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Posted: 4/20/2015 10:56:08 AM EDT
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For twenty years or so, I have been using standard hearing protection (over the ear/head) models....
Has anyone had custom ear plugs made and how do they perform vs standard hearing protection.... Where did you get them, and what kind of cost can I expect? |
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Not sure if this is the right section or not, but here's my experience:
I just looked into this last month, made an appointment with a local audiologist, etc. Everyone gives good recommendations, but tends to leave out the details. My audiologist was willing to make the impressions for $25. From there, it was up to me to figure out what to do with it. From what I found online, it was $150+ to get the actual plugs made after sending the impressions from the audiologist to the plug maker. Instead, I bought the Radians kit where you make your own. I paid $15 locally at Basspro. You can find the kit for less online. I'm really enjoying them. For shooting long guns outside, they do the job amazingly well. Inside I still prefer doubling-up, but could make do with just these if I had to. |
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I have been using the Surefire EP-3 ear plugs for 10 years now. I really like the way they fit and cancel out most of the annoying noise while still allowing to carry on a conversation without anyone raising their voice.
http://www.surefire.com/ep3-sonic-defenders.html |
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Quoted:
For twenty years or so, I have been using standard hearing protection (over the ear/head) models.... Has anyone had custom ear plugs made and how do they perform vs standard hearing protection.... Where did you get them, and what kind of cost can I expect? They're no better than ear muffs and maybe not as good as some models. The reason for this is because for them to fit in your ear, they have to be a teeny tiny bit smaller than your actual ear canal. Contrast this with foam or silicon ear plugs that are larger than your ear canal and seal out everything with pressure they apply against your canal. Of course, that's why they are uncomfortable for some. I have custom plugs because they work better for rifles and shotguns, offer a decent level of protection and are easy to get in and out quickly. If I were to guess what level of protection they offer, I would think they're closer to the 25-28db range of ear muffs which is no where near the 32db you get with foam plugs. Decibels is not a linear scale so those numbers mean a big difference. I'm reading some claims of 29 for custom plugs but I don't think they're that good. May vary depending on the shape of ones ear canal I suppose. |
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I use 3M E-A-R plugs almost exclusively now. They are soft foam on a plastic core, so they push straight in without having to roll or twist them like regular foam plugs. They are very comfortable -- more so than the rubber kind with rows of flanges that work the same way -- and they provide just as good protection as any other plug in my experience. I use them both indoors and outdoors, and they work great. I especially like how easy they are to put in and take out. As an instructor, range officer, and event organizer, I am frequently needing to take my ear pro off to talk between strings of fire, and then put it right back on. They are perfect for that.
I have never been able to use the headphone/muff type ear pro. It interferes with my cheek weld on a rifle. Plus I don't like how sweaty they make your ears, and how you feel like your head is in a vise after a while, regardless of how padded they are. |
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Quoted:
I use 3M E-A-R plugs almost exclusively now. They are soft foam on a plastic core, so they push straight in without having to roll or twist them like regular foam plugs. They are very comfortable -- more so than the rubber kind with rows of flanges that work the same way -- and they provide just as good protection as any other plug in my experience. I use them both indoors and outdoors, and they work great. I especially like how easy they are to put in and take out. As an instructor, range officer, and event organizer, I am frequently needing to take my ear pro off to talk between strings of fire, and then put it right back on. They are perfect for that. I have never been able to use the headphone/muff type ear pro. It interferes with my cheek weld on a rifle. Plus I don't like how sweaty they make your ears, and how you feel like your head is in a vise after a while, regardless of how padded they are. I'm finding the same issues with muff type hearing protection...All good/great info so far! |
| I've been in the shooting sports for 33+ years, and for the past 25 or so have relied on custom silicone plugs, made with the tampon like ball, and softened silicone injected into the ear canal... done by a young lady that attends larger pistol competitions...I prefer to not have the outer coating application of liquid silicone, as mine have stayed cleaner without the coating.... for Florida, they were cooler, and easier to use long guns with...that being said, I have significant hearing loss in the 4000Hz range, probably to working as a range officer around the 9x25s when they were more popular.... |
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Quoted:
For twenty years or so, I have been using standard hearing protection (over the ear/head) models.... Has anyone had custom ear plugs made and how do they perform vs standard hearing protection.... Where did you get them, and what kind of cost can I expect? I don't find inside the ear plugs adequate. I use the 50 cent disposable foam plugs (-30dB) with a standard set of lightweight muffs over them (-19dB). I use the same for indoor large-bore pistol, and can't hear nuffin'. |
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I have custom plugs like lasnyder described. I use them AND covers. The silicone gel used for my plugs supposedly transmits speech frequencies but blocks louder and higher frequencies. I can hear conversation with the plugs in, but someone on the next range over firing some gawdawful loud canon thingie doesn't hurt my ears. I use my covers over the plugs when the range I'm on is hot, and this arrangement keeps me from going home deaf.
The data that came with my custom plugs indicates a 23-26 db sound reduction, which is around what foam plugs will give you. An earlier poster stated that custom plugs "have to be smaller than your ear canal," but this isn't an accurate statement. They have to fit your ear canal closely. Mine actually make a slight vacuum in the ear canal when you take them out, they fit that well. Sound doesn't "weasel its way" into your ears through this type of plug. Foam plugs that are properly inserted work almost as well, but they have a tendency to work their way out when I'm wearing them. |
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I have two sets of earplugs made by a lady who frequents our local gunshow. I believe this is what she uses: http://www.instamold.com/consumer-products/custom-molded-ear-plugs/ Appears to be 29.8db protection. They are comfortable and easy to use and clean. I have one color for my right ear and a different color for my left. |
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I heard a doctor (Dr. Drew Penske, I think) say that you still get hearing damage with plugs because the noise / vibration gos in threw the outside of your ear.
I now wear double hearing protection. Plugs and muffs. That was the requirement to go into the engine room on a ship. |
| After years of fighting with crappy foam plugs that would not stay in I had a lady that is a vendor at USPSA matches make me a pair of the custom ones. $50 bucks or so and they work fantastic. However when I am around comped guns I use Pro Ear Muff's over them especially ROing. |
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Quoted:
I heard a doctor (Dr. Drew Penske, I think) say that you still get hearing damage with plugs because the noise / vibration gos in threw the outside of your ear. I now wear double hearing protection. Plugs and muffs. That was the requirement to go into the engine room on a ship. Has anyone else come across this assessment....I cannot afford more damage to my hearing...and, I really HATE wearing muff's.... |
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