Hearing Protection – Not Enough (IMHO)

[SAD338]

Someone mentioned concussion and I think that is a factor that you should seriously consider if you are shooting guns indoors. The Army has only just started looking into the effects of concussive blasts (i.e. blasts overpressure) close to the brain and they are not good.

I started my military career in the Marines and finished in the Army. Do you know how many of my close buddies ended up with permanent hearing loss or some other cognitive defect? All of them, including myself.

[Jimi Jah]

Ear damage from military service will eventually get a public 'hearing'.

Will the forces issue earplugs when a judge decides it's harmful? Will soldiers be able to "Operate" with ear plugs? Will every ex-soldier sue the USA for damages?

This reminds me of concussions in sports, that will end/change pro football when the lawyers get to court.

[howbobert]

From someone that suffers from hearing loss and has hearing aids, I use electronic hearing protection while shooting. I also used hearing protection while using power tools and even when vacuuming the house. Want to protect what I have left.

During my last check-up, my doctor was asking me how they are working, if I was used to them, etc. We got to talking and he said that there are actually hearing aids that have noise canceling like electronic hearing muffs. He said that they work great when doing long distance shooting. Never would have thought that he is/might be a shooter.

[cindynles]

Custom fit plugs and electronic muffs work pretty well. I turn up the volume on the muffs and I can still hear OK enough to have a conversation.

[big red]

In combat you do not have time to put in earplugs or anything else since your in a fight for your life. However in civilian life a few extra dollars now can save you a lot of grief down the road or at least stop the loss for the most part. We will spend thousands on rifles but whine about an extra twenty to save our hearing. buy the best you can and enjoy your hearing in your old age.

[Mute]

The problem is as you pointed out, NRR is not the best indicator of the actual protection you'll receive, not to mention that the standards for measuring NRR is fairly loose. One manufacturer's 25 dB NRR is not the same as another's.

Most people find that plugs with muffs do a good job even on larger caliber rifles with a loud blast like the .50 bmg, .338 lapua...etc. When I shoot I use a variety of products for different occasions but a majority of time I run custom fitted plugs w/incorporated electronics. I actually am a provider for custom plugs so I have good access to a wide variety of products and all of them can do a good job or be less than idea. There is some personal fit issues that can affect these product's effectiveness so it's a good idea to test different products to gauge which ones works best for you. Granted the more expensive items might not be accessible, but the less expensive can be a worthwhile investment if for nothing other than to identify if it works well for you or not.

Most of the time I don't use muffs because I shoot a lot of long guns and find a majority of muffs force me to have a less than idea position on my stocks, not to mention they tend to make me hot and sweaty. Many people like the foam plugs because they expand to fit properly on most everyone. I personally find the custom fits to do the best job aside from doubling up with plugs and muffs.

[ChuckDizzle]

Ear damage from military service will eventually get a public 'hearing'.

Will the forces issue earplugs when a judge decides it's harmful? Will soldiers be able to "Operate" with ear plugs? Will every ex-soldier sue the USA for damages?

This reminds me of concussions in sports, that will end/change pro football when the lawyers get to court.

You can already get disability compensation and there is a hearing evaluation service member before and while out processing.

You are issued semi custom plugs in basic training and it is an inspectable uniform item. Usually most aircraft crews and range officers have a box of disposable foam plugs in case a Joe loses his rubber ones.

My rubber ones broke off of my vest while low crawling under fire. When we flew out from the LZ the bird crew had no back ups so I spent 2 hours without protection on a CH 47. I got more damage in that two hours than all the incoming indirect fire, and small arms combined.

[stevebla]

I like 3M Classic Plus 33 db
Plus are a bit longer roll them tight and stick em deep, add muffs for major caliber

[xxINKxx]

Usually every gun show from Ca to Arizona there’s always one of those custom ear plug vendors doing them while you sit in the chair and they make them for you. Are those any good?

[ChuckDizzle]

Honestly, nothing beats foam plugs and muffs combined. I still haven't seen anything with the 30-34 db nrr you find in foam disposables. Plus they move and adapt to chewing, talking, and don't get in the way of mounting long guns.

I take zero chances with my son's hearing at the range and it's always quality foam plugs every time.

[waveslayer]

Don't shoot indoors, get custom ears.

And finally, buy a Suppressor! Much better option.

My wife thinks I only have 3 guns

[Triple765]

I've wanted elec. ear pros for a while but a lot have quite low NRR ratings (around 23). I double up but I'm going to try the passive 'Pro Fo Sho' Ear muffs. Scalloped & NRR of over 30 db. I'll have to get some custom plugs some time.

[Jimmy's]

Oh but the whole adrenilan thing makes it all go away. And if the military dosent use hearing protection why should you.

[socal147]

My wife works in safety and compliance with an airline.

Interestingly, I actually measured the noise level on my last flights from commifornia to Michigan and back. Averaged 85db plus throughout. By OSHA standards, hearing protection is required. I wear disposable foam ear plugs on flights. Easier to sleep.

[SISKIN]

Blame my hearing loss from all the rock bands i was in back in the 80's not the amount Rds i have shot in the past 35 years