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Noise-cancelling Ear Plug Advice
- Thread starter Camoman39
- Start date
Here is a good discussion on ear pro.
OTTO NoizeBarrier High-Definition Electronic Earplugs
OTTO’s NoizeBarrier High Definition Electronic Earplugs offer unsurpassed situational awareness and clear communication while also providing hearing protection from loud noises. The dual-mode NoizeBarrier earplugs offer active hearing protection as
www.botach.com
I have a feeling that a lot of people think that electronic hearing protection = noise cancelling hearing protection.
Just to be clear, noise cancelling (or active) hearing protection generates a sound signal that's equal (or nearly so) in amplitude and 180 degree out of phase with the ambient noise it detects. I know such exists in high end audio and communication headsets, but is there such a thing made for shooting?
The great majority of electronic ear pro does not have any active noise cancelling. They're just your standard passive earmuffs that simply attenuate sound and also have a built in amplifier that lets you better listen to conversation and normal noise while shutting off the amplification once the ambient noise reaches a certain level (typically 85 to 90 decibels).
Are those Otto earplugs actually active noise cancelling, or are they just fancy passive earplugs with amplification?
Just to be clear, noise cancelling (or active) hearing protection generates a sound signal that's equal (or nearly so) in amplitude and 180 degree out of phase with the ambient noise it detects. I know such exists in high end audio and communication headsets, but is there such a thing made for shooting?
The great majority of electronic ear pro does not have any active noise cancelling. They're just your standard passive earmuffs that simply attenuate sound and also have a built in amplifier that lets you better listen to conversation and normal noise while shutting off the amplification once the ambient noise reaches a certain level (typically 85 to 90 decibels).
Are those Otto earplugs actually active noise cancelling, or are they just fancy passive earplugs with amplification?
I use Walkers Bluetooth Silencers. Yes, carry on convo, hear range commands, shuts down when loud noise occurs.
Custom molded digital in ear changed my life. I know most don’t want to spend that much, but it is the first thing I tell my friends who are getting serious about shooting. The reason is that it changes your behavior. When I go to the range, I put them in the car and won’t take them out until I’m driving away. When I go hunting, I put them in when I walk out the door. They stay in until I’m back in the house. When you have that level of comfort paired with the ability to hear everything, you just keep them in and forget they’re there. I’ve gone to lunch, come back and didn’t realize they were still in.
I have been using axil products for the last few years. Their ghost stryke has up to 30 decibel attenuation and the foam ear pieces are extremely comfortable. https://www.goaxil.com/shop/hearing-protection/gs-digital-2/
i have them. The blue tooth isn’t that useful, I found it to be a pain with my iPhone. As ear plugs, they work pretty well. The electronics get a bit blurry in the wind.
Who’s custom ones are you running?
Yes!!! See my two reviews in this thread. I love my Ottos:
Never had an issue with the Bluetooth on my iPhoneXs. Use them while on the tractor, too. I had mine molded in customs by 1964Ears about mid summer. Made a huge difference.
Good point to call out. I've owned the Otto's and they are not noise canceling. They amplify ambient sound (two amplification levels) and for shooting, cut out at a preset db level.
I just started using a set of Walkers and first two trips shooting and so far I like them. Looking forward to using on next trip to SD for pheasant.
Yes, that's what they do. But those Ottos are seriously expensive. Not sure of the value......
I sold mine after using once. For me, the normal sound attenuation was too loud. The high sound attenuation would be good for hunting, but at at match, no way. There are no free lunches here.
I now use Surefire EP3 Sonic Defenders uncapped underneath Pelco 26 dB headsets. That way if I need to take the headset off momentarily, or if eye protection breaks muff seal significantly - I've still got some protection. At some matches, I could guarantee a close by muzzle brake shot would go off whenever I needed to adjust or take off my headset.
I’m using wildear Master series. It has a mode that enhances for hunting. I was pretty impressed the first time I could clearly hear pigs rooting that should have been well out of ear shot. I heard them before I even saw them.
