Electronic hearing protection

[Diabolus]

The electronics don't reduce sound any, they just amplify. With electronic muffs, the protection is never better than when the power is off.

Whatever the base NRR rating is, that's all you get. Many electronic muffs (like the popular Nordin Supreme Pro and Peltor Tac6S) have very low NRRs, like 19 or 22, and that's not nearly enough for me. You can get some improvement by adding the gel earcups.

The amplification should only work on low level sounds, and it should be limited to a maximum amount of amplification, so if it makes things painfully loud when it's on, there may be a problem with the muffs.

The only way I can shoot low NRR muffs like the Nordins is with earplugs under them, then turn up the volume until I can hear over the earplugs. That lets the low level sound through, but gives more protection from the loud sounds.

Wear these under your muffs for the ultimate hearing protection:

http://www.surefire.com/EP3-Sonic-Defenders

[spectr17]

I have the E.A.R Mini Canal analogs. NRR: 22.

The muffs are just too hot for SoCal in the summer. http://www.earinc.com/p1-electronic-minicanalreg.php

The E.A.R Mini Canal analogs are spendy but what's your hearing worth?

[maxicon]

There's a trade-off with plugs vs muffs.

With plugs, you're more dependent on a good fit to get the rated reduction. Also, plugs don't reduce the perceived loudness due to bone conduction, which is the transmission of low-frequency sounds by the bones in the skull around the ear.

Muffs are much better at overall noise reduction, especially when very loud low frequencies are involved. They're quite a bit less comfortable in hot weather, though, as stated, and are a lot less practical when hunting or other activities that require a lot of movement.

[Clark_Kent_X]

anyone know of some electronic muffs that can be used for radio comms and are waterproof?

do these electronic muffs really amplify ambient noise so you can hear better and muffle down the gunshots?

[skatter]

So I went with the Howard Leight ear muffs, and went shooting yesterday to test them out. I thought I'd post the results since everyone was kind enough to post their recommendations.

The first problem I ran into, which may not be related to the ear muffs, was getting a good seal with the protective eyewear I had. Does anyone else have this problem? The Howard Leight muffs don't appear to have very much cushioning for the seal, while wearing the glasses. Obviously a good seal is the goal with ear muffs, and this required me to wear the glasses at an angle to avoid a bad seal.

Next problem was the fact that these didn't appear to provide enough noise reduction, for me at least. I was at an indoor range, and everything just seemed too loud for my liking. The Howard Leight's have an NRR of -23 dB, does anyone know how accurate this is? I'd like to know what NRR I need to be comfortable, and if the Howard Leight's have a "real" NRR of less than advertised, I'd need to take that into consideration.

So now I'm back to looking at alternatives. I checked out the MSA Sordin's, even though they are much more than I had originally wanted to spend, and found that they had an NRR of only -19 dB. Would anyone be able to comment on whether Sordin's -19 dB provided more protection than the Howard Leight's -23 dB reduction -- maybe by providing a more efficient seal, or by having their NRR certified?

[lawaia]

You probably won't find a higher NRR than 23 in a slim line electronic muff. I think you will find that they have plenty of reduction in an outdoor setting. For an indoor range, you will need to double up with plugs and muffs. The confined space of the indoor range really amplifies the sound.

My .02.

[M47_Dragon]

I don't think anyone has mentioned Pro-Ears Pro 200s... I have these, and after trying many muffs (), including the Howard Leight Impacts, I've found the Pro Ears to be wonderful - even though the 200s are kind of their low-end model.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=177618

I also recommend these for ANY muffs one decides to go with:

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=22128/Product/DELUXE_CLOTH_EAR_MUFF_COVERS

Work great in the heat of the summer and the cold of the winter.

[FastFinger]

I use the Howard's also and am quite pleased with their performance.

Refer to the NRR ratings with a grain of salt. Muffs work by forming a seal around your melon - and everyone's melon is shaped differently. What works great for one may fail on another.

[THT]

Can't say enough good things about the Howard Leight Impact Sport muffs. I wear foamies underneath and crank up the amplification.