Electronic Hearing Protection

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dh1633pm

dh1633pm

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I was doing some research on electronic hearing protection. There was a very good thread in 2011 that covered a lot of bases. Have a set now and one side choose to not work anymore. What are the professionals using? Those who do range work for a living or work around the loud noises. I checked out the reviews on midway and amazon still undecided.

I don't mind paying for things of value, but don't want to purchase more than I need. I like the electronic ones since I can still hear things. I did see a lot of comments about the Peltor Brand. Cheek weld is important since I shoot mostly rifles. Shotguns now and then.

Thanks ahead of time for your advice.
 
I use the Walker Apha muff for hunting, but they do break down. For shooting at the indoor range, I use the non-electronic. Decibel Defense, rated at 37db reduction. Electronic sometimes lack in true decibel reduction, a lot of them are around 29db.
 
Thanks JeffG. Was there a specific model that you use? At the indoor I wear double. Gets really loud inside. And thanks for the response.
 
I just got a set of these and if you're looking for traditional augmented hearing protection, they work well (I am in no way affi8laiated with this company):

ghostStrykeessential1000x1000_1.jpg

https://www.goaxil.com/collections/...-universal-hearing-protection-and-enhancement

Then I decided that, since I use BT to and from work, might as well have built-in hearing protection as well, so I got these:

btEarPro1000x1000.jpg

These work really well (once you RTFM)


Shipping is really fast with this company and they offer an extended waranty option.


https://www.goaxil.com/collections/featured-products/products/bt-ear-pro
 
SharpDog said:
I just got a set of these and if you're looking for traditional augmented hearing protection, they work well (I am in no way affi8laiated with this company):

View attachment 789516

https://www.goaxil.com/collections/...-universal-hearing-protection-and-enhancement

Then I decided that, since I use BT to and from work, might as well have built-in hearing protection as well, so I got these:

View attachment 789517

These work really well (once you RTFM)


Shipping is really fast with this company and they offer an extended waranty option.


https://www.goaxil.com/collections/featured-products/products/bt-ear-pro
Click to expand...

Do you listen to music with the bluetooth set? How's the sound on them?

Currently when I mow I use a set of earbuds to listen to music and then ear muffs over that for hearing protection, but it get's hot in the summer and I'd love to get a set of bluetooth earbuds that offer hearing protections. But I'm a bit of a sound snob when it comes to headphones.
 
bassjam said:
Do you listen to music with the bluetooth set? How's the sound on them?

Currently when I mow I use a set of earbuds to listen to music and then ear muffs over that for hearing protection, but it get's hot in the summer and I'd love to get a set of bluetooth earbuds that offer hearing protections. But I'm a bit of a sound snob when it comes to headphones.
Click to expand...

Yes, Pandora. The sound is really good. I moved from a set of $110 wired ear buds to these BT ones. Maybe these have slightly less bass response but overall really good. This way, as a CCW, I always have my ears on (also my normal glasses are shooting glasses).
 
I really like JeffG's suggestion. It was really good for over the ear protection. It also had good reviews. I went with the in-ear because sometimes in the summer when I remove my hearing protection my ears are all sweat. My old ones interfered when shot sporting clays which I do once a month in the summer. Thanks Sharpdog.
 
I’m comfortable with muffs and bought the Howard Leight upper model for my Front Sight training course. Electronic hearing protection is required there so that the students can hear the instructors and still have protection. Worked great by itself outdoors. At the indoor range I wear foam plugs under them and can still hear my surroundings. I am very happy with them. Price was right on Amazon, only about $50. The more expensive types do not have better specifications.
 
Some neat new toys to investigate in this thread. I have two pairs of Peltor Tac-7s that are over 10 years old and going strong, so I have no need for anything new ... but I am very intrigued by the in-ear options available today that didn't exist when I bought the Peltors. One thing I like about the muffs is that they also keep your ears warm when the temps are sub-freezing! But I think I'll check out some of the newer devices posted in this thread.
 
Like the part about over the ears keeping your ears warm. That they do. Won't be giving up those. Just needed something better. My news ones came in. Haven't taken them to the range yet, but them seem to work. Going to mow the lawn now and try them out. Its 80 or so out. We'll see.
 