Hearing Protection For Any Noise | WildEar
WildEar provides the most advanced technology in hearing protection and enhancement on the market.
www.wildear.com
I have a buddy using Ear inc. Those also seem really nice.
I also do quite a bit of upland hunting. It’s nice to be able to hear where the flush is happening.
I can't wear earmuffs when shooting any long arm that needs a solid cheekweld, like precision rifles or clay shotguns. In those instances cheapie foam plugs work because I know how to insert them properly to get the full benefit of their 30+ dB NRR,
I can wear muffs when shooting handguns and rifles equipped with LPVOs and RDS sights (since a perfect head position isn't critical), but only do so in the colder months. Shooting a USPSA match in the middle of summer with ear muffs is miserable as they get nasty from sweat in a hurry.
Only time I double up is when shooting indoors.
EAR Inc. SHOTHUNT series. If you look at the NRR rating on electronic muffs or earbuds, these are the best I've seen with a NRR rating of 32db. They are also NOT custom molded which is a perk. Custom molded anything will only fit your ears for so long, your ears and your nose NEVER stop growing. I have a custom molded set of ear plugs I had made in 2014 and I can't even wear them for 30 minutes anymore with them hurting a little. Unless you are one of a kind and your ear will never change throughout your life, custom molded isn't really the answer.
I've been running these SHOTHUNT's for 3 years now and they've changed my life.
Check them out before you buy anything else.
I've been running these SHOTHUNT's for 3 years now and they've changed my life.
Check them out before you buy anything else.
I have some custom plugs. Actually several pair. I was at a concert and though I already have hearing damage my ears were off the chart bad. Had new ones made. The old ones were made out of a latex base and had shrunk.
It was at that point I learned that 1) they stopped doing latex based and are now some silicone based (Westone/EAR) and that your ear canals change with your weight. Since I’m out of shape my plugs are now uncomfortable. These are musicians plugs but same concept applies to shooters plugs. Buy once isn’t really a good philosophy with plugs.
It was at that point I learned that 1) they stopped doing latex based and are now some silicone based (Westone/EAR) and that your ear canals change with your weight. Since I’m out of shape my plugs are now uncomfortable. These are musicians plugs but same concept applies to shooters plugs. Buy once isn’t really a good philosophy with plugs.
This is exactly right. Although I will admit I never knew about the weight changing your ear canal thing. My weight has always been pretty stable. So, that hasn't come up. I've had mine for a little over 2 years now and they are still going strong. When they crap out or the fit goes, I will definitely head to the audiologist for another mold and run them again.
I've been using ESP custom molded for many years now, about 25+. They are GREAT people to work with. If you need to get them rebuilt because of changes in your ear, they will work with you. I am on my third set.
www.espamerica.com
Lynn
Electronic Hearing Protection for Shooting | Electronic Earplugs
Take your shooting prowess to new heights with our range of electronic earplugs. Click here to explore the ultimate in electronic hearing protection.
www.espamerica.com
Lynn
I just picked up a set of Otto on sale for $329.98 at Botach - https://www.botach.com/otto-noizebarrier-high-definition-electronic-earplugs/
3m Peltor EEP-100, with Skull Screw Tip, together yield 30db noise reduction, I paid 170 for both off of Amazon, I freakin love these.
Where did you get your custom molded digital plugs? Been considering it, but not sure where to get them.
I had some non-digital made at a match in San Antonio (NSCA Sporting Clays) once and they did not fit well. Also, hurt my ears.
Did you feel they provide the same level of protection as over ear when shooting rifles?
Thanks
Yeah, why the fuck pay X2 for something else that looks to be the same exact thing........
That’s funny. I got my first non digital custom molded plugs at NSCA nationals in San Antonio. In my case, I went to a local audiologist to have molds created and then sent them into WildEar. They send you stuff to do the molds yourself. However, I opted to get the professionally done since I was spending the money on the plugs and wanted the best fit possible. In terms of protection, it depends on the quality of your over ear.
