Beware cheap ear muffs

BigUn said:
I could never really understand why ear protection for shooters is rated at between 25 and 30 dbNRR when hearing damage can occur at 85 to 90 db. Repeated exposure at a gun range can be at 130 to 170 db.So would it be correct to say that even while wearing ear protection you are still over or well above the level that hearing loss and damage is caused at 100db to140db.I think a jet at 100 yards is close to 100 db.Obviously from this thread cheap electronic protection can fail, but so can a quality unit.I normally just use Nioshi non E, ear muffs rated at 34 dbNRR the same type that are required at my construction sites and foam plugs as well and never left the range with any adverse effects.Maybe not as fashionable but it definitely does the job.
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Decibels are logarithmic, not linear. A reduction of 3 decibels means the intensity was reduced by half.
 
EZED said:
The brand name is Caldwell and they are about 1 year old

Edge
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I have been using a set of the Caldwell E-MAX Low Profile Electronic Earmuffs (NRR 23dB) for about 3 years now and they have been great, especially considering they only cost about $35. No hiss or crackle and they do an excellent job of blocking sound. I should note, however, that I am shooting PPC outdoors so the loads are fairly light and the sound is dissipated much more than with indoor shooting. I also use them indoors and they are quite satisfactory with bulleye loads. However, when shooting hotter loads I double plug using the Caldwells plus a set of custom molded plugs that I had made when I was at the SHOT Show two years ago. With this combo it reduces the sound of even the hottest loads to very tolerable levels.
 
Edward Teach said:
Decibels are logarithmic, not linear. A reduction of 3 decibels means the intensity was reduced by half.
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I'm not quite clear what formula and base figure was used in your calculation and conclusion that a 3db reduction resulted in a 50% decrease in intensity.Was the factoring before the distance,damping effect and deflection of sound through two separate barriers or how typical sound energy reacts from a set db level in comparison to a decrease as variable.This is a sincere question and admit limited knowledge on this topic.I'm just a country boy from Louisiana.You can PM the details if you wish.
 
i stay away from anything electronic when i shoot; just too much chance of batteries dying or something- i got a set of peltors ( i beleive they called them presidents at the time) that were rated for about 24nr- still got them - some yo-yo at the range tried to tell me mine were "obsolete" and i should upgrade to "whatever he had"- i just love these fools that haven't pulled a trigger yet have all the lastest gizmos, and the guts to tell us older ones what to do- i figure as long as you are getting good compression around the ears( i wear glasses, so that compromises the seal to some degree) and the rubber is still "live" you're good to go
 
dead meat said:
From my experience wear what ever ear protection you can get, sombody answer the damn phone.
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Exactly.


There is so much BAD information in many of the posts. Typically starting with Pro.... or Tac.....
Peltor TacSport Muffs = 20 NRR

All of those electronic muffs are CRAP when it comes to PROTECTING your hearing. (a couple do go up to 26 or so)

Sorry, but a 20 NRR just doesn't cut it. (unless you are just shooting wimpy, low velocity cartridges.) You will have hearing damage. Even with the BEST earmuffs, you will still have hearing damage, just not as much.

From 20 NRR to 31 NRR is a massive difference. And guess what, your ears/hearing WILL notice the difference, even if you don't consciously notice the difference.




I have always suggested a very simple test for the unbelievers. Wear whatever favourite "best" earmuff you want. But add an earplug to ONE ear. After your shooting session, remove the earplug. Hearing is believing.
 
I just ordered a set of Pro Ears NRR 33 (Passive, not electronic).
My old cans are just that; very old and not enough protection, though I double up with my "in ear" moulded plugs.

I have some hearing loss from shooting and am not about to let it get worse.

For those of you with less than the best protection take it from an older shooter.

You will come to regret it later.
 
EZED said:
d it did not cut out but actually amplified the sound.
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And this is why I will never use electronic ear muffs for shooting, or anything I may be doing that requires ear protection. Regardless of the quality of the product there is still a risk of this type of failure happening.
 
Bought 2 sets of David Clark's, one over the head and one behind the head retention, 45 years ago, needed replacement foams and ear pads. Purchased over the phone still available and very reasonably priced.
Tried that with Caldwell within one year and was told I needed to replace everything because no parts available.

Never again Caldwell.
 
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