What hearing protection?

N

Nnobby45

New member
Thought my ears deserved the best, so I broke down and bought a set of Pro Ears Gold Pro Magnums rated at NRR dB 33--best there is.

Electronic amplification was excellent. Protection from gunshot was not good at all. My ears are still ringing, in fact. I returned them to Cabelas yesterday for full refund.

OK, what muffs can I wear on an indoor range around rifles and magnum pistols without plugs under neath based on your experiences? Or is there such a thing (the muff's, not your experiences:D).

1. What's best for Pistol? They can be made bigger for more protection and higher dB rating.?

2. What's best for long guns? They need to be more rounded so as not to interfere with the stock.

Note: My older Pro Ears Dimension 1's still work pretty well. Just thought it wouldn't hurt to have a couple of good sets.
 
For indoor ranges, you'll most likely end up with plugs and muffs. I haven't tried any muffs at an indoor range that didn't leave my ears ringing.

I can wear muffs only when shooting outdoors.

DOL
 
I don't know if what you're asking is possible.

I have a pair of Radians that work just fine outdoors for the loudest of guns but indoors I need both.
 
I have a pair of Peltor's called Bull's Eye 9, AOSafety nothing fancy but are deep and completely hugs the ears. For rifle I bought a pair of Caldwell electronics low profile, not as quite, pads are thinner and less padding but I can shoot the rifles without hitting the stocks with them.

Look in Home Depot or Menards for ear protection and get the highest rated ones they have or at a industrial safety supply store.


Jim
 
Right, 33 db muffs aren't all that great when it comes to 170 db of sound pressure. With the confined space and reflected sound increasing the amount and duration of each shot. So you might have turned in your muffs prematurely.

Plugs and muffs are a good idea both outdoors and indoors, if your ears deserve the best.
 
Muffs and plugs

Might I suggest a pair of the custom molded plugs and conventional muffs (no electronics). I've used the Radians do it yourself (I suggest getting someone to assist.) http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=657664 The first attempt by myself, so-so results. Second time my Wife helped much better results. Recently I had an ear infection and asked the Dr. if someone would make me "Custom" molded ear plugs and he said any good hearing aid shop can do it. $65.00 and 30mins done and they are great very easy in and out. Also, if you shoot a conventionally stocked rifle the Muffs need to be a low profile style http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=590281. Not as critical with an M4 and a 6 position stock.

If you go with just foam I'd recommend http://www.e-a-r.info/int/Product.asp?PageNumber=185&ProductCategory_Id=96&Product_Id=191
 
So you might have turned in your muffs prematurely.
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Don't think so, Doublenaught. They offered very little protection from noise. Were advertised as suitable for indoor ranges without plugs. Sound amplication excellent. Great for bow hunters (who tend to give them great reviews).

As mentioned, my ears were ringing. Twenty year old Peltor Tac 7's worked to suppress with good sound amplification (though sound a little tinny). Pro Ears Dimension 1 (discontinued) worked fine, as did a small pair of Dillons. Passives like RCBS, Silenzio, etc. work. I'm talking about outdoors.

For indoors, it looks like plugs and muffs. Thanks for the replies.

Oh yes, did I mentioned I have a new pair of Peltor Tac 7S's on the way from Amazon? Yes, I know. Probably don't really need 'em. Hope I don't start collecting muffs like I do holsters.:D
 
Electronic amplification was excellent. Protection from gunshot was not good at all. My ears are still ringing, in fact.
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33NR is about as good as it gets for muffs. Sounds like a fit issue.

People aren't all shaped the same, sometimes even very good quality muffs don't seal properly on a particular individual. When they are worn properly and fit properly you should feel definite pressure on your eardrums if you push in on the muffs.
 
I had a very hard time finding muffs that fit my big grape comfortably. I'm not a fan of plugs because I like to be able to take them out inbetween shots and what not.

I was in my buddies shed one day and there was a pair of these on a shelf. Tried them on, fit great. I went and found them the next week. I use them for pistol, rifle, and skeet shooting.


http://www.stihlusa.com/apparel/hearing-protectors.html

I have the ones that are 25NRR
 
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Yup inside you will need probalby both the ear plugs, and a good set of muffs. When your out if you get a chance try a few of your freinds, that might narrow it down a bit for you.
 
Another possibly relevant factor is if you were wearing eye protection, how much they interfere with the fit of the muff around the head. I found the first time I shot in an indoor range with muffs only that that small gap caused by the glasses was enough to cause my ears to ring. I am not sure of a good solution to this problem though, other than wearing plugs as well.
 
I am not sure of a good solution to this problem though, other than wearing plugs as well.
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Good quality muffs will seal even if typical glasses are worn--assuming, of course, there's not some other issue with fit.

Also, if you are willing to pay a bit extra you can get comfort gel pads to replace the standard pads. Not only are they more comfortable, they help with fit issues and also seem to help seal better around glasses.

When I was first getting into firearms I spent a lot of money on guns, ammo and range fees and very little on accessories like hearing and eye protection. If I had it to do over I would spend a lot more on good quality, comfortable, hearing and eye protection.

My current hearing protection cost about $240 all told. It's one of the better quality electronic protectors with the gel pads installed and it's well worth every penny.

When I'm at the range I'm not tempted to take it off to hear someone talk because I can hear via the electronics. I'm not tempted to take it off because of comfort issues--it's comfortable enough that I've worn it over 8 hours in a day on several occasions without discomfort.
 
JohnKSa said:
My current hearing protection cost about $240 all told. It's one of the better quality electronic protectors with the gel pads installed and it's well worth every penny.
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Would you care to share the brand and model number with us? :)
 
Well, as mentioned, after I discovered my $329 Pro Ears Pro Magnums didn't block sound, and after returning them, I ordered a pair of Peltor Tactical 7 Classics from Amazon.

Haven't shot with them yet, but if you use the turn up the ol' stereo test and compare, they're the best I have so far. My Pro Ears Dimension 1's are a very close second, and have much higher sound amplification. Too much amplification can become a negative.

The new Tac 7's have better sound protection than my 20 yr. old Peltors (still working) and the sound quality is better. Amplification about the same. Simple 9V batt. keeps them running.

Hey, I'm with Vanya about John sharing his "secret" with the rest of us.:D
 
I use some cheap full ear ear muffs i got from my local shot and put those
bright orange ear buds for 50 cents in my ear on top of it. Cant hear a thing
and personally i have no worries of losing my hearing anytime soon with it :D
 
Would you care to share the brand and model number with us?
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Peltor Tactical 7 S. I bought it some years ago, probably from MidwayUSA.

I bought the gel pads separately from The Ear Plug SuperStore, a company which I recommend.

http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/lugeearpafor.html

The prices seem to have come down on the Peltors or maybe I didn't shop around very carefully because I recall paying over $160 for mine about 10 years ago. Also, I had either forgotten the price of the gel pads or they've come down as well.

Apparently you can buy the same combo for about $185 plus shipping these days.
 
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