Highest NRR (db reduction) ear muffs? The woman doesn't like noise....

[wacki]

The girlfriend likes to shoot but doesn't like the big boom. She wears ear muffs and ear plugs. Don't ask.... I'm just glad she likes to shoot.


Anyway, what's the highest decibel reduction you've seen in a ear muff?

Pro Ears gets 33db

This Remington gets 30db

Anything better than 33 db?

 

[Telekinesis]

Most of the plugs/muffs I've seen get around 30db or so. You may want to look into some of the custom ear plugs. I have a set that is great at dropping the sound levels to very manageable levels, and adding muffs over that would help much more. I'm not sure what the best place to get them is, but I got mine made at a state trap shoot. Took about 15 minutes to mold and a few hours to dry and I was shooting with them later that day. Just an FYI, they should be replaced every few years as the silicone deteriorates and your ears change shape. Also, avoid the ones that you can order from Cabelas, they are junk.

On the other hand, you could use this as an excuse to start getting into the NFA toys with suppressors! "Honey, I know you like shooting but aren't fond of the sound levels. This suppressor is really the only way to quiet the gun down"

 

[Pietro Beretta]

OK: here is what you do...

Have her shoot for a full day, rifles, handguns and shotguns without any hearing protection what-so-ever.

She will develop tinnitus, and then she will realize how quiet muffs with plugs really are, plus her hearing will be degraded so, that's a WIN

Obviously I am just being an ass.


The first time my bro took me shooting at 15, I didn't wear hearing protection -- the three of us that were on the trip had to yell at each other at the end of the day to even hear one one another.

I have a ringing in my ear that has continued to this day


If you want better than 30db, you are going to have to get custom ear plugs made to fit her ear canal, there are a few company's out there that do this -- I am not sure the cost.

There is a company called westone that caters to the entertainment industry but I believe they also do work for military use as well.

 

[taliv]

double up on plugs and muffs and make sure they seal around her ears (e.g. glasses, hair, etc aren't holding them away from her ears)

 

[Cosmoline]

Ditto taliv. The listed rating on the plugs matters less than how well they fit, and all have some leakage issues. It's best if you're around boomers with muzzle brakes to top them off with muffs too.

 

[hso]

NRR 33 is about the highest rating for currently available plugs or muffs.

Plugs should always be worn under muffs. Protective eyewear should be mounted with straps instead of temple ear pieces to minimize disturbing the pads of the muffs. Nothing else should be between the pads of the muffs and your head.

It is critically important to insert ear plugs properly. The protection is badly reduced if you don't. You have to be patient and roll foam plugs carefully to a remarkably narrow size and then insert them well into the ear so they expand and seal the ear canal from the "crook" to the opening of the ear.

 

[wacki]

Thanks for the post hso. Got any recommendations on eyewear?

Protective eyewear should be mounted with straps instead of temple ear pieces to minimize disturbing the pads of the muffs.

 

[wacki]

This looks like a possibility:

http://www.into-the-wilderness.com/...rk=gdfV24049_a_7c2091_a_7c8463_a_7cJBAS4110CS