Best hearing protection?

keepcalmandcarryon

keepcalmandcarryon

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Back to trying to find the “ best” hearing protection. Would love to have ear buds for comfort in the hot weather but I am not sure they really work as well as muff style. Problem is muff style can be a pain shooting rifles. Midway has a sale on these Walkers. anyone have insights?

www.midwayusa.com

Walker's Razor Digital XTRM Electronic Earmuffs Bluetooth (NRR 21dB)

The Razor X-TRM series ear protection features gel-filled earpads and a premium cool mesh headband for the ultimate in cooling and comfort during those...
www.midwayusa.com www.midwayusa.com
 
Personally I prefer the behind the head earmuffs, instead of over the top.

If I'm wearing a hat, the over the top ones don't seal as well and let more noise in. And I usually wear a hat when shooting to keep from burning my bald head.
 
custom-fit molded ear pro is my choice for shooting. For behind-the-firing line or mowing the lawn, etc , I have Radians over the head ear pro.
 
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If you go by the Noise Reduction Rating, nothing beats foam ear plugs at 33 dB. Or so I thought... there are ear muff style devices on Amazon that claim up to 37 dB protection. Click here, here and here.

Sometimes I use foam ear plugs underneath muffs.
 
Decibullz moldable plugs for ~$25. NRR 31dB.

That’s what I keep in at the range at all times. I put muffs over the top depending on what’s being shot.

Also wear Decibullz at home when using power tools or running lawn equipment.
 
I prefer the Howard Leights over the Walkers. But whichever you buy, get a set of replacement gel cups for the ear pads. They seal much better and feel much better than the 'hard' plastic cups that come standard. A set will cost about $20 on Amazon and you will be glad you got them.
 

Howard Leight by Honeywell Maximum Disposable Earplugs Box, 200 Pair,Orange. ~$35 on Amazon. NR33db. Will last you years. I wear them everyday for shooting, mowing, power equipment, sleeping in hotels on the road, etc. Does not interfere with your shotgun/rifle cheek weld and not hot like muffs. You can always wear under muffs as well for double protection.​

 
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The electronic noise attenuation muffs are usually in the 23 dB range. Ok if you are the only one shooting. If at a benchrest rifle match. It's not enuff. Wear foam plugs with. If at an indoor benchrest rifle match, wear something like 33db muffs with foam plugs. I have 4 pairs of electronic Walkers. All different models. They are OK for the most part. Always heavily discounted on Midway.
 
I brought these in the market at Shit this year. I no longer work at the company but I love these muffs.

www.sportridge.com

Compact Elite Blue Tooth Ear Muffs | Sport Ridge

Compact Electronic Ear Muffs with Bluetooth Capability, offering NRR 26db. Electronic controls provide enhanced sound for Range Commands or Conversations with shooting partner. Bluetooth connects to your music or smart phone without removing your protective head gear! Auto shutoff at 82db for...
www.sportridge.com www.sportridge.com


I wear a pair for the last 8 months at the range, cutting grass and other times I need muffs.

Streaming podcasts, music etc is super nice.

The passive hearing option like all the other electronic muffs too.
 
MacEntyre said:
If you go by the Noise Reduction Rating, nothing beats foam ear plugs at 33 dB. Or so I thought... there are ear muff style devices on Amazon that claim up to 37 dB protection. Click here, here and here.

Sometimes I use foam ear plugs underneath muffs.
Click to expand...
No idea they went up to 37. I shoot mostly indoor ranges and 23 is borderline acceptable and I'm looking for a higher rating. Was set on the 30db Peltor Ultimate but going to check those out now.
 
So, db is a function not just of the sound intensity, but also of it's distance from you.
soundproofsleep.com

Earplug & Earmuff Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) Explained

Learn what is Noise Reduction Rating (NRR)? NRR calculation formula, SNR vs. NRR, and what is a good noise reduction rating in this post.
soundproofsleep.com soundproofsleep.com
According to this, you take the highest nrr of the two and add 5 to that, when doubling both ear plugs and muffs.

So, if you want quietest:
Amazon product ASIN B00IZCHYH2Amazon product ASIN B01BEENYCQ
NRR 33 + NRR 37 = NRR 42

That + Subsonic ammo + Long barrel(far away from ear) + supressor = best hearing protection
 
someguyfromnc said:
No idea they went up to 37. I shoot mostly indoor ranges and 23 is borderline acceptable and I'm looking for a higher rating. Was set on the 30db Peltor Ultimate but going to check those out now.
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Go with plugs. Either foamies or something like that Decibullz I recommended. Then you can choose a lighter weight muff to put over top at indoor ranges.

At outdoor ranges, you can use just the plugs most of the time. Or even just the muffs.

I refuse to shoot at indoor ranges, and usually shoot suppressed. But I keep Decibullz in (used to use Radians instead) the whole time. If I’m shooting something with a brake, or unsuppressed pistols, I still have the option of adding the muffs.
 
Interesting, I have a bunch of Cadwell electronic ear muffs and have had good results with them, it didn't even occur to me to add anything more.
 
barf said:
Just got these Ottos today. Testing them (without being turned on) agains my MSAs, it seems like they cancel more sound. Will test them at the range tomorrow.

View attachment 626217
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Give us a range report. Interested to see how they work.
 
Button Pusher said:
View attachment 626234
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Beat me to it. I like this oneIMG_20230603_120603.gif
But seriously, i use whatever my wife got me off of Amazon. They are black, have no name on them and have that deal where they magnify talking and cut out when loud bangs happen. They work ok, but can cause headaches too. When the batteries die, i probably won't replace them and just use them without the sound magnification.
 
Average Joe said:
Give us a range report. Interested to see how they work.
Click to expand...
Best 400 dollars I’ve ever spent. Used them for a little over 3 hours today and they were down to 80% (maybe more than 80% left, as it only goes by 10%). So the 16 hour battery per charge seems spot on. Says you can charge them 20x in the case on one case charge.

They have two modes; a “low” amplification and a “high” amplification. On high, the gunshots seem loud but are hearing safe. On low, my 11.5 inch SBR with a Surefire Muzzlebreak didn’t even bother me. I liked the low setting and could still hear people talk without an issue.

With the Comply tips that everyone suggested (sold separately, 15 bucks for 3 pairs) these block more sound than my MSA over ears pictured above.

Absolutely worth the money, but I suggest throwing a ranger band around the case, because it does pop open fairly easily.

@Average Joe its worth it. 1000%
 
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Gel cups for earmuffs are a must, I remember you’d have to buy them from Noisefighters and they’d be really expensive but nowadays the major manufacturers sell their own version for $20 or so.

I have a pair of Sordin’s and while they are nice, probably not worth the $200 they usually go for. I always recommend doubling up on earpro with plugs and muffs but I don’t always practice what I preach since I’m lazy.
 
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