Hearing protection for gun range shooting

[cantdrv55]

Can you guys send recommendations my way? I already suffer from some hearing loss from my military days so don’t want to worsen it. I’m also shopping for safety glasses. Thanks!

[gacook]

I love mine...but can't remember what they're called right now!

Slim, noise cancelling, and you can plug your phone or whatever into them, too. Found them on Amazon, I'll see if I can find a link.

[gacook]

Couldn't find my Amazon order...but these at Cal Ranch are basically the same thing.

https://www.calranch.com/razor-electronic-ear-muffs.html

[John Rogers]

I have used the 3M Peltor electronic ear plugs for several years now. They last 6 to 8 hours on a single charge from the 3 AA batteries in the case. and the sound is cut off around 85 DB or so. The amplify regular sound such that I can hear the full width of our shooting range to what people are saying. The ear muff type hurt my head due to the lupus sensitivity of my skin so these are great

[flatbutt]

I use two layers. Foam plugs under a pair of standard Caldwell ear muffs.

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by John Rogers

I have used the 3M Peltor electronic ear plugs for several years now.

Originally Posted by flatbutt

I use two layers.

+1 on both.

I have these and these.

I wear the first ones (in-ear) primarily, then add the second ones (over-ear) if there is someone shooting a fire-breathing cannon next to me, and/or indoors.

YMMV, and you can certainly do better if you want to spend more money.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

I use two layers. Foam plugs under a pair of standard Caldwell ear muffs.

I think that's what I've used as well. The over the ear muffs work really well. i actually found that I started using them in the garage when working with drills, saws, etc...

[mjohnson]

Originally Posted by masraum

I think that's what I've used as well. The over the ear muffs work really well. i actually found that I started using them in the garage when working with drills, saws, etc...

And if you stick with "dumb" ones, they're cheap enough to have more than a few hanging around the garage and the basement. Hearing doesn't grow back when you hurt it and I'm paranoid.

[red-beard]

If you need reading glasses, get the safety/shooting glasses with readers built in.

https://smile.amazon.com/Bifocal-Safety-Glasses-SB-9000-Yellow/dp/B00BHL8P7Q/ref=sr_1_7?crid=1UKXZIJCA45PR&dchild=1&keywords=shooting+glasses+with+readers&qid=1586977385&sprefix=shooting+glasses+with%2Caps%2C165&sr=8-7

[Bill Douglas]

I use those plastic and rubber ear plugs under grade 5 earmuffs.

Make sure the earmuffs really grab your head. They need to be tight and a good fit. The best ones I've got are by Husqvarna the chainsaw people.

[legion]

This is what I use:

https://www.amazon.com/Radians-Custom-Molded-Earplugs-Tan/dp/B0006GWRJK/ref=sr_1_8?crid=OHR4H01P0VZH&dchild=1&keywords=custom+ear+plugs&qid=1586986734&sprefix=custom+ear%2Caps%2C204&sr=8-8

Except for very large bore stuff, where I put a set of over-the-ear over my in-the-ear plugs.

[Jeff Higgins]

Just plain old cheap ass ear muffs, no noise cancelling, no batteries, no nuthin'. Either that or plain old cheap ass foam ear plugs.

In spite of how it may sound, wearing both really doesn't help. We proved this to my satisfaction in noise study after noise study at my former employer. You guys want loud? Try standing a 747 wing panel vertically (fore to aft) in a wing jig with three decks of scaffolding next to it. Put about ten guys on each of those three decks, all armed with rivet guns, and have them simultaneously driving 1/4" to 1/2" rivets. The noise literally makes your bones vibrate. The company and OSHA/WISHA recommendations for employees in that environment was a single layer of hearing protection - muffs or plugs, take your pick, but not both. And they test these guys every year for hearing loss.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

Just plain old cheap ass ear muffs, no noise cancelling, no batteries, no nuthin'. Either that or plain old cheap ass foam ear plugs.

In spite of how it may sound, wearing both really doesn't help. We proved this to my satisfaction in noise study after noise study at my former employer. You guys want loud? Try standing a 747 wing panel vertically (fore to aft) in a wing jig with three decks of scaffolding next to it. Put about ten guys on each of those three decks, all armed with rivet guns, and have them simultaneously driving 1/4" to 1/2" rivets. The noise literally makes your bones vibrate. The company and OSHA/WISHA recommendations for employees in that environment was a single layer of hearing protection - muffs or plugs, take your pick, but not both. And they test these guys every year for hearing loss.

Using two makes me more comfortable. My indoor range allows rifles and when a guy is firing 7.62 next to me, I definitely feel a difference. It may be more a blast wave thing than a decibel thing but IAC I'm more comfortable.

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

In spite of how it may sound, wearing both really doesn't help.

It absolutely does (if by "help" you mean more attenuation).

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

The company and OSHA/WISHA recommendations for employees in that environment was a single layer of hearing protection - muffs or plugs, take your pick, but not both. And they test these guys every year for hearing loss.

As I understand it: At moderate noise levels single-layer protection may be the recommended option, as it is "adequate" and verbal comms + the ability to hear warnings are more important than superior hearing protection.
IOW, more attenuation is better for your hearing but that also equates to more isolation, which can dull one's situational awareness and can be an additional liability/safety issue in a work environment.
However, if noise levels are extreme then dual-layer is recommended, as (unassisted) verbal comms are typically impossible to understand at those levels anyway.

[vash]

I use a boring set of Peltors. The bar goes across the back of my neck. therefore I can wear them with a hard hat. This help because I wear the sane ( I have several) pair at work, doing yard work and whatever.

I also carry foam plugs. But I like the muffs at a public range. It’s nice to offer a visual cue to other shooters you have “ears-on”. Might save them from surprising me with a shot.

[wildthing]

Peltor and those foam inserts for indoor. Outdoor, just the Peltor. As for glasses, I have some Wiley-X that I can switch lenses from clear to polarized, and some Oakleys for outdoor, but honestly that's just me spending more than I should...

[aigel]

I use the ones Hickok45 has. I like them waterfowl hunting. I can move them a little to hear conversation better and have them fully protect me in a split second before picking up my shotgun.

https://www.grainger.com/product/9UA93?gclid=EAIaIQobChMImsXBtNPr6AIVEqrsCh3jtwUXEA QYASABEgLxlfD_BwE&cm_mmc=PPC:+Google+PLA&ef_id=EAIaIQobChMImsXBtNPr6AIVEqrsCh3jtwUXEAQYASAB EgLxlfD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!2966!3!281698276014!!!g!471328313928!

Also disagreeing with Jeff - the plugs and muffs are my go-to when sighting in hunting rifles at the range. Maybe it is different for a permanent noise like an engine. The eve of the roof comes down very far for safety (so people don't launch shots in the air) and this also reflects the sound badly back at the shooter. I cannot stand it with just ear plugs or just muffs but both on, it becomes safe to my ears.

What do you hunters use so you can hear yet get a shot off in short order when still hunting? I see products that supposedly let you hear through them, but the cheap ones I tried about ten years back were not working well - they over-amplified noises at any setting and just a slight wind would make you go crazy.

G

[A930Rocket]

Bought three pair of over the ear at Walmart. Cheap and they work.

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

I use two layers. Foam plugs under a pair of standard Caldwell ear muffs.

Right there.

Put quality ear plugs in, then your muffs over that

[cantdrv55]

Thanks guys. I’m buying foams and muffs.