Electronic Hearing Protection schoolin'

[Lupo]

Am I missing something? Can someone school me on electronic hearing protection vs passive hearing protection?

I know passive can get up to 30db reduction in the sound that gets to you
and most electronic ones are in the 20's. And if I read things correctly, the microphones either compress or invert the sound wave to negate the report of gunfire to protect your hearing. But if its too high for the microphones they just shut off and let the passive protection kick in.

So, what good are the electronic hearing protection if they don't protect as well as the passive ones?


Lupo

[myblunt]

when they're not blocking, they're actively 'listening' so you can hear whats going on around you / range commands, etc... someone yelling... and if you're out hunting you can turn em up alot and have superman ears.

[BassNut]

when they're not blocking, they're actively 'listening' so you can hear whats going on around you / range commands, etc... someone yelling... and if you're out hunting you can turn em up alot and have superman ears.

Yea, What he said.

[Bete Noire]

Wear them with surefire's ear pro underneath and they are badass. Get all the benefit of amplification with total serenity during firing.

[sawchain]

I spent a day on the range with Peltor TacSports. I will never do that again.

I'm sure they're great for hunting so you can hear, but if you're goin to be shooting a lot, use good old ear plugs.

[voiceofreason]

Wear them with surefire's ear pro underneath and they are badass. Get all the benefit of amplification with total serenity during firing.

+1
I run this way usually on the range. It's not nearly as clear as without the Surefires, but I leave the amplification cranked up to the maximum.

I've been school on this forum that 22NRR + 19NRR is only like a 3NRR gain.

each NRR is 2x the sound or something

I always run my Surefire EarPros with the stoppers IN. They don't work too well for me OUT.

I'm currently running Caldwell E-Max low profiles. Cheap at $25. Don't expect them to last too long, but even the MSA Sordins have issues.

[Lupo]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

But wouldn't it be more realistic to have electronic muffs but with higher passive noise reduction vs having to double up?

[GettoPhilosopher]

I got a pair of Peltors off a link posted on calguns...ended up being like $38 shipped or something through Amazon.

LOVE them. Gunshots aren't too loud (though my muzzle brake still startles me a bit ), I'm comfortable shooting, and I CAN ACTUALLY HEAR PEOPLE TALK. (as well as my equipment, hits on steel plates, etc)

[russ69]

...I've been school on this forum that 22NRR + 19NRR is only like a 3NRR gain. each NRR is 2x the sound or something...

NRR is measured in decibels, a logarithmic unit of power. A 3db change is twice the power. So even though its a small number the noise reduction is significant.

[Baconator]

My wife got me a pair of howard leight impact sport for Christmas. I can hear everyone but they cut out gun shots. They also have a jack to plug in a phone or mp3 player. Much nicer than the little plugs I used to use.

[rojocorsa]

Howard Leight Impacts seems to be the gold standard in this category, IMO.

I use the standard ones, but I can really see where the electronic muffs shine for hunting or shooting classes.

[razr]

They don't work as well indoors. I use ear plugs under them if I am shooting inside. They are great when hunting specially if you are not moving much.

[sholling]

The difference between cheap electronic hearing protection is the cheap ones just shut off the mic when they detect excessive sound pressure. The effect is like trying to watch the news while someone is constantly hitting (on-off-on-off-on-off) the mute button. Good ones like Pro Ears Predator Gold (NRR26) do not shut off the mic. Instead they just lower the volume of loud bangs so that nothing exceeds safe levels and nothing is lost. I still use ear plugs under them at indoor ranges or if the guy next to me at an outdoor range has a cannon. They are wonderful for classes! And I keep them next to my bed when not out shooting.

[call-in]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

But wouldn't it be more realistic to have electronic muffs but with higher passive noise reduction vs having to double up?

Sure, if you can find one that has enough NRR, go for it. Sometimes though, higher NRR means bigger earmuffs that could interfere with cheek welds (long guns) because they're hitting the stock. There is no one perfect earmuff, it all depends on what you are trying to do and what firearm you are shooting.

[protoolsnerd]

This is for the OP

I'm a sound professional so hearing protection is really important to me .

If you're looking for highest rated active muffs i'd look at the Pro Ears Gold series. They have the same 33db reduction that their passive ones do. An incredibly fast attack time , and are just all around fantastic .

I run pro ears gold predators because i need a bit less material on them for rifle shooting.

If i'm indoors i tend to run in ears and over the ear hearing protection . I find this to be very important .

If we take an average sound pressure level at the muzzle of a gun they tend to be between 145db and 165db depending . For this i'll use 150 db for ease of subtraction .

A 33db muff will only bring that noise down to 117db which is still damaging to your hearing. Once you lost parts of your hearing there is NO way to get it back .

If you add on in ear plugs to that , you're down at a very safe level that you can be at for hours .

Howard leight make 33db in ear squishy plugs ....put em with the other 33s and you have 66 db of loudness reduction.

Outdoors you can usually get away with just one or the other , but i wouldn't go with something less the 30 db nr if you are only using one.