Would you use Active Hearing Protection during a Home Invasion?

J

jg0001

New member
Subject says it all...

Is it worthwhile to keep ready a set of electronic muffs with the night-table gun? For example, I own a set of Peltor Swat Tac II's (very similar to the ComTacs, but in black). They amplify soft noises and muffle loud noises. I still assume that you'd ready your weapon first and then put on the muffs thereafter. Obviously, I also assume that this is a scenario where you "hear something" not where someone is already looming over you. [If it matters, for my particular setup, my bedroom is the farthest room from the entryway (stairs/door) and I keep the bedroom door locked at night.]

I can't see how this would be a negative... before any shots are fired, the sound amplification should help me considerably; assuming any shots are fired, after that first "boom" my hearing should be better than the intruder's, unless they brought ear plugs.

[As an aside, I realize the other best 'weapon' to have in a potential encounter is a telephone to alert the police. The wife would be doing that in my case.]

Would your answer change if I was shooting 9mm instead of 45ACP?

Thoughts?
 
Sure, why not? But you have to insert finding them and putting them on in your training.

As far as the caliber, neither are really bad. .357 mag, .357 Sig, .38 Super, THAT's where it starts to hurt.
 
Stay alert - Stay alive

Worry about your ears later.

If a little hearing damage is the worst of your concerns you did pretty good. I am not familiar with the electronic muffs, but it looks like they give Mr Murphy a lot to work with they could fail, batteries die, slip so that they cover your eyes etc etc etc. Less is often more If you are in a defensive posture and time is of the essence, you don't want to be fooling around with muffs.
 
Sure. Keep them with the gun and flashlight. They offer an added advantage beyond preserving hearing. Most of them amplify sounds so you have bionic hearing. It could give you the edge.
 
Given the variables you listed, readying the gun first, etc., why not have a set handy. I have Peltors that I use for training, target practice, etc. I don't think it is a terrible idea, I just wouldn't have it high on the list of priorities. As for others, the poster appears to be trying to ask a legitimate question as he sees it, so give him a legitimate answer. Don't be a jerk.
 
Problem is, many electronic muffs aren't true stereo. For example, my friend's Peltor 6s has side to side stereo, but I couldn't tell if someone was approaching from behind. I could *hear* it, just not discern if he was to my left or right.

Just a thought.
 
if someone is sneaking around your house, you might need your hearing. I've always pictured myself going around the house with my gun wearing my boxers...and thats all.:cool:
 
Strangely, my wife just bought me one of those $15 Loud 'N Clear sound amplifiers as "seen on TV". Think she's tired of me asking if she hears anything as if the dogs wouldn't pick it up first. Turns out the thing works pretty good. I'd certainly hear if anybody were moving around downstairs at night. Gotta remember to take the silly thing off before I shoot...a 115 db boost could be painfull.. :D

Milspec
 
Problem is, many electronic muffs aren't true stereo. For example, my friend's Peltor 6s has side to side stereo, but I couldn't tell if someone was approaching from behind. I could *hear* it, just not discern if he was to my left or right.
Click to expand...

It may depend on how they are set or perhaps just on how well the company does it. I have 2 sets from Radians, one hearing aid style and one earmuff style. I wear them both for hunting and I can easily tell direction with both. Front/Back and Left/Right.

So far as wearing them in a HD situation, sure, if they were right there and I could get them on without putting myself in danger. In reality, I don't keep them right there so, no.
 
It’s a legitimate question, give the guy a break. I have a pair of muffs right beside my weapon; they actually help my hearing because I have hearing damage and tinnitus. Reaction time is the big question; if you have the time put them on.
 
All smartass answers aside I don't see what it would hurt but that's an extra thing to try to remember while your heart's beating fast and you're nervous. Also unless you can do some really ninja stuff you'd have to lay down your gun (assuming you are a normal guy who doesn't sleep fully dressed with a Serpa holster on at the ready) to put your ears on.

An extra step during a moment of anxiety and uncertainty? Putting your gun down also?

I'd rather just go see what was up if you could safely investigate. But I guess it seems like a reasonable enough precaution. I'd personally prefer to skip that and use those seconds to clear up that anxiety and uncertainty. To each his own. Stay safe.
 
Too dim to spend brain-cycles on ear protectors?

Putting ear protectors on takes very little time, if that's part of your practice. Keeping your gun, flashlight, cell phone and ear protectors on your nightstand - and figuring which items to pick up - shouldn't overwhelm the capacity of a normal brain, even under high stress. You know, in the army we somehow figured how upon alarm in the dead of the night to get up, fully dress, pick the complete assortment of weapons, get out of the barracks and get busy - all under 30 seconds.

If there is an intrusion - of course your first priority is to survive it (and the potential firefight). But assuming you do survive - wouldn't you rather escape unscathed - including avoiding hearing loss - especially if it's trivially easy to accomplish?

Now of course if you would prefer survival with busted ears to survival with ears intact - who am I to argue. For myself - I can space both the expense for electronic ear protectors and the time&efforts to train with them.
 
Think about it Cop's are more than likely to get into a SD shooting than John Q. How many cops do you see with ear plug/muffs on duty. Part of situational awareness is being able to hear where the bad guy is before he is a threat and ear plugs defeat that. A little hearing imparement is better than a big coffin. Also the ammount of noise from a SD shooting is negligable.
 
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