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Posted: 12/14/2003 2:00:47 PM EDT
[#1]
Electronic muffs.
Peltor Tactical 6.5 |
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Posted: 12/14/2003 2:05:30 PM EDT
[#2]
I use foam plugs and muffs. Total decibel reduction is 60 or better.
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Posted: 12/14/2003 2:06:03 PM EDT
[#3]
I started out with Peltor Tac 7's (and love them) but found that the deep cups do interfere with rifle use. I switched to passive low profile Peltors for the rifles but finally broke down and got a set of Tac 6's.
The advantages of being able to clearly hear what is going on around you, esp. at a public range or while working with noobs is worth every penny. |
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Posted: 12/14/2003 2:06:38 PM EDT
[#4]
I use plugs for the same reasons..
I do want to get some of these though [url]http://www.espamerica.com/products.html[/url] The ones at the very bottom...... |
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Posted: 12/14/2003 2:10:58 PM EDT
[#5]
Quoted: I use foam plugs and muffs. Total decibel reduction is 60 or better. Not True. Lets say the plugs you use are rated at 33. Then you use muffs at 30. The actual combined level is around 35 maybe 36. You don't add them together. |
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Posted: 12/14/2003 2:33:15 PM EDT
[#6]
Quoted: Quoted: I use foam plugs and muffs. Total decibel reduction is 60 or better. Not True. Lets say the plugs you use are rated at 33. Then you use muffs at 30. The actual combined level is around 35 maybe 36. You don't add them together. That's what I was always told. Why don't they complement each other? |
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Posted: 12/14/2003 2:40:52 PM EDT
[#7]
I use plugs for rifle shooting and muffs over plugs for handgun.
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Posted: 12/14/2003 2:51:19 PM EDT
[#8]
Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I use foam plugs and muffs. Total decibel reduction is 60 or better. Not True. Lets say the plugs you use are rated at 33. Then you use muffs at 30. The actual combined level is around 35 maybe 36. You don't add them together. That's what I was always told. Why don't they complement each other? [url]www.ci.vancouver.wa.us/health/hearing1.htm[/url] From that page... Properly fitted earplugs or muffs reduce noise 15 to 30 dB. The better earplugs and muffs are approximately equal in sound reduction, although earplugs are better for low frequency noise and earmuffs for high frequency noise. Simultaneous use of earplugs and muffs usually adds 10 to 15 dB more protection than either used alone. Combined use should be considered when noise exceeds 105 dB. --- That is more then I've heard before. I've always heard it only helps a couple more in protection. Anyway, when I shoot 50bmg I use both. [:D] |
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Posted: 12/14/2003 2:58:55 PM EDT
[#9]
Plugs & Muffs for Machine guns
Muffs for Rifle & Pistol Plugs for Shotguns |
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Posted: 12/14/2003 3:50:35 PM EDT
[#10]
Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I use foam plugs and muffs. Total decibel reduction is 60 or better. Not True. Lets say the plugs you use are rated at 33. Then you use muffs at 30. The actual combined level is around 35 maybe 36. You don't add them together. That's what I was always told. Why don't they complement each other? Because the measure of noise levels in decibels is a logarithmic measurement not a linear one. You can't just add the values together. |
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Posted: 12/14/2003 5:36:48 PM EDT
[#11]
Amen to both, numbers aside. Both together works better than either one alone.
Don't be macho and deaf. |
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Posted: 12/14/2003 5:47:12 PM EDT
[#12]
I got my plugs at Camp Perry. CeCa associates. The woman is Celeste Dennison, a really wonderful woman that's been making custom plugs for shooters for years.
got 'em just in time for the '02 Springfield match. The guy next to me cranked his '03 off almost next to my ears, felt a part of the blast, but it SOUNDED like a muffled .22 short 50' away. They work. I THINK she travels around. BTW, she KNOWS her business. She told me what side I slept on as an infant based on my inner ear shape! |
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Posted: 12/14/2003 5:54:41 PM EDT
[#13]
lately it's been plugs. they seem to work as good as the muffs I have and don't interfere with the stock. especially nice on the ar since with plugs I don't get that damn spring noise echoing through the stock into the muffs
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Posted: 12/14/2003 6:09:55 PM EDT
[#14]
When I shoot in SASS matches, I just wear plugs. Muffs just don't work to well with a cowboy hat. Anyway, my .45 Colt loads aren't that loud.
