Ear Muffs with best decibel reduction?

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Orion8472

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Please post your opinions on which ear muffs have the best decibel reduction. Thanks!
 
Ears are different. The “best” anything for one person isn’t going to be the best for another.

I keep an assortment that I restock as folks pick and choose.


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The ones outside the case that were made by my ENT doctor work so well I have to have the guy with the shot timer hold it to my head or I can’t hear it.
 
I wear hearing aids. I don't need anymore hearing loss. My Walker Alpha 360 are rated at 24 db reduction. ok for hunting, not the range. My search for the best muffs came up with these: I cut apart an add to show them here, so as not to promote any one site selling them. My audiologist approved.


Professional Safety Ear Muffs by Decibel Defense - 37dB NRR - The HIGHEST Rated & MOST COMFORTABLE Ear Protection for Shooting & Industrial Use

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The only issue with those HUGE muffs that are in the mid to high 30s for NRR is you can't shoot rifles comfortably.

What's the highest NRR a set of low profile muffs can get? The highest I see is 25...
 
If you wear glasses, the arms break the seal and the protection level is somewhat diminished. But we also need eye protection, so it's a compromise.

One reason why softer cups are better. The stiffer the cup-covering material, the less they conform to the arms of the glasses to close up the break in the seal.

And plugs under the muffs really help. Of course, you have to know how to insert plugs properly to get anything like the rated reduction out of them.
 
I know this is a thread about muffs, but I see many, many shooters who simply have no idea how to properly use the foam plugs. Every pair of muffs is made more effective with properly worn plugs. Here is a short video from the maker of a popular brand of foam plugs. I am posting it as a public service for anyone who comes across this thread and simply doesn't know how to get the most out of disposable plugs... note especially the "trick" that starts at about 0:45.

 
I would estimate that at least 90% of the people I see putting in foam plugs at shooting ranges do it wrong. I was among them until I stumbled across a similar video. The difference in efficacy is amazing. Bonus: the plugs will never again work their way loose. Pull the ear canal straight, then letting it return to its bent contour once the plug is in basically pinches the plug in place. It ain't going nowhere 'lessin you pull on it.
 
Years ago someone taught me to squeeze them down before putting them in, and to make sure they were in far enough, but the trick to hold your finger over them to help them stay in deep while expanding is new to me. I kind of sort of been doing that though. Definitely not 10 seconds though. I use muffs, or muffs and plugs, but rarely just plugs these days.
 
I use these. Pretty foolproof in how you insert them.

I wear plugs for a couple of reasons.

1. I only shoot outdoors and at my personal range. So I’m not dealing with the same amount of noise that indoor ranges produce.

2. You won’t catch me outside in the summer without my straw cowboy hat casting shade on me, and muffs don’t work well with a cowboy hat.

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I've seen several different brands on Amazon, and most of them have negative reports of "not being to the dB rating they claimed". the Decibel Defense is one of them.

I may pick up a pair of 3M or Howard Leight.

Has anyone had success with Walkers?

I wonder if most of the effective dB reduction has to do with the part that fits next to the head? The seal seems to be the most important part, so a pair with the most flexible ear pieces might be best.
 
If you wear glasses, the arms break the seal and the protection level is somewhat diminished. But we also need eye protection, so it's a compromise.
Three-part solution:
  • plugs under muffs
  • large, cushy ear pads
  • glasses with wire arms
The first one adds an extra layer of protection; the second two improve the seal to the point of "not perfect but good enough."
 
Quietest non-electronic muffs are my Clear Armor pair,
I have a pair of those and like them a lot, easier to store in a small bag, but for me the 3M pair I linked to are a bit better for pure noise reduction.

I keep a pair of the Clear Armors in a little bag with my P-365 and some ammo.
 

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I like the Willson NRR 26 dB, red circled plugs, for under muffs.
They dont require holding in place for 30 seconds like the orange pair. Even if i hold them for 30 seconds, they still back out.
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I've seen several different brands on Amazon, and most of them have negative reports of "not being to the dB rating they claimed". the Decibel Defense is one of them.

I may pick up a pair of 3M or Howard Leight.

Has anyone had success with Walkers?

I wonder if most of the effective dB reduction has to do with the part that fits next to the head? The seal seems to be the most important part, so a pair with the most flexible ear pieces might be best.

Yes, for hunting. The are rated at 24db. Completely inadequate for indoor ranges, or extended range fire.
 
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