Would you use Active Hearing Protection during a Home Invasion?

Part of situational awareness is being able to hear where the bad guy is before he is a threat and ear plugs defeat that.

Re-read the OP. I'm not talking plugs nor regular muffs. I'm talking Peltor Swat Tac II's... very similar to Com Tac II's. The same thing many in the military choose to wear. They BOOST low level sounds while auto-muffling louder noises.
 
jgoo1,

Nice idea but save your breath. If you notice most of the naysayers do not indicate that they have any experience using electronic muffs, only smart assed remarks.

It indeed is a good idea, as the sound amplification gives a definite advantage listening for target indicators that may give you input as to what you are going to be up against before you actually engage. As well as helping to locate your target/s.

If you haven't tried them, do so, you may find a new item for your defensive setup.

Oh and by the way, many Military units and Police SWAT teams are being issued Electronic headphones for all the advantages listed.
 
If I could figure out which ones to get, I'd have electronic muffs and I'd probably keep them in the bedside safe just in case.

If I don't have the time/inclination to use 'em then so be it but I really like having options and the thought of touching off a .40 S&W round indoors without ear protection induces enough cringe that I wonder if it'd make me hesitate in a critical situation.

(so I'll accept any recommendations for good quality electronic earmuffs)
 
From my bedroom out to the living room is a long hallway; a shot fired in there would resonate in a bad way, I'd imagine. Multiple shots and it could be disorienting. Being shielded from that would provide an advantage, I would think, especially in the situation if multiple shots were fired. Obviously, the likelihood of ANY of this happening is very low, but that doesn't keep many of us from being prepared in the first place. Keeping my elecmuffs out and ready is no biggee for me. Whether I choose to take the time to put them on or not would obviously depend on the situation.

For those concerned about the 'extra time', consider this -- is it not possible that you'd "hear something" suspicious and begin your hunkering down process? Wouldn't that also assume there was a time gap between that first sound you hear and someone actually being a threat to you? Obviously, if someone busts open the door to the room you are in and that is the first warning to you that something bad is happening, well, just be happy if you can get your gun out. It was my understanding that the safest thing to do in the case were you are nearly certain you are under siege is to play defense... i.e. don't seek out the danger, wait for it to come to you (if at all), and be ready to respond.

FWIW, I have not ever heard a shot without protection, so am not sure of how loud and/or disorienting it would really be.
 
(so I'll accept any recommendations for good quality electronic earmuffs)

Peltor ComTac II
or
Peltor SwatTac II

The SwatTac's are barely different from the ComTac's, with the exception of being black instead of brown(ish). There is one other difference for additional wiring, but it is minor. Pricewise, they are about the same.

Both of the above are without a doubt fantastic and receive ringing (inverse pun) endorsements from those in the military as well as hunters and mere range runners (I'm in that last category). Both are designed to fit well under a helmet (i.e. the outside of the muff part is flattened, not a big bubble as with usual muffs) and also to be easier to use with a rifle (again, due to the lack of a big bubble around your ears).

When looking these up online, you will see some wild prices. Usually the ridiculously high prices are because you are seeing them paired up with additional radio gear (mics, etc).

I bought my set for a great price at:
http://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/product/Peltor-SwatTac-II-Electronic-Headset-Covert-Black.html
*edited to fix link above*

[to read user reviews, search for the "peltor comtac II" at amazon.com; there's a lot more feedback there]
 
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Home protection

Kevlar gloves, steel toed bunny slippers, fall protection harness(keep OSHA happy) and make sure it's all "tactical".
 
If there was enough time to put 'em on, sure, I'd put on some active earmmuffs. I read somewhere that the boom of gunfire, especially inside a house, will be very disorienting and might well reduce how effectively you can aim and fire. Active earmuffs can do away with that, and can help you hear better before anything happens, or during a fight, too. If you have time and presence of mind to put them on, do it.

That said, I have a set in my range bag but that stays in the closet at night. Between a phone, a nightstand gun, and a flashlight, I already have enough stuff to haul in and out when going to bed and getting up in the morning. I think the muffs would be nice to have if I ever had to use a gun in self-defense, but not so nice I'll go out of my way every night for the next 20 or 30 years to keep them at the ready.
 
I say keep them with the weapon, worst case scenario, you don't have time to put them on and DO have to fire your weapon, hearing damage. Best scenario, put them on and realize it is a racoon in the trash!!! Great idea by the way.
 
If somebody has invaded my home the last thing I am going to reach for is ear protection.

If someone invades my home it won't be the first thing I reach for, but IF I have time I'll put mine on. They're strategically located near the place where I'd make my "stand", next to my 870.

Circumstances might allow me to use them. Might not. Might allow me to jump out of bed, might not. I don't have a crystal ball to tell me exactly how things will transpire, but Electronic hearing is part of the bag of tricks.

I can hear a Canary breathing at 30 ft. with my Peltiers--or Bubba sneaking along inside my house no matter how quiet he tries to be. Not just about hearing protection.
 
I can hear a Canary breathing at 30 ft. with my Peltiers--or Bubba sneaking along inside my house no matter how quiet he tries to be. Not just about hearing protection.
More importantly (to me anyway) is that after the first shot you'll still be able to hear what's going on. My one and only shot indoors without hearing protection left me totally deaf for nearly a minute and severely hearing impaired for about half an hour.

It's certainly not the first thing I'd go for, but if there were time and I could gather my thoughts enough to remember it I would use it. I have a set readily available. Realistically I kind of doubt that I would even remember they're there in a real emergency.
 
Ear_Muffs.jpg


Dont forget the dog..
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Does it make sense to wear electronic hearing protection while anticipating gunfire in confined, enclosed spaces? Yes. You may not perceive the need, be able to afford it, or have time to don it, or statistically need it; but it makes sense non the less.
 
I want a pair badly, and not just for the range. They will be positioned next to my nightstand weapon, expressly for the I think somebody's in the house scenario, rather than the door crashing in with heavy footsteps sound. The latter, of course, doesn't provide much time for donning earmuffs.

I've been looking online for quality e-muffs, and plan to purchase this year.
 
ElectricHellfire,

Possibly you didn't understand the question. We are not discussing passive hearing protection (plugs, normal muffs), but active hearing protection (electronic muffs), which would not only allow you to hear the intruder but would actually enhance your hearing capabilities.

Agree that I'd rather be alive & deaf than dead. So would we all. But your comment is not really appropos to the topic.

pax
 
I have a outer gun belt w/ holster, mag pouch, knife and flashlight. Next to it is my proears and loaded shotgun. Loaded hand gun is a lot closer to the bed. If something needs investigating, likely I'll spend 10 secs putting the belt and ears on and switch to the shotgun. If dogs are going nuts and clear sounds of intruder, pistol in hand and a call to 911 if possible.

I hope it never happens but expect it to be dynamic. Having a plan and the means to carry out that plan is a good start. I think electronic ears give you an advantage provided you train with them. That is, know you're home's sounds with them on. That sound of someone moving might just be your fridge. ;)
 
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