What type of hearing protection do you use while shooting?

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Posted: 4/12/2006 3:35:06 PM EDT

Ear muffs? Foam ear plugs? Other?

Posted: 4/12/2006 3:35:43 PM EDT

[#1]

tampons

Posted: 4/12/2006 3:35:56 PM EDT

[#2]

At arfcom shoots I double up. Foam plugs and muffs.

Posted: 4/12/2006 3:37:29 PM EDT

[#3]

I like muffs on my ears....

Posted: 4/12/2006 3:38:02 PM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
Ear muffs? Foam ear plugs? Other?

What???? Speak-up.....

Posted: 4/12/2006 3:38:30 PM EDT

[#5]

I would rate these as nearly perfect with 34db reduction. I wear them all the time plus muffs depending upon what I am shooting.

http://www.earplugsonline.com/index.html

Posted: 4/12/2006 3:39:16 PM EDT

[#6]

disposable foam plugs.

Posted: 4/12/2006 3:45:19 PM EDT

[#7]

Ear Muffs from Wal-Mart

Posted: 4/12/2006 3:47:29 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
disposable foam plugs.

Yup. Muffs are always in the way and I never have any ringing or discomfort with the .99 stuff I got at WalMart.

Posted: 4/12/2006 3:49:08 PM EDT

[#9]

Muffs and plugs. If you do alot of shooting with other people at least muffs over plugs if you dont wear both. A good deal of sound can be transmitted throught the bone that the muffs cover. You dont really hear it but will notice latter when you can't hear.

Posted: 4/12/2006 3:49:57 PM EDT

[#10]

I prefer ear muffs. Ear plugs are uncomfortable, they keep falling out, and they don't work as well.

Posted: 4/12/2006 3:49:58 PM EDT

[#11]

I had 3 fullauto mag dumps from a M4 go off 3 feet from my head today. I was wearing ear muffs and my ears are still ringing.

I don't see how just the foam plugs cut it.

Posted: 4/12/2006 3:51:07 PM EDT

[#12]

The plastic in the ear kind, not the disposable foam. Still disposable, but I think they are made to last a little while.

Doubling up is about the best bet.

Posted: 4/12/2006 3:51:28 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
Ear Muffs from Wal-Mart

Posted: 4/12/2006 3:52:18 PM EDT

[#14]

Peltor ComTacs electronics.

Posted: 4/12/2006 3:53:04 PM EDT

[#15]

Peltor tac 7

Posted: 4/12/2006 3:56:48 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
I would rate these as nearly perfect with 34db reduction. I wear them all the time plus muffs depending upon what I am shooting.

http://www.earplugsonline.com/index.html

+1 I discovered these while looking for ear protection to use while riding my motorcycle on the highway - the wind noise was killing what little hearing I had left. Those earplugs dropped wind owl to practically ZERO! They are te BEST hearing protectioin on the market. I use them while shooting all the time - wouldn't use anything else!

Posted: 4/12/2006 3:57:09 PM EDT

[#17]

On the job, electronic ear muffs, My job bought me the electronic noise cancelling ones.

When I'm shooting for fun I wear inexpensive shooting muffs from wal-mart or Bass Pro.

Ear plugs are better than nothing , but I read that you can get damage from bone conduction without outer ear coverage.

When I was a cop and had to shoot an injured deer or an innocent dog, I would put .357 or 9mm rounds in my ears as a field expedient to minimize the hearing loss.

Posted: 4/12/2006 3:59:09 PM EDT

[#18]

foam plugs w pistols, plugs plus muffs for louder stuff.

Posted: 4/12/2006 4:01:07 PM EDT

[#19]

MSA/Sordin Supreme Pro

SHEISLEGEND has Peltor Soundtrap

Posted: 4/12/2006 4:20:17 PM EDT

[#20]

Funny this topic should come up. Had my annual hearing test today. Graph looks like a ski slope due to age and no ear protection when shooting years ago. Good news is the graph shows very little hearing loss for the past four years(Been wearing double protection while shooting).

Since a rifle shot is about 200db even double protection is lacking. You loose hearing above 80db.

Sidenote a womans voice is about 4k. All the guys in the room who were married or had girlfriends had a low point at the 4k mark. Coincidence?

Posted: 4/12/2006 4:35:24 PM EDT

[#21]

I use plugs, but I should use both.

Posted: 4/12/2006 4:42:01 PM EDT

[#22]

Peltor electronic muffs most of the time.

I sometimes use the ear plugs but find them not very good for rifle shooting.

Posted: 4/12/2006 5:26:56 PM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:
I had 3 fullauto mag dumps from a M4 go off 3 feet from my head today. I was wearing ear muffs and my ears are still ringing.

I don't see how just the foam plugs cut it.

They aren't perfect, and I should use both but I'm always knocking against the stock and it bugs me. Look at the DB reduction on plugs and cheap muffs. Plugs always seem to win. Someday I'll try out the expensive muffs but for now I'm not noticing any extra ringing after using just plugs. I got mine damaged as a kid being a dumbass and not wearing ears when shooting.

Posted: 4/12/2006 5:30:51 PM EDT

[#24]

ProEars. In enclosed spaces ProEars and plugs. My hearing is so damaged I can't afford to lose any more of it.

Posted: 4/12/2006 5:32:22 PM EDT

[#25]

To quote myself to my shooting buddy

"going to war must be hell on your ears"

Posted: 4/12/2006 7:18:52 PM EDT

[#26]

Quoted:
Quoted:
I had 3 fullauto mag dumps from a M4 go off 3 feet from my head today. I was wearing ear muffs and my ears are still ringing.

I don't see how just the foam plugs cut it.

