Beware cheap ear muffs

Wore the best (at the time) in my skeet shooting days (AA).

Cost me some hearing.

Now I wear custom moulded ear plugs plus a good pair of muffs.

Wish I had started that 20 years or more ago.

Do yourself a favour and double up.
 
I double up with Surefire Ear Pros and... well crap... a set of those Caldwell E-Max. Up until now I've heard nothing but good things about them, maybe it's time to switch to Howard Leights? Although, can't seem to find any Canadian retailers who carry them.
 
I have been having issues with pressure waves recently.

Apparently, if I cannot find a solution I may have to give up shooting entirely, which would be a shame.
I have permanently lost some hearing and it was not from the actual sound (ie. the BANG) I have worn very expensive muffs at all times. It appears that the pressure waves themselves are what is causing the problems.

I can no longer shoot next to (or be anywhere near) a large caliber (.338 Lapua) with a muzzle break. This includes the .223 muzzle breaks.

Will be consulting a few more professionals and hopefully find a solution.
I love shooting but I am NOT going deaf for it.

Sucks to be me right now :mad:
 
It was to my understanding that doubling up has no discernable effect. I'd like to hear from a professional about this.

For example, say you have ear plugs and muffs that both block out the same level of sound waves - once it has been blocked by the muffs, then there is nothing to be blocked by the plugs, making them redundant.

Or have I missed something?
 
Unleashed said:
It was to my understanding that doubling up has no discernable effect. I'd like to hear from a professional about this.

For example, say you have ear plugs and muffs that both block out the same level of sound waves - once it has been blocked by the muffs, then there is nothing to be blocked by the plugs, making them redundant.

Or have I missed something?
Click to expand...

My impression(not expert) on this is that since the ear muffs do not totally block out the noise, it would be fair to say that the ear plugs used with the muffs as well would provide a certain amount of added protection but in two separate stages
Some info:
*http://www.audiologyonline.com/articles/article_detail.asp?article_id=296
 
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TACTICAL111 said:
I have been having issues with pressure waves recently.
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Open your mouth. Yawn, if you can.

Srsly. A WW2 Artillery vet taught me this. He said that the reason he still had some hearing left after a few years of serious "work related" noise, was that he'd been taught to yawn, if he could; but to at least open his mouth when the shot went out. His theory was that the pressure on both sides of the eardrum were closer to being neutral during the pressure shock, than if your mouth was closed.

I've tried it, and I can't tell any difference; but who knows, it might work for you.





TACTICAL111 said:
Will be consulting a few more professionals and hopefully find a solution.
I love shooting but I am NOT going deaf for it.

Sucks to be me right now :mad:
Click to expand...

Good luck
Alternatively, I'll keep an eye open for your stuff on the EE

:p
 
Invest in a good pair for a couple hundred bucks. I spend that amount in a day trip (ammo) to the range. Worth the life time of hearing i intend to keep. When shooting with or near larger calibers I double up with plugs inside my muffs
 
Good luck
Alternatively, I'll keep an eye open for your stuff on the EE
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I'm going to try everything to not let that happen ;)

Thanks for the advice. Taking a month off, we'll go back slowly after that and see how it goes.
Cross fingers :D
 
In a pinch wet paper in the ear works as good as any of the best muffs. Cheap little secret, just make sure it's a large enough wad that doesn't get stuck. Softpaper like napkin material works better than hard fwiw.
 
justsomeguy said:
Mind if I ask where you got them?
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I honestly can't remember where I bought the first pair, they are Magnum Pro Ears, and I've had them since the mid 90's. The other set, "Dimension Plus" I ordered right from the factory about 4 years ago.

I've also tried Tac 6's, Dillon, and several other less expensive brands. IMO, the Pro Ears are better. They do cost more than most other muffs, but worth every penny.

There may be some better quality offerings from some of the other manufacturers out now, I haven't tried anything new for a few years. But I don't think you can go wrong with the Pro Ears.:)
 
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