Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Hearing protection

Folks I apologize if this topic has come up recently but I do not recall. I was wondering what you all are using for hearing protection. Pros and cons, and what about electronic hearing?
Regards,
S.

Walkers Razor Slim - got 2 pairs, one for me and one for the wife. comfortable, reasonably priced and no problems after 3 years of use.

I use a custom pair of Ears best money I have spent on ear pro.

Foam ear plugs.

Peltor muffs

Howard Leight.

+1

Peltor makes hearing protection for *INDUSTRY* and in every independent test I've seen they exceed their claimed standards by a little bit, many others brands fall a bit short of their claimed decibel reduction.

You can still get every cushion, liner, nut and bolt, spring, etc to rebuild Peltor muffs made 20 years ago (maybe longer), and this includes their electronic ones (which I have).

I've tried many brands, and the Peltor are the most comfortable for me -although that, of course, is a personal thing.

If you get one of Peltor's electronic models, you can turn the volume up and hear a squirrel fart at fifty paces - and they cut out to still protect your hearing at the shot.

John

Sordin - once you've worn Sordins you'll never go back to anything else.


https://www.sordin.com/

Also use Sordins. Comfortable all day.

First off - no need to apologize about repeating a topic. At this point, if everyone just did a search for past information rather than asking the question there would hardly be anything new written on these pages. That's not what campfire conversation is about IMHO.

For hearing protection at the range I double up with quality foam ear plugs then regular earmuffs.

For the field I use those banded ear plugs. The pros - light, inexpensive, I can hang them around my neck and still wear my cowboy hat. They may be rated in the 20's vs. the 30's, but definitely better than nothing at all. The cons - I always find a way to break off the tips every couple of years.


https://www.amazon.com/banded-ear-plugs/s?k=banded+ear+plugs

I wear corded foam plugs and wear around my neck till needed. I look for something >30db, typically find up to 33db, and good foam ones seem to work a LOT better than any others for me. I have them in every case and in my truck counsel and tool bags. Some of the electric ones only go to 26db. At the range I have foam inserts in and put muffs on over. I lost too much hearing over the years and never shoot without protection -and won't let anyone else shooting my guns. At my old lease I used to prod guys to use protection but did not make myself the the ear muff police. It's your choice. One guy shooting a big revolver told me his hearing was so bad it no longer mattered. My reply was to ask him if that didn't make what little hearing he had left all the more precious?
To his credit he stopped for a moment, nodded, and asked me for some plugs.

I hope everyone uses them and has their kids do the same.

I have an inexpensive pair of electric and they are better than nothing for dampening but I do enjoy them walking about some times. It will train you how to be quieter.

I have Proears Muffs and behind the ear plugs. I can't say I am in love with either and will look into those Peltors.

I usually wear cheapo foamies paired with Caldwell electric muffs at the range. Makes perceived blast minimal, while still letting you hear a vehicle pulling up nearby or a person talking loudly.

In the field, I am trying to get away from the stuff that really rings my ears, mainly being short-barreled rifles, by threading them for moderately-priced suppressors.

I wish I had worn ear protection years ago. I wouldn’t need hearing aids now if I had.

Silencerco Omega

I hit a pig on the run the other day that kept on running. Only reason I thought I hit it was the impact sound of the bullet, only audible due to the suppressor I was using. When I went back and watched the slow-mo video (digital day/night optic with recording), sure enough, he stumbled a bit at the shot. I shoot stuff unsuppressed too, but sure prefer using the cans.

On a recent hunt, I used ear protection from AXIL GS Extreme. These are electronic, rechargeable, and do a great job of shutting down gunfire noise while allowing sounds at normal or amplified levels. I was shooting my 475 Linebaugh handgun, not exactly a quiet firearm, and was happy with the sound reduction. Also, comfortable to wear all day.

Thanks. gentleman, I will look into a few of these. I usually use the Howard Leight Quiet Bands but was wondering what else that was out there. I like the idea of the electronic protections in that it might allow me to hear better when still. Yes the suppressor is another option. Most of my barrels are 20-22" not sure if 22 inch is too long.
S.

WHAT?