How much hearing protection is enough?

B

BTR

New member
I guess I'm kind of a nut about the subject, but reading so much about gradual hearing loss, tinitus, etc, I'm concerned. I mostly shoot a .22 handgun, probably a couple hundred rounds or less at a time. I've been shooting less than a year.

I wear earplugs rated 31 and Howard Leigh muffs rated 31, together. Is this enough to protect my hearing against gradual loss, or am I still hurting it a bit? The noise during shooting doesn't bother me, but sometimes afterwards my ears feel odd, esp if others at the range are blasting away. Are my ears gonna be ok? Is there anything else that will help, other than a class III supressor?
 
If you keep using the hearing protection you are now, you'll be fine. Like lots of us here, I wish I had used hearing protection when I was younger. I'm paying for it now. Hearing loud but muffled noises should do no harm. It's like hearing a jet overhead vs. hearing one on take-off while you're standing near the runway.
 
Hi All-

Howard Leight 29 NRR plugs (work great in motorcycle helmets, too) coupled with Howard Leight 30NRR muff-type protector.

The day they offer "50 NRR" plugs and muffs, I'll be the first person standing on line! :)

When your health is concerned, better safe than sorry. The set-up that you are using should keep your hearing condition in perfect shape for many, many years.

Mal H paints a good picture in comparing the overhead jetliner flight compared to the jet roar on the tarmac.

Regards,

~ Blue Jays ~
 
Hearing protection is sort of like guns. What you have is never quite enough. Seriously, a combination of plugs and muffs should be sufficient for all but standing next to a howitzer.

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If you're not a little upset with the way the world is going, you're not paying attention.
 
If you realize that the light reflecting off of the wall in front of you is from an atomic explosion that you did not hear because of your ear protection, you MIGHT have on too much hearing protection. Otherwise you can never have too much-- the ringing in my ears is baaaddd this moring. From when I was younger and dumber.
 
I'd agree with George, WHAT?

Back when I worked for a natural gas transportation company and was exposed to extremely high decibel noise levels we wore either plugs or muffs. The question was brought up many times at safety meetings about combining the two. The answer was, if you have good plugs or good muffs that was plenty. There was nothing to be gained by wearing both at the same time.

Or at least I think that's what they said, that damn ringing in my ears has been there for about 20 years. Gotta go answer the phone now.

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bullet placement is gun control
 
BTR,
You may still feel the concussive force of their muzzle blasts. In addition, wearing muffs alone for an hour or two may be enough to cause minor headache from the pressure. I personally believe the plugs/muffs combo is the only way to go.
 
This question is for the guy's that use muffs AND earplugs. I have a set of Pro-Ears "Pro-Mag" model muffs. They are pretty good, but I've wondered if I could hear the conversation if I used the soft silicone plugs with the muffs.
Anyone have experience using the set-up I described. (I'm going to the range with my AR today and, as you know, AR's are LOUD!)

Thanks,
Will

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Mendacity is the system we live in.
 
I started using both "plugs/muffs" a few years back and am very happy with it. I can hear just fine for range commands and even for short conversation on the line. "if called for" The nice part is if I need to train someone I can ditch the muffs "if we are on the other end of the firing line from other shooters. Use both and as was said it they make 45db muffs/cuffs I will be looking at ordering them. BTW a 31 db plugs and 31 db muffs does NOT = 62 db. I forget the formula but if I recall it is more like 42db.
 
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