Ear Protection Question

[jonni]

So I have a pair of MSA Sordin (http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...m_campaign=655) and I have used them for indoor and outdoor ranges without a problem. I really like them a lot as they let me hear normally but then muffle the sounds of gunshots

However, I am a bit concerned when I saw that it only had a protection of 18db. Is that enough or too little protection? Should I double up on ear plugs when using the muffs? If so would these work (http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tnumber=486901)?

[Noobert]

18db is not enough, double up, and/or get better muffs

[Linkpimp]

^^^ this ^^^^

[Doheny]

Not enough. You can get 31-33db from good foam earplugs.

[XYZ]

Seems like this question gets asked every few days .

The highest NRR rating you can get for an earplug is 33NRR.
The highest NRR rating you can get from an earmuff is 31NRR.
Electronic ear muffs are usually lower 20NRR - 25NRR.

The best method is to use a foam ear plug and double-up with an earmuff. No need to damage your hearing for the long term. This is what I use:

Aearo E-A-R 312-1252 - 33NRR

http://www.e-a-r.com/e-a-r.com/roll_detail.cfm?prod_family=Earsoft&ind_prod_num=312-1252001

Peltor H10A - 30NRR

http://www.peltor.com/peltor.com/non_detail.cfm?prod_family=Muff%20H10&ind_prod_num=H10A%20HV001

Some may not like the H10A because it's too big and can interfere with your stance when shooting a rifle.

To each their own but you may want to double-up and look for earplugs and earmuffs with the ratings listed above. GL.

[kmca]

I use Pro Ears electronics with a NRR of 33. I compared them with my friends Sordin and they seem to be about the same. I double up with foam plugs when indoors or when we're shooting compensated guns. I believe there was an article that said the NRR of electronic muffs is rated differently than non-electronic muffs because of the frequency range covered.

[Merc1138]

18db is a little low. I use a pair of $30 caldwell electronic muffs that are rated at 23db and they work great for me indoors. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=774928

It's crazy that a $280 pair of earmuffs can offer so little protection...

Those Peltor h10a's are huge! I'm sure they're perfectly fine for pistol, but I've seen them in person and I wouldn't even want to bother trying to get them working with a rifle or shotgun.