Plugs or muffs?

[morfeeis]

Swimmers wax with muffs

[sparrow]

I prefer electronic muffs, I like to hear things around me. Also the plug give me the same uncomfortable feeling as having water in my ears, I highly dislike them.

[What Just Happened?]

Doubling up doesn't double your protection. If you wear a foam plug with a NRR of 33 DB and muffs with a NRR of 25 DB, your total NRR will only be about 38 DB. Not 58 DB.

It is a common misconception that doubling up, doubles the protection.

Many of you listed other advantages to doubling up. Slight increase in protection. If muff fall or come off, back up is already in place.

Decibels are expressed on a logarithmic scale, so an increase in the hearing protection of 10 Db is a doubling of protection. While an increase of hearing protection from 33 Db to 38 Db is not a full doubling of protection, it is a significant increase.

That said, I just bought a pair of electronic muffs and now wear them in addition to plugs. The plugs are really good at what they do, but the muffs help to attenuate loud noises more and will amplify spoken words, so I can hear carry on conversation with people around me.

[SunkenShadow]

When it's outdoors, custom-fit plugs....those tend to work pretty well.

If it's indoors, then double up...forget that, imma save whats left of my hearing.

[Baconator]

I used to use plugs until my wife bought me a pair of electronic ears. Really nice to have as they amplify most things but block out the shot very well.

[IrishPirate]

$2 muffs from harbor frieght 99% of the time. They work great. I only use plugs if someone i took shooting is borrowing my earmuffs, or if i'm shooting trap so i can quickly get a better cheek weld

[AAShooter]

Doubling up increases protection by 5 - 10 db. Here is a reference: http://www.coopersafety.com/NoiseReduction.aspx

[Sniper3142]

BOTH

Maybe you should modify your poll to include that option.

[DSB]

Indoors, I use both.

Outdoors, muffs only.

[Riddler]

I wear a hat mostly when i shoot so plugs for me.

[Moto4Fun]

I wear both. I don't get a great seal on the muffs with glasses, so the plugs are necessary. I will be upgrading to electronic muffs very soon.

[Moto4Fun]

How does a hat exclude the use of muffs (i guess if it is a cowboy hat). I wear a ball cap most of the time when I shoot. The area above the ears gets a little congested with the glasses, muffs, hat all coming together, but not that big of a deal.

[ERdept]

You must wear both.

If you all shot using muffs and eye protection you know sound gets in cause there is a slight compromise in the seal due the the glasses.

If you just wear plugs, then but on the muffs, you'll notice a big difference.

They work best together. It doesn't double the NRR, but makes everything much more comfy.

Try it, you'll see what I mean.

[ERdept]

Doubling up increases protection by 5 - 10 db. Here is a reference: http://www.coopersafety.com/NoiseReduction.aspx

Thanks and for those who don't realize how much 5-10db matters........

Imperceptible Change 1dB
Barely Perceptible Change 3dB
Clearly Noticeable Change 5dB
About Twice as Loud 10dB
About Four Times as Loud 20dB

[1Fastrider]

I use both. Custom Molded plugs along with muffs. Looking for some good electronic ones but for now just some Winchester ones from WallyWorld with my plugs.