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ear protection
@ 06:30 pm (GMT) |
jason brownjust wondering what others use for ear protection.iv been using re-usable rubber ear plugs. there easy at long range or a rifle range. usually wraped around the laces in my swandri, or just hanging from my neck. but stalking they arnt really the go. or shooting for hours they tend to get sore after a while. iv got moldable bees wax ones i use on my bike. but there slow to put in, and still no good for stalking. has anyone used the custom fit ones with the valve in them? (about $300) are the electronic ear muffs a pain when it comes to putting your cheek on a rifle stock? i see there is even an electronic ear plug, which is much like a hearing aid. but there about $1500 |
Replies
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@ 12:08 pm (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: ear protectionHi Jason, I simply use ear plugs. I try to use ear plugs as much as possible these days with one exception.If I am bush hunting (not culling but stalking), I do not use hearing protection as it is not too difficult to cope with the noise. Having said this, the irony