I've got both, a 1,500 dollar hearing aid, and two each of the high end Walker pro's.

1) Normal hearing aid's don't compress sound (lower big loud noises - they just don't amp them.

2) Walkers quality is no where near the functions or quality response of in the professional grade hearing aids. They also add some delay to the playing of sound so it can compress loud noises - however if you use it in one ear only then you hear a sound and think it's in front of you but it's to your left if you have the walker in your right ear. So you have to get two each to not loose the sound direction.

I keep hearing people say oh these walkers are good as normal aids - no, they aren't bad, but they aren't as good either. Walkers may have other professional grade hearing aids but they aren't the ones I see that compress loud sounds.

I wear open ear type aids. Those don't have anything in the ear other than a little plastic vane to hold it in place. They suppress nothing at all. For noise suppression, you have to have something that completely blocks the ear.

RC, ask your audiologist if your aids can be fitted with a solid canal plug and tuned for gunfire suppression. Many hearing aids can be - and then just by switching tips, you have the best of both.

I'm due for a new pair. I'll check on that when the time comes. Thanks.

After a lifetime of hunting, shooting, and carpentry my dad finally got hearing aids. Fortunately he got them before he retired so insurance paid for digital in ear hearing aids that also function as hearing protection. He still hates them, but they work pretty well in both roles.

I have the kind that do suppress sound over a given dB but they still do not work for shooting as there is a hole through the ear piece for pressure changes.

I am familiar with both the Walkers Game Ear and conventional hearing aids. Comparing these two are like comparing apples and kangaroos. They are simply not the same thing. Walker's Game Ear is designed to enhance normal hearing. It is a hunting device that will assist by amplifying ambient sound while supressing loud noise in order to protect your hearing. A hearing aid is programed specifically to the loss of the patient. It is not designed to protect and should not be worn during any kind of shooting or high decible noise activity. The Walker Game Ear is a great product when used correctly.
Walker does make a hearing aid. It is not the Walker's Game Ear. They sell them in Cabela's. I called the local store and there are 5 locations that sell hearing aids. (Hamburg, PA., Dundee, MI., Kansas City, KS., Fort Worth, TX., and Glendale, AZ.)They also offer a free hearing test.

Welcome aboard, shootergirl. Very sound advice (puns are always intended) for most hearing aids. There are some that can do double duty, however, and are designed as such. The difficulty is finding an audiologist who "speaks shooting" and can properly tune your device. Few if any chain hearing aid sellers can do this; an independent audiologist is needed.

By way of introduction, I'm not an audiologist but I did work in the hearing protection industry for 15 years, including both passive and electronic protection for shooters. You seem to be at least as well informed and the board members will benefit from your expertise.

This is a timely thread for me. Going in for a new set of hearing aids and was wondering about the sound limiting ability.