Strange (?) request about electronic ear BUDS....

[Pyrite]

I have SEVERE hearing loss from shooting.
I do have hearing aids plus audiologist made plugs but still have issues with even 22s.

I use the custom plugs WITH the Decibel Defense NRR37 muffs but...

I am thinking very seriously about combining electronic ear BUDS with the muffs.

Willing to try ANYTHING to not have to stop my fave sport and hobby.


Is this a stupid idea? Hang the cost. I want MAXIMUM hearing blockage when shooting.

BUDS.....with... MUFFS.



If any of you have gone to this extent, I'd appreciate any input.
I've tried foam with the muffs and STILL get residual DELAYED hearing problems.

[boopiejones]

Not sure I follow. You're wearing both in ear and over ear protection at the same time and are experiencing additional hearing loss even when shooting 22s?

I'd recommend foam in ear and non electronic over ear, as the non electromic muffs tend to have better decibel ratings

I wear foam in ear combined with over ear protection when shooting indoors, and it minimizes the sound pretty well. Slightly opening my mouth when shooting also helps combat any excessive pressure from higher powered rounds.

[unusedusername]

I use these:

https://www.soundgearhearing.com/collections/custom-fit

With these:

https://proears.com/pro-mag-gold-series

They both "play nice" with each other's electronics.

There is no harm to go both in-ear and on-ear. It increases the protection level by a little bit. I have very little hearing loss and I want to keep it that way!

Sound is measured in db, where it is on a log-scale. This means that 3db is 10 times louder then 2db, which is 10 times louder then 1db.

A 26 NRR in-ear bud and a 30 NRR rated on-ear muff added together gets you 31.5 NRR. 31.5 NRR will reduce the sound by more then 10 times less volume then 30 NRR.

Here is a db calculator. Add the earbuds to the muffs to find your value after both: https://www.noisemeters.com/apps/db-calculator.asp

[XDJYo]

I bought the expensive audiologist made ear plugs before for music and concerts etc. These were the ones with the 15 or 25 db filters that you can swap out. However, mine were not molded correctly and sound still got past them and I had severe ringing in the ears afterwards.

Another thing that I heard (not 100% sure if true) is that your ears will continue to grow, so you will need to get new molds made every so often.

Most every time I go shooting, I double up on plugs. My ears are super sensitive and even mildly loud sounds are painful. I've been using the highest rated foam ear plugs I could find and put ear muffs over that. I do notice that even at times, the foam ear plugs will still allow sound to get by. It's not a 100% seal. So, I have to start from scratch or with a new set.

Also, make sure you're putting them in correctly.

Hope you find something that works for you. I feel your pain bro. Let us know how it goes.

Happy shooting and be safe!

[BrassCase]

Many at our range put in foam earplugs and then electronic headset over that.

[Pyrite]

That's what surprised me. Custom plugs only 6 mos. old combined with

https://www.decibeldefense.com/

Decibel Defense muffs.

I also have some Howard Leight ....active... muffs that are electronic but the plain DD ones "seem" quieter.

What happens is that EVERYTHING I have used lets my ears go funky about 20 minutes AFTER shooting. (deadness and echo sensation)

And that's with 22 LR in 20" bbl.

I am picking up a CZ455 Ultra Lux with 28" barrel on Sunday and all I ever use is SV 22 LR.

I don't want to move down to the CCI "quiet" ammo as it's really not a whole lot more poop than my Beeman airgun.

And I like to shoot farther than 50 feet.

It's been suggested that there's a possible effect from BONE conduction of sound.

I just saw the Walker earbuds in a gun mag and got this bright idea that more is better.

AND... quite a few shooters have found what I have found that their CUSTOM plugs are a bit too hard and don't really conform to the ear that well.


Wit's end here, folks.

Maybe the mile long barrel and buds with muffs will do the trick.

Hope so.

[tradecraft]

Maybe your eyepro is too thick and is creating a gap.

[boopiejones]

Are you shooting with your mouth open or closed? 22 shouldn't hurt your ears either way, but mouth open minimizes the concussion.

[Cortelli]

It's not happy news, but I understand that hearing loss is permanent -- if your ears ring after any shooting you are doing more (permanent) damage. Avoid. (And correct me if I'm wrong, CalGunners).

BUDS.....with... MUFFS.



If any of you have gone to this extent, I'd appreciate any input.
I've tried foam with the muffs and STILL get residual DELAYED hearing problems.

I've seen / known several people who use electronic ear buds with muffs. Not terribly uncommon at indoor ranges, IMHO.

I have not spent money on custom, protective ear buds, but I often - not always - use foam ear plugs with muffs, too, when shooting at an indoor range. If I were on top of my game, I'd always have foam ear plugs with protective muffs - just don't always have plugs available. I'd rather overcompensate than lose any hearing capability.

[k1dude]

I use electronic buds and electronic muffs. They play fine together.

However, I have sensitive ears and hearing damage too, and still find the combo painful indoors and under overhangs. Out in the open they're fine.

[ChuckDizzle]

If you want maximum hearing protection get a cheap set of disposable foam plugs.

They commonly get up to 33 noise reduction rating compared to 31 with muffs. As a bonus they are cheap and fill the ear canal completely, no leaks or fit issues like muffs. Unless you are a hunter don't bother with electronic hearing, you don't need it.

I only use electric muffs when hunting, it takes the edge off, but still isn't safe for anything more than a couple dozen shots. All other times it is foam.

[boopiejones]

If you want maximum hearing protection get a cheap set of disposable foam plugs.

They commonly get up to 33 noise reduction rating compared to 31 with muffs. As a bonus they are cheap and fill the ear canal completely, no leaks or fit issues like muffs. Unless you are a hunter don't bother with electronic hearing, you don't need it.

I only use electric muffs when hunting, it takes the edge off, but still isn't safe for anything more than a couple dozen shots. All other times it is foam.

Agreed.

And I also get concerned that electronic muffs will amplify sounds of other shooters at the range. if others are far enough away from me, they may be throwing off a lower decibel level that then gets amplified by my electronic muffs. So if I do wear electronic muffs at the range, they are turned off and doubled up with foam.

[SonofWWIIDI]

Good article.

https://gunnewsdaily.com/best-ear-protection-for-shooting/

[Pyrite]

I used to have some GREAT foam plugs.
The ones I find now seem way too flimsy, soft and porous.

They were white and barrel shaped rather than the blunt golf tee that everyone seems to make now.

[Pyrite]

I.....THINK...... I found em!!!!

https://www.earplugstore.com/flenquietple6.html