Good ear plugs

[Dr. Dickie]

Okay, I have a couple of sets of ear plugs that I use when shooting pistols, and they work just fine. However, when I shoot rifles (mostly .30-'06 and .308) I find that I need more protection, and use a pair of headphone muffs. They work just fine, except that I can not get a decent sight picture because the dang ear muff will not allow me to get my head in the right position.
Does anyone know of a good, sound deadening pair of ear plugs good enough for rifles? Or a pair of very small ear muffs that will not hinder getting cheek to stock?

 

[DragonFire]

I had my hearing checked last year, and while there I asked the doctor to make up a set of custom ear plugs for me. He put some kind of epoxy in each ear, and created form-fitting plugs for me. They weren't cheap, $75 or so, but they fit very well, are comfortable, and block alot of the noise. I think you can get this done by others besides a doctor for less, but I'm not sure the results are as good. (Since I suspected I already had some hearing problems, I decided to go with the doctor).


I sort of surprised by you find rifle shooter to be worse than pistol. I'm just the opposite. I'm fine with plugs while shooting rifles, but find I need a bit more with handguns.

 

[Nortonics]

AOSafety/Peltor - Indoor/Outdoor Range E-A-R® Plugs

I use 'em and love 'em. Get 'em at any Gander Mountain or the like.

 

[hossdaniels]

The cheap disposable foam plugs work better than anything else i've found, and you dont have the muffs to keep falling off or being uncomfortable.

 

[Dr. Dickie]

Thanks,
I will try them.

 

[ZeSpectre]

I also like the disposable plugs for a variety of reasons. They make them now that are up to 33dB of protection (as good as any muff) but they are stiffer and a little harder to get into the ear canal.

I buy a whole container at a time and throw it in my range bag. I use a new set about every second or third time plus I have plenty of extra to share if anyone else forgot their "ears" and needs a set.

It's important to find the noise reduction rating. I believe the acceptable standard right now is considered to be 24-31dB or better for indoor range shooting.

 

[DMK]

I buy a whole container at a time and throw it in my range bag. I use a new set about every second or third time plus I have plenty of extra to share if anyone else forgot their "ears" and needs a set.

Same here. I can't believe how many folks come to public ranges without ear protection or without a spare set for their kids or GF.

 

[Zak Smith]

I always wear the Howard Leight "MAX Leight" NRR 33 plugs. These are the most effective plugs I have found, and work better than my "custom molded" pair. I buy them in bulk from an industrial supply place online-- it comes to about $20 or 30 for 500 pair.

I often put a cheap pair of "Shotgunner" ear-muffs over the top, especially when shooting rifle.

 

[Mal H]

Zak took the words right out of my mouth! I also use the Howard Leight plugs and they work very well. I bought mine from Shannon Safety Products in PA. I seem to recall them being around $24 for a full box, including shipping.

 

[tegemu]

My ear Doctor insisted that I wear both ear plugs and muffs. You can buy thinline muffs, I use some when I fire long arms. My Doc also advised that the foam plugs are better than the expensive molded ones because, no matter if the shape of your ear changes (they do) or whether you have inserted them exactly as they were molded, the foam plugs will conform to your ear. There is a proper or best way to insert them too. Roll them up tightly, reach over your head and pull your ear up then insert the plug deeply into the ear. If you go too deep, such that they are irritating, back them out a tad. Then release the ear.

 

[Plain Old Bill]

Take my advice, please!

I spent 25 years as an licensed Occupational Hearing Conservationist. I want to assure you that plugs or muffs alone do NOT attenuate noise levels enough to prevent serious hearing damage in the repeated presence of noise such as gunfire.
I've always worn plugs (usually the most effective) with muffs on top. Take a look at your package- the NRR (noise reduction rating) will tell you how effective your protection is. Plugs generally hover at about 30; muffs a little less. Put together, they offer a significantly more effective level of protection.
If you shoot a lot, look into custom molded plugs, and use them with muffs- good muffs.
If you've a bit of money to spend, a good pair of electronic noise-cancelling muffs is a great investment.
Someday I'll go back to testing people's hearing- I'm waiting for these idiots with the big blaster car stereos to grow up (physically) and go deaf. It won't take long!