FAQ: electronic hearing protection

[EastCoaster]

Right now I utilize a set of custom molded ear plugs that perform fairly decently for shooting, but desire a set of electronic ear muffs to effectively assume a RSO position.

What information should should I consider when purchasing a set?

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ETA Adding some manufacturers web sites - not exhaustive, shop for prices

Librarian

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Walker - https://www.walkersgameear.com/

MSA/Sordin - https://sordin.com/

Howard Leight - https://www.howardleightshootingspor...ronic-earmuffs

Peltor/3M - https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/c/ppe/communications/

Pro Ears - https://proears.com/

And a review that appeared easily - https://www.pewpewtactical.com/best-...ar-protection/

IMO, pewpew tactical is pretty neutral.

[LeadFarmer74]

I have a pair of these:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001T7QJ9O/ref=pd_aw_sim_200_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=413LEFbzvIL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL100_SR100%2C100_&refRID=0RYPQTV0YRHPRYVSE8DB

They work great and don't break the bank. I would highly recommend.

[bountyhunter]

The only really important rating is NRR which is Noise Reduction rating which tells you how much total attenuation there is for sound pressure waves from outside to your ears. Best quality muffs are about 33 dB NRR but some electronics are 25 dB or less. It's actually quite important since peak sound levels at indoor ranges can approach 160 dB for magnum rounds.

I recommend using the plugs inside the electronic muffs. The speakers in my electronics are plenty loud enough to hear through inner plugs but the plugs significantly reduce hearing damage.

EDIT TO ADD:

The ones suggested in the post above mine state:

Automatically blocks noise above 82 dB, noise reduction rating: NRR 22

NRR 22 is quite poor. These are much better at 34 dB:

http://www.amazon.com/Protection-Professional-Folding-Padded-Comfortable-Satisfaction/dp/B00NKSMPZW/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1447557579&sr=1-1&keywords=earmuff

The statement of:

Automatically blocks noise above 82 dB

Is quite misleading, in fact a lie. What it means is the sound levels from the inside speakers is limited to 82 dB, but they can't do anything to stop the sound that penetrates directly through the headphones and is attenuated by a relatively meager 22 dB.

As stated, pressure levels approaching 160 dB can occur with loud calibers and that means a 22dB reduction leaves the peak at 138 dB which is very dangerous.

I still recommend using internal plugs.

[Librarian]

Lots of prior threads on this - search for electronic hearing protection.

[DRoberts12345]

I have Howard Leight Impact Sport and Impact Pro and I like them both a lot. I like a lot of hearing protection (plugs and muffs). The pro's are pretty large but have really good protection. The sport's are much more slimline, and popular, but have lower db reduction. I used the pro's exclusively until I got my Sport Ear hearing aids, Now I use the Sport's all the time.
My son uses the sports but uses roll up plugs (in half way) with them.

[Sapperforward]

The only really important rating is NRR which is Noise Reduction rating which tells you how much total attenuation there is for sound pressure waves from outside to your ears. Best quality muffs are about 33 dB NRR but some electronics are 25 dB or less. It's actually quite important since peak sound levels at indoor ranges can approach 160 dB for magnum rounds.

I recommend using the plugs inside the electronic muffs. The speakers in my electronics are plenty loud enough to hear through inner plugs but the plugs significantly reduce hearing damage.

EDIT TO ADD:

The ones suggested in the post above mine state:



NRR 22 is quite poor. These are much better at 34 dB:

http://www.amazon.com/Protection-Professional-Folding-Padded-Comfortable-Satisfaction/dp/B00NKSMPZW/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1447557579&sr=1-1&keywords=earmuff

The statement of:



Is quite misleading, in fact a lie. What it means is the sound levels from the inside speakers is limited to 82 dB, but they can't do anything to stop the sound that penetrates directly through the headphones and is attenuated by a relatively meager 22 dB.

As stated, pressure levels approaching 160 dB can occur with loud calibers and that means a 22dB reduction leaves the peak at 138 dB which is very dangerous.

I still recommend using internal plugs.

Yeah but....but....where is the MP3 plug. It's essential to the shooting experience. If I can't listen to Taylor Swift will I'm shooting than what's the point of shooting?

[Gryff]

All the cheap electronic ear pro has an NRR that is too low by my standards. I paid a small fortune for my Pro Ears ($250+), and I'm still happily using them 10 years later.

http://www.proears.com/Pro-Ears-Shooting-Hearing-Ear-Protection-Pro-Slim-Gold-Black-Muffs

Remember...you don't recover from hearing damage. The ringing may stop, but the hearing loss is permanent.

[hermosabeach]

Home Depot has a Black Friday sale on electronic muffs with a 25 dB rating, radio and MP3 input for $27

[9mmepiphany]

People always seem to hang on NR ratings, likely because it is measurable.

