Ear protection

[F4 plt]

Another equipment question. I don’t really like to wear ear muffs when shooting rifle as they touch the comb on the rifle. I have resorted to ear plugs. The question does anyone use electronic ear plugs or if you use muffs which style

 

[nathan.s.]

I use the OTTOs that have been recommended on here before and I really like them. I use them on the range and when approaching a shot opportunity when I’m guiding and love them. You still can hear well enough to be aware of your surroundings enough to continue hunting.

There was a thread about this a week or so ago with some other options, you might look for that.

 

[akh223]

https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/earpro-for-scoped-rifles.6944813/

 

[avalanche]

I'm a fan of the 3M TEP-100's (or 200s) but I've found them less than reliable and their warrantee department sucks balls. They seem to have the best audio. However to get 30NRR you have to use the skull screws which literally feel like they screw into your brain.

I have some walker razor XV's which are not as good at hiding the wind noise, but are cheap and reliable. Have a neck band though.

My current favorites are the axil ghost strykes. Good NRR, very comfortable, and cheap as!

 

[98Vandal]

Take into account the type of rifle you're shooting (brake/no-brake) and use that to choose which type of hearing protection you're going to use. If you're shooting with a brake and the hearing protection you're using is reducing the noise signature by 25 dB, you're still likely to get significant noise and will inevitably experience permanent hearing loss. Most gunshots will range from 120 dB to 160 dB (and even higher depending upon the weapon fired). Reducing the noise signature from 160 dB will still give you an exposure of 135 dB so it won't be long before you're calling the people at "Miracle Ear." The effects of exposure to sound levels greater than 120 dB will not be felt immediately and people can lull themselves into a false sense of reality/security believing that their single hearing protection is shielding them from inevitable hearing loss.

Additionally, noise, being measured on a logarithmic scale, is misleading. A 3 dB increase (the inverse applies for a reduction) in noise level is literally a doubling of the noise intensity. Wearing plugs and muffs together, although not the most comfortable, is the best way to avoid permanent hearing loss.

 

[SMC21]

I had similar issue (maybe I have a weird shaped head) with the muffs hitting the comb and found it distracting.

I ended up getting the OTTO's and have had them for roughly a year.

1. They hold their charge all day (longest session was at a class with 5+ hrs of continuous use)
2. They recharge quickly in the carry case
3. No issues with functionality and instructions are simple
4. Able to hold normal conversation with them in
5. Effective sound reduction (used them at a 4-day course with 20+ shooters and had no problems)

Only issue so far is that the foam inserts that come with it lose effectiveness after a few uses, and need to be replaced. This is typical of most foam products and the replacements are cheap. In addition, there are a number of aftermarket inserts that offer increased performance and life.

 

[acronut]

I have been really happy with the Walker Silencer ear buds. I had a pair of Etymotic that I liked and worked well but I sent them through the washer and dryer in my range pants and killed them. At just over $100 instead of 300-400 I had to try the Walkers after a friend recommended them. I actually like the walkers better. They have an on off and volume control and come with a lot of options for fit. Down side to both of these is they use hearing aid batteries that on or off last about two weeks. They are cheap so not a deal breaker but something to be aware of. Finding the right plug that seals correctly but is still comfortable all day is the key. Lots of aftermarket options.

 

[Tony1320]

I was in the same boat as you I have been using foam earplugs for a while because my cheap electronic headset would get in the way of my cheek weld. I asked here and many shooters and ended up ordering a set of MSA Sordins and I will still use foam earplugs under them. I was between the OTTO's or Sordins but after doing some research I found the electronic earplugs alone are not enough to prevent hearing loss

 

[Dougie308]

Got some Walker Razors after reading this thread. They are very good. Solid noise protection, slim enough to get a cheek weld, and active noise compression is nice.

