It might sound odd, but I recommend ‘Earplanes’.
These are made to prevent problems with your ears on an airplane...not specifically intended as hearing protection. But they do offer great hearing protection.
Essentially, they look alot like a typical earplug - but once you put them in your ear, you ‘pump’ them. There is a little b-b check valve, which allows this pumping to create a vacuum between the plug and the ear.
The result is either you have an air tight seal...or you don’t. And you will be very aware if the seal is no good. The vacuum aspect of this also prevents them from shaking out, as you walk/shoot.
I’ve never met a Vet who doesn’t have some hearing loss.
A cost of war almost completely overlooked.
They work off of the active canceling principle.
That’s about all I really know on them.
When I was in the military, the state safety office said that 85 db protection was the best anyone ever made. Get triple flange protection, as they also stop the pressure blast better than ear muffs. I use both when shooting targets and triple flange only when dove hunting.
Huh? What did you say?
The only time I always double up is when shooting indoors, otherwise I just use my electronic Peltoirs. Which lets me hear any commands by the range officer.
I also double up if I have the misfortune of getting stuck next to a big magnum rifle with a muzzlebrake on the range. No point in developing a flinch under those circumstances.
I never wear them while hunting because you’ll sweat like a pig in a good fitting pair of muffs with even the lightest exertion. I just except the minor amount of damage a couple of hunting shots a year doles out.
A good fitting pair of muffs or properly inserted foamies are all you really need to protect your hearing. Doubling up is more for just comfort than hearing protection.
You didn’t ask, but... don’t ever go to a loud rock ‘n roll concert. I’ve been a shooter all my adult life, and I acquired a case of tinnitus about 10 years ago from loud amplified music.
Lou,
I have a similar question, but was wondering what people do if they wear hearing aids.
If ear protectors are put on while wearing the aids, the aids squeal ferociously.
If the aids are taken out, the hearing loss is so bad that NOTHING can be heard.
How much amplification do those electronic protection actor’s provide?
I recall taking a handgun class and had to take my aids out in order to use the hearing protectors (not amplified).
With the protectors on, I could hear nothing at all.
The range instructor had to tap me on the shoulder to notify me of anything.
Your info will be greatly appreciated; I am taking my CHL class in a month.
I wear earplugs for shooting and at work almost every day and my hearing is still excellent with no ringing. For me, earmuffs get in the way too much.
The ringing you are hearing may not be in your ears.
You are probably hearing the sound of the spring operating the recoil buffer of the AR.
It’s right next to your ear and makes an irritating “sproing” type ringing noise after every shot.
I used some earbuds one time with my computer and I noticed an immediate fall off of sensitvity to noise after I took them off, so I stopped using them.
I later talked to a sound engineer and he said that earbuds are never worn by sound engineers because they can do a lot of damage over the years. All sound engineers use full ear muffs.