Hearing protection poll

[Markbo]

I read on THR with disturbing regularity how many people talk about their ears ringing after shooting. Obviously there is a disconnect with hearing protection and safety. For my own edification I am starting this poll just to see what everyone really does. Don't worry about being chastised.

There is no blame, fault, flaming expected nor allowed. Your choices are not being made public, though of course you can add whatever comments you want. I will shut this down if flaming starts because I want realy, honest answers. I just want to know how many shooters are doing what.

Also, numbers 9 and 10 can be voted on in addition to your first answer if you want to make a stronger statement. I would much prefer and appreciate your first answer be within the age groups category

Thanks for participating

 

[7mmRemMag]

Depends what I am shooting.
22lr no ear protection
.223 depends on how many I plan on shooting
12 ga also depends, after one box I usually stick em in
7mm Rem I suggest the neighbors have earplugs too


This also depends on If someone else is shooting next to me.
If they have a 22lr rifle then no but if they have a pistol yes

 

[boomer1911a1]

I almost checked 100% Always, but maybe hunters need to hear the game. Wouldn't know, as I don't hunt very often myself... make that "not in 20 years."

My hearing is going as it is, so I wear earplugs at the drop of a hat: music events, motorcycling, lawn mowing... You can't get it back when it's gone.

But maybe after a few years of stem-cell research...

 

[fletcher]

When inside, I double up on hearing protection - plugs and muffs. When outside, I use one or the other.

 

[MiddleAgedKen]

I double up, even outside. When I begin hunting, I'll probably go with noise cancelling headphones alone (or maybe earplugs alone, have to experiment a little). I've been a musician for 30 years, and at stage volume I've always worn earplugs (and at most rehearsals, and a lot of shows I've attended as opposed to played).

 

[Slugless]

I voted always but outdoors with long barreled .22 rifles, esp. with subsonic ammo I won't bother. That's a pretty specific low noise application. I don't wear HP during the occasional rabbit hunt - single shot of .22.

The older I get, the more conservative I get. Lately muff + plugs.

 

[Sheldon J]

Heck Strep Throat killed over 40 DB of my hearing in a little over two days, I have to protect what is left.

 

[The Annoyed Man]

I actually have, in route to me at this moment, a set of EP-3 Sonic Defenders ear plugs coming from Surefire.com. I often experience ringing in my ears - I am at this very moment - but part of it is due to medications that I take daily. When I went hunting last, I wore ear plugs to fire a zeroing shot, but while actually in the blind, I wore none because I wanted to be able to hear as much as I could. I figured that one shot from my .308 with unprotected ears would not permanently ruin my hearing.

I'm also going to try out a pair of Radians Enhanced ear plugs which actually amplify lower decibel noises, and kill sounds over 50 db. They are pricey, but they might solve the hunting problem, actually making my hearing keaner for quieter sounds while protecting my ears from muzzle blast.

Like MiddleAgedKen, I am a musician, so protecting my hearing is an ongoing concern. Our band uses Aviom boxes and I wear in ear plugs which pretty much cut the stage sound out and allow me to set my own mix and master volume levels. It's a God send.

 

[Nomad101bc]

Almost always wear em cept hunting small game. Honestly how much hearing damage can a .410 shot gun cause? I remember when we did M16 qualifications we weren't even issued ear protection you had to ask.

Yeah jam sessions with the drummer and my guitar amp that literaly shakes things without hearing protection is probably the greatest threat to my hearing.

 

[strat81]

Lost too much hearing as a teenager playing the drums. I protect what I have now.

 

[TAB]

Allways plugs and muffs at the range. 22s out plinking, plugs or muffs. While hunting plugs.

 

[sierrabravo45]

I always double wrap it.

Custom Molded in ear plugs than a Pair of larger Peltors over the outside, for trap I use a slimmer pair of berettas.

 

[The Annoyed Man]

I had no sooner posted the above, than UPS rang my doorbell and delivered the EP-3 Sonic Defender ear plugs. I'm wearing them right now. It's kind of cool. I can hear the egg frying in a pan about 15-20 ft to my right, but I can hardly hear my fingers snapping right next to my ear.

 

[Unisaw]

I always wear ear muffs when shooting, when mowing the lawn, and when using power tools. Even with that, I'm starting to lose the ability to hear high-frequency noises as I age.

 

[ChickenHawk]

I almost checked 100% Always, but maybe hunters need to hear the game.

I voted 100%.

Wear electonic muffs and you'll hear game and other outdoor sounds even better, but still have ear protection!

ChickenHawk

 

[K3]

At the range, always. Foamies + muffs.

Hunting, I only wear them when varmint hunting at night when it's NOT my turn on the rifle.

 

[hso]

With what we know about hearing damage in the shooting sports today why would anyone not use hearing protection?

 

[BobbyQuickdraw]

I live in a city and thus shoot indoors and range rules are hearing protection. When I'm outdoors, sometimes I'll shoot a few rounds without hearing protection because outdoors its not as loud and in most situations (hunting, defense) I wouldn't take the time to put on ear gear.

 

[xds&gsps]

I wear them %100 at the range at 28 years old I have started hearing a buzzing sound in my right ear w/certain tones. I wear a plug in my right ear while hunting as it takes the brunt of the noise from gun.

 

[kamagong]

I always when shooting. I double up, plugs and muffs. I don't know if it's necessary, but I want to keep my hearing so I figured it's better to play it safe.

 

[TX1911fan]

Always at the range, usually never for pheasant or dove hunting.

 

[Eightball]

When hunting, I don't intend to take more than one shot.....but often times, reality sets in, and I might need a second shot.

For two rounds, I can do without it--helps me hear the game, and from whence they're coming.

For every other application, I use plugs--no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Once I get the money for a good set of electronic ear protection, I'll wear it hunting.

 

[DFW1911]

Always!

Thanks,
DFW1911

 

[LkWinnipesaukee]

I'm a teenager who only wears those cheap foam plugs, even indoors shooting a .45 or outdoors under an awning shooting a Mosin or AR. I don't think the blasts are loud, nor do my ears ring at all after I'm done shooting.

Does that mean I won't damage my ears if I keep this up?

 

[Markbo]

Nope. It means you 'may' have not damaged it - yet. Yet being the operative. It is not a matter of if. It is a matter of when.

Annoyed man - I would appreciate if you could post a report once you get the others too and have had a chance to wear them both to the range. Mostly concerned with comfort and of course noise reduction.