Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Walker’s Game Ear?

First, a few qualifiers. Will be hunting with a S&W 8 3/8”, 460.....inserting ear plugs, immediately before a shot is not practical. I cannot/will not hunt with hearing protection permanently inserted, as I want to hear but save my ears when shooting. So, at reasonable prices (cheap)...what do you folks recommend? Walker’s or something else! memtb

I use these for bird hunting and deer hunting. Won’t magnify anything but you can hear pretty well with them.

https://www.earplugstore.com/health-enterprises-acu-life-impact-ear-plugs.html

I tried all of the latest and greatest over the last 48 years or so, and I am now functionally deaf in all but the lowest frequencies--and there is a lot of hearing loss down there, too. I am convinced that the relatively new electronic muffs are the only way to go. My audiologist has told me that if I don't give up shooting, period, I am going to lose my hearing completely.

I wear a set of Howard Leights for all of my shooting, be it sporting clays, load development or hunting. I have had annual audiograms for the last dozen years or so, and the electronic muffs have been the most effective at minimizing the loss of what hearing I have left. They also make it possible to hear elk talking again and conversation with hunting and shooting companions.

Keep the comments, recommendations, and suggestions coming....I’m all ears (pun intended))! memtb

I use Walker electronic ear muffs at the range and 2 things I learned about them.

There are no secrets at the range, you can hear everything.

You just can't tell which direction it's coming from.

I have hearing loss and think the game ears or similar would be great except for not telling which direction the sound is coming from. But they do work.

I found a pair of these in the woods this past weekend.

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/walkers-game-ear-alpha-power-muff-360-quad

From the specs, they are safe for gunshots and amplify sound. The Mikes are directional.

I just picked-up a set of these https://otistec.com/earshield-hearing-protection/ ( about $20.00 @ Cabelas )a week or so before season and used them during one practice session. No ear ringing after better than 100 rounds of .308, 30-30, .44 and .45 acp combined. With them in your ears , they do muffle normal sound a little, but not near as much as regular muffs. While hunting I have just been leaving them around my neck. I find them much more comfortable than the Howard Leights. The H.L.'s give me a headache if I leave them in very long and are tight enough on my neck to feel like they are choking me. Plus, I have lost several of the replaceable plugs on the H.L's by just wrapping them around my neck. For me, they are a happy in between for hunting, for regular range sessions, I'll stick with a good pair of muffs.

I use the Walker electronic muffs too. But I don't hunt in warm weather.

Walker's are the way to go. My hearing is just about gone, but these help to save what I have left. I also keep a pair by the bedside encase there is a bump in the night. Also have a pair in the car just for the same reason.

Still watching responses....Thanks, and keep them coming. I may get around to asking about specific models.....if that info was not included with the comment. Thanks again, I’m a cheap @$$, and want to do it right the first time.....even (especially) if I have to drop a couple of hundred bucks! memtb

I dropped $1700 on in ear Sport Ear devices, they were awful in terms of hearing understanding a conversation. They were OK in terms of amplification, I thought so so for muting, I sent them back. I would like to try a pair of the $140 new in ear walker game ears.

I just bought the Axil Ghost Stryke Essential. goaxil.com

Haven't tried them out as they just arrived today. I selected them based on my own research. So you know what that's worth:-)

memtb,

Not a fan of Walkers electronic (low end) muffs. I bought two pair, only opened one, they did not seem to shut off as quick as my old (low end) Howard Leight's or Caldwell's.

My Howard Leight's and Caldwell's are eight to ten years old and are usable only as muff's now... so am going to give the Howard Leights a try again.


For Rifles (centerfire & rimfire) and .22lr pistols I've gone to suppressors for hearing protection while hunting, and suppressed rimfire mostly at the range. Wish I'd done this 30 years ago!

I just do not see the point of centerfire pistols and suppressors... you've taken a handy easily carried gun and turned it into the length of a rifle (well almost).

YMMV,

Jerry

I keep a set by my bed too. Good point about the vehicle.

Jerry - the Walkers don't shut off. They're sound compression devices. That's why I like them better than the Peltors I have, which shut off to control the noise. Much easier to have a conversation over gunfire with the Walkers.

I do appreciate all of the comments. “If”, I go with the Walkers, in the ear, behind the ear, the ear buds, or my least favorite ....the muffs. I read (Amazon comments) good and bad with all....it seems. The jury is still out, for me. I’ve read, though hard to believe, that the inside the ear is more secure. I’m, kinda, leaning toward the in the ear.....just seems less intrusive! Again.....any input appreciated! memtb

Get comfy ones so you’ll actually wear them all the time.

I swear by my MSA Sordins with gel cups.

Their rating is almost as low as Paddler's. Probably why you found them in the woods.

I've got the latest Walker's as well. They hang around one's collar and they are directional. As others have said, they allow one to hear what's being said while others shoot, etc. I have lots of other hearing protection for the range, etc. These are the only ones I've tried that I will take hunting. While my hearing is plenty good enough for the hunting I do, one round from my 18", M1A Scout, and my ears will ring for hours. Eighteen inch barreled .308's with a muzzle brake do that to you.
If you get them, make sure you use the proper size inserts. And follow their direction for inserting them. The batteries seem to last one plus hours, but they will protect your ears even when they quit. E

Do they provide amplification of speech or typical sound ( example while hunting), while minimizing the sound of gunfire? memtb

I’m surprised by the “very” short battery life! Is this typical for most of the ear protection/ sound amplification products available? memtb

Hmm. I've had mine for many years, and no problems. Maybe they changed the manufacture?

What is the battery life expectancy? I’m looking for something to put on and forget while handgun hunting! At handgun hunting ranges, I’m hoping to minimize movement and be quick on target acquisition! Thanks. memtb

No idea. I just looked at the link and saw the poor rating.

I can't say what battery life might be. I do hunt with them on, but they spend more time at the range. Even wore them at work for a while. Can't remember ever having to replace them very often, but I don't get to spend as much time at the range as I used to these days - and I never was into regular competition. Pretty safe to say they will last through a typical hunt, I think, if only on while wearing them. Starting with fresh batteries, they've always lasted at least a few days for me. If you're worried about it, use lithium batteries. Better shelf life anyway, and the spare batteries are lighter.

I have the Walkers $140 in ear. The batteries are a type which i have never used. Basically, you peel a little label off, and they activate. From then on, they work for "80 hours," but there is no saving the battery by turning the device off. They simply go-go-go until they poop out.

One set of batteries lasts a whole weekend of shooting birds, or on the range for me. Next weekend, need new batteries.

I bought a big pack of batteries thru Amazon or Walmart for $20 or so.

The units work fine. Sound quality is pretty crappy, like an old-school walktie-talkie or the like, but you can have normal conversations, and they do suppress the report of gunfire.

Those are hearing aid batteries, that is how they work. Recognize anyone in this picture?

Hickok45 style ear protection while walking. Leith Impacts if more time available.

Really appreciate it guys....you’re giving me plenty to think about! memtb

Rick, my niece is a Doctor of audiology, and told me that testing shows hearing aid batteries will last ~ 10% longer if opened - then not put into use for 7 - 10 minutes. JFYI.

To tell the truth, I haven't timed the battery life. It could be a couple of hours, but not much longer than that. And I don't know if turning the volume up affects the battery life. You do get a recharger with them. E

Yes.

This review is what sold me:

https://trevoronthetrigger.wordpres...rformance-the-misleading-nrr18db-rating/

There are “plain ol’ dB ratings” used to sell stuff and then there are “firearms frequency-specific dB ratings”.