I hate earmuffs

[BigBL87]

I use 3M EEP-100's with the skull screw tips when I'm shooting outside.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P8YDBZD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_ER3G6FKWJZ60YXG00MGK

Claimed reduction of 29-30db depending on where you read up on them, and I believe it. Really convenient to have active hearing protection but not have to deal with the muffs.

If I'm shooting inside though, I wear ear plugs AND Howard Leight Impact Pro earmuffs.

 

[Ranger99]

JMHO- I think a relatively short period of
discomfort is worth preventing a lifetime's
worth of sensory loss.
I compare it to the people I've rode motorcycles with that dressed in shorts and
tank tops and flip flops when I had a jacket
and long pants and boots and full gloves.
They usually made fun of me, but I never
needed skin grafts and physical therapy
and the sweat washed off easily

 

[kmw1954]

Am I the only one? The things are hot and sweaty in the summer
What I can't live with is the fact that they quickly make my ears hurt.

I work 2-3 days a week at an outdoor range, 9.5hrs total and 8hrs actually on the range. Many weeks it is 3 days in a row and after the 3rd day my ears are more than raw. I have recently started wearing ear plugs but at times it makes it hard to communicate with customers. Wish there was a better solution for that 3rd day!

 

[Father Goose]

Ear muffs interfere with getting a good cheek weld on a rifle stock. Otherwise I'm fine.

Indoors I shoot with both muffs and ear plugs. Outdoors I have done both but hearing commands at a match gets iffy if I have on both.

 

[Hikingman]

Top quality muffs should be considered necessary? I moved away from cheap ear protection by age 25. Go ANR.

 

[JDeere]

Losing half of your hearing and living with tinnitus because back in the day you did not use proper protection sucks. I use a pair of the older peltor electronic muffs to protect what hearing I have left with no issues. A quality set will fit well and be comfortable all day. Those foam plugs alone won't cut it for a day at the range...

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Having been an indoor shooter 98% of the time, it's plugs and muffs. I found flanged plugs were great for cleaning out earwax !

 

[doubleh]

Deleted.

 

[GBExpat]

@SUBJ: I hate earmuffs
Am I the only one? ...

Preachin' to the choir.

 

[gifbohane]

I wouldn't trust that doctor ever again.


The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health actually recommends using both earplugs and earmuffs together when shooting.

S-R I read the article from OSHA and did not find a lot of stats or Doctors quotes and reasoning.

I really don't know who to believe my trained Ear Doctor (just one guys opinion) or a few Government $60,000 a year hacks that feel compelled to sound intelligent.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Was it this you read? https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nioshtic-2/20031787.html

An excerpt: Considering the likelihood of incurring a NIHL, NIOSH recommends that hunters and shooters use double hearing protection every time a weapon is fired. Double protection involves wearing both earplugs and earmuffs. The best combination is a deeply-inserted foam earplug and a well-seated earmuff. Special care must be taken to ensure the earmuff remains sealed against the side of the wearer's head when safety glasses are worn.

Personally I trust my own observations above all others in this regard. I know the difference between my doubling up and simply going with one or the other, and it is substantial. If a doctor ever told me I was wrong in that regard, I would suspect what I can't say here, and dump that doctor.

 

[Jack B.]

One time I was at an outdoor range and in the lane next to me a person was shooting a .338 Lapua Magnum with a muzzle break. I need plugs and muffs both.

 

[gifbohane]

Was it this you read? https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nioshtic-2/20031787.html

An excerpt: Considering the likelihood of incurring a NIHL, NIOSH recommends that hunters and shooters use double hearing protection every time a weapon is fired. Double protection involves wearing both earplugs and earmuffs. The best combination is a deeply-inserted foam earplug and a well-seated earmuff. Special care must be taken to ensure the earmuff remains sealed against the side of the wearer's head when safety glasses are worn.

Personally I trust my own observations above all others in this regard. I know the difference between my doubling up and simply going with one or the other, and it is substantial. If a doctor ever told me I was wrong in that regard, I would suspect what I can't say here, and dump that doctor.

S-R Yep that is the one. Murphy has a PHD. Still don't know which guy to believe. With my hearing loss I cannot tell the difference between single and double. Also I have real difficulty keeping the ear plugs fully seated in my ear. Have been going with double...can't tell you why.