Best Hearing Protection

tegemu · May 18th, 2006, 11:51 AM

I went to my ear doctor yesterday and discussed hearing protection for me as a shooter. I told him that I normally wear the expandable foam plugs and muffs. I asked him if he thought some of those custom made plugs would be better. His response was that what I was doing, foam plugs and muffs, were the best option. The high priced custom made plugs were not high in his esteem. They are molded to your ears but if not placed precisely as as they were molded, leave sound penetrating gaps, but the foam, which he says provide as good, if not better, protection, expands to fit perfectly. Another problem with molded plugs is that as time passes the shape of the ear changes making the plugs ineffective. Food for thought.

P95Carry · May 18th, 2006, 12:13 PM

Yes, the ''plugs'n'muffs'' is about most potent way to gain protection.

I use Peltor electronics for most shooting, and for handgun useage they are adequate - keeping the main shock wave peak from reaching the ear harmfully.

Once tho indoors with handguns and outdoors with fullbore rifles, then ''doubling up'' is very wise.

havegunjoe · May 18th, 2006, 01:13 PM

I've got the molded kind, had them for 3 years now and I can definately tell the difference from the foam. The molded are far superior I feel. If they are molded there is only one way for them to go in properly. If you don't have them in correctly you can hear the difference immediately. I also use a pair of electronic muffs over them.

Sheldon J · May 18th, 2006, 01:37 PM

forum these are almost the same answer's he got there. Me I use the combo of orange ear plugs and electronic muffs that way I can still hear what is being said. But that is only when shooting the really nasty stuff, you know the .416 rem mag, the SW 500, the... well you get the idea, for the .45 the electronic is more than adequate to keep the comfort level and noise in a fuctional balance.

Bud White · May 18th, 2006, 03:21 PM

i use peltors and they seem to work well think there good to 29 or 30 DB reduction i saw another pair forget who there made by but there good to 31 and when you have them on they have a more positive seal to your head

May 18th, 2006, 11:51 AM	#1
tegemu Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Orange Park, Fla. Posts: 997	Best Hearing Protection I went to my ear doctor yesterday and discussed hearing protection for me as a shooter. I told him that I normally wear the expandable foam plugs and muffs. I asked him if he thought some of those custom made plugs would be better. His response was that what I was doing, foam plugs and muffs, were the best option. The high priced custom made plugs were not high in his esteem. They are molded to your ears but if not placed precisely as as they were molded, leave sound penetrating gaps, but the foam, which he says provide as good, if not better, protection, expands to fit perfectly. Another problem with molded plugs is that as time passes the shape of the ear changes making the plugs ineffective. Food for thought. __________________ People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence in their behalf. - George Orwell

May 18th, 2006, 12:13 PM	#2
P95Carry Assistant Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South West PA Posts: 25,400	Yes, the ''plugs'n'muffs'' is about most potent way to gain protection. I use Peltor electronics for most shooting, and for handgun useage they are adequate - keeping the main shock wave peak from reaching the ear harmfully. Once tho indoors with handguns and outdoors with fullbore rifles, then ''doubling up'' is very wise. __________________ Chris - P95 NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member. "To own a gun and assume that you are armed is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!." If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

May 18th, 2006, 01:13 PM	#3
havegunjoe Distinguished Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,846	I've got the molded kind, had them for 3 years now and I can definately tell the difference from the foam. The molded are far superior I feel. If they are molded there is only one way for them to go in properly. If you don't have them in correctly you can hear the difference immediately. I also use a pair of electronic muffs over them. __________________ DEMOCRACY IS TWO WOLVES AND A LAMB VOTING ON WHAT TO HAVE FOR LUNCH. LIBERTY IS A WELL ARMED LAMB CONTESTING THE VOTE. Certified Instructor for Minnesota Carry Permit NRA Pistol and Personal Protection Insrtuctor Utah Permit Certified Instructor

May 18th, 2006, 01:37 PM	#4
Sheldon J Distinguished Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Battle Creek, Mi. Posts: 1,686	Golly you guys must hang out on the "1911" N the THR forum these are almost the same answer's he got there. Me I use the combo of orange ear plugs and electronic muffs that way I can still hear what is being said. But that is only when shooting the really nasty stuff, you know the .416 rem mag, the SW 500, the... well you get the idea, for the .45 the electronic is more than adequate to keep the comfort level and noise in a fuctional balance. __________________ "The sword dose not cause the murder, and the maker of the sword dose not bear sin" Rabbi Solomon ben Isaac 11th century Last edited by Sheldon J; May 19th, 2006 at 12:27 PM..

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May 18th, 2006, 03:21 PM	#5
Bud White VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Elsewhere Posts: 17,476	i use peltors and they seem to work well think there good to 29 or 30 DB reduction i saw another pair forget who there made by but there good to 31 and when you have them on they have a more positive seal to your head