Ear Protection

[HunterAU]

I am looking to purchase some electronic earmuffs and would like to find out what you guys use and recommend?

[deerhunter338mag]

I am looking to purchase some electronic earmuffs and would like to find out what you guys use and recommend?

The ones I have they work well $50 I got them for

[Olsen]

I always use Peltor at the shooting range, unfortunately not everytime on hunting and now I had a damaged ear
I have a high wailing sound in my left ear all the time, and I have to be real lucky, if it ever goes away

So for me, no shooting without ear protection

If you want something good, get a pair of small things to put IN the ear, like a hearing device, they are much more easy to handle than a big set of hearing protectors

You can get the little ear plougs made just after your ear, they fill in some stuff and then make the ear ploug just after the ear model........ The question is now, how much they have to put in you ear before it stays in the ear

But do get something on those ears, before you end up like me with that fornicating noise 24/7

[deerhunter338mag]

I always use Peltor at the shooting range, unfortunately not everytime on hunting and now I had a damaged ear
I have a high wailing sound in my left ear all the time, and I have to be real lucky, if it ever goes away

So for me, no shooting without ear protection

If you want something good, get a pair of small things to put IN the ear, like a hearing device, they are much more easy to handle than a big set of hearing protectors

You can get the little ear plougs made just after your ear, they fill in some stuff and then make the ear ploug just after the ear model........ The question is now, how much they have to put in you ear before it stays in the ear

But do get something on those ears, before you end up like me with that fornicating noise 24/7

Sounds like you have had a few wet willys mate

[skeetshot]

Like Olsen, I also suffer from permanent ear damage in both ears and hear a constant ringing in my ears 24/7.

In my younger days, I did not always use ear protection and then, when I got my first muzzle brake, I really messed those valuable ears in just a few shots.

When I was shooting competitive skeet I had a special pair of moulded ear plugs made which I wore under my ear muffs, but the toll of shooting 35000 rounds a year for 9 years took away my hearing.

Today, I can hear people speaking but many times cannot distinguish all the words.

Peltor is definitely an excellent set of muffs especially the electronic ones. I still recommend that one should use ear plugs PLUS electronic muffs.

Sound is measured in DECIBELS, and the decibel ratings are exponential.This means that a DB level of 11 is twice the the DB level of 10 and not 10 % more. Ear muffs are rated by their DB reducing levels and anything over 27 is good.

Sound is absorbed in the body not just through the ears, but also through the forehead, open mouth etc, so astute protection is a wise thing.

In the military, especially the Artillery and Armoured Corps units, it is quite common to find some men who are not affected by hearing loss while others are.

As an aside, in the historic city of Jaipur, there is what was the worlds longest cannon with an estimated range of 29miles which in the 18th century was remarkable considering that its propellant was BlackPowder. This cannon was never used in battle, and next to the cannon is a special pool of water. Apparently the procedure was once the cannon was aimed and the fuse lit the operators would jump into the pool and submerse themselves to protect their ears from the tremendous noise the cannon would generate.

[Vaughan]

Yet another one whose ears ring more or less constantly but I don't think shooting was the cause I my case. Also another vote for Peltor. I think mine are called "Sport Tac" and I can plug my hunting radio into them when on the hunting stand. They keep the ears warm as well......

/Vaughan

[HunterAU]

I have been looking at the Peltor Sound Trap (the one with the plugin option for radios etc) and the Pro-Ears Predator Gold. has anyone used them and got any feedback?

[deerhunter338mag]

I have been looking at the Peltor Sound Trap (the one with the plugin option for radios etc) and the Pro-Ears Predator Gold. has anyone used them and got any feedback?

You should try your work mate they would have a suppler.

[thechamp]

Almost everybody I know that's been a shooter for most of their life has hearing problems. I lost most of my left ear as a kid, probably from shooting a 22 too much. Now it's pretty well legally deaf and not much they can do about it. I have friends who have the ringing ya'll describe and that has to be horrible. So yes - please folks take care of your ears! Once the damage is done, it's done! A close friend of mine says it gets so bad that he can't sleep, etc. He's been to doctors all over and they all say nothing they can do for him.

I don't use ear plugs, muffs when hunting with a rifle because usually it's only one shot, maybe 2 and they do get in the way. For bird hunting though I need to look into those that you can wear and still hear people holler, talk, etc. The custom made ones that fit into the ear sound like a good idea.

The other week when we did our shooting competition I shot the first shot without hearing protection. The blast reminded me very quickly and I found my muffs and put them on! Frigging ears hurt.... I won't shoot targets without hearing protection and I have the regular Peltors and they've been really good.

Reference Skeetshot's comments about sound being absorbed through the body, I recall one of the local instructors had done some research on the matter and found that it is a very good idea to use a ear plug as well as head sets when shooting. Something about a small bone below the ear, etc. Can't recall the specifics but he too confirmed that noise goes pretty much where it wants.

[Grumulkin]

Years ago, when I started shooting, wearing ear protection while shooting wasn't mentioned and would probably have been considered a sissy thing to do. I to have tinnitus; worse at times than others and I never shoot the big stuff even when hunting without ear protection.

I would be a bit cautious with the Peltor and lower priced electronic ear protectors. I've used them and my ears have told me (i.e., by increased tinnitus) that the protection isn't what it should be even though it's comfortable to shoot with them. It takes the electronic muffs a little time to shut down and they also don't shut down until a certain noise level is reached. For target shooting, I think it's better to use foam ear plugs under good regular ear muffs (i.e., double protection).

For hunting, I use custom made E.A.R., Inc. electronic ear protectors. My ears tell me (i.e., no increased tinnitus) that these make it not only comfortable to shoot but even work well with the likes of a braked 460 S&W Magnum handgun. You're willing to lay out the green for a Blaser and multiple barrels; do yourself a real favor and get yourself something that really works even if it's pricey.

[HunterAU]

Years ago, when I started shooting, wearing ear protection while shooting wasn't mentioned and would probably have been considered a sissy thing to do. I to have tinnitus; worse at times than others and I never shoot the big stuff even when hunting without ear protection.

I would be a bit cautious with the Peltor and lower priced electronic ear protectors. I've used them and my ears have told me (i.e., by increased tinnitus) that the protection isn't what it should be even though it's comfortable to shoot with them. It takes the electronic muffs a little time to shut down and they also don't shut down until a certain noise level is reached. For target shooting, I think it's better to use foam ear plugs under good regular ear muffs (i.e., double protection).

For hunting, I use custom made E.A.R., Inc. electronic ear protectors. My ears tell me (i.e., no increased tinnitus) that these make it not only comfortable to shoot but even work well with the likes of a braked 460 S&W Magnum handgun. You're willing to lay out the green for a Blaser and multiple barrels; do yourself a real favor and get yourself something that really works even if it's pricey.

Can you point me toi a web site for the said mentioned protection?

[skeetshot]

Yes, I too would be interested to learn more about this E.A.R. product

[thechamp]

I did some searches and found several that use the name EAR INC. This one looks like it might be the one.

http://www.earinc.com/index.php


They have a LE site that has all kind of 'molded' ear protectors listed:

http://www.earinc.com/m-law.php


And a section on molded ear plugs:

http://www.earinc.com/p1-electronic.php

[Grumulkin]

The web site is as posted by thechamp. I have the custom molded ones. They fill your ear canal to make a rubber cast from which they make custom electronic hearing protectors to fit your ear.

[Corjack]

I started with a ringing in my ears, then it turned to voices. Anyone else here the voices?