Hearing protection

[sniper]

This post duplicates one I did on another forum, so, please nobody get upset about me inquiring at two or more sources of knowledgeable individuals. 8-)

Back when I was in the Military, they didn't seem much concerned about hearing protection, and on the rare times we were sent to the range, a lot of us shoved the .30 Carbine brass in our ears. Minimal, if any protection at all. But, my wife :) bought me my first set of earmuffs about 50 years ago.

When I was discharged, I was told I had no significant hearing loss. I have worn some sort of hearing protection ever since.

Now, I do have severe hearing loss, right ear mostly...possibly genetic, because my Mom and her mother both had severe hearing loss. As an additional thing, I have a condition where sudden sharp, or sustained loud noises causes a nervous reaction...Run and Hide! NOW! 😬Even with my Electronic muffs. I can experience a tightening of muscles, increased heart rate, and a tendency to flinch, especially with the report from .223, large bore handguns, or big bore rifles. It feels like "fight of flight' is kicking in. Sometimes, I need to leave the range.

A terrible affliction for someone who loves guns and shooting!😟

I am wondering if a set of moulded ear plugs in addition to my muffs would reduce the sounds enough so I could enjoy shooting more. The only negative I can see would be the probability of not hearing or understanding range commands. I've been told my ear canals are "unusually" small, so getting properly fitted hearing aid earpieces has been somewhat of a problem.
Does anyone here have the same problems, and what are my options? What has worked for you?

Thanks.

[buckwheatpaul]

This post duplicates one I did on another forum, so, please nobody get upset about me inquiring at two or more sources of knowledgeable individuals. 8-)

Back when I was in the Military, they didn't seem much concerned about hearing protection, and on the rare times we were sent to the range, a lot of us shoved the .30 Carbine brass in our ears. Minimal, if any protection at all. But, my wife :) bought me my first set of earmuffs about 50 years ago.

When I was discharged, I was told I had no significant hearing loss. I have worn some sort of hearing protection ever since.

Now, I do have severe hearing loss, right ear mostly...possibly genetic, because my Mom and her mother both had severe hearing loss. As an additional thing, I have a condition where sudden sharp, or sustained loud noises causes a nervous reaction...Run and Hide! NOW! ��Even with my Electronic muffs. I can experience a tightening of muscles, increased heart rate, and a tendency to flinch, especially with the report from .223, large bore handguns, or big bore rifles. It feels like "fight of flight' is kicking in. Sometimes, I need to leave the range.

A terrible affliction for someone who loves guns and shooting!��

I am wondering if a set of moulded ear plugs in addition to my muffs would reduce the sounds enough so I could enjoy shooting more. The only negative I can see would be the probability of not hearing or understanding range commands. I've been told my ear canals are "unusually" small, so getting properly fitted hearing aid earpieces has been somewhat of a problem.
Does anyone here have the same problems, and what are my options? What has worked for you?

Thanks.

Sniper, in 1980 I was shot in the head while on duty and lost 65% of my hearing in my left ear almost immediately....over the years it has progressed to 99% on the left side. I started out with Lee Sonics and progressed to molded ear protected. I still wear the molded ear protectors and when I shoot in inside range I add ear muffs as well because the pounding just hurts when others on the line are using large caliber weapons.....it works for me.....plus I wear the molded ear plugs when I use chainsaws, table saws, and any power tools.....my hearing is too precious to me to lose it needlessly!

[BadgerShooter]

I don't have the same issues, but I have been using custom molded plugs for probably 30 years. They are distinctly better at cutting down noise than anything else I have tried. Hearing conversation and range commands is an issue.

[Winger Ed.]

As a kid, I had a concussion and have had 100% nerve deafness in my left ear since then.
Over the years I also now have 'gaps' in the frequencies I can hear with my right ear.

I take pretty good care of the hearing I have left with the higher end ear muffs for shooting, and the more expensive
kinds of foam plugs for other things like mowing the yard. Several years ago, I got a pair of Peltor electronic muffs for shooting.

