Posted on 03/10/2023 7:44:00 AM PST by LouAvul
It's a rather controversial topic among shooters as there isn't much consensus on how to do it.
There's a formula for constant noise, like one would experience while operating a bulldozer 8 hours a day, etc.
That formula, IIRC, is NRR (the noise reduction of muffs, for example) minus 7. That result divided by 2.
But that formula doesn't apply to short duration, instantaneous noise as in a gun shot.
If the shooter is wearing electronic muffs with the NRR of 30dB, and he's shooting a firearm that produces 175dB, then the dB noise reaching his ears is 145dB? Or is there a formula that changes that final number?
I know the shooter can add 5 to the NRR with properly fitted ear plugs. That would make the NRR of 30dB, 35dB.
Unless, again, the NRR numbers advertised are not really the final NRR numbers.
Thanks for any help in this.
I hear you, kinda lol. Was the same for me nothing really seemed to bother the hearing until the rpg hit a few feet from me. That rung my bell hard and my hearing kinda went with it.
Sorry to hear. I was only shot twice and our SF medics pulled me out of shock. We know all about incoming. Many of my Montagnards were killed by incoming.
The only good thing about my lack of hearing protection is that I passed down to my kids to ALWAYS wear eye and ear protection while shooting. They never played their music as loud as I did either.
I’m still in favor of Silencers, and I have all kinds of noise cancelling headphones.
That scenario usually involves a trade-off at some level. Wearing foam plugs under electronic muffs will work if you want to hear shouted commands from a range officer, but the plugs would probably prevent you from hearing the mountain lion.
If you find a good solution, please share.
I was the Health & Safety Director at a university for 25 years. This appendix document has some good info, as well as some references you might find useful:
https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.95AppB
It’s a pointless question unless you have the instrumentation with which to measure the SPL at the shooter’s ears with each specific firearm using each specific load you might be firing and at the full ranges of temperatures at which you might be firing them.
Because unless you know the SPL that’s reaching the shooter’s ears UNDER THOSE SPECIFIC PARAMETERS you can’t begin to know how much reduction you need to be hearing safe.
If you’re losing sleep over it, buy closed cell urethane earplugs, always wear cups over them, and only ever shoot suppressed.
What??
I am not on the range.
But here are the ultimate ear plugs. Use with effective ear muffs.
https://www.amazon.com/Macks-Pillow-Soft-Silicone-Earplugs/dp/B07G1MWHNR
AND these that can also be found cheaper on eBay where I buy them
50 Pair Soft Silicone Reusable Washable Ear Plugs NRR 28dB for Sleeping Swimming Noise Hearing——— $12
I posted this same question on several gun forums I frequent. I was hoping for some consensus of opinion but, there is none.
The opinions are all over the place. One Ruger forum I consulted even had several old timers who said they don't wear hearing protection except at the range. One guy said it's not that bad when hunting big game cause there's only one or two shots fired.
He also said duck hunting is worse because he'll fire a box of shells and he's surrounded by other shooters.
I even had one "expert" contradict himself in the same thread.
We're on our own re hearing protection, I guess.
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