Hearing Protection

L

Leavenworth

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
4   0   0
Location
Lowermainland B.C.
Have also placed this in the Action Shooting Forum.
I find that ear muff type protection is lousy for long gun hearing protection as they seem to get in the way at the range when you are trying to get a good cheek weld . But shooting pistols and revolvers is different in that sense and I see most pistol and revolver shooters on YouTube use the ear muff type .
What are the best type / brands ?
What type of protection do I need , decibel rating I guess ?
Links to ones would be great ! I don’t want to loose my hearing !
Thank You !
Leavenworth
 
I have a set of AXIL hearing suppressors. I have not tried them though. They do not work on the lawn mower, I assume the engine isn't loud enough to trigger them.
 
rustynut1 said:
I have a set of AXIL hearing suppressors. I have not tried them though. They do not work on the lawn mower, I assume the engine isn't loud enough to trigger them.
Click to expand...

I’ve used my set of axel pro 2.0 a few times and even with 9mm, 223, 308 if I have them turned on they seem not to suppress the sound too much. But if I have them turned off they are good. Same with mowing the lawn I just listen to tunes on Bluetooth but have the ear pro turned off to get an appropriate ( in my opinion and comfort level) sound attenuation from them
 
I like passive muffs. When doing training or drills I'll double stuff with foamy inserts and old fashioned muffs.
I have damaged my hearing from farm equipment, no air conditioning (window down) and shooting. To the point that loud noises can be painful along with the 22,000 hz tinitus that makes my life miserable.

Cheap muffs work fine for me and I recommend looking for brand names like 3M or Honeywell.

Howard Leight (I think) is under honeywell brand and are quite popular around here.
 
Last edited:
redruns said:
I like passive muffs. When doing training or drills I'll double stuff with foamy inserts and old fashioned muffs.
I have damaged my hearing from farm equipment, no air conditioning (window down) and shooting. To the point that loud noises can be painful along with the 22,000 hz tinitus that makes my life miserable.

Cheap muffs work fine for me and I recommend looking for brand names like 3M or Honeywell.

Howard Leight (I think) is under honeywell brand and are quite popular around here.
Click to expand...

I use those, have used walkers , but they are better for rifle, and I find they pinch my ears.
For mower, saw, and just plinking with handguns, I have a set of 3m passive muffs I got at Ca. tire, for 19.oo?? not sure now.
They are red and 30db rating , which is quite good, I don't use foam plugs as a rule, I have hearing aids, from old tractors , and guns and shop work or about 70 yrs+

If you have good hearing and young , don't screw around with cheap crap.
I know fellows that shoot with fitted prescription ear plugs that are active, But know little about them.
I have fair hearing, high notes are gone, my $4500.oo aids work good, but good muffs are way cheaper.
I shot , worked for about 40 yrs before I seen a set of muffs.

Take care, try a few different ones, Safety supply store?
 
Howard Leights with replacement gel pads for shooting and hunting, zero complaints with this setup. I double up when shooting indoors or if I’m beside someone with a brake, the don’t get in the way of a low cheek weld either. With the volume turned up with plugs and muffs I can still have a conversation with someone and block noise.

Around the property while mowing the lawn or running power tool I have a set of passive 3m Peltors I wear.
 
marshall said:
I use those, have used walkers , but they are better for rifle, and I find they pinch my ears.
For mower, saw, and just plinking with handguns, I have a set of 3m passive muffs I got at Ca. tire, for 19.oo?? not sure now.
They are red and 30db rating , which is quite good, I don't use foam plugs as a rule, I have hearing aids, from old tractors , and guns and shop work or about 70 yrs+

If you have good hearing and young , don't screw around with cheap crap.
I know fellows that shoot with fitted prescription ear plugs that are active, But know little about them.
I have fair hearing, high notes are gone, my $4500.oo aids work good, but good muffs are way cheaper.
I shot , worked for about 40 yrs before I seen a set of muffs.

Take care, try a few different ones, Safety supply store?
Click to expand...

Agree. Once your hearing is damaged, you dont get it back. Protect what you have. - dan
 
Husvarna has a combo all-in-one package to protect your hearing, eyes, and even your head, from and ejected hot cases.

It can be had at CTC, for under a hundred bucks. Not bad for brand name quality!
 
Leavenworth said:
Have also placed this in the Action Shooting Forum.
I find that ear muff type protection is lousy for long gun hearing protection as they seem to get in the way at the range when you are trying to get a good cheek weld . But shooting pistols and revolvers is different in that sense and I see most pistol and revolver shooters on YouTube use the ear muff type .
What are the best type / brands ?
What type of protection do I need , decibel rating I guess ?
Links to ones would be great ! I don’t want to loose my hearing !
Thank You !
Leavenworth
Click to expand...

