Hunting with ear protection?

It's interesting that the people who don't yet realize that they are ruining their hearing say "I wear no protection 'cuz I need to hear" and the ones who have already lost hearing ability and now hear a constant high pitched buzz wouldn't shoot anymore without protection.
 
Those with a hearing problem should go to a proper ear doctor and get hearing tested. Many losses occur from medical reasons rather than the occasional boom from a "one shot" game rifle. I wear (compulsory) hearing protection at the range, but normally in the bush, I only shoot once per prey...
 
Winnipeg Toymaker said:
Those with a hearing problem should go to a proper ear doctor and get hearing tested. Many losses occur from medical reasons rather than the occasional boom from a "one shot" game rifle. I wear (compulsory) hearing protection at the range, but normally in the bush, I only shoot once per prey...
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i agree, some of my friends can shoot shotguns all day without any ear problems maybe some guys just have sensitive hearing or maybe it just takes one damaging sound to trigger your ears being ruined
 
:D

I always wear my shooting ear muffs when stalking game like whitetail deer & moose that have exceptionally good hearing.

It virtually eliminates the sound of my footsteps. ;)

They also work great when the wifey is in one of her "naggy" moods & gets the ole (constantly growing) chore list out when I'm trying to relax.
 
CBMS said:
Electric EarMuffs Honestly one of the best things you can do for yourself. Some even amplify the noise of game animals!
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Do they really? I dind't want to get a pair because I figure they muffle out plenty of low noise but now i'll have to look into it.


thanks for the suggestions!
 
Tazzy said:
And just a suggestion after looking at the photos, aim for a spot between the eye and ear when hunting rabbits....less mess.
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Screw headshots, I don't have the skill for that just yet, shooting at a white rabbit on the run with white snow in the background isn't easy for me :D
 
lucky07 said:
Don't worry about it when hunting rabbit and grouse. Wear some if there's gonna be lots of shooting going on (waterfowling for example) but a couple shots here and there won't make you go deaf.

Tazzy has it right. If you shoot right handed and only want one earplug in put it in your left ear. The ear opposite the side you shoot will generally take the better half of the beating.

I never wear any unless were 5-6 guys waterfowling or for skeet shooting.
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Thats what I used to think...over 35 years ago. Fifty percent hearing loss on the left side and not much better on the right...with constant ringing. Always thought going deaf would be a silent affair..not! Yearly hearing test through my employer is a scarry day. Do yourself a favour...get yoursel a pair of electronic ear muffs.
 
G P is right, that short barrel will ring your ears. I use an ear plug in my left ear while hunting ducks with my 11 87. I shoot right handed and the left ear takes the beating. With only 1 plug I can still hear the wings .

regards, Darryl
 
M12shooter said:
Thats what I used to think...over 35 years ago. Fifty percent hearing loss on the left side and not much better on the right...with constant ringing. Always thought going deaf would be a silent affair..not! Yearly hearing test through my employer is a scarry day. Do yourself a favour...get yoursel a pair of electronic ear muffs.
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if hunting and there's no shooting going on (not goose hunting lol) I don't see the point. Once in a while the TV or Radio will hit a frequency that sends my left ear ringing, 30 seconds later I'm fine... my left ear has been damaged, I went waterfowling without earplugs ... never again. But one shot on a grouse is no worst then hammering in a nail.

Every time you light a torch you go a little bit blind. I still heat metal without glasses, don't cut without 'em tho. Same can be said every time I go hunting this time of year in a field without sunglasses. Not good for the eyes... but I don't wanna live in a bubble either. Some risks are worth it some are not, just gotta weight everything and make a decision.
 
check out the Walker's Game Ear. it's a set of earplugs that electronically enhance all the quiet sounds. you will actually hear better with them, than you would with a naked ear. however, they cut out sound above a certain decibel level, such as gunshots. be warned, the are expensie. $300 - $500 per pair, depending on model.

i have a pair of DB Blockers, custom molded ear plugs with a baffle. i'm going to try using them for hunting next season.
 
Got a pair of what look like hearing aids at BassPro, they ampliphy sound and cut out when it hits a certain db level. $23 and they work good only downfall is I have been into BassPro several times since and cannot find them there again. Kinda neat with them in I sound like Darth Vader as I cannot hear myself breathing normally due to hearing loss for lack of hearing protection at work and play when I was younger... You will regret the lack of hearing protection sooner or later.

Andy
 
What you're after is called a noise attenuating earplug. It can be simple and just block loud noise for use in industry, or it can be complex (read: expensive) and have amplification and sound enhancement built in to a custom fitted earpiece.

Most major safety supply stores will have some of the cheap industrial versions, or can give you the details to order a custom fitted set. A pro music retailer will have info on the high end models Musicians use to isolate and enhance thier own track.

Expect to pay from $40 right up to a $1000. You get what you pay for, but even the low end plastic models without the electronics may be enough for just some occasional hunting.
 
I wear my electronic muffs on my watch. My grandfather is completely deaf in one ear from a muzzle blast when an idiot hunting partner shot too close to him and slightly behind many years ago, and has little hearing in the other. He misses out on so many conversations, and it's hard to talk to him, and beyond a few sentences people get tired of yelling.

I figure one of my senses is worth the ~$100...
 
I triied walker game ears which have the noise cutoff. They drove me nuts if it was windy plus when walking it sounded like someone was sneaking up on me. ( good way to train yourself for noise discipline though). even on a stand if you move you hear yourself. Tried peltors but then you cut off sound behind you. So for me anyway if sound cues are important I won't wear them. For deer moose and bear oe even groiuse you don't do that much shooting anyway - ( sometimes none :()
 
I think the electronic muffs would be just the ticket for waterfowl, especially in a blind with a couple other guys. Plus, they keep your ears warm!

I once fired 4 shots from a 44 mag revolver at 2 deer ( got them both, thought it was one deer the whole time, long story) with no protection. Definitely damaged my hearing that time. Stupid.

You have a certain number of damaging shocks to your hearing in the bank and I think everyones number is different. How you choose to use up what's in the bank is the trick. I've worked in high noise environments for most of my working life and was always careful to wear hearing protection even when my co-workers tended to scoff at such a practice. I learned this from a young age when I started shooting competitively and ear protection was mandatory.

I think I did more damage to my hearing with that revolver than I did with all of my other high noise activities combined.

My hearing still tests in the 95th percentile (used to be 99th) but I do get ringing (Tonitis?) from time to time. When I was younger I could always hear the high pitched hum given off by a TV picture tube which I'm told most people can't hear. The ringing I sometimes get sounds pretty much like that. TV's don't do that so much anymore...

I don't think I would bother with protection when deer hunting with a rifle or similar situations but I don't judge those who do. My attitude may well change as I age.
 
"It's interesting that the people who don't yet realize that they are ruining their hearing say "I wear no protection 'cuz I need to hear" and the ones who have already lost hearing ability and now hear a constant high pitched buzz wouldn't shoot anymore without protection."

That's right. Don't want to lose any more. My father started taking me on wood cutting trips from about the age of 8 and I was exposed to loud chainsaws for years and years with no ear protection. Then I worked on dozer boats too, with no noise protection. Then I played in rock bands, plus I've been shooting from about the age of 12 with no plugs at first. It all adds up and I wish I'd cared about hearing protection earlier in life.
 
At the range... you bet. Shooting gophers... absolutely. Hunting deer or other big game... occasionally. My friend shoots a 300 RUM and I make sure to ask what he's bringing on that particular day. I always carry a set of the foam ones on a cord in my gun case.
 
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