Best Hearing Protection

[AntonioMartha]

I'm 55 years young now and I haven't own a gun ever. Lived in SC and Texas when I was younger and I just go to gun ranges with friends and family. I'm planning to buy a handgun and join amateur shooting competitions since my wife just passed away and I need to be out more. I have some hearing problems so I need some help deciding what to buy. I have a idea on what to get but still, I need some recommendations. Price is really not an issue as long as I don't get deaf.

Thanks!

[Barbarosa]

I double up with a good set of in the ear plugs and a pair of over the ear muffs. It's pretty foolproof and very effective.

[Mayor McRifle]

These are my favorite ear muffs for stand and shoot or bench shooting: https://proears.com/product/pro-ears-predator-gold/
They are 26 dB NRR, and extremely comfortable.

I wear these for run and shoot (USPSA) and trap shooting: https://www.goaxil.com/shop/hearing-...-earmuffs/#top
They are 25 dB NRR, quite comfortable, and fit very securely.

When shooting indoors, I always double up with both ear muffs and ear plugs: https://www.amazon.com/3M-1100-Foam-...s%2C230&sr=8-3

[RustyIron]

I'm 55 years young now and I haven't own a gun ever.

What?

Speak up, man!

Best? 3M foam plugs plus amplifying earmuffs. It's almost mandatory when shooting indoors. Sometimes I'll use just one outdoors, but I find that with both, I can hear people's voices better than during regular conversation. Yes, I have hearing damage. I've learned hard lessons.

[piedmontmang]

The most Gucci hearing protection headsets are Sordin Supreme PRO X or the Peltor ComTac III Hearing Defender, both are $300 and can be bought from Amazon. The Peltor's are military specification.

Sordin

https://www.amazon.com/Sordin-Reduction-Adjustable-Protection-Shooting/dp/B07NP2PCF3/ref=sr_1_12?crid=1CYKXMYLRLOZA&keywords=sordin+supreme+prox&qid=1562301556&s=hi&sprefix=sordin+s%2Ctools%2C199&sr=1-12

Peltor

https://www.amazon.com/Peltor-Hearing-Defender-Electronic-Earmuffs/dp/B073M566W7/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_147_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=1J6A6928J4PYDY8FWSP2

[Litespeeds]

For shooting competition, I see a lot of people using Howard Leights Impact Sports. These are pretty good for outdoor handgun use but for indoors, I prefer the Howard Leights Impact Pro. I also replaced the plastic gasket with a softer gel gasket and they feel much more comfortable and a little quieter too.

I tried the Pro Ears Predator and they were really tight on my head. Got a headache from wearing them. So if you have a big head, stay away from those.

[M76]

I use decibel defense with foam plugs, need to learn how to read lips because
I didn't understand a work you said these work really well, not low-profile.

$21.97

https://www.decibeldefense.com/collections/all

[NATEWA]

Decibullz - Custom Molded Earplugs 31dB Highest NRR. Comfortable Hearing Protection for Shooting, Travel, Swimming, Work and Concerts https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WIXL4UM..._hLThDbP43S4CB

SureFire EP4 Sonic Defenders Plus filtered Earplugs, triple flanged design, reusable, Orange, Medium https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CS1A6M6..._mOThDbW81NB65

Howard Leight by Honeywell Impact Sport Sound Amplification Electronic Shooting Earmuff, Classic Green (R-01526) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001T7QJ9O..._NPThDbEJZJQAY

[hunterb]

+1 on MSI Sordins. Get the gel ear caps.

Double up with foamies under.

[NATEWA]

For shooting competition, I see a lot of people using Howard Leights Impact Sports. These are pretty good for outdoor handgun use but for indoors, I prefer the Howard Leights Impact Pro. I also replaced the plastic gasket with a softer gel gasket and they feel much more comfortable and a little quieter too.

I tried the Pro Ears Predator and they were really tight on my head. Got a headache from wearing them. So if you have a big head, stay away from those.

These?

I like the relief cut for glasses!

Noisefighters | New 2019 Model | Thick Gel Ear Pads with Relief Cuts for Glasses | Impact Sport + Peltor Rangeguard + Sport Tactical Compatible https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07L5Y6FPV..._FSThDb0RR5XRJ

[CWL]

"Best"? Why do you want to spend $300 when you can get perfectly good Howard Leights for less than $40. Add foam plugs inside if the noise level is still too high.

[Dirtlaw]

DefendEar

https://www.westone.com/store/defendear/

This is what my audiologist, a shooter, recommends. I use the hunter model which is now on sale.

[flyer898]

Tag

[Frito Bandido]

I usually double up... industrial grade disposable ear plugs and some Peltor ear muffs.

[IVC]

These days I double up even outdoors - hearing damage is cumulative and every small bit helps.

The muffs are MSA Sordins and I highly recommend them. Don't look just at the single number rating. Those are deceptive. You need to look at the overall distribution over frequencies. A muff that attenuates well a frequency that is not problematic in shooting won't protect you as well.

One important consideration is the plugs. Depending on your ear canal shape, off-the-shelf type might or might not work well. I couldn't get any meaningful seal with plugs I have tried, so I did a completely custom set where the guy prepares the binary mixture on the spot and injects it into your ear. The cost was just south of $100.

The best investment I've ever done in hearing protection since now I have two pieces, plugs and muffs, that can each protect really well on their own. When combined, I have no problem even with the loudest guns.