For range work, I wear plugs and muffs. Especially if I'm shooting LC/Federal M193 5.56 out of my M4. That stuff is really loud. I lost enough hearing during six years of active duty in the Army. I want to keep what I have left. |
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Posted: 12/14/2003 7:31:40 PM EDT
[#15]
Get a set of custom ear molds (plugs to most). The molds block the entire inside of the ear and work so well for me that with my favorite set, I can barely understand someone talking at 5'!!! And they fit totaly inside the dished in area (I don't know the medical term) of the ear. A very tight weld to the stock is most comfortable. And since they are customs, very comfortable to wear for HOURS on end!
You can find someone to make them at a gunshow for $35.00 would be about right. If you go to a hearing specialist, they would run at least $100 more!! |
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Posted: 12/15/2003 4:06:42 AM EDT
[#16]
One thing that is good about the "mickey mouse" headsets is that they cover your entire ear which protects the ear bone structure. Yes, using both plugs and headset provides better ear protection.
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Posted: 12/15/2003 4:24:13 AM EDT
[#17]
I love my plugs! I had them custom from a hearing specialist. Took 5 minutes to get the initial mold, and a week to get the final product. I can wear them all day. Hell, I have forgotten a couple of times that I was wearing them. They were only $50 or so.
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Posted: 12/15/2003 11:46:42 AM EDT
[#18]
Plugs when I’m by myself.
Muffs when I know there’s I’m going to have company at the range. There is an indoor range where I shoot my Mac on Rock & Roll. Range Rules demand Muffs and forbid plugs. |
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Posted: 12/15/2003 12:12:18 PM EDT
[#19]
Huh? Stop mumbling. [BD]
This is the classic place to post this: "Get both!" |
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Posted: 12/15/2003 12:27:36 PM EDT
[#20]
Unless it is cold enough to require a hat, I'll just take my pair of industrial muffs; they seem to work fine.
It appears that some people here think I may be putting my hearing at risk; I suppose I might consider an upgrade if I ever manage to shoot frequently enough to warrant more protection. I certainly do better than a friend of mine: He never wears anything when shooting .22 (or shotgun, I think) and he only uses music headphones when firing .357 Mag. out of a 4" barrel! And his back yard is big enough to shoot in, so he shoots a lot. Well, it could be worse ... at least he doesn't man field artillery. |
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Posted: 12/15/2003 2:37:57 PM EDT
[#21]
I use plugs. Headphones are not only uncomfortable, but screw you cheek weld up something serious. I like to practice the way I might have to perform and therefore don't want to get use to shooting in a 'headphone' type stance. If you are shooting pistols ONLY, it doesn't make a difference (IMHO). However, since this is ARFcom, I am assuming rifles are included. It is near impossible to get good eye alignment on a high power centerfire with headphones.
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Posted: 12/15/2003 3:15:08 PM EDT
[#22]
Use of hearing protection in high noise industrial invironments IS something I am ver familiar with, and have looked at long and hard.
Muffs plus plugs... theoretically, yes, you would add the decibel reduction... they are log, and should add. The reason this does not work in the real world is that a lot of sound is also conducted around the plugs through the bones of the jaw and head. Also, sound impulses can travel up the nose, or into the mouth and up the eustacian tubes. You get, at best, 26-27 db noise reduction from muffs, less if thick hair prevents the muffs from sealing against the head well. The best plugs are about 31-33 db noise reduction, if inserted properly. Total reduction from use of both is around 35-36 db. |
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Posted: 12/15/2003 3:40:04 PM EDT
[#23]
I wear both muffs and plugs at the same time. No interference at all with my cheek weld. In order to make the ear cup contact the stock of any of my rifles, I have to scrunch my head down so far that I lose sight alignment.
I make a good part of my living recording audio for video. I only have one set of issue ears and medical science has yet to develop an affordable aftermarket replacement (hearing aids are simply amplifiers to compensate for hearing loss). |
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Posted: 12/15/2003 6:08:37 PM EDT
[#24]
Got my ears checked a month or so ago and the doctor looked at my test results and asked how much shooting I do.
Since then I double up. Plugs and electronic ears. |
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Posted: 12/15/2003 6:32:11 PM EDT
[#25]
OK, one thing you guys fail to mention with the ear plugs. You keep pushing the wax into the ear. We had this guy who worked at the airport on the tarmac. He was one of those dudes with with the light sticks. He couldnt hear well and came to see the doctor. The doc got this squirter and started to irrigate his ears. This nasty thing that looked like a cigarette butt floated out of both ears. I almost puked! I am constantly up to my armpits in blood and other fluids. But this was gross. The patients starts to ask why we are yelling at him. It was hilarious. He went to muffs.
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