My hearing is shot from guns, racing bikes, tracking cars, my Harley and 40 years of flying. Bad tinnitus and hearing aids. IMO don’t use anything under 30 NRR. Also suggest electronic muffs as you will most likely do some courses and it’s easy to hear with them plus talking to your shooting buddies. I use these. Not cheap, tacticool (or pretty) but I wish I had them 50 years ago……

https://proears.com/product/pro-mag-gold/
 
Last edited:
dan belisle said:
Agree. Once your hearing is damaged, you dont get it back. Protect what you have. - dan
Click to expand...

I started shooting 35 years ago. Mind you, I also wore a mandatory headset for work (military and ATC)
It is absolutely true that you cannot regain hearing loss. As my Audiologist put it "It is a symptom and not a disease. It can't be "recovered".
I am 52 with hearing aids. I am not deaf by any means but they help with certain freqs.
No one thing is to blame in my case, just an exposure over my lifetime. I'm talking about lawn mowers, music, shooting anything (even 22)
I started to protect my hearing in my 30's and am thankful I did.
 
I use plugs with electronic muffs. With the volume turned up I can deal with conversations and have good awareness. I have done enough damage to not want any more...
 
I also have hearing aids and perpetual tinnitus, from 40+ years in trades. Without getting into all that. I use the MSA Sordin Pro X, and often will wear custom fitted silicone plugs under those as well, depending on what is going on around me at the range. These are comfortable, but double plugging is good too as needed.

Sordin Supreme PRO X, Noise Reduction Active Safety Ear Muffs, Adjustable Hearing Protection for Shooting, Hunting, Work, Gel Seals, Leather Headband, Green Cups https://a.co/d/94qUoGD
 
DSG03 said:
I use these. Not cheap, tacticool (or pretty) but I wish I had them 50 years ago……

https://proears.com/product/pro-mag-gold/
Click to expand...

Since I started volunteering at the range, I got these as well. They are great.
The battery format is not the best (expansive), but they work perfectly. They are 5 years old and still going strong.

I wanted to keep what I have left. I have had tinnitus for ever, wanted something over 30 NRR, with electronics. Most electronic muffs only go about 25 NRR.

You can get 30 NRR regular non-electronic muffs from Grainger, not even 50$.
 
Last edited:
Ojay said:
I started shooting 35 years ago. Mind you, I also wore a mandatory headset for work (military and ATC)
It is absolutely true that you cannot regain hearing loss. As my Audiologist put it "It is a symptom and not a disease. It can't be "recovered".
I am 52 with hearing aids. I am not deaf by any means but they help with certain freqs.
No one thing is to blame in my case, just an exposure over my lifetime. I'm talking about lawn mowers, music, shooting anything (even 22)
I started to protect my hearing in my 30's and am thankful I did.
Click to expand...

Ive been around heavy equipment my entire life, started shooting in the mid 60's, and didn't start wearing hearing protection for anything until the late 70's or so. Paying for it now. - dan
 
I have a pair of Sordins with the gel kit. I run these over a pair of custom, in-ear plugs. Works fine for indoor work using my .270 or a .30 caliber.
They have a slight cutaway so I don't notice any cheek weld issues with my rifles. 3M's Peltor line has several models (including higher price points) with similar electronics - mine amplify noises below 80db and attenuate sounds above 90/95db so in the field, hearing is actually enhanced. At the range, I can talk to people with both sets of plugs in but still be protected from loud noises. Not a "cheap" solution, but costs hella' less than new ears/hearing.
 
Loosehead said:
I have a pair of Sordins with the gel kit. I run these over a pair of custom, in-ear plugs. Works fine for indoor work using my .270 or a .30 caliber.
They have a slight cutaway so I don't notice any cheek weld issues with my rifles. 3M's Peltor line has several models (including higher price points) with similar electronics - mine amplify noises below 80db and attenuate sounds above 90/95db so in the field, hearing is actually enhanced. At the range, I can talk to people with both sets of plugs in but still be protected from loud noises. Not a "cheap" solution, but costs hella' less than new ears/hearing.
Click to expand...

I said this in another thread. The Sordins, Supreme Pro X in particular are only rated at 18 NRR. Very comfortable with the gel cups but you want to wear plugs as well as the muffs whether in or outdoors.
 
EC said:
I said this in another thread. The Sordins, Supreme Pro X in particular are only rated at 18 NRR. Very comfortable with the gel cups but you want to wear plugs as well as the muffs whether in or outdoors.
Click to expand...

Be careful with the ratings, some manufacturers claim their NRR in ideal scenarios while others have their NRR at wort case. Can be a bit confusing. I am partial to the Swatcom Active 8's which are an upgrade to the Sordins.

https://srstactical.ca/all-products...tion/swatcom-active8-waterproof-headsets.html
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom