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What type ear protection do you wear while firing a weapon?
- Thread starter Ala Dan
- Start date
I've worked as a concert sound engineer (live sound man) for years (still on call occasionally) and do alot of studio (record production) work now as well. My hearing is mucho importante to me. I didn't wear any protection at gigs (100-115dB continuous for 3+ hrs 3 times a week) for the first year I worked in the concert sound industry. When I stared into the sink that day and said to myself "you know...the running water just doesnt sound like it used to" I thought I was going to cry. I went out and got fitted for Etymotics Research (no url handy) custom plugs at the local hearing aid place. A little pricey at around $200, but the best $200 I've ever spent...bar none.
You can get 15 or 25dB filters (or both and switch them out), but for shooting, don't even bother with the 15's. I put them in when I get out of my car and take them off on the way back. They don't have the skewed frequency response that foam plugs have (foam plugs have more reduction in high frequencies than low, which make speech particularly hard to discern) and are super comfy. They go in and out with a thought and you never know they're there. Combine them with a nice comfy pair of muffs when you're on the line, and you're in great shape.
As a bonus, you can wear them to concerts, or other loud events, still hear a good tonal representation of the material and protect your hearing to boot.
The human ear hasn't had time to evolve protection mechanisms for the world we've created. Normal everyday noise exposure is causing damage, shooting is just off the charts. I doubt many TFL'ers are still using cotton...if you are: <SLAP> WAKE UP!! It doesn't work, and you don't "get used" to loud noises.
- gabe
You can get 15 or 25dB filters (or both and switch them out), but for shooting, don't even bother with the 15's. I put them in when I get out of my car and take them off on the way back. They don't have the skewed frequency response that foam plugs have (foam plugs have more reduction in high frequencies than low, which make speech particularly hard to discern) and are super comfy. They go in and out with a thought and you never know they're there. Combine them with a nice comfy pair of muffs when you're on the line, and you're in great shape.
As a bonus, you can wear them to concerts, or other loud events, still hear a good tonal representation of the material and protect your hearing to boot.
The human ear hasn't had time to evolve protection mechanisms for the world we've created. Normal everyday noise exposure is causing damage, shooting is just off the charts. I doubt many TFL'ers are still using cotton...if you are: <SLAP> WAKE UP!! It doesn't work, and you don't "get used" to loud noises.
- gabe
Dillon T6 (Peltor T6) with moldable foam ear plugs.
The cumulative effect of hearing loss is important. I was around F-105s, F-4s, F-15s and C-130s for years. Ear protection was sometimes overlooked on military flight lines thirty years ago. It is common practice to use it now. I sustained slow degradation at the high end from that. But, as far as shooting goes, a muzzle report is a blast of broad frequency, high amplitude sound that takes a toll on the spot. One day about six years ago, I was in a pickup bed with a camper shell on it, shooting out the back with a single shot .357 Max H&R rifle and forgot to put 'em on. Ouch! 'Went to the ear doctor and had sustained a 20 dB loss in both ears from 4-6K. Permanent. Also picked up a real noticeable case of Tinitis (sp?). Wonderful.
Wear it.
[This message has been edited by sensop (edited July 04, 2000).]
The cumulative effect of hearing loss is important. I was around F-105s, F-4s, F-15s and C-130s for years. Ear protection was sometimes overlooked on military flight lines thirty years ago. It is common practice to use it now. I sustained slow degradation at the high end from that. But, as far as shooting goes, a muzzle report is a blast of broad frequency, high amplitude sound that takes a toll on the spot. One day about six years ago, I was in a pickup bed with a camper shell on it, shooting out the back with a single shot .357 Max H&R rifle and forgot to put 'em on. Ouch! 'Went to the ear doctor and had sustained a 20 dB loss in both ears from 4-6K. Permanent. Also picked up a real noticeable case of Tinitis (sp?). Wonderful.
Wear it.
[This message has been edited by sensop (edited July 04, 2000).]
Always use ear muffs, eletronic for home defense, anytime you shoot. Also great protection while using power tools.
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If the priority of the archive over witnes accounts is given up, history ceases to be a science and becomes an art.
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If the priority of the archive over witnes accounts is given up, history ceases to be a science and becomes an art.
http://www.ety.com/tell/why.html