Hearing protection

[jaksun7]

Im looking for information regarding hearing protection as im new to shooting. Curiuos if most prefer the electronic ear muffs or without electronics and also brand and style. Thanks for the info.

 

[SERparacord]

Caldwell EMAX electronics, I also always wear foam earplugs.

 

[esrice]

I put this review together for folks in your position. Hope it helps.

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...tronic_hearing_protection_for_any_budget.html

 

[cook5oh]

Caldwell EMAX electronics, I also always wear foam earplugs.

+1 on that. I always wear both foam and ear muffs at the same time. It's not worth losing your hearing over. Personally I just use the Remington brand muffs. I'm looking into getting some type of electronic muffs though.

 

[scottka]

I put this review together for folks in your position. Hope it helps.

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...tronic_hearing_protection_for_any_budget.html

Evan has sold a bunch of Peltor TacSports with this review so don't open it unless you're ready to buy a set of electronic muffs.

Seriously though, Evan has a great review of electronic muffs, and it's certainly worth your reading time. The biggest difference between cheap and more expensive electronic muffs is the way they cut out the sound. From what I understand the cheaper muffs basically "clip" all sound when something is loud enough to trigger a response, but the more expensive ones compress the louder sounds while they continually allow the wearer to hear the lower volume sounds. It's a lot more natural than the ones that simply clip the entire sound spectrum.

I love my Peltor TacSports and I would buy them again in a heartbeat! I didn't want to spend that much money, but I talked myself into buying the better ones because I didn't think I'd be happy with the cheaper ones. I ended up spending about $93 if I remember correctly.

 

[Cable]

I started off with just regular earmuffs: Peltor Shotgunner purchased from Amazon for $17. These are low profile and really good for shooting long guns.

The problem is that when I started doing firearm training, I had a hard time hearing the instructors as well. Taking off hearing protection is a no no at a gun range, which i figured out the hard way.

I eventually purchased electronic hearing protection. Highly rated "Howard Leight Impact Sport" $51 on Amazon.


Howard Leight R-01526 Impact Sport Electronic Earmuff - Amazon.com

 

[chris46131]

I have the Peltor ProTac. They were pricey but I am very happy with them. Even after being at a crowded range I can't tell that I've been shooting - except for the sweaty ears.

 

[HandK]

HUH!!! WHAT????? I have Howard Lights and love them! Evan did a good job on his review so I would say start there! And Welcome to INGO.

 

[lizerdking]

These bad boys work just fine.

Amazon.com: Champion Electronic Ear Muffs: Sports & Outdoors

had the same batteries in em for a year now, and they've seen their use a lot in that time.

I can hear the birds clearer, the grass crunch under my feet, but when i pull the trigger, silence.

 

[Cable]

I put this review together for folks in your position. Hope it helps.

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...tronic_hearing_protection_for_any_budget.html

Awesome review. I just recently bought the Howard Leight but I do need a second set of earmuffs. I'll be watching the price of the Peltor TacSports to see if I get a good price under $100 on amazon.

 

[ckcollins2003]

I personally don't like muffs, as they interfere with my cheek weld and brush up against the stock while shooting rifles. Just personal preference really, but I prefer actual earplugs and bought the Surefire EP4s Amazon.com: Surefire EP4 Sonic Defender Ear Protection, Medium: Sports & Outdoors.

 

[N8RV]

Everyone will have an opinion, but my first electronic muffs were Howard Leights. For what they cost, they were worth the money. However, because of the low profile and relatively small ear cups, I found that they squished my ears enough that, after a few hours on the range in class, I'd get a headache and my ears would hurt.

So, I invested in some Peltor Tactical Pro muffs and they difference was well worth it. If I were an occasional plinker, the Howard Leights would have been just fine. But since I'm actively training, I can spend 4-8 hours on the range at a time, and comfort is important. Plus, the Peltor Tactical Pros don't clip others' voices nearly as much. They do, however, seem to run through the batteries.

 

[JettaKnight]

For me, electronic earmuffs don't offer enough protection. Typically, they're 23 dB or so. I prefer 30+ dB, which is what I get from my MidwayUSA brand muffs.

 

[Sticks]

I put this review together for folks in your position. Hope it helps.

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...tronic_hearing_protection_for_any_budget.html

That was a great review. Thank You for the great information!

 

[Cable]

I personally don't like muffs, as they interfere with my cheek weld and brush up against the stock while shooting rifles. Just personal preference really, but I prefer actual earplugs and bought the Surefire EP4s Amazon.com: Surefire EP4 Sonic Defender Ear Protection, Medium: Sports & Outdoors.

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll try these out. I've been looking for something that doesn't require the earmuffs.

 

[jaksun7]

First off, Thanks for all the replys from all. Nice to see people willing to help a newbie out, its greatly appreciated. Thanks ESRICE for the write and great review, it will help make my selection a bit easier.
Thanks again

 

[scottka]

For me, electronic earmuffs don't offer enough protection. Typically, they're 23 dB or so. I prefer 30+ dB, which is what I get from my MidwayUSA brand muffs.

A lot of people will use the cheap foam plugs under the muffs when they're shooting indoors or when around a particularly loud firearm.

 

[Josh Ward]

Evan did an AWESOME job on that review.....

Here's my 2 pennies....buy once, cry once. Pony up for the MSA Supreme Pro-X. Worth every dime. Sound suppresion and apmlification are second to none. Wear the HL Impacts or the Radians for an hour of shooting, then put on the S. Pro-Xs.....you'll understand why they are worth the extra 170-200 bones....

 

[-Rogue-]

I have had no issues with the Howard Leights. Seems to work just fine on an indoor or outdoor range and I do not find the clipping annoying.

 

[KLB]

For me, electronic earmuffs don't offer enough protection. Typically, they're 23 dB or so. I prefer 30+ dB, which is what I get from my MidwayUSA brand muffs.

You can get up to NRR33, which is what my Pro Ears Pro Tac Mag Gold are rated.