Hearing protection in the field?

[rpenmanparker]

You see complaints in reviews about the Leight electronic muffs not providing sufficient protection for heavily loaded indoor pistol shooting. I don't disagree. I frankly only use the electronic muffs for a little help on top of really good foam plugs (-31 dB). IMO the main advantage of the electronic muffs is not hearing protection but rather amplification of the lower amplitude sounds so that you can give and take instruction and hear what is going on around you while at the range or in the field. But even only -22 dB extra protection is significant on top of the foam plugs, and the amplification is very worthwhile. The Leight Pro model is a little better at -30 dB, I think, but I sill always wear plug under them. I just can't mount my shotgun with the Pro model on. I'm hoping the Sports I have ordered will solve that problem.

 

[jmorris]

They don't bother you when shooting a long gun? Clacking against the stock? Interfering with cheek weld?

Not me. Amplified muffs do bother me when it’s windy enough to effect the sound, I turn them down or off if that’s the case.

 

[MCgunner]

I'm thinking he meant Tinnitus and not Tendonitis.

Yes, sorry, I need to look closer when I spell check. My fault, college educated illiterate.

 

[George P]

Yes, sorry, I need to look closer when I spell check. My fault, college educated illiterate.

It's all good.....

 

[SunnySlopes]

I'm thinking he meant Tinnitus and not Tendonitis.

Yes. I was being facetious.

I'm reminded of the movie Smoky and the Bandit and a police officer says to Jackie Gleason, "That's not germane to the conversation." Jackie Gleason said, "What's the ........ Germans got to do with it!!??"

 

[BigSteve57]

Valid points. According to the interwebs info, the chain saw produces 110dB which can damage hearing after 30 minutes, and the lawn mower produces 90dB which can damage hearing after 8 hours. According to the web. I use Leight Lite plugs whenever I do either for any length of time.

I've done the same for about the last 25 years. I wear plugs using a chain saw, lawn mower or wood chipper. I'll even use plugs when using an electric drill, sabre saw or circular saw or other power tools.

 

[George P]

Lawn mower, power washer or similar I use a pair of passive Peltor muffs (those big fat blue ones). The power washer is hardly noticeable from a sound perspective.

 

[bearcreek]

What do you use in the field?

Nothing. It's quite surprising how quiet a .44 Mag is out of a rifle with a 20 inch barrel.

 

[rpenmanparker]

Nothing. It's quite surprising how quiet a .44 Mag is out of a rifle with a 20 inch barrel.

Yep. Especially when you are deaf.

 

[Paul7]

I use low profile camo earmuffs in the field when hunting, worn around my neck and put on before the shot. I'd rather lose an animal than my hearing. Some say they don't notice it in the field, that doesn't mean you aren't damaging your hearing.

Plugs and muffs at the range, outside only.