They aren't perfect, and I should use both but I'm always knocking against the stock and it bugs me. Look at the DB reduction on plugs and cheap muffs. Plugs always seem to win. Someday I'll try out the expensive muffs but for now I'm not noticing any extra ringing after using just plugs. I got mine damaged as a kid being a dumbass and not wearing ears when shooting.

I had to do a lot of adjusting. But it was work the effort.

Posted: 4/12/2006 7:32:30 PM EDT

[#27]

I wear Custom Form fitting plugs. (they are made out of some kind of soft plastic or rubber)
Over which I wear a set of Muffs. (quality counts) The non-electronic are over 12 years old, and are still in excellent condition. (external wear aside)

(one of three depending of the environment, and what I am up to)

Rifle shooting out on a formal long range style of range. (prone shooting)
Optime 101 - Over-the-Head Earmuff

Pistol Shooting and when I'm the range officer.
Tactical 7S Classic - Headband Model - NRR 24 dB

Backup Pair... (left in Car, in case)
Optime 95 - Over-the-Head Earmuff

Posted: 4/12/2006 7:57:22 PM EDT

[#28]

I use foam plugs combined with Peltor Tactical 6 electronic muffs. Works GREAT. The plugs are overkill with the muffs, but you hear almost nothing. In fact, it's so quiet you can hear the gun operating each time you fire if you're shooting a self loading rifle.

Posted: 4/12/2006 8:00:58 PM EDT

[#29]

Peltor Tac 6 here also

Posted: 4/12/2006 8:01:33 PM EDT

[#30]

I've had bad luck with gel/rubber ear plugs. There is something about their fluid physical properties that allows them to transmit the soundwaves right through the plugs, and into my ears. After 2 hours of an arfcom shoot (complete with NFA) and my ears were ringing. Dense foam topped off with muffs is the way to go.

Posted: 4/12/2006 8:01:41 PM EDT

[#31]

foam ear plugs. they work fine for me, but my roommate needs more.

Posted: 4/12/2006 8:11:25 PM EDT

[#32]

cheap walmart plugs (not the disposable kind, though I do keep some of those in my range bag)

Posted: 4/12/2006 8:19:19 PM EDT

[#33]

Quoted:
I had 3 fullauto mag dumps from a M4 go off 3 feet from my head today. I was wearing ear muffs and my ears are still ringing.

I don't see how just the foam plugs cut it.

Muffs. Better sound reduction than any plug. Speaking of ringing.....during GW1 we heard some shit where your ears would ring for a week. No shit.

My hearing is screwed (or at least thats my opinion). Always wear hearing (good) protection.

Posted: 4/12/2006 8:32:26 PM EDT

[#34]

Forgot muffs once, used .45 ball rounds. Looked goofy but worked pretty well.

Posted: 4/12/2006 10:09:36 PM EDT

[#35]

Quoted:
Ear muffs? Foam ear plugs? Other?

Plugs AND muffs!!! Always! Neither is good enough alone. Ever stand near a .50BMG?? It will hollow out your head!!!

Posted: 4/12/2006 10:13:03 PM EDT

[#36]

I yell really loud. I try to drown out the noise from the rifle. People around me seem to be uncomfortable with the behavior, at times.

Posted: 4/12/2006 10:13:53 PM EDT

[#37]

Peltor Comtacs

Posted: 4/12/2006 10:15:19 PM EDT

[#38]

Plugs for me.. muffs just get in my way and piss me off....

Plus, plugs usually offer more protection then muffs.. When used correctly

Posted: 4/12/2006 10:18:25 PM EDT

[#39]

Quoted:
Plugs for me.. muffs just get in my way and piss me off....

Plus, plugs usually offer more protection then muffs.. When used correctly

I use both. Since we weren't always in a position to use them on active duty, I now have constant ringing in my ears - 24/7. I cherish the hearing I have left.

Posted: 4/12/2006 10:23:03 PM EDT

[#40]

Here is some good info and a few of the better plugs on the market..

store.yahoo.com/earplugstore/silnatrubear.html

store.yahoo.com/earplugstore/

Posted: 4/12/2006 10:26:43 PM EDT

[#41]

I've used empty .45s when I didn't have anything else. Surprisingly, it works. Kinda.

Posted: 4/12/2006 11:02:45 PM EDT

[#42]

Gemtech Trinity

Gemtech Raptor

Gemtech Halo

A little more expensive than earmuffs, but a lot more useful

Posted: 4/12/2006 11:04:44 PM EDT

[#43]

Free Peltors from work, and/or free foamies from work. Just had my annual hearing check today, all systems go!

Posted: 4/12/2006 11:05:52 PM EDT

[#44]

pistol/shotgun: electronic ear muffs

precision rifle: plugs (muffs get in the way of a good cheekweld)

Posted: 4/12/2006 11:06:32 PM EDT

[#45]

I was using Peltor Tac 6s, but I just last week got a pair of the Sordin Supreme Pros. Great muff's.

Posted: 4/12/2006 11:29:52 PM EDT

[#46]

all I hear is ringing after the first shot...

Posted: 4/12/2006 11:30:48 PM EDT

[#47]

Com-Tacs

Posted: 4/12/2006 11:34:04 PM EDT

[#48]

Quoted:
To quote myself to my shooting buddy

"going to war must be hell on your ears"

+1....darn near deaf thanks to IED's but i usually use field-stripped cigarette butts

Posted: 4/13/2006 8:57:54 AM EDT

[#49]

Wearing plugs and muffs -does not work.
Sound disapation is a linear equasion. If you wear ear plugs with a 25db(example) rating and ear muffs with a 32db(example) rating, you will only get the higher(32db) disapation coverage. Not a combined (57db) disapation coverage.