FAQ: electronic hearing protection

[BigBlueBoy]

Originally Posted by SilveradoColt21

I suggest you get the 3M Peltor Comtac V's, they have a special mode specifically designed for when you are wearing in-ear pro in combination with over the ear protection.

Thanks for the suggestion, but I didn't want to make another expensive purchase. Comtac V's are about $700.

https://www.opticsplanet.com/peltor-...ngle-lead.html

I've placed an order for the Decibullz Custom Molded Percussive Filters after watching a few Youtube reviews.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[SilveradoColt21]

Originally Posted by BigBlueBoy

Thanks for the suggestion, but I didn't want to make another expensive purchase. Comtac V's are about $700.

https://www.opticsplanet.com/peltor-...ngle-lead.html

I've placed an order for the Decibullz Custom Molded Percussive Filters after watching a few Youtube reviews.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The Comtac V's are not $700, I got mine for a little less than $500 a pair, the ones you linked are the comms enabled ones, here is the link for "hearing defender" model which is the correct one if all you're using them for is plinking: https://www.opticsplanet.com/peltor-...e-headset.html

[Mustard]

Originally Posted by BigBlueBoy

Hello - I own a Sordin SupremePro-X LED headset and wear 3M foamy earplugs underneath for indoor ranges; Sordin's alone won't cut it. The problem I face is that with the Sordin electronic volume turned up, I'm having problems hearing folks with the earplugs added.

Without spending my money for now, I wanted to get input on whether folks out there have tried an "outer" electronic hearing pro with an "inner" electronic hearing pro in the form of earbuds. Here are some examples:

/snip

Would the combination of 2 electronic earpro's enable the best shot noise reduction with best ambient/verbal noise performance?

Thanks in advance.

I'm curious about getting into the same boat: double-up on ear pro while maintaining environmental/situational awareness. While I'm doubled-up, I want to hear as well as I would with singled-up electronic ear pro (or naked ear alone, which I accept is a tall order).

I find doubling up on ear-pro, both electronic or otherwise, there's too much sound reduction and I lose SA. Not to mention that with both my Peltor TEP-100's, or my Decibullz passive and filtered ear pro, the Howard Leight's I wear on top are physically touching the in-ear protection so it's like I'm being jammed in my ear canal the whole time.

I use the TEP's during competition, but the Decibullz when it's just me at my outdoor range since I won't need to charge the TEP batteries afterward, and each are solid for me in terms of sound mitigation. I'm just curious about adding the extra over-the-ear protection (while maintaining SA).

[SilveradoColt21]

Originally Posted by Mustard

I'm curious about getting into the same boat: double-up on ear pro while maintaining environmental/situational awareness. While I'm doubled-up, I want to hear as well as I would with singled-up electronic ear pro (or naked ear alone, which I accept is a tall order).

I find doubling up on ear-pro, both electronic or otherwise, there's too much sound reduction and I lose SA. Not to mention that with both my Peltor TEP-100's, or my Decibullz passive and filtered ear pro, the Howard Leight's I wear on top are physically touching the in-ear protection so it's like I'm being jammed in my ear canal the whole time.

I use the TEP's during competition, but the Decibullz when it's just me at my outdoor range since I won't need to charge the TEP batteries afterward, and each are solid for me in terms of sound mitigation. I'm just curious about adding the extra over-the-ear protection (while maintaining SA).

The solution that I would recommend then is to get the Peltor Comtacs, whether it is the V's or the VI's, they both have a special mode that is designed specifically for when you have foamies inside and are doubling up on ear pro. The Comtacs are indeed above the $500 range but are you really going to put a price on your hearing?

[Gun Kraft]

Originally Posted by Mustard

IWhile I'm doubled-up, I want to hear as well as I would with singled-up electronic ear pro (or naked ear alone, which I accept is a tall order).

