Hearing protection for indoor range use

[linksep]

There's a lot of good info in this thread, I can add that I don't think I've ever seen anyone properly insert ear plugs.

Howard Leight Earplug Instruction Poster.

Following the directions on that poster makes the difference between the middle and right pictures below (which is probably 5 dB NR in the left picture, 12 dB NR in the middle picture, and the full rated 32 dB NR in the right picture) Seriously, if you've never thought you were going to need a tweezers to remove an earplug you're probably doing it wrong.



I always double up at the range using properly inserted foam plugs under my 25 dB NRR passive muffs; 9 out of 10 times I use foam plugs when running outdoor power equipment as well.

According to this article from AudiologyOnline.com

Note for example; at 1000 Hz the combination of a 26-dB plug and a 34-dB muff does not yield 60-dB overall, but rather about 41 dB.

...which is still a significant and meaningful improvement over either plug or muff used alone.

To meet your requirements of very good hearing protection, under $350 for matching his & hers sets of hearing protection, and being able to carry on conversation with all hearing protection in place; my best suggestion would be doubling up something similar to the 30 NRR Howard Leight electronic muffs that Hmac mentioned, along with a passive filtering ear plug like E.A.R. Inc HearDefenders, New Dynamics/3M "Combat Arms Earplugs", or Health Enterprises "Shooter's Impact Noise Reducing Ear Plugs".

All this looking at hearing protection has me thinking about a few upgrades for myself. Since I'm due for a bulk order of foam ear plugs anyway I might have to see if I can improve upon my standard hearing protection strategy.

[mrp]

Short of shelling out 700.00 for two pairs of pro ears golds what would you folks recommend. I really want to be able to carry out a conversation with the wife at the range and still protect what little hearing I have left. Too many van halen concerts and working at an airport for 30 years my favorite response to my wife is "what did you say"

I really am looking a for suggestions for indoor use as I do not mind wearing plugs outdoors in the summer. Comfort and quality I do not mind paying for in just don't want to spend 350.00 bucks.

Thanks everyone.

Working at the airport, I assume you're familiar with earmuffs which have two-way radios built in. Have you looked to see what something like that would go for retail? I could see plugs under that sort of ear muff being a good system.

[igofast]

Very good point about properly putting in foam earplugs. To expand on that, you don't just jam them in your ear. You actually roll them between your thumb and fingers to reduce their diameter, then when inserting use one hand to pull up on the top of your ear to help open/straighten the ear canal while inserting the plug with your other hand. Yes - it looks odd when you're doing it. The foam plug will then expand and contour to the ear canal.

[MWAG]

Very good point about properly putting in foam earplugs. To expand on that, you don't just jam them in your ear. You actually roll them between your thumb and fingers to reduce their diameter, then when inserting use one hand to pull up on the top of your ear to help open/straighten the ear canal while inserting the plug with your other hand. Yes - it looks odd when you're doing it. The foam plug will then expand and contour to the ear canal.

This.

Pulling up or sliding your skin forward just in front of that "flap" in front of your ear hole. Hard to put in to words, but I'm sure you know what I mean

[SparkyJeff]

I have the HL sport, and while I love them they seem to block less sound than other muffs. When indoor now I try to remember to add a layer of foam in ear protection under the HL. But for outdoor use the HL seems fine to most common calibers.

I also use Impact Sport with foam plugs for my indoor shooting. When shooting larger calibers I turn them off.
The electronic muffs seem to cut the sound too slowly when indoors

[Ranger01]

I use HL passives with Foam earplugs underneath indoors, and Sordin PRO-Xs outdoors.

[Minge]

Are electronic ones worth the money over just some good old 33 NRR passive muffs and plugs. I went to the range yesterday and the person next to me was shooting some sort of high caliber AR style gun. I am not going back to the indoor range until I buy better protection...Period. I am going to spring for the pro-golds just a matter of electronic or passive.

[farmerj]

My experience with electronic protection is they are great when hunting. Suck when others are on the range with you.

[Series 70]

Electronic muffs are great if you are shooting with others and want to be able to talk. I sometimes double-up with in-ear plugs, especially if shooting long guns; the electronic amplification still helps a bit. As an instructor, and when taking a class from someone else, they are invaluable.

[farmerj]

Electronic muffs are great if you are shooting with others and want to be able to talk. I sometimes double-up with in-ear plugs, especially if shooting long guns; the electronic amplification still helps a bit. As an instructor, and when taking a class from someone else, they are invaluable.

I used to think the same thing. Bought some walker game ears, custom silicon plugs etc.


Then my cousin finally convinced me to go to the VA since that's why I retired from the guard. Shooting related hearing loss.

Then I learned about the latency of the electronics and the game ear sits in the desk now. -33 db foam inserts outside and when inside, -25 db passive muffs on the top.

I hope to some day still be able to hear my grandkids in 20 some years.

You have your opinions, I have mine. Which includes getting fitted for hearing aids from shooting long before I should have.

[Hmac]

You have your opinions, I have mine.

Bottom line.

[LumberZach]

I have the HL sport, and while I love them they seem to block less sound than other muffs. When indoor now I try to remember to add a layer of foam in ear protection under the HL. But for outdoor use the HL seems fine to most common calibers.

I also use Impact Sport with foam plugs for my indoor shooting. When shooting larger calibers I turn them off.
The electronic muffs seem to cut the sound too slowly when indoors

I find myself doing this a lot too. It is neat just turning them on to chat between rounds of fire. It feels like I am shutting out the whole world when I turn them off, helps concentrate I think.