Best Hearing Protection

[Phil3]

I intend to get behind a big boomer or two and want to be sure I have the best ear plugs AND muffs. What is the best I can do in 2019, if I am popping of big magnums with muzzle brake under a canopy, or are my ears already doomed? Right now I use Howard Leight earplugs and older Peltor Bull's-Eye Ultimate 10 passive muffs, which work fine with 223 Remington, 6mm, 6.5mm, 357 Mag, etc. But a hot-rodded 338 Lapua Mag is something else.

[live2suck]

Do yourself a HUGE favor, and visit your local audiologist. While there, have them make some custom plugs for your ears - sound attenuation comparable to foamie-type ear plugs, and comfortable for use ALL DAY. Any muffs with attenuation over 26 dB is good stuff - over 30 dB is best.

BTW, muzzle brakes are designed to send the blast around you - it's your neighbors in the adjacent stalls that will suffer most. :P

[Jimi Jah]

Over the counter foam plugs are rated up to 32 db attenuation. Insert them properly for the best results. Replace the muzzle breaks with linear compensators. Your ears and your neighbors will thank you.

[smoothy8500]

There is a lot of documentation that plugs alone are not enough. Sound travels through the bones of the skull which is why earmuffs are still needed. Some plugs will have higher ratings than others but don't tell the whole story concerning true decibel ratings.

[ACfixer]

I use plugs under noise cancelling Howards when I shoot the bigger stuff, seems ok? I hope so. But I can't see any downside in getting some custom plugs made. Ounce of prevention.

[Mystery_Milk]

Foam earplugs that expand to fit the shape of your ear fit best. They work as well or slightly better than even custom earplugs, but are way less comfortable.

For the muffs you're not gonna get much more reduction over what you already have. You might get slightly better but it's not gonna make a big difference if you're double wrapping. If it's old maybe make sure the cup material doesn't have gaps around where it meets your eye protection.

[beanz2]

There is a lot of documentation that plugs alone are not enough. Sound travels through the bones of the skull which is why earmuffs are still needed. Some plugs will have higher ratings than others but don't tell the whole story concerning true decibel ratings.

^^^ Agree.

I'm having custom in-the-ear digital ear plug made and am still planning to wear my MSA Sordins over them when shooting rifles.


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[keith1911]

Get some ear muffs with gel pads. They form a tighter seal around your glasses and help keep the noise out. These are the ones I have that I wear with foam ear plug under them.

[enegue]

^^^ Agree.

I'm having custom in-the-ear digital ear plug made and am still planning to wear my MSA Sordins over them when shooting rifles.
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Do they still make MSA sordins? Discontinued on Brownells. Was trying to find a pair myself from somewhere not Amazon.

[Epaphroditus]

Foam plugs with active muffs and a suppressor work best.

You can build a CA legal stand alone "muffler" out of plastic 55 gallon drums fairly easily.

[beanz2]

Do they still make MSA sordins? Discontinued on Brownells. Was trying to find a pair myself from somewhere not Amazon.

Try this: https://www.amazon.com/MSA-Sordin-DI...30876851&psc=1

or this https://www.amazon.com/MSA-Sordin-Su.../dp/B00QV33ZRK

A lot of stuff get discontinued at Brownells when they end their dealer arrangement with various companies. Look for CMMG guns there for instance.


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[hermosabeach]

you want the bone around your ear covered too

Plugs are a starting point.... With brakes and large rifles, you want over the ear protection too

the problem is keeping a good seal around the ear when you are on the stock and during recoil

Big ear muffs don't fit as well on stocks... low profile offer less DB reduction

[Timthetwin]

I wear Surefire ear plugs with Howard muffs over them. As a sound guy I value my hearing. I wear protection during any noise, mowing the lawn, leaf blower, ect

[BucDan]

I agree with the above. Layer it. I use the plastic/rubber inserts version of the surefire for easier cleaning. Then I wear muffs on top.