Another try - ITE Hearing Protection

[Pat-inCO]

I've been looking for GOOD hearing protection for several decades, and the
best I've found is the Pro Ears Gold series of ear muffs. The main "problem"
with Pro Ears is size and COST. You can get them with reduction ratings of
-25db to -33db and cost is not linear with protection.

My main area of interest is in the "In The Ear" type so you can shoot long guns
and shotguns without interference of the muff to the stock.

I just found one that talks the talk, until you look at the specifications. They
provide only 25db of isolation and start at 93db of noise level. While that's
a WHOLE lot better than none, I'm still going for something that is in the
-30db range and starts protecting before 85db.

This is the latest I've found:
http://www.soundgearhearing.com/col...ducts/hearing-protection-for-hunters-shooters
Anyone with anything better?
Gotta keep trying. :D

 

[GunnyGene]

25db is about all you'll ever get with either muffs or plugs. The only way I know to get more is to use both at the same time.

 

[Pat-inCO]

25db is about all you'll ever get with either muffs or plugs.

I have plugs that were custom moulded that are rated at -30db. I also have
the Pro Ears units, one rated at -30db and another pair rated at -33db. I
also have a pair of passive units that are rated at -34db and they are GREAT
if you just want simple blocking of noise, and can put up with the size.

Here's an example.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JP23qrq-JQ

 

[Kanook]

Www.earscopes.com is what I use.

 

[ra]

Here is what I use, and if I am shooting indoors or say a 454 I will use these with muffs. They are 33 noise reduction.

http://www.uline.com/BL_1047/Sparkplugs-Earplugs

Roger

 

[Pat-inCO]

http://Www.earscopes.com is what I use.

Thanks, but at $750 per ear for the -29 NRR, my budget can't handle them.

 

[Kanook]

I sold 4 firearms to pay for the hearing protection. I figured I would miss my hearing more than the firearms, plus I can always replace the guns, my hearing, not so easy.

 

[Colonialgirl]

Well, the hearing in my left ear has been a problem for sometime sometimes have to turn my right ear IF the sound is low or deep.
I got an Audiology Test schedule with the local VA the 26th of this month and we'll see what's going on.

 

[Pat-inCO]

I got an Audiology Test schedule with the local VA the 26th of this
month and we'll see what's going on.

Let's hope they can take care of it.

I am going to a new (to this area) pair of doctors and see if they have any
leads into the subject. Several years back I saw a presentation by an
audiologist in the area for ear plugs plus radio interface plus amplification
all in one. They were eight hundred for the pair, and I can't find anyone that
carries them. Does that mean they went out of business? I hope not, but
I still keep looking.

While I no longer need the radio interface, if it's all in one, why not? :D

 

[longspurr]

Some years ago I remember seeing shooters wearing a full face motorcycle helmet on the range. My understanding is they had earplugs in each ear with the helmet on top of that. This was supposed to cut the conductive noise through the skull to the ears, and act as somewhat as oversized ear muffs.

I have not tried it, but if I come across an inexpensive helmet, I'm thinking I should give it a try.

 

[RugerHound]

25db is about all you'll ever get with either muffs or plugs. The only way I know to get more is to use both at the same time.

Yep yep yep... In the Industrial Gas Turbine bizz, I use form fitting AND muffs. I usually don't bother with double protection unless I'm doing a LOT of shooting and/or I'm in an environment that traps sound.

 

[Kanook]

Everyone who uses hearing protection does so for the same reason.

With respect, your approach assumes there are no cheaper/better alternatives than the one you picked.

I gave my reasoning and the solution that worked for me. Nothing more, nothing less.

If you are seeing something more, don't look so deep.

 

[WendyZXZ]

I like to use both in the ear plugs with over the ear muffs also. My favorite plugs are the spongy looking ones that you can roll down between your fingers so they insert into the ear easier and then expand out to fill the opening, they just seem to fit in and stay in more comfortably than the plastic ones.

 

[blackhawknj]

Plugs and muffs for me. For 40 years. I wear hearing protection when using power tools, often when I use my vacuum for extended periods.

 

[Pat-inCO]

I should have been more explicit in my request. I am looking for something
that allows you to hear range commands etc. while blocking the added noise
of the gunfire.

My moulded plugs do very well at -30db, but you can not hear the range
commands worth beans. Same with the -34db muffs, excellent isolation
but hard to hear range commands. The Pro Ears are excellent, except to
cheek the rifle/shotgun.

So I continue to look. :D