I've just been advised to obtain hearing aids for both ears. I'm not surprised, as my hearing has been decreasing for years. I certainly don't want to give up target shooting. Has anyone any experience with using protective muffs over the over the ears type of hearing aids? I have been told that the over the ears type is quite effective and the most cost effective as compared to the inner ear type. I'm an old @#$%, and couldn't care less how I look. I suppose that I could just remove the hearing aids and use the muffs when I'm shooting, but I am curious about what other people may have encountered. Thanks everybody.
Need Hearing Aids
- Thread starter Harvey
- Start date
kd4rgwml
Single-Sixer
I take mine out, some times I get feed back with both. I get better results if I use muffs only and put aids on after firing.
Take the hearing aids out when you shoot, but don't go without ear protection, as you can still further damage your hearing. I shoot with a relatively cheap pair of electronic muffs:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/2135416662/caldwell-e-max-low-profile-electronic-earmuffs-nrr-23db
With the volume turned all the way up, they will actually act like hearing aids so you can hear other guys speaking when nobody is shooting, but they shut down at any sudden loud noise.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/2135416662/caldwell-e-max-low-profile-electronic-earmuffs-nrr-23db
With the volume turned all the way up, they will actually act like hearing aids so you can hear other guys speaking when nobody is shooting, but they shut down at any sudden loud noise.
Cooperhawk
Buckeye
wwb said:
I'll second that. I can hear more with the muffs on than without them.
mjpchief
Single-Sixer
I don't take mine out when I shoot. I just put over the ear muffs over them and don't have any problems. If I'm shooting large caliber sometimes I turn the aids off and still leave them with the muffs.
My hearing aids are very small over the ear units.
My hearing aids are very small over the ear units.
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- Apr 3, 2012
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My father ruined a set of hearing aids. They were designed to shut off if a noise was loud, and they worked well for a while then they shut off and did not come back on.
I too remove my aids and use EARS foam and muffs when indoors and EARS only when outside. I can still hear range commands so I don't worry about doing something stupid because I cannot hear. I have also looked into acquiring some noise cancelling muffs. Personally I think that might be the way to go for me in the near future.kd4rgwml said:
gvan
Bearcat
I have Cardwells from Cabelas. I take my hearing aids out when using the muffs. My son tried them on at the range and wrote a "letter to Santa" at Christmas time saying he wanted muffs like Dad's.
nvbirdman
Blackhawk
This is a very timely post. I'm picking up my new hearing aids Monday. Lucky for me, my insurance is paying half the cost of $3500 each ear.
I should have started using hearing protection earlier.
I should have started using hearing protection earlier.
Ruger Packer
Buckeye
I've worn hearing aids for 55 years.... since I was 5 years old. My experience is that, yes, you can wear muffs over the behind-the-ear type hearing aids. However, it likely will cause that squealing we know as feedback.
What I do, is just turn the hearing aids off and then put the muffs on over them. Per my audiologist leaving them on, the molds act as custom ear plugs giving you a 2nd level of protection.
Another thing, if you live where the summers are humid, I would advise just taking them off because the muffs seal off the ear so well that you'd just sweat and moisture is the enemy of hearing aids. Keep them as dry as possible. Otherwise, during those seasons of cooler weather or very low humidity just leave them on under the muffs.
What I do, is just turn the hearing aids off and then put the muffs on over them. Per my audiologist leaving them on, the molds act as custom ear plugs giving you a 2nd level of protection.
Another thing, if you live where the summers are humid, I would advise just taking them off because the muffs seal off the ear so well that you'd just sweat and moisture is the enemy of hearing aids. Keep them as dry as possible. Otherwise, during those seasons of cooler weather or very low humidity just leave them on under the muffs.
Pat-inCO
Hawkeye
For shooting, try Pro Ears in either -30db or -33 db. Be careful, you can
pay the same price for lower protection in the same or other brands.
