. The muffs not only help with hearing, but also help keep my ears nice and toasty.

MDGC0003walkingupondownedhog-1-1.jpg
 
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Eddie,

I used the Howard Leight Impact Sport muffs for hunting this year. They are low profile and do not get in the way when I shoulder my shotgun. They have excellent sound (no electronic noise/distortion) and they amplify ambient sounds very clearly (volume is adjustable).

I really like mine They are comfortable, compact, and I've even worn them when it's been raining out although in a driving rain I might not do that.

I think these would be great for squirrel hunting and using .22's. I plan on using my handgun next year for deer hunting. If I do use my handgun, I'll probably add some ear plugs along with these Impact Sports muffs.

These muffs got good reviews on the internet, amazon.com and at midwayusa. They also have an audio jack that allows you to plug in an mp3 player or radio to listen while you're sitting in your blind/tree stand.

http://www.howardleight.com/family/index/33

Also, one review mentioned that they thought these Howard Leight electronic muffs were better and a better value than the more expensive Peltor and other brands. I think you can get them for around $50.
 
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