Best mid priced electronic hearing protection?

[MarikinaMan]

I got me some Howard Leights Impact Sports a month ago, and after much use, I get uncomfortable sounds levels. This is no good for me as I shoot hours on end. Not to mention they pinch my ears after prolonged use.

Ive experimented with fitting, and basically they dont fit my head well. The folding design is a no go for me noggin. If I press down on the rear, theyre quiet. Alone, there is a loose contact point behind me ear that lets some sound in.

I come from 15 buck Peltor X-series none electronics. Love those but the thick profile is no good for rifle cheeks welds. Also, chit chatting at the range is a treat

Anything else out there worth buying in the 40-75 buck range. User recommendation requested.

[holt7153]

For me the Peltor Sport Tacticals were a big upgrade over the Howard Leight Impact Sports, but I haven't tried them yet with a rifle so not sure about the cheek weld issue.

http://www.amazon.com/Peltor-Tactical-Electronic-Hearing-Protector/dp/B00NAG4WX2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00

[L84CABO]

Sorry...didn't catch you were having problems with the HL's. Obviously you're not going to buy those again so... *delete*

[steve91104]

I like the Howard Leight Impact Sports best so far. I had some Peltors but you had to disassemble each earmuff to change the batteries and it was a PITA. The Impact Sports ones have a battery compartment door on one side which is much easier to deal with.

[MarikinaMan]

I like the Howard Leight Impact Sports best so far. I had some Peltors but you had to disassemble each earmuff to change the batteries and it was a PITA. The Impact Sports ones have a battery compartment door on one side which is much easier to deal with.

I mentioned in the original post that I have the Impact Sports and that the fit doesnt work for me. Muffs that dont fold for storage fits me head better.

[fritztkatt]

For me I have to compress them all the way.

As far as hearing protection goes, you're doing it wrong by relying solely on the muffs. Use plugs and crank up the volume on the muffs. The plugs do the heavy lifting, and the muffs keep the blast from indoors or large calibers away, as well as letting you hear the not-loud stuff.

I wore some impact pro's for about 5 minutes (with plugs, not shooting), at iron sights and the sound quality and fit seemed much better. Although I feel the MUCH larger profile will get in the way shooting a straight comb long gun.

[MarikinaMan]

For me I have to compress them all the way.

As far as hearing protection goes, you're doing it wrong by relying solely on the muffs. Use plugs and crank up the volume on the muffs. The plugs do the heavy lifting, and the muffs keep the blast from indoors or large calibers away, as well as letting you hear the not-loud stuff.

I wore some impact pro's for about 5 minutes (with plugs, not shooting), at iron sights and the sound quality and fit seemed much better. Although I feel the MUCH larger profile will get in the way shooting a straight comb long gun.

I did this with the Impact Sports. Is this how people deal with them? My cheapo Peltors are fine running Commando. I find myself using them vs. the HL Impacts.

[Ubermcoupe]

HL Impact Pros - 30NRR ~$60 on amazon.

[baranski]

For me I have to compress them all the way.

As far as hearing protection goes, you're doing it wrong by relying solely on the muffs. Use plugs and crank up the volume on the muffs. The plugs do the heavy lifting, and the muffs keep the blast from indoors or large calibers away, as well as letting you hear the not-loud stuff.

I wore some impact pro's for about 5 minutes (with plugs, not shooting), at iron sights and the sound quality and fit seemed much better. Although I feel the MUCH larger profile will get in the way shooting a straight comb long gun.

It would be nice if HL had a choice of the rectangle or a oval format. For me the ovals seem to fit my melon better.

That being said, I use custom plugs with the Impact Sports cranked up.

[fritztkatt]

I did this with the Impact Sports. Is this how people deal with them? My cheapo Peltors are fine running Commando. I find myself using them vs. the HL Impacts.

Ford vs. Chevy...

The reason I say you need to use plugs+muffs is simple...

Gunshot = ~160db. Plugs = -33db. Muffs = -22db. Hearing safe is <85db. 160-33-22 > 85.

Why make it worse? I'm appreciating it already after just a few months of doubling up. And with the electronic muffs I can HEAR stuff.

[MarikinaMan]

HL Impact Pros - 30NRR ~$60 on amazon.

I'd try them, but just looking at it, I already know I wont be able to get a proper cheek weld with that muff profile. Thanks.

[MarikinaMan]

Ford vs. Chevy...

The reason I say you need to use plugs+muffs is simple...

Gunshot = ~160db. Plugs = -33db. Muffs = -22db. Hearing safe is <85db. 160-33-22 > 85.

Why make it worse? I'm appreciating it already after just a few months of doubling up. And with the electronic muffs I can HEAR stuff.

I'll try it if I can still talk to people doing this. Otherwise, my none electronic muffs work just fine without plugs. Theyre rated 24db, vs 22 for the Impacts, but they are leaps quieter.

Anybody ever tried Game Ears for hearing protection?

[Ubermcoupe]

I'd try them, but just looking at it, I already know I wont be able to get a proper cheek weld with that muff profile. Thanks.

Yea, definitely not the most convenient for shotgunning/shooting clays, but they work well for my AR/AKs & handguns.

[fritztkatt]

Even if you have 33db plugs and muffs (highest rating possible), it still put you outside the hearing safe range unless you are using a supressor.

It sucks the HL sports don't work for you, it seems like everyone and their brother uses them when I go to the range. I'll admit the seal is often broken when shooting a long gun, but I still have those plugs in, and can still hear the not loud stuff.

I think as far as the muffs go, HL isn't going to be your brand. I think the pro's have the same ear shape, and adjustment (folding).

I re-read your OP. Is the ear pinching from your safety glasses? I definitely get that pressing feeling after about 3-4 hours. Which is why I take them off frequently and massage that area a bit. Another reason to wear plugs at the same time. You will NOT get that good seal with eye pro on (properly). I guess your head is much more rounded than mine? With every muff I've tried, it usually seals good looking straight, but moving around breaks that seal (did I mention wear plugs?)...

Conclusion: put plugs in, crank up the volume, don't get hearing damage, and suck it up. You're shooting guns, not getting a manicure.

[MarikinaMan]

Even if you have 33db plugs and muffs (highest rating possible), it still put you outside the hearing safe range unless you are using a supressor.

It sucks the HL sports don't work for you, it seems like everyone and their brother uses them when I go to the range. I'll admit the seal is often broken when shooting a long gun, but I still have those plugs in, and can still hear the not loud stuff.

I think as far as the muffs go, HL isn't going to be your brand. I think the pro's have the same ear shape, and adjustment (folding).

I re-read your OP. Is the ear pinching from your safety glasses? I definitely get that pressing feeling after about 3-4 hours. Which is why I take them off frequently and massage that area a bit. Another reason to wear plugs at the same time. You will NOT get that good seal with eye pro on (properly). I guess your head is much more rounded than mine? With every muff I've tried, it usually seals good looking straight, but moving around breaks that seal (did I mention wear plugs?)...

Conclusion: put plugs in, crank up the volume, don't get hearing damage, and suck it up. You're shooting guns, not getting a manicure.

Good point on the glasses. I just bought some peltor plugs to wear with the muffs. Will go with these and see how it works out. Thanks!