custom ear plugs for shotgunning....

[TZL]

I uses Surefire sonic defenders for skeet / trap, works great !

MSA Sordin pros for tactical / range stuff

[G-Solutions]

+1 for the sonic defenders. They work great for me while shooting regardless if it's .22 or 30-06.

They are not quite as good as electronic protection, but they still allow hearing what's going on around you. I actually wore them a lot at my old job when I was out in the shop where we had compacting presses running most of the day. Made the noise bearable and I was still able to communicate clearly with our technicians.

[Patriotdoc]

Get the foams from Walmart!! They are 32-33 NRRs and disposable. The molded ones will get dirty in the long haul. And I just don't like the idea of licking them for lube to get them in your ears!! Just think of all the bacteria on the plugs every time you have to suck on them to get 'em in your ears!!

I have been using these to sleep for a long time and love them. My years of medical school have really messed with my sleep cycles and I am a very light sleeper. Now that I've been getting into shooting I have kept using them under a set of MSA Pro-X muffs and am really liking the combo...in my view skimping on ear pro especially if you are young is a terrible move. I would never go with in ears only due to how much sound is conducted by your temporal bones alone. When I swim I use a product called SwimP3 which conducts music through your temporal bones when you are swimming and it is amazing how well it works which just makes me shudder when I see people with in ears only and a gun going off only inches away. To each their own.

[ThE_LoNgShOt]

I have been using these to sleep for a long time and love them. My years of medical school have really messed with my sleep cycles and I am a very light sleeper. Now that I've been getting into shooting I have kept using them under a set of MSA Pro-X muffs and am really liking the combo...in my view skimping on ear pro especially if you are young is a terrible move. I would never go with in ears only due to how much sound is conducted by your temporal bones alone. When I swim I use a product called SwimP3 which conducts music through your temporal bones when you are swimming and it is amazing how well it works which just makes me shudder when I see people with in ears only and a gun going off only inches away. To each their own.

unfortunately for me, I blew my ears out playing guitar in rock bands over the last 20 years. I'm just looking to save what I've got left. medical school... doctor, huh? okay, well I am generally suspect of doctors' analysis / diagnosis (from personal experience..) but since you're a shooter, I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt.

[RolinCode3]

After talking to an audiologist that did a custom earpiece for my job, I thought they were too high-priced for shooting plugs. I found these guys, and I've had zero to complain about their product. I've never had to suck on them to get them in either.

http://www.earinc.com/p1-nonelectronic-instamold.php

They have local reps who make the molds from your ears and send them to the company to make the plugs...takes about 3-4 weeks. I think they cost me $120 vs close to $200 from the audiologist.

[JohnFLand]

Wow! My audiologist charged me only $70.

[bug_eyedmonster]

I also use the Surefire plugs, I haven't come across anyone that makes custom plugs, and I still don't understand why people use saliva to slip them in at the range, it's kind of gross. Their hands have crud from shooting, they put the plugs they've been rolling between their fingers into their mouth, and then into the ears. The Surefire plugs work great for trap shooting, I keep them in pretty much the whole time. When I shoot rifles or pistols, I double it up with electronic muffs.

Jerry

[Patriotdoc]

How do you like the surefire? Which ones? Im thinking or getting them to double up with msa pro x I'm doubling up with walmart purples foamies right now.

[CelticRanger]

I've been using the surefire plugs, I like them and I can wear them all day with no discomfort. the EP6 is what I have now.

[alfred1222]

I also use the Surefire plugs, I haven't come across anyone that makes custom plugs, and I still don't understand why people use saliva to slip them in at the range, it's kind of gross. Their hands have crud from shooting, they put the plugs they've been rolling between their fingers into their mouth, and then into the ears. The Surefire plugs work great for trap shooting, I keep them in pretty much the whole time. When I shoot rifles or pistols, I double it up with electronic muffs.

Jerry

+1, I use surefire plugs, and never had any complaints.

[surfcitydude]

The Radians are total garbage. I still have some of the material stuck in my ear from a bad batch that didn't cure correctly (from August!). After attempting to contact the company through multiple channels, they never responded. Waste of money and potentially dangerous.

I say that is total BS. We bought one set from Amazon that didn't cure fast enough and they sagged after they finally set up. One call to Radians and not only were they very courteous, they sent me 2 new pairs and the storage bags and lanyards. Everyone in my club uses them weekly for trap and skeet and everyone loves them. the ones you have made at the range or at gun shows are the same stuff, just with and extra $35 tacked on for their troubles. I highly recommend them, never a problem. BTW, I also bought a set of Peltor Shotgun shooting ear muffs. They fit nice and filter the sound good but when mounting my gun, they always hit the stock causing me to not get the correct position.

[navraster]

Linda at Ear Plugs USA is my go to person for custom earplugs. She is at most of the gun shows and many other events, just call for more info. http://www.earplugsusa.com/

I have had mine for over 3 years now and have never licked mine. I have no idea why someone would do that - they don't need to be licked since they are a custom mold of your ear... Plus it's gross.

[mdhpper]

Another vote for Linda. Mine plugs work great. No licking required.

[MA5177]

Get the foams from Walmart!! They are 32-33 NRRs and disposable. The molded ones will get dirty in the long haul. And I just don't like the idea of licking them for lube to get them in your ears!! Just think of all the bacteria on the plugs every time you have to suck on them to get 'em in your ears!!

Yep...I wear ear plugs for work every day. I have tried some custom ones a long time a go but they sucked and were a PITA! The foam type work great. save the $100-$200 and buy targets!

[johnny1290]

It's an interesting subject!

Back in the day, I never used ear plugs for shooting or engines, or anything. Of course I have tinnitus, and don't recommend that.

The custom fit ones aren't rated as high a NRR as the foam ones. I can understand they're comfortable, but just a couple decibels difference is a huge difference.

Y'all that have customs, do they reduce noise better than foam? I use the foam and ears both. Can't hurt for my range shooting.