I like them, and use 'em a lot. Back when I was shooting a .50BMG,
I'd wear both the foam ones and regular hard sound suppressors.

[MrWolf]

My son and I both have the moulded plugs. I wear mine all the time and even use the conduction headphone to listen to music. Coupled with headphones they should do the job. Good luck.
Ron

[stubshaft]

I use some Radians molded plugs beneath my earmuffs, wouldn't shoot without them (UNLESS HUNTING!).

[Minerat]

I use molded plugs with regular muffs if I'm shooting alone or with the walker electronic muffs if there are others around. My left ear is stuffy since I forgot to put in the left plug and did not have the muffs on. Went 67 years and forgot for one shot, oh well, I now wear them to mow the lawn.

[BLAHUT]

This post duplicates one I did on another forum, so, please nobody get upset about me inquiring at two or more sources of knowledgeable individuals. 8-)

Back when I was in the Military, they didn't seem much concerned about hearing protection, and on the rare times we were sent to the range, a lot of us shoved the .30 Carbine brass in our ears. Minimal, if any protection at all. But, my wife :) bought me my first set of earmuffs about 50 years ago.

When I was discharged, I was told I had no significant hearing loss. I have worn some sort of hearing protection ever since.

Now, I do have severe hearing loss, right ear mostly...possibly genetic, because my Mom and her mother both had severe hearing loss. As an additional thing, I have a condition where sudden sharp, or sustained loud noises causes a nervous reaction...Run and Hide! NOW! ��Even with my Electronic muffs. I can experience a tightening of muscles, increased heart rate, and a tendency to flinch, especially with the report from .223, large bore handguns, or big bore rifles. It feels like "fight of flight' is kicking in. Sometimes, I need to leave the range.

A terrible affliction for someone who loves guns and shooting!��

I am wondering if a set of moulded ear plugs in addition to my muffs would reduce the sounds enough so I could enjoy shooting more. The only negative I can see would be the probability of not hearing or understanding range commands. I've been told my ear canals are "unusually" small, so getting properly fitted hearing aid earpieces has been somewhat of a problem.
Does anyone here have the same problems, and what are my options? What has worked for you?

Thanks.

I have tried all combinations, molded plugs with muffs work great for me, lost hearing in left ear from a 12-gauge fired next to my head when I didn't see a target advancing on position. Range commands are a bit soft, need to have the muffs off and listen closely..

[wv109323]

I have been competitively shooting for well over 40 years now. I used a set of passive ear muffs for a long time. About 30 years ago I got a set of molded ear plugs. I don't use them anymore as they go so far into the ear that they are uncomfortable when worn for extended periods.
From my experience, I can not say the molded ear plugs are any better than the cheap foam ones for noise reduction. I would try the foam ear plugs with electronic muffs before I spent the money on molded ear plugs to see if it helps.

[GregLaROCHE]

I recently saw something about the popular type earplugs that have a flexible holder that goes around your neck. When not using them, you take them out, keeping them around your neck. The article was aimed at industrial use, where people are changing locations often. They are always there if needed. The most interesting part is that they supposedly protect you better than the muff type. They added that you needed the type that conforms best to your ear.

[barrabruce]

I use molded plugs from an ear specialist + pelt or electronic earmuffs.
I chose the slimmer ones that allow better cheek weld.
Total is about 35 dba I suppose.
I still suffer pain from fast intense firearms around me but it helps keep it at a tolerable pain.

Get the best forget the rest.
Like eyes you only get one set.

[pworley1]

I use these. They have volume control which lets me turn them up so I can hear conversations much better but still reduce shooting noise to a comfortable level. https://www.walkersgameear.com/razor-patriot-series/

[MrWolf]

I use these. They have volume control which lets me turn them up so I can hear conversations much better but still reduce shooting noise to a comfortable level. https://www.walkersgameear.com/razor-patriot-series/

Beat me to it. Was gonna add that the molded plugs plus these type of ear muffs that enhance the sound/cutoff is a good combo.

