fotomaker57

Some of you have mentioned this all ready but I am going to harp on it a bit more. I work in surgery with a very prominent ENT (ears, nose, and throat) surgeon. He trains residents from all over the country. One thing he always stresses is that when shooting to keep the mastoid bone covered. Which is what a good set of muffs do. The sound from the gun is picked up as vibration by the mastoid and is transmitted to your ear canal. You can see the same thing happen with a good ear exam when the doctor strikes a tunning fork and places it on the mastoid bone. The sound is transfered to the inner ear.
So please when indoors shooting use the foam plugs and a good set of muffs. When outdoors good muffs will do. As long as they cover the mastoid bone.
Mike

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sheepdog

I read an article some years ago that advised wearing muffs and plugs, jfor the reason cited by mike 1's doctor. Seems like it said that some high percentage of vibration (60% maybe?) is still transmitted through the bones if you just use plugs. I always wear both inside and both when I can outside. I have been using the disposables, but recently found some Radian brand "gel plugs" that I like. I think they have a higher NRR than than the disposables, have a string on them, and come in a little plastic box. They were at Academy for 3 bucks or so, I have sets of them in every bag and vest I own. This thread makes me want to buy some of the custom fitted ones, though. There is also another set I'm looking at, I'll start a thread on that because I wonder if they are really worth the money over my Radians.

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AutoFan

Because I already have non-hearing loss tinnitus, I always wear both plugs and muffs, both rated for the highest NRR I can find.

Wasabi

What are some good reasonably priced ear muffs?

sass20485

Well if the report is still loud and your ears are ringing, then you need something better. Indoors I use a set of ear plugs,covered by the muffs. The indoor noise levels are usually VERY LOUD. My electronic muffs work well, as I still can hold a conversation, but they block out the loud reports. Outdoors I'm usually fine with a set of molded plugs. My wife likes the disposable silicone plugs from the drug store.

cspearling

Since I have already damaged my hearing way more than I'd like to admit *but my g/f reminds me daily* I always wear at least plugs, but just picked up some decent electronic muffs from midway for $20 so now i'm all set, I now have normal hearing and protection.

By the way, when working with jet engines, Alway Always Always wear great hearing protection!!! I'm 28 and could hardly hear what some of you guys were saying on here.

sheepdog

Wasabi, for non-electronics, Howard Leight makes some very comfortable ones. I have found muffs at Home Depot that were the exact same thing as some of the much more expensive Peltor (I think that was the brand) except they were red...so you can only wear them when using a chainsaw, not shooting, I guess. Funny, color 'em gray and add a picture of a pistol on the side and they go up about $10.00. They were NRR 31 or so, I think. My son loves his red muffs!

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kazzaerexys

Ditto that.

Arkhangel

Wasabi, +1 on the Howard Leight muffs, prob the most comfortable set of muffs that I have tried to date and I have a few.

SY

grady

I use 2 when shooting, always. Trying to preserve what little hearing I have left.