They provide excellent protection (for what hearing you have left), and will
amplify non percussive sound to as much as 85db. They are ANYTHING
but cheap, but they are excellent.
I recommend the ones that take the CR123 batteries. They are MUCH less
expensive batt's than the standard ones (type N battery . . . . I think).
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003OC5XJY...SIN=B003OC5XJY&ascsubtag=-8357961810297974988
These are the least expensive I've found (black ones are $5 more).
pay the same price for lower protection in the same or other brands.
They provide excellent protection (for what hearing you have left), and will
amplify non percussive sound to as much as 85db. They are ANYTHING
but cheap, but they are excellent.
I recommend the ones that take the CR123 batteries. They are MUCH less
expensive batt's than the standard ones (type N battery . . . . I think).
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003OC5XJY...SIN=B003OC5XJY&ascsubtag=-8357961810297974988
These are the least expensive I've found (black ones are $5 more).
exavid
Hunter
I have Resound behind the ear hearing aids. These are about four years old and have survived a lot of shooting. Indoor Bullseye practice every Monday evening, lots of rifle practice on the outdoor ranges here. I just put my electronic muffs over them and have no problem. Hasn't hurt the aids either. They work well with the muffs, pretty much like using the muffs without them but I can hear better.
BTW - One of the better places to go for hearing aids is Costco. Their audiologists aren't on commission so they don't push things you don't need like Beltone or Miracle Ear.
BTW - One of the better places to go for hearing aids is Costco. Their audiologists aren't on commission so they don't push things you don't need like Beltone or Miracle Ear.
Ruger Packer
Buckeye
YES!!! As exavid stated above stay away from Beltone and Miracle Ear!!!
HerrMesser
Single-Sixer
Or go to a hospital or a Dr of audiology to get hearing aids. I have behind the ear and use over the ear electronic muffs without removing mine.
Rad
Rad
MADDOG 521
Single-Sixer
I remove my Starkey hearing aids when shooting. Works for me.
luvmyRugers
Single-Sixer
For maximum protection use BOTH plugs and muffs. Especially if shooting indoors. Sound is absorbed through the bones behind your ears as well as through the canal. This is not my personal opinion. It was firmly suggested by my ENT and his Audiologist!
I wear Phonak Versata Micros (over the ear). If I am outdoors, I just use muffs over my aids. They are designed to mute automatically when covered so as to not feedback.
Also strongly suggest investing in a dehumidifier for the aids if you sweat a lot or get rained on. Saved me $500 repairs when mine got wet and shorted out.
Good luck with your decision.
I wear Phonak Versata Micros (over the ear). If I am outdoors, I just use muffs over my aids. They are designed to mute automatically when covered so as to not feedback.
Also strongly suggest investing in a dehumidifier for the aids if you sweat a lot or get rained on. Saved me $500 repairs when mine got wet and shorted out.
Good luck with your decision.
Thanks, everybody, for the great replies, PMs, and excellent information and advise. It is no wonder that Lou says that this is the best forum......it is.
At first, I plan to remove the aids, and use both plugs and muffs both inside and outside. The muff is a NRR 33 passive. Then, I will gauge what is happening, and adjust as necessary and move to an electronic muff if needed.
Best to all.
At first, I plan to remove the aids, and use both plugs and muffs both inside and outside. The muff is a NRR 33 passive. Then, I will gauge what is happening, and adjust as necessary and move to an electronic muff if needed.
Best to all.
DeletedMember275
Hunter
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2002
- Messages
- 2,759
I work in a noisy environment (Army maintenance shop), and wear Starkey hearing aids. I also get feedback when I wear ear muffs over my behind-the-ear hearing aids, so I remove them when I need hearing protection. I am also more conscious of the background noise when I wear muffs over my hearing aids. I don't know if they're still amplifying the noise, or I'm just more aware of it. I suspect that the aids are still amplifying thee ambient noise, and essentially cancelling out the ear muffs. I haven't discussed this with my audiologist yet, but I plan to.