[georgerkahn]

This post duplicates one I did on another forum, so, please nobody get upset about me inquiring at two or more sources of knowledgeable individuals. 8-)

Back when I was in the Military, they didn't seem much concerned about hearing protection, and on the rare times we were sent to the range, a lot of us shoved the .30 Carbine brass in our ears. Minimal, if any protection at all. But, my wife :) bought me my first set of earmuffs about 50 years ago.

When I was discharged, I was told I had no significant hearing loss. I have worn some sort of hearing protection ever since.

Now, I do have severe hearing loss, right ear mostly...possibly genetic, because my Mom and her mother both had severe hearing loss. As an additional thing, I have a condition where sudden sharp, or sustained loud noises causes a nervous reaction...Run and Hide! NOW! ��Even with my Electronic muffs. I can experience a tightening of muscles, increased heart rate, and a tendency to flinch, especially with the report from .223, large bore handguns, or big bore rifles. It feels like "fight of flight' is kicking in. Sometimes, I need to leave the range.

A terrible affliction for someone who loves guns and shooting!��

I am wondering if a set of moulded ear plugs in addition to my muffs would reduce the sounds enough so I could enjoy shooting more. The only negative I can see would be the probability of not hearing or understanding range commands. I've been told my ear canals are "unusually" small, so getting properly fitted hearing aid earpieces has been somewhat of a problem.
Does anyone here have the same problems, and what are my options? What has worked for you?

Thanks.

sniper -- Wednesday morning I need go to Audiologists for a new set (pair) of hearing aids. The damage? They run $3,200.00 for the pair, but I am fortunate as my insurance covers the first $1,500.00 -- so I need only (only???) show up with seventeen hundred US dollars. After last week's intensive hearing eval, the doctor voiced "my smartness" of using in-ear molded plugs under my over-ear muffs! I spent many years in the shooting sports, generally wearing el cheapo -- but doable -- muffs, period. What I/we do believe did me in (hearing) was the years playing piano in bands sitting with the electric bass guitar player to my left and the drumset to my right -- my having no ear protection.
Anyhoos -- after I could no longer hear the trains passing -- ~800 feet distance -- and wife suggested neighbors three houses away may be able to hear the television I'm watching.... to the Audiologist I went.
If you connect with a professional Audiologist, at least one I went to sells in-ear protectors including those for (small sizes?) children use.
You double-decking is, imho, a VERY astute decision!!! I wish I had been smart enough to do similar many years back!
geo

[405grain]

Back in the late 70's and early 80's I was on sea duty up and down the west coast. One day I had a messenger watch up at the bridge. The gunners mates were having practice firing of 20mm auto-cannons from mounts right outside the open hatches on both sides of the bridge. The gun crews had hearing protection, the bridge watch didn't. The loud continuous ringing in my ears has been with me since that day. I asked a doctor about it once and he told me "When the ringing goes away, that's how you'll know that your dead". The VA sends me a disability payment each month, but once your hearing's damaged like that there's no getting it back. When you're going shooting, or working around anything loud, protect your hearing !!!!

P.S. I also like the Razor electronic ear muffs. They work really good.

[NyFirefighter357]

Try silicone ear plugs under ear muffs, found at any pharmacy. I've been using Mack's Pillow Soft Silicone Earplugs for swimming for 40 yrs. The Original Moldable Silicone Putty Ear Plugs for Sleeping, Snoring, Swimming, Travel, Concerts and Studying 22db reduction.

[porthos]

at Parris Island in 1966; we were told to put cigarette filters in our ears at the rifle range.
you mean that wasn't good enough?

[barrabruce]

Better than nothing porthole.
I’d just like to add the foamy ear plugs cause me pain as the expand and I have surfy ears?
Any way the molded ones are just fine and dandy for me.
I have worn whatever I could get around loud noises but got an ear full of muzzle break one day.
Not that my hearing was pristine like , but my hearing loss went up a whole new level after that.

