Ear protection
What do ya'll recomend as the best way to pretect your ears? My hearing is already not good. I use over the head style with the suppressor right now. I see that there are a lot of different brands like these and some can be very expensive, but if I need that I will.
Thanks
Rex
Thanks
Rex
0
-
Anyone have experience with electronic ear protection devices? Are they worth the money? Comments, please.
It's not what you know that gets you in trouble, it's what you know that just ain't so!0 -
I would think regular muffs plus a suppressor would be adequate.
If you want something new, there are only two things that count: The NNR (Noise Reduction Rating) and whether the muff or plug is comfortable for you to wear all the time you or anybody near is shooting.
If you want the maximum protection, wear muffs over plugs. That will not give you the sum of the two NRRs, more like 10 dB better than either alone, but that is worth having.0 -
Best way to protect your ears is not to shoot at all.
Second best way is to shoot airguns. In all seriousness. . .they can give you the full marksmanship workout of "real" firearms, if you try to get it.
Third way is to shoot quiet rounds. Unfortunately, the REALLY low velocity rounds like CB caps tend not to be all that accurate. But ordinary (ie "target") type .22s are subsonic, potentially can deliver world-class match accuracy, and can be fairly quiet from a RIFLE.
In GENERAL, subsonic rounds tend to be quieter, and things fired out of longer barrels tend to be quieter, in part because the longer barrel muffles the sound, and in part because the report exits further from your ears.
Obviously, if you can put a suppressor on your gun, that can make it somewhat quieter too.
If you have the ability to stay away from super-loud rounds (like the handgun cannons or magnum rifle rounds), then do that.
If you want to focus on ear protection, what Hawk said is right.
Best thing to do is go with high DB reduction earplugs underneath high DB reduction earmuffs. That's about as good as you're going to get with off the shelf equipment.
Note that the DB scale is logarithmic, so that going from a reduction rating of 20db to 30db isn't a 50% extra decrease in sound pressure. . .its a 10x (ie 90%) reduction.
The effects of plugs and muffs aren't 100% additive since there is some redundancy in the frequencies they can attenuate, but having both on DEFINITELY is better than either one alone.
Again, because of the logarithmic nature of the db scale, even assuming 100% efficiency (which you don't get), stacking a 30db muff on top of a 30db earplug should only double your protection. On paper, that's only a few extra db protection, but again, from experience, it IS noticeable, and every bit helps.0 -
Agree with above. The cheap foam plugs, like EAR, have about the highest NRR- IF YOU USE THEM RIGHT- read instructions on package, and then a decent muff over those. There are some high tech noise cancelling muffs that may do better, but that is questioned. Also be aware of reflected noise- shooting in between two panels, and noise from adjacent shooters- distance is your friend. 0 -
At our camp we hang a box of those foam with the string in between disposable type. For even the macho men who dont like to wear them the fact that you can just let them lay across your neck when not in use is a plus.
Ear protection is a inconvenient need for shooters. Hearing loss is the alternative and not a good one with all the choices today.0 -
I think the ear-cup style muffs should be fine, even without a suppressor. If you wear glasses (the ear pieces may break the seal), or shoot .50 cal, the next step up should be EAR Insta-Mold custom made silicone plugs.
I use the Dillon electronic muffs, which permit normal hearing but cut off all loud noises. My guess is that all the electronic muffs are made by the same manufacturer, as all seem similar, so cost & comfort should be the deciding factor. Be sure they take a common (cheap) battery like AAA, rather than watch batteries.
Neal0 -
Rex Mahan,
"My hearing is already not good."
I'm sorry because most hearing damage caused by our choices and environment can be prevented these days.
"I use over the head style with the suppressor right now."
This is a good set up and will work as long as you're shooting by yourself and not being subjected to others shooting when you might not be prepared.
"What do ya'll recomend as the best way to pretect your ears?"
When shooting in run & gun competitions, I use electronic ear plugs on a cord. They let me hear the RO and other competitors while providing some adequate protection and comfort when I'm on the stock. These are usually custom made from a mold taken from your ear canal for the best fit. They can be very expensive so it pays to shop around.
When I shoot by myself at the bench, I use muffs and plugs because I want the protection and I'm not concerned about other shooters.
Best.0 -
Thank you all. I think im noticing more that I hear people speak but I dont undersand what theyre saying especially if there is any noise around. The thing is in some cases my hearng is better than others who hear well.
After all that: Too much of what I like is loud. Guns, Drums, cars.
Anyway thanks again.0 -
Sometimes you don't know what's stupid until you've done it. Then it's forever too late.
I lost some high frequency sensitivity in my left ear in my teens from ONE afternoon shooting. It was my friend's gun that did it to me I suspect - a .22 pistol that he was shooting on the left side of me at one point.
That ear's been kinda bothering me lately. Don't neglect protecting your ears.0 -
Yeah, everyone jokes about ear protection until it's too late. 4 years working on top of a screaming Minuteman Launch Control Facility motor-generator added to over 45 years of shooting with minimal or no ear protection finally caught up. Caught up to the tune of $3000 worth of diagnosis and fitting of custom hearing aids. Too soon old, too late smart. [xx(] Get something of quality and wear them religiously. 0 -
REX,
You need to see an audiologist. Try to find one with AuD and CCC-A
after their name.0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
11 comments