However, the fit and seal of the muffs to your head is even more important. A NRR of 40 won't do you any good if the muffs aren't sealing all the way around.

If you are lucky enough that the Sport Impacts fit your head, you're well ahead of the game. What they did was size them for the "average" head and offered them with a very reasonable entry price.

I've worn a pair of MSA muffs ($300+) for years while teaching and while their NRR isn't anything to brag about, they are some of the best fitting and sealing muffs on the market. They protected much better than the Impact Sports I've been trying.

I've been seriously considering a pair of the Peltor Tactical Sport ($110) and adding a set of Gel Sealing Rings ($45). Just the gel rings cost as much as the Impact Sport muffs, but they make a huge difference in protection.

The other thing you should be aware of is if the muffs you pick "clip" or "compress" the noise about the "damage level." You want to get a pair that allows you to continue to hear voices when gunfire is in the background

[Lumpy8]

Which ever ones you choose, consider ones that have one knob to control on/off/volume. And, ones that take only batteries on one side of the muffs.

[LowThudd]

tag

[bountyhunter]

Yeah but....but....where is the MP3 plug. It's essential to the shooting experience. If I can't listen to Taylor Swift will I'm shooting than what's the point of shooting?

Muzzle blast will only damage your hearing. Taylor Swift will kill your brain.....

[EastCoaster]

Lots of prior threads on this - search for electronic hearing protection.

I looked at the threads, but just had more questions after going through them all, particularly the information that sometimes contradicted itself.

The only really important rating is NRR which is Noise Reduction rating which tells you how much total attenuation there is for sound pressure waves from outside to your ears. Best quality muffs are about 33 dB NRR but some electronics are 25 dB or less. It's actually quite important since peak sound levels at indoor ranges can approach 160 dB for magnum rounds.

I recommend using the plugs inside the electronic muffs. The speakers in my electronics are plenty loud enough to hear through inner plugs but the plugs significantly reduce hearing damage.

EDIT TO ADD:

The ones suggested in the post above mine state:

NRR 22 is quite poor. These are much better at 34 dB:

http://www.amazon.com/Protection-Professional-Folding-Padded-Comfortable-Satisfaction/dp/B00NKSMPZW/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1447557579&sr=1-1&keywords=earmuff

The statement of:

Is quite misleading, in fact a lie. What it means is the sound levels from the inside speakers is limited to 82 dB, but they can't do anything to stop the sound that penetrates directly through the headphones and is attenuated by a relatively meager 22 dB.

As stated, pressure levels approaching 160 dB can occur with loud calibers and that means a 22dB reduction leaves the peak at 138 dB which is very dangerous.

I still recommend using internal plugs.

20 years ago, I purchased a set of North Gun Muffler muffs (25 dB). I too use my custom molded ear plugs (32.8 dB) under my muffs when pistol shooting, but I just can't use them when bench shooting long arms.

However, the RSO position specifically requires the use of electronic hearing protection. Not only because of the protection afforded from gunfire, but the ability to effectively communicate with those on the range.

Which ever ones you choose, consider ones that have one knob to control on/off/volume. And, ones that take only batteries on one side of the muffs.

TY. That bit of information is very helpful.

[Citizen_B]

I've had 5 different electronic muffs, more non-electronic muffs, and different foam insert types. The cheap electronic muff are alright. The low profile 22NRR types aren't much protection - I'd go with the beefier/bulkier ones with higher NRR. The big difference between the cheaper ones from the Ear Pro (top of the line) is that Ear Pro's don't temporarily cut out when a shot is fired. This allows you to carry on with a conversation without interruption while shots are fired. That and they have two volume knobs in case you have more hearing loss in one ear over other and need to crank one up. Are the ear pro gold worth the extra cost? I think it depends on your needs. Since you're going to RSO, I'd say it's worth it for the absence of cut out I mentioned.

Indoor ranges I ALWAYS use foam inserts plus muffs. Outdoors depends but usually both. The nice thing about the electronics is when you double up you can turn the volume up to max and still be able to hear through the foam fairly well.

BTW, I have tinnitus (ringing that never stops) from service and it's not fun - I'd rather have severe hearing loss. Protect your ears guys!

[Agent 0range]

I use the Impact Sports with foam plugs at indoor ranges with pistols. I only use foam outdoors with rifles because I just can't get a comfortable cheek weld with muffs.
The sports are also nice for yard work with the lawn mowers, leaf blower, chainsaw, etc. since I can work and listen to Tay Tay at the same time.

If you're going to be a RSO though, I'd say it would be a good investment to buy some high end muffs. That position requires a lot more time at an indoor range than the average shooter. When I was working construction, I had no problem paying for high end work boots because I needed the proper equipment for the line of work I was in. It's a small price to pay in the long run compared to the alternative potential of permanent hearing damage. Just think of it as a one time insurance payment.