I played with these at home and the range. Don't like them. They are connected by a cord that goes behind your next. Then you can't reach the controls easily. They do not keep my ears from ringing. The fit isn't that great. They have a cool factor, but not in my opinion a go factor. They come with multiple ear fittings. Some where too big and the small ones too small. The foam ones pop out of my ear all the time. I am sending them back. Back to the drawing board.
 
dh1633pm said:
don't want to purchase more than I need
Click to expand...

How is the best protection anything but what you need when it comes to your hearing? ;)

Howard Leight electronic muffs over properly inserted foam or custom plugs provide the best protection you can get without paying the extra for MSA/Sordin muffs.

I can't trust the dB reduction numbers on the Axil product since foam covers like those shown simply can't provide the noise reduction they're claiming. As a safety professional for over 25 years I've handled a LOT of different hear protection devices and attended many seminar on products. Looking at all the other 30+ dB NRR foam plugs out there, they bear no resemblance to the foam covers on the Axil product. Effective foam ear plugs have to be rolled to fit well into the ear canal. You can't do that with the Axils. I'd want to see the European SNR test numbers (US NRR allows the manufacturer to do the testing while the European SNR is certified independently) before buying them as hearing protection devices.
 
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Thanks hso. I found that to be true. They either didn't fit good or I had to stuff them into my ears only to have the quickly work out. Didn't like them. I am now looking for over the ear. I wanted something that didn't intefere as much with cheek weld. I will look at your suggestion. You certainly are good with Knives. Any particular model that you like?
 
Pistol only or long gun as well?

I always use plugs under electronic muffs. I've used the Peltors, but now use the Howard Leight Impact Sports (I'm still too cheap to spring for Sordins even though I'll spend as much on a knife). ;) Good foam plugs properly inserted and the dependable muffs from a respected industrial hearing protection manufacturer are the way to go.

I always recommend buying products from the large industrial hearing protection manufacturers with products in the US, Australia and Europe. The independent testing requirements in Europe provide better confidence in the actual attenuation numbers and the quality control of the professional companies provide greater assurance of the consistency of products (although counterfeiters like to make copies of these products for the same reason).
 
Thanks. I shoot almost all rifle. Occasionally shotgun. I will figure out something. I don't mind paying for what I need.
 
I am going to look a bit when I get back from my current trip to Texas. I will look at the Howard Leight Impact Sports models. I am sure I will find something. I found the best way to find something good usually is to ask around. Hence the post. I appreciate all the comments. I got notice from Axil that they have received my RMA.
 
The HL Impact Sport is only 22 dB NRR. That isn't much, even over plugs.
I have the HL Impact Pro at 30 dB, but they are not real comfortable on my head, so I wear them only when it is essential to hear conversation. Otherwise it is passives which are quiet, light, and inexpensive.
The highly touted Sordins are not very quiet, 19 dB.
Pro Ears can be had at 30 dB with good comfort and good sound, but a friend got tired of sending them in to be fixed.
 
I have a pair of Howard Leight Impact Pros (electronic, NRR = 30) and a pair of custom InstaMold plugs (NRR = 29).

I got the muffs a few years ago. I like them a lot. I got the InstaMolds about 6 months ago.

When I got the InstaMolds I figured I'd use them all the time, abandoning the Impact Pros. But that has not turned out to be the case. I get into situations where I need to hear conversations - and for that I use the Impact Pros. The downsides of them 1/ they aren't particularly comfortable for long periods of time and 2/ I have to adjust them so they run kind of high on my ear so they don't touch the stock (rifle). The InstaMolds are incredibly comfortable. When I'm at the range alone and go downrange I don't even take them out. And I obviously don't have to worry one iota about interference with the stock. But they do block out so much, especially if I'm in a shooting lane where the majority of the firing line is behind my back, I can't hear when people are wanting to call a cold range. One one occasion I was in the far right shooting lane (I'm right handed) so the whole line was behind me. Someone had to walk up to me and tap me on the shoulder to get my attention.
 
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