Another equipment question. I don’t really like to wear ear muffs when shooting rifle as they touch the comb on the rifle. I have resorted to ear plugs. The question does anyone use electronic ear plugs or if you use muffs which style

 

[BookHound]

I had custom plugs fitted and there really is no better ear protection as far as plugs or muffs go. These cancel the most noise. However, even using these I lost a significant amount of hearing by shooting braked rifles in competition for a couple years. The damage I sustained was concussive damage. It literally comes through the facial structure to attack the tiny and fragile structures in your ears. I went back to running suppressors for that reason.

I have some more info on that here....

Why I Use a Suppressor – Accurate Ordnance

Trust me, at some point in life you will look back on all those times when you made bad decisions with some regret. I sure wish I had better protected my hearing. Years of playing drums, shooting guns, blowing stuff up, etc. all without ear protection has added up.

Best regards.

 

[Novak77]

I run Peltor ComTacs and the wife runs MSA Sordins. Both are excellent, however as others have pointed out, you might want to use foam plugs too.

 

[Jimgal62]

I run Peltor ComTacs and the wife runs MSA Sordins. Both are excellent, however as others have pointed out, you might want to use foam plugs too.

I also run MSA Sordins and have no problem with cheek weld.

Sometimes I also add gel plugs when the other rifles at the range have a loud brake.

 

[12Bravo]

I've been using the same pair of David Clark 10A earmuffs for over 25 years. Had to replace the sound absorbing foam & ear seals a few times, but they work for me and are nearly indestructible. I don't know if my head is narrow, but they have never bothered me when shooting rifles in any position.

 

[F4 plt]

Has anyone tried or is using the Axil Custom Edge 360 digital ear plugs, pricy but appear to be excellent quality and custom fit for your ear and your hearing

 

[SonicBurlap]

E.A.R. Inc. Hear Defenders, custom plugs shut out the noise but let you still hear conversations and range commands. Way better than Uncle Sam's orange Christmas trees or El Cheapo foam, less cumbersome than Mickey Mouse muffs, and no electronic static, or interference from regular electronic devices as with some of the expensive electronic plugs.

 

[slowlearner]

I’ve run MSA Sordins over Surefire plus. With the electronics it helps me still hear all commands clearly.

But even then, running a brake inside tubes or buildings wears on you. I now run a suppressor full time. The weight and moving it around is well worth the exchange to feel a little less beat up at the end of the day. And, I find my rifle balances a bit better too.

 

[MyPseudo]

TBAC suppressor is what I use .

 

[la angler]

I shoot shotgun with plugs in but use muffs for rifle or pistol work.

 

[mrtoyz]

OTTO for all the reasons above

 

[1JoeVandal]

Take into account the type of rifle you're shooting (brake/no-brake) and use that to choose which type of hearing protection you're going to use. If you're shooting with a brake and the hearing protection you're using is reducing the noise signature by 25 dB, you're still likely to get significant noise and will inevitably experience permanent hearing loss. Most gunshots will range from 120 dB to 160 dB (and even higher depending upon the weapon fired). Reducing the noise signature from 160 dB will still give you an exposure of 135 dB so it won't be long before you're calling the people at "Miracle Ear." The effects of exposure to sound levels greater than 120 dB will not be felt immediately and people can lull themselves into a false sense of reality/security believing that their single hearing protection is shielding them from inevitable hearing loss.

Additionally, noise, being measured on a logarithmic scale, is misleading. A 3 dB increase (the inverse applies for a reduction) in noise level is literally a doubling of the noise intensity. Wearing plugs and muffs together, although not the most comfortable, is the best way to avoid permanent hearing loss.

Good post! Not many people recognize the difference between logarithmic and arithmetic units and think that their single hearing protection is going to save them. Like you said above, if you're staring with a gun that generates a 160 dB noise signature and your hearing protection is rated at 27 dB you're still well above the OSHA standard for single hearing protection and need double. It's just not cool wearing double though. Huh, what'd you say??????????