[LouAvul]

My objective is to come up with a solution that allows me to hear ambient noise. A mountain lion moving through rustling leaves, behind me. For example.

My ear plugs are very efficient and even with high dollar electronic muffs turned all the way up, I still can't hear soft noises. Electronic muffs turned up sans plugs are good, but the NRR is in question. Hence, my OP.

[ConservativeMind]

Ear muffs with a microphone and speaker can be turned up loudly, overcoming a fair amount of ear plug noise resistance, while still blocking loud sounds.

You still have redundancy for your gun, yet, you can still hear you friend talking normally, but still muted, a bit.

[ConservativeMind]

I didn’t read the last part of your post before responding.

I do not know of any way to non-electronically try to hear whispers and the slightest noises, while adequately blocking all loud noises.

[AAABEST]

My ear plugs are very efficient and even with high dollar electronic muffs turned all the way up, I still can't hear soft noises.>/i>

Not me. I hear everything with my ears turned up. One reason I like wearing them.

If you're already using a good headset - like Comtacs or Opscore - there's not really room for improvement.

[AAABEST]

Pardon me, meant to read like this:

My ear plugs are very efficient and even with high dollar electronic muffs turned all the way up, I still can't hear soft noises.

Not me. I hear everything with my ears turned up. One reason I like wearing them.

If you're already using a good headset - like Comtacs or Opscore - there's not really room for improvement tech-wise.

[Myrddin]

The mountain lion use case perfectly fits the hiking trails south of Pocatello. Lots of big kitties up there. When game is scarce on the mountains, they prowl the irrigation canals behind homes looking for a tasty pet in the backyards.

[Charles Martel]

My objective is to come up with a solution that allows me to hear ambient noise. A mountain lion moving through rustling leaves, behind me. For example.

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.