Looking to tap into some expertise from those who hunt and wear hearing aids . My 74 year old father in law has definitely diminished hearing. However, he's refused to look into getting hearing aids because he is convinced he won't be able to hunt if he has them. I'm guessing that today's top hearing aids must have noise cancelling technology or something similar? Any information I could pass along would be appreciated.
Hunting with hearing aids
- Thread starter buckchaser
- Start date
- Location
- Saskatchewan
I hunt with hearing assistance most of the time. Not medical models, just electronic muffs or electronic plugs that are sold to shooters and hunters. I LIKE them and wouldn't be without them in most situations. i have been doing so for perhaps 10 years. They enhance my hearing and also protect against gun shot damage to what hearing I have left. What's not to like?
Yes, he concerned about shooting in the field while wearing hearing aids.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
I have worn hearing aids for about 10 years. I guarantee that your father is NOT hearing stuff while he is hunting without wearing them - like wind, foot falls, bird calls (or lack of them), etc. The hearing aids won't take a loud noise louder, but will let loud noises through, just as before he lost his hearing. They are not hearing protection. On quality systems (i.e. $5,000 per pair), they are set up as a 16 channel (or more) equalizer, just like on your stereo, and then are programmed to boost the frequencies that the hearing test show have declined. Most of us lose the high frequencies first - can't hear the grandkid's chatter - but the low (bass) frequencies may still be normal. I can not comment about cheap $500 hearing aids - no experience...
I have hearing aids. I often don't wear them around the house because of background noise, but I always wear them when hunting. I turn them up and can hear very well. Also, they cut off when you fire the gun. I think they provide negligible protection, but they don't amplify the gunshots. I can hear stuff so much better with the HA's.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
I shoot most rounds at paper targets. No hearing aids there - I always wear hearing protection ear plugs at the range, and have doubled up with hearing protection muffs on my big boomers. You actually shoot better when you do not hear the full roar - reduces the development of the flinch that no he-man ever develops...! I have never worn hearing protection while hunting - can't recall ever even hearing the report of my rifle, let alone feeling the recoil, but I mostly hunt with a single shot since 2002. People doing mag dumps might have different experience...
Look at the Walker's Game Ears.
They offer hearing enhancement for hunting while protecting your hearing when the firearm is fired.
I do not need a hearing aid, although my hearing is not the best, but I have recently purchased a set in order to have enhanced hearing while in the woods. Nice to know that I am protecting my hearing at the same time too.
They offer hearing enhancement for hunting while protecting your hearing when the firearm is fired.
I do not need a hearing aid, although my hearing is not the best, but I have recently purchased a set in order to have enhanced hearing while in the woods. Nice to know that I am protecting my hearing at the same time too.
- Location
- West Central Alberta
I've been wearing hearing aids for about two years now and can't believe the sounds that I have been missing all these years.
Now I can hear the snow crunching under my boots.Now I can sit in a tree stand and hear a deer walking in the dry leaves.Now I can hear geese honking.Now I can hear the bathtub tap dripping,yeah I need to fix that. lol
Funny thing is if I shoot a gun it isn't any louder than with my hearing aids shut off. If I'm shooting at the range I'll take them off just because my muffs fit better with them off.
Tell your dad to get tested and he won't regret hearing aids one bit.
btw.. my hearing loss was due to workplace noise and WCB paid the $3500 bill plus I get free batteries for life.
Now I can hear the snow crunching under my boots.Now I can sit in a tree stand and hear a deer walking in the dry leaves.Now I can hear geese honking.Now I can hear the bathtub tap dripping,yeah I need to fix that. lol
Funny thing is if I shoot a gun it isn't any louder than with my hearing aids shut off. If I'm shooting at the range I'll take them off just because my muffs fit better with them off.
Tell your dad to get tested and he won't regret hearing aids one bit.
btw.. my hearing loss was due to workplace noise and WCB paid the $3500 bill plus I get free batteries for life.
^^^^All of this...get tested, wear them while hunting.
This too. You don't know what you're missing until you put the little buggers in.
TommyGunWop
CGN Regular
- Location
- GTA golden horseshoe, Ontario
they help you hear the wild life better
can take them out too
options are all in the hands of the operator
can take them out too
options are all in the hands of the operator
This is also my experience. I hear things I never heard before the Hearing Aids, but noise from a gunshot is at the normal levels. Dave.
I was born deaf/HoH. zero hearing in the right, severely profound loss in the left. I wear a hearing aid in my left. I can't do much of anything, including hunting, without it. However, I'm nearly useless when hunting alone. I tend to do a sit and wait strategy because when I move, I'm much noisier than I know (I've come to realize that over the last 29 years). I also am complete **** at calling turkeys and waterfowls, for obvious reasons.
So, I still hunt alone but for birds I set up decoys and wait. I call as little as possible. I wouldn't recommend anybody hunt without a hearing aid if you have any kind of hearing loss
So, I still hunt alone but for birds I set up decoys and wait. I call as little as possible. I wouldn't recommend anybody hunt without a hearing aid if you have any kind of hearing loss
Just to add to the chorus...... good quality hearing aids professionally tuned will greatly enhance his hunting experience - no downside. While not recommended for noise cancelling purposes on the range, they will not amplify a gunshot or two while hunting. Can't speak for the cheapy mail order units but the good ones will reopen a world he doesn't even remember. Fringe benefit, his wife and family will thank him too.
My experience also . Around the house or working in the yard i rarely wear mine but always wear them hunting . Mine are the expensive ones but i don't pay for them so i get a new set every three years and i have insurance during the three years . The sense of hearing is right up there with seeing while out hunting .
Ive got some Walker muffs for the range and they are fantastic. I didnt know they made some specifically for hunting. I might have to pick up another pair just for that.
At the range I use double hearing protection. Silicone fitted plugs and walker muffs.
