Hearing Protection – Not Enough (IMHO)

[SAD338]

Even more reason HPA should have been passed already.

[Mister Coffee]

Good thread on an important topic. Thanks, OP.

[TempleKnight]

[kmas]

That is Why ...

That is why those of us involved in the medical field use
NR 33 dB earplugs by 3M, well-inserted, then use high attenuation earmuffs over them - ensuring a tight fit & seal over our ears.

We don't worry about chatting when in indoor ranges - that's not why we're there.

[Mister Coffee]

I wish I had some ear muffs rated at 33 db NRR. My Pro Ears are only rated 30 db NRR.

By the way, 3M appears to have been involved in some litigation over some of their protective equipment:


3M Settles Over Army Earplugs -- Market Talk

12:21 pm ET July 26, 2018 (Dow Jones) Print
12:21 ET - The justice department announces a settlement with 3M over defective earplugs sold to the US military, with the diversified manufacturer paying $9.1M to resolve the allegations brought by a whistleblower, who will receive $1.9M. 3M's defense products portfolio includes helmets, body armor and protective eyewear. (doug.cameron@wsj.com; @dougcameron)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 26, 2018 12:21 ET (16:21 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2018 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

[stevebla]

That is why those of us involved in the medical field use
NR 33 dB earplugs by 3M, well-inserted, then use high attenuation earmuffs over them - ensuring a tight fit & seal over our ears.

We don't worry about chatting when in indoor ranges - that's not why we're there.

+1

https://www.amazon.com/3M-Uncorded-Earplugs-Conservation-310-1101/dp/B07G8PYFD3/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1534208605&sr=8-1&keywords=3m+classic+plus+ear+plugs

[kmas]

This is It

+1
https://www.amazon.com/3M-Uncorded-E...plus+ear+plugs

Yes, you get 200 pairs - should last a few years.

[Phil3]

I am the OP, and am glad to see all the responses and attention paid to hearing protection. The most distressing thing is that for some seriously loud rifles and revolvers, plugs and muffs together are simply not enough to guard against hearing loss. There appears to be no combination of plugs and muffs that can cut a 175 decibel blast to 140 db, the maximum generally accepted as safe for even a brief impulse (gun shot).

As others have pointed out, shooting indoors or any place where sound can be reflected makes it worse, and is why I will not shoot indoors. I left a place after someone was firing 357 Mags out of a 3" revolver, next to a wall. At my nearest outdoors range, the shooting stalls have a concrete floor, as well as a walls to the right and left and a ceiling. Perfect for maximizing noise to my ears. That is just a 100 yard range, and not for a 338 Lapua Mag, but would not want to fire off a 50 S&W revolver in that environment!

Just as an aside, I have tried various ear plugs, but do find these work the best (so far). BUT, like all ear plugs, they have to be inserted deep. I see way too many people with ear plugs improperly inserted. Mine are only slightly visible when I look in a mirror.

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2013/06/recommended-gear-howard-leight-max-1-nrr-33-ear-plugs/

I may try others, including these. https://earplugsonline.com/shooting-ear-protection/

We need suppressors, but the sun will rise in the west before CA ever allows that.

Phil

[igs]

I have found in more than a few places, the actual NRR should be reduced by 7, and then divided by two. This means a 33 NRR set of earplugs would be effectively an NRR of 13. On top of that, adding ear muffs to ear plugs will only increase the NRR by about 5, to which then the calculation would be run again.
Adding muffs in this case, would result in an effective NRR of 15.5.

That's now how NRR works.

[Guns and guitars]

Former infantryman, lifelong guitarist and complete gun nut.

So my forum name is a play on my lack of hearing.

[Ford8N]

My hearing is already shot. I’m old enough to be of an age before all the mandatory hearing protection at work or even off work. Guns, rock concerts, motocross, tractors, race cars. I was around it all the time. I have the best hearing aids medical insurance will buy. It just makes what I can’t hear louder. Still can’t understand, as I’m 100% deaf in some frequency’s. I can’t hear sirens, horns honking, even my own name spoken while waiting at the doctors office. Thank God for txt, otherwise I couldn’t communicate. But it’s not all bad, I kinda like the silence.

[CouchOperator]

Plugs and muffs combined. Directly rear of the rifle doesnt sound as loud as next to it.

Qualifications: Prior owner of a Sako TRG42 in .338 Lapua

[Sputnik]

I have been curious about the custom plugs. Anyone recommend anything specific to buy or to avoid?

I used this company: https://superiorsoundtechnology.com/...tion_Z8ZR.html
The rep meets you, makes the mold and in a week or so you have perfect fitting custom plugs. There are options that might make sense for some but I went with plain solids. I wear them under my m/c helmet every time I ride.
I also started using some Etymotic electronic plugs for less intense (no rifle cal) shooting and they're very good for that. I can also wear muffs over them when rifle shooting and still hear at least a little.

[bronco75a]

Are you trying to convince us to give up our .308 bolt action rifles because we might lose our hearing. These people never stop do they.

[Mister Coffee]

I used this company: https://superiorsoundtechnology.com/...tion_Z8ZR.html

Mine are similar to those in the way they fill the ear. Then, I use Pro-Ears on top of them. I also use the ear plugs for motorcycles and, sometimes, for cars. In L.A., everybody and his grandma has a racing exhaust on their Honda Civic. It's rather annoying.