Foam Earplug Warning

[zrunr]

I recently purchased a pack of foam orange earplugs from Walmart that were marked Winchester and had an NRR of 31. They are actually distributed by Kimberly Clark. I used them once indoors (under regular muffs) and noticed they didn't seem to work as well as previous foam plugs to stay in the ear and block noise. I then used them in and outdoor setting and the really failed me. My ears were ringing for a week following that use. I am now not sure how long to wait before shooting again to avoid from having the ringing problem return. The lot number was UQ11193101.

I called the number on the back of the box to report the problem; a woman answered and made it sound like nobody ever had a problem with this item.

I suggest staying away from this product. These are worst foam plugs I have ever used.

[Javi]

I'm a big fan of Howard Leight's foam plugs Get those next time.

[Turo]

Are they shaped differently than normal or something? Could you upload a picture?

[zrunr]

They are a normal long cylinder cone ended shape.

[Cutest]

double up

[george223]

I noticed some foam earplugs are softer than others. I really didn't pay attention to the brand. I try to stay away from the softer ones.

[Cokebottle]

I do not rely on foam alone for anything more than mellowing my wife's snoring or the noise from the bar behind us.

My primary protection is Peltor... either the standard muffs, or my electronic muffs.
Foam is a backup under the muffs for indoor if the guy next to me is shooting something big, and for outdoor when I'm shooting the compensated AR in case the muffs get bumped.

[DSB]

I'm a big fan of Howard Leight's foam plugs Get those next time.

+1 on Howard Leight plugs. They are both the most comfortable and best at blocking noise.

[Ding126]

I use plugs and ear muffs together..specially when indoor shooting

[proudamerican831]

You do know that the foam ear plugs come in different sizes, right? I use Howard Leight MAX. Here is an excerpt from their web site.
New MAX Small Earplugs Maximize Hearing Protection and Comfort for People with Smaller Ear Canals. Honeywell Safety Products today introduced MAX Small earplugs — an extension to the flagship Howard Leight MAX single-use earplug family. MAX Small’s reduced size offers people with smaller ear canals a more comfortable fit and high attenuation (NRR 30

[Ubermcoupe]

I'm a big fan of Howard Leight's foam plugs Get those next time.

These. Got a ton of them from work and keep a couple pairs in my range bag for visitors, or on the off chance I forget my ears.

[iareConfusE]

You shot at an indoor range with just plugs?..... You REALLY must not like being able to hear :|

Indoor, I ALWAYS double up, foam plugs + non-electronic muffs. Same as for outdoor ranges, especially with a roof above and when people are firing anything that isn't a handgun caliber.

[jonc]

so indoor ??

you guys say plugs not enough?

[DRoberts12345]

I like the yellow ones we use at work they are cheap & stiff I roll them up as tight as I can & work them in as far as possible. the orange ones have never worked as well for me.

[easy]

Yer onta sumpin der boi!