Ear Muffs for a small child

[Fireguy]

I need to find earring protection for a small child, can you you make any suggestions?

[NSR500]

I don't have suggestions for you, but consider that even if you find Ear Muffs, you should double up.

I have a set of these on hand for kids to wear in conjunction with Ear Muffs.


It's a bit overkill, but you've got to protect their hearing.

[foxtrotuniformlima]

The disposable foam plugs offer the highest NRR. The ones I use are NRR33 Go with plugs.

However, most kids complain about all ear protection until they get use to it. I also have a set of kid size muffs from Peltor. They say "junior" on them but are only rated NRR22. They are fine for walking around the range but I'd double up if they are shooting anything other than a 22LR gun.

[naimad]

http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/23569/catid/21/Junior_Shooter_Earmuff_Glasses_combo

http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/catid/21/pid/23567/Peltor_Junior_Earmuff__NRR_17_

[tacticalcity]

These things are super adjustable. The intent was both storage and fitting everyone from young children to adults. Of the ear muff types, these are probably the best option I have seen. If they don't fit 'em, you've got a really tiny child.

http://tacticalcity.com/product_details.asp?ProdID=643

[Steyrlp10]

Browning also makes ear muffs that are suited for small children. It's been a while since my kids were little, but those seemed to work well for pistol and rifle.

[Dragunov]

I make mine wear plugs AND headsets at the same time.

[bjl333]

The orange earplugs at Walmart have a NRR32 rating, which is very good. If the child is a shooter as well then I would put muffs over that.

[NSR500]

These are earplugs to prevent water entering the ear. They are not designed for sound protection. They might actually sort of work.

To answer the OPs question: There are several manufacturers of child-size earmuffs. We have one made by Silencio at home. We bought it in a combo pack with child-sized safety glasses.

I have found that earplugs simply don't work for kids under age 7 or 10 or so. Their ear canals are simply too small, and you can't get the earplugs in.

Speaking of safety glasses: You can also find industrial-strength (expensive!) safety glasses in really small sizes, designed for women. Need to go to a supplier of industrial safety gear.

You're wrong because they do have a NRR rating. I have some in my bag right now that are NRR rated at 30db. Look at the picture again at the bottom where it says "Loud Events". I did not tell the OP to use these alone, I said to use "In Conjunction".
The reason I like these for children is because they are not designed to sit in the ear canal. With children, using a plug designed to be put into the canal can push wax deep into the canal, and cause an ear infection.

[YourHuckleberry]

I thought this was gonna be about how much fun it is to tell a kid "earmuffs" and then curse like a sailor. I'm genuinely disappointed

[incredablehefey]

i checked the earplug web sight and i could not find a nrr for those specific ear plugs... or any of the other kid sized plugs.

http://www.macksearplugs.com/details/ear-plugs-for-water/kids-size-silicone-earplugs

you could check here for other options but it might be easyist to make a custom set, they will be more comfortable and use some nrr22 ear muffs over them just to make sure

http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/chearpr.html

[NSR500]

Apologies. The picture looked like they were designed for "swimmers ear" - I didn't know they also have a good noise rating.


Absolutely agree. As a parent of a regular shooter who is 10 years old and has had recurring ear infection problems (to the point that he had tubes installed in the ear drums), I'm quite worried about that. On the other hand, using *only* earmuffs is not a good alternative, because kids can easily get careless if the muffs move off their ears (quite common when rifle shooting), and it is really hard for the adult to make sure the muffs are always there. That's why I like the combination of earplugs and muffs - and until recently, that didn't work.

With the help of a friend who is an industrial hygienist, I found some roll-up earplugs that are rather small, and work OK (but not great) in the kid's ears; I can look up the exact brand at home. Don't know how much this is due to the kid growing, and how much these ear plugs are really smaller than the typical ones.

Recently, I started giving my good electronically amplified muffs to my kid (over earplugs), and that is an excellent idea: He can now hear me very clearly, and it makes for a more pleasant range experience if the kid shooter can actually follow instructions (the problem wasn't disobedience or attitude, but inability to hear them).

Here's how they are supposed to be worn.



The seal the ear, but do not get inserted into the canal as pictured here.



I'm using the disposable ones, but there is a custom mold at home version from Radians. Midway sells them and you can probably find them at other sporting good type stores.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=347115

These types of plugs with the use of something like the Howard Leight electronic set make a good combo.

[Agent Orange]

Not exactly for children but I've had good luck with these

http://tinyurl.com/nezq3a

[pax]

Amazon currently has a sale on hearing protection, including the Junior-sized NRR 22 earmuffs: Pink (90553), Blue (90554) and Black (97070). Double-plugging is not a bad idea, the Howard Leight Laser Lite NRR 32 earplugs (yellow and pink) are the smallest low pressure foam earplugs that I have used.