Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Digital Hearing Protection Recommendations?

I am looking for recommendations for digital in ear active hearing protection.

Primary use - shotgunning, 5 stand. Additional use for rifle range and possibly while hunting. I also use hearing protection while mowing the lawn so bluetooth would be advantageous but not high on needs list. Also possible use in shop with power tools.

I typically use foam plugs on the rifle range and find them sufficient for isolated activity. However I recently joined a 5 stand league and would prefer active hearing protection for better team/trapper communication. I picked up a pair of Walker Razor Slim muffs. Functionally they are OK, however I don't find them comfortable and in spite of the slim profile I find them problematic for a good cheek weld.

What have you all used? What would you recommend and what would you avoid? A google search primarily leads to Walker products as well as some Peltor. The Walker products seem to have a better review rating on Midway USA vs Cabelas for the same product. Price point up to around $500. Less is better assuming quality is good. Also would consider going slightly higher if bang for buck is there (pun intended).

Replaceable battery vs rechargeable?

Thanks, Jim

Me too....regarding the cheek weld issue. I have the same Walkers and they are ok. I also have a pair of Leights that are garbage now. The plastic used in the ear pieces has turned hard. So hard that it’s impossible to get a good seal around the ears.

What you want is a pair of MSA’s. Their ear pieces are gel filled and they are comfortable as the dickens. Zero issues whatsoever. They are expensive..about $250. Buy once, cry once.

Yep, get MSA or Peltor.

Both are designed to be worn 8 hours a day by industrial workers, so they are designed to be really comfortable.

Even more important, both companies have very good hearing protection and both have a long list of independent certifications that show how good they are. Many "shooting brands" do not meet their claimed level of protection when tested according to industrial standards (or if they do reach that particular level of protection, they may not do so after a lot of wear.

Both Peltor and MSA sell cheap "rebuild" or "sanitary" kits with new earpads, foam linings, etc. that allow them to meet their certified levels of protection years and years later. Try that with a gunstore brand!

Like Goodogs57 writes, buy once cry once!

The only muffs that didn't interfere with stock weld AND were comfortable for me were Peltor. Been using them for more than a decade - happily!

John

Thanks for the suggestions. I may ultimately stay with over the ear muffs and will look closely at the MSA's and Peltor.

Does anyone have any experience with the OTTO NoiseBarrier Micro's?

I have the passive Peltors with the Midway logo and I'm always bumping the comb with them to get a good cheek weld. Any thoughts on which models tend not to bump? I'm not particular about whether they are over the ear muffs or not.

I have been wearing hearing aids for close to 50 years . I see tons of advertisements for this aid or ear plug etc all being offered to you WITHOUT a Physicians advice or input .

If you want good hearing protection first make an appt. with a ear nose and throat specialist . See where you really are hearing wise and then ask them there advice as to what suits your needs best .

There's no bargains in parachutes or preventive health care !!!!

Semper Fi

Soup

Don't worry about it. Your ears will grow as you age.

I've been using the same set of Peltor 6s for more than 25 years. Still comfortable, slim enough that they don''t interfere with the stock and you can tell what direction a sound is coming from when properly adjusted. They do a great job of turning my short barrelled turkey shotgun's BOOM into a faint, faraway boom.

Very good, and timely question Jim.

I am in very much the same boat, have the electronic muffs and they are just too bulky in my view.

I have been looking at the Walkers Silencers and thinking they may be a good option. Any of you guys have experience with them? I understand that you can get custom earpieces done for those as well to improve performance and comfort. Not a cheap route, but as said, you only cry once, hopefully.....