Hearing Protection

[Crawfish141]

What is considered a good level of hearing protection? I've always used an old set of muffs and have never had a problem (seemed to dampen the noise well below what I could tolerate). However I've grown to wonder what is considered good for various cartridges.

I'd also like to know the amount of noise in decibels the following cartridges produce.

.22lr out of a rifle
.22lr out of handgun
.223 out of a rifle (Ar-15)
7.62x39 out of a rifle
7.62x54r out of a 91/30 Mosin

[robcoe]

Cant give you dB numbers for the rounds, but personaly I always use a 30dB set of muffs and a set of 32dB earplugs, never hurts to double up.

[NSR500]

I can't give you a db rating for all of those things because it is dependent of too many variables. As for your hearing, I always plug/muff at indoor ranges. At outdoor ranges, I will just use muffs unless the caliber is bigger than .308, then I will plug/muff.

People don't often realize that they can plug their ears, but the sound will travel through the skull. That's why plug/muff combo is best for keeping your hearing.

[ireload]

Yep I like "plugging the muff" combo also. Certain frequency I can't hear that well anymore but the last time I had my hearing test the tech said I'm good. Just trying to preserve what I have nowadays.

[sherm2954]

Cant give you dB numbers for the rounds, but personaly I always use a 30dB set of muffs and a set of 32dB earplugs, never hurts to double up.

Absolutely agreed!!! I'm saving what little hearing I have left for metal!