Ear Protection

[Chewy65]

I need to get some ear protection and am reluctant to get some pricey electronic earmuffs. They will be for shooting 9mm mostly at an indoor range, which also allows rifles. Do you think some non electronic muffs with a 30 NNR is all I need. Are the electronic ones needed for an occasional training class?

[forerl]

If you converse with anyone at the range then get the electronic ones. The non electronic ones are perfectly fine and indoor ranges are worse for me so I double stuff at indoor ranges if I'm shooting alone.

[Albs]

I suggest you double up if you're going to an indoor range. Earplugs + Earmuffs .

[L84CABO]

Howard Leight Sports are the value play for electronic muffs at around $50. Whether you go electronic or regular muffs, I would double up indoors.

Your hearing is nothing to mess with. Damage usually happens slowly and very gradually over time...and you don't usually notice it as it happens.

[bountyhunter]

I suggest you double up if you're going to an indoor range. Earplugs + Earmuffs .

Absolutely, that gives max protection. . And you can still hear range commands through internal plugs with electronic muffs if necessary.

[uechikid]

Howard Leight Sports are the value play for electronic muffs at around $50. Whether you go electronic or regular muffs, I would double up indoors.

Your hearing is nothing to mess with. Damage usually happens slowly and very gradually over time...and you don't usually notice it as it happens.

I have two pair of the Howard Leight Sports. They just don't seal well around the arms of my glasses. In fact, my wife, daughter and son inlaw have the same issue with them.
What ever you get, it's not a bad idea to wear ear plugs with muffs.

[manini]

Check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDWvW6iGWWE

Remember, you are looking for hearing protection, not ear protection.

[enegue]

Buy the $300 Pro Ears with the highest NRR for indoor ranges.

Hearing loss is permanent. It's great to be able to hear not only the instructor, but what is going on around you. It's a relatively inexpensive investment into your sport.

The difference between the $300 Pro Ears and the $50 Howard Leights is that when a shot is fired, the Howard Leights turn into passive hearing protection. The Pro Ears still allow conversation to be heard.

Dude is sayin that he's not sure if he wants to drop the cash for a Hyundai and you recommend him to get a Ferrari. Interesting.

OP guy, how much money are you trying to save exactly? Electronic muffs can be found for as little as $20 on Amazon.

[Thanatos2203]

What most people don't realize is you can pick up sounds and suffer hearing damage from the bone areas around you ear. Even if you are plugged (Surefire Ear Pro is my recommendation) you can still lose your hearing over time. That is part of why over the head ear muffs exist, they're not just sealing off the ear canal. I run a combination of Surefire Ear Pro and/or Howard Leights to fit the situation. Looking at a total investment of maybe $60 and you will be set for a good while and a variety of circumstances. Midway is always offering deal on the Howard Leights if you keep checking.

I too suggest doubling up indoors.

Electric ear protection is also fun because if you ever get a rifle, you can listen to the guys down the way b*tching to each other about your muzzle device.

[DuckHunter]

Amazon has the Howard Leight Impact Pro for under $70. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss...ro%2Caps%2C780
This is an electronic muff that has a 30 NRR, it uses the same electronics as the Impact Sport in a bit larger muff. Once a Noise of 82 dB or greater is detected by the electronics, the muff does turn into a passive protector. Once the noise drops below, the electronics "turn back on" allowing the user to hear range commands and conversation.

As uechikid mentioned, getting a good ear cup seal is important to blocking out noise. If your current shooting glasses don't seal with a muff, I would consider getting a glass with a lower profile temple.

[GrizzlyGraves]

I need to get some ear protection and am reluctant to get some pricey electronic earmuffs. They will be for shooting 9mm mostly at an indoor range, which also allows rifles. Do you think some non electronic muffs with a 30 NNR is all I need. Are the electronic ones needed for an occasional training class?

I bought the "EP3 sonic ear plugs" they were like 6$ on Amazon. They fit perfectly in your ears and they are great. It blocks out loud blasts yet you can hear talking and other things. I hate bulky muffs or cheap ear plugs.. But these are great. You can buy them at Walmart too

[scoobydo]

L3's and some foams.
Out the door with both for less than $25.
Maximum noise reduction.
You'll be fine, Range Masters don't whisper.

[duckman1]

As I sit hear and read this with the constant washing machine sound in my head I too would second the recommendation that you buy the best fitting muffs you can afford. I have electronic muffs, The EAR Digital Plugs and also use the foam plugs for certain applications.

My hearing damage was caused by gunfire (raised in a family that didn't use hearing protection) and I started using protection much to late. I made sure that my family all started shooting with proper protection for both eye and ear.

[Chewy65]

Dude is sayin that he's not sure if he wants to drop the cash for a Hyundai and you recommend him to get a Ferrari. Interesting.

OP guy, how much money are you trying to save exactly? Electronic muffs can be found for as little as $20 on Amazon.

One thing I didn't understand, after looking at all I could find on the net, was the difference between clipping and compression.

I can budget up to $200 but that is a stretch and I really don't want to if for my purposes I can protect my hearing for much less. I know I already have some hearing loss from age and what not and do want to keep what I have.

As is, I have molded plugs I use for skeet and trap, so I will double up on whatever muffs I choose. Also, I will avoid indoor ranges that allow rifles as much as possible.

It seems that a $25 pair of passive muffs will do that, but will make hearing conversation and range commands difficult. A buddy has a pair of Peltor TactSports but I see they y have a NRR of 22.

@#$%^^, I just got a call from the LGS. I am supposed to pickup my P229 in 36 hours and the DOJ just put approval on hold.

[enegue]

One thing I didn't understand, after looking at all I could find on the net, was the difference between clipping and compression.

I can budget up to $200 but that is a stretch and I really don't want to if for my purposes I can protect my hearing for much less. I know I already have some hearing loss from age and what not and do want to keep what I have.

As is, I have molded plugs I use for skeet and trap, so I will double up on whatever muffs I choose. Also, I will avoid indoor ranges that allow rifles as much as possible.

It seems that a $25 pair of passive muffs will do that, but will make hearing conversation and range commands difficult. A buddy has a pair of Peltor TactSports but I see they y have a NRR of 22.

@#$%^^, I just got a call from the LGS. I am supposed to pickup my P229 in 36 hours and the DOJ just put approval on hold.

I am not at the range every weekend, nor do I take classes that often, so the Howard Leight electronic muffs I got for $50 off amazon are enough for me. The $25 electronic muffs were fine too but had a little bit more clipping than the Howard Leight muffs. Indoors, I definitely double up. Outdoors with pistols only I am fine with Surefire EP7 plugs for $20 which allow me to hear other sound. Surefire claims that there is no proof of anyone getting hearing damage due to using plugs instead of muffs.

Now if I was shooting every weekend and taking classes all the time, I'd probably buy the expensive muffs. But it's a luxury in my book.