Let's talk electronic hearing protection

[relatively-anonymous]

I use the foam plugs combined with Howard leight sport. Never had an issue. I can hear regular conversation and I have no problems with muzzle brake ARs in a closed range.

Thanks. I have a little difficulty with foam (compared to rubber) because of my ear canal shape but I'll see how rubber plugs with very small sound holes treat me.

[tanks]

Yup...some ridiculously expensive options there. Wonder how they work? Don't forget that sound is also transmitted through the bone structure in your face/melon so there may actually be some additional benefits of muffs over plugs. But when you consider how expensive real hearing aids are, the price of electronic ear plugs seems...well...consistent at least.

One problem here with plugs is that there may be actual times where you do want to double up...like any time you're indoors. The best electronic plugs in the world can still be made better by throwing muffs on top of them. And that's critical in doors, IMO.

Let us know if you go for the expensive ones. Would love to hear how they perform.

I have the Edge 90. They work great and if I increase the volume I can actually hear what is going on at the next bay over, outdoors. Other than the mold you actually take a hearing test at the doctor's office and the programming compensates for whatever hearing loss you might have had in the past. It seems I have issues with high pitched noises, no wonder my ex-wives always told me I never listen

Yes, indoors I double up.

[L84CABO]

I think the NRR on those is only about 26 db? That won't cut it for me indoors with a bunch of muzzle-braked ARs running beside me.

I had these: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B007BGSI5U

Which have a NRR of 30 db, and I still wanted more.

There's no standard for how NRR is to be represented. Maybe a company's 26 db is the lowest across all frequencies and a company's 30 is the highest across all frequencies but its not an actual gun shot frequency. You should also ALWAYS double up indoors.

[AGFNTB]

I switched from electronic muffs to the Silynx Clarus Pro. They work great. I even connect my phone to them to listen to tunes

[wurger]

My ear pro is situational. Indoors, Sordin Supreme Pro Gel with plugs underneath. Outdoors, under a structure, the Sordin's. Also the Sordin if there will be a high volume of fire.

Open air, mostly plugs, unless shooting a lot, or shooting big bore.

Plugs when shooting .22 with the kids.

[vintagearms]

I use the foam plugs combined with Howard leight sport. Never had an issue. I can hear regular conversation and I have no problems with muzzle brake ARs in a closed range.

Same. I shoot .308 with muzzle brakes and AR's with no issues.

[mikeyr]

Yup...some ridiculously expensive options there. Wonder how they work? .

They work wonderfully, I didn't go with sportear but went with esp instead and I love them. I wear them in the shop when welding, wood working and of course shooting.

[relatively-anonymous]

Thanks for the great advice AGAIN, guys

[manini]

New earplugs not on market yet

Check this out. Not yet on the market.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjsgc3EksHTAhVG7IMKHWMgBrQQFgglMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kickstarter.com%2Fprojects%2Fgoaxil%2Faxil-xp-series-earplugs-defender-and-reactor&usg=AFQjCNEGiZLbj1sX7IBV1MjW9GyxkBhidA&sig2=wOtl-8PAPLuOqeNPchsv_A

[cvigue]

There's no standard for how NRR is to be represented.

I looked into this a tiny bit and from what I read there are numerous ANSI and other standards for hearing protection. Is that wrong? Also, are you making the claim that the reduction for those (very nice, very rugged looking) muffs is in fact greater than a set rated for 4 db more?

[bellts]

I use these crazy foam things called ear plugs. Works well for me.

[cvigue]

There's no standard for how NRR is to be represented. Maybe a company's 26 db is the lowest across all frequencies and a company's 30 is the highest across all frequencies but its not an actual gun shot frequency. You should also ALWAYS double up indoors.

OK I looked more, I'm calling bullsh*t:

ANSI S12 PT6-2016: Methods For Measuring The Real-Ear Attenuation Of Hearing Protectors

Also: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/z-draft-un...alculation.pdf

[L84CABO]

OK I looked more, I'm calling bullsh*t:

ANSI S12 PT6-2016: Methods For Measuring The Real-Ear Attenuation Of Hearing Protectors

Also: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/z-draft-un...alculation.pdf

https://trevoronthetrigger.wordpress.com/2014/05/01/msa-sordin-supreme-performance-the-misleading-nrr18db-rating/

[cvigue]

https://trevoronthetrigger.wordpress...rr18db-rating/

Hmmm, ANSI and CDC vs "Trevor" ..... that's a tough call but I'm going to go w/ ANSI until something comes along to change my mind.

[Librarian]

It's an FAQ, but I don't know why we don't have a specific thread for it.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1318466&highlight=hearing+protection

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1287222&highlight=hearing+protection

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1209398&highlight=hearing+protection

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1203175&highlight=hearing+protection

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1188596&highlight=hearing+protection

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1175858&highlight=hearing+protection

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1172063&highlight=hearing+protection

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1172991&highlight=hearing+protection

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1147567&highlight=hearing+protection

Just back to Dec 2015 ...

ETA - Ah, we DO have an FAQ thread - http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s....php?t=1133889 - in the Firearms Accessories forum