It can be done but then you're talking price is no object. An Ops Core AMP headset with NFMI earplugs (https://shop.gentexcorp.com/ops-core...connectorized/) has an MSRP pushing $2000. I have a set and the audio quality is exceptional--better than the naked ear. However I find the headset alone isn't enough for indoor range use so I have to use it in conjunction with the NFMI earplugs which really eats batteries.

As a result my standard go-to are Otto NoizeBarrier Micros ($450 MSRP). Used with Comply foam tips I'm fine indoors when the guy next to me is shooting a .308 rifle. Sound quality isn't as good but still better than most.

[BigBlueBoy]

Just a quick follow-up to my ear pro inquiry...

I finally found the perfect combination while wearing my Sordin Supreme ProX's...the Etymotic Research ER20 High-Fidelity Earplugs.

I don't use the dummy cord provided since they cover up the tiny holes at the earbud stems. I've tried Decibulz and AnxilXP and found them to not work as well as the Etymotics and being overpriced.

I get good ambient/conversation noise without having to crank up the volume on the Sordins.


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015WJQ7A...roduct_details

[L84CABO]

Originally Posted by BigBlueBoy

Just a quick follow-up to my ear pro inquiry...

I finally found the perfect combination while wearing my Sordin Supreme ProX's...the Etymotic Research ER20 High-Fidelity Earplugs.

I don't use the dummy cord provided since they cover up the tiny holes at the earbud stems. I've tried Decibulz and AnxilXP and found them to not work as well as the Etymotics and being overpriced.

I get good ambient/conversation noise without having to crank up the volume on the Sordins.


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015WJQ7A...roduct_details

Been using Surefire EP4 Sonic Defenders and they've been working great. Seems like they're pretty similar, but the Surefires have that flexible ring that sits inside your ear Concha to help hold them in place.

[pratchett]

Unless I'm using night vision, I'm running Walker's Slim Ultra Low Profile. I've never felt unprotected, I can clearly hear instructors at some distance, and it has right-side and left-side velcro fields for either IR, glow-in-the-dark, or reflective patches for night training.

For night vision training, I have a set of Ops-Core AMPs. These make hearing a superpower, honestly.

[SilveradoColt21]

Originally Posted by pratchett

Unless I'm using night vision, I'm running Walker's Slim Ultra Low Profile. I've never felt unprotected, I can clearly hear instructors at some distance, and it has right-side and left-side velcro fields for either IR, glow-in-the-dark, or reflective patches for night training.

For night vision training, I have a set of Ops-Core AMPs. These make hearing a superpower, honestly.

The OPS core have always interested me but the price tag isn't worth it to be honest, the max I would pay is the price tag of the 3M Comtacs. I know you can't put a price on your hearing but I feel those Walker Slim Ultras should suffice, can't go wrong with either though if your wallet can afford it .

[pratchett]

Originally Posted by SilveradoColt21

The OPS core have always interested me but the price tag isn't worth it to be honest, the max I would pay is the price tag of the 3M Comtacs. I know you can't put a price on your hearing but I feel those Walker Slim Ultras should suffice, can't go wrong with either though if your wallet can afford it .

I understand. To add context, you're only partly paying for hearing protection. The other part? You're paying for what's almost a human-machine enhancement to hearing. You can pinpoint sounds to startling accuracy in a complete bubble around you. Like I said, it's a superpower and is analogous to night vision for your ears.

[SilveradoColt21]

Originally Posted by pratchett

I understand. To add context, you're only partly paying for hearing protection. The other part? You're paying for what's almost a human-machine enhancement to hearing. You can pinpoint sounds to startling accuracy in a complete bubble around you. Like I said, it's a superpower and is analogous to night vision for your ears.

Yeah it is super nice to be able to hear everything crystal clear as opposed to some of the cheaper ear pro that the audio may be choppy, at least with the more expensive headsets you are getting more premium quality so at least that can be said .

[JamesCC]

Solid article thanks for sharing