[pa.frank]

This is a critically important thread for new or young shooters to read and understand..
A gunshot,especially if the gun has a break, can be upwards of 160 decibels. Your average ear muffs or plugs will only reduce that from 28 to 32 db.
hearing loss is slow and gradual. A chainsaw or lawn mower runs on average at 90 db. You will begin to experience pain at 130 db and damage begins at around 90db and above.
I have lost 75% of my hearing in both ears.. Largely due to infections, smoking, and shooting..
so my advice to anyone reading this post is to quit smoking, and use plugs AND good quality muffs.. And ready the package and get the muffs that offer the highest db protection.
Just as with eye protection, once these senses are lost, there is no replacing them so take great care of what you have!

[charlie b]

I also have hearing loss from bigger guns. The critical one was when the range went green when I was next to a .50cal without my muffs on. Felt the ear damage.

I use the Earpeace brand (recommended by the audiologist). I also have small ear canals and these fit well. They also come with different filters so I can use them in movie theaters.

At a crowded range I will also use muffs over the top. Even the cheap electronic ones work well to hear range commands. I find it helps a 'little' bit with the muzzle brake folks.

Reaction to others on the line can be tough. It never bothered me much in the old days. These days it seems everyone has a muzzle brake and I am subjected to the blast over the whole body. I really hate those things.

[Kraschenbirn]

Overall, my hearing is probably better than expected after 40-some years of competitive shooting and two tours in Nam riding shotgun as a UH-1 crewchief but I do have a significant loss in the higher frequency ranges...like I don't hear that squeaky 'beep' sound used in a lot of alarms and timers at all.

I've been using a pair of custom-molded ear plugs for 30-some years...back when I was shooting conventional pistol, a shooting buddy's daughter, a clinical audiologist, made them up for our whole team. For handgun (except for my TC Contenders I very rarely shoot anything the might considered 'Magnum'), the plugs alone seem to suffice. For rifle work, I do add a pair of muffs...mostly to block out the lateral blast from the muzzle-brakes.

I'm like charlie b, having shot center-fire rifle since my early teens and, except for an original Colt HBAR I had years ago, never owned a rifle with a brake, I don't see why they've become so indespensible today...'specially on something like an AR that has no appreciable recoil, anyway.

Bill

[popper]

Sordin supreme X now - that SIL gave me for Christmas a couple yrs ago. I generally don't turn them on. Had slim Howard light muffs before, decent but sordin is much better. Was around big guns for several yrs along with a loud band, hearing was good till I got old. Can't hear the TV transformer whine anymore.

[Duckiller]

What the gentleman from West Virginia said. Try foam plugs under ear muffs. If that works for you then get the moulded plug to wear under muffs.About 10 years ago I got tested and was found to be deaf as a post. Hearing aids let me hear things at normal level. My children prefer that I wear hearing aid when they watch TV with me.

[elmacgyver0]

The best hearing protection is a suppressor combined with earmuffs and or earplugs.
Unfortunately, our government does not care about your hearing.

[Rapier]

We ran several scientific tests on hearing protection in the IHMSA, these were published in the Silhouette and the IHMSA News. Result was hearing protection became mandatory at all matches. The very best hearing protection in test after test was a combination of custom hard cast ear plugs made just for your ears, with the electronic high decibel cancelling inserts, coupled with a good pair of ear muffs with their own high decibel cancelling electronics. Neither one by itself does a 100% job, but put them together and you can still hear "normal voice levels" but will be protected. This setup was what I wore for 40+ years as a match director and range master, plus while shooting competition.
Even a 22 rimfire does permanent hearing damage to unprotected ears.
I do carry my plugs to rock concerts.

For the first 20 years shooting, I did not pay much attention to hearing protection so I do have crickets today.

[MrWolf]

I use these. They have volume control which lets me turn them up so I can hear conversations much better but still reduce shooting noise to a comfortable level. https://www.walkersgameear.com/razor-patriot-series/

Just ordered these. Should be here tomorrow. Figured for $38 I can't go wrong.

[farmbif]

I got a couple pair of muffs and electronic muffs but now I mostly use little orange or other disposable one size fits all plugs. much easier to carry and they seem to get the job done and there are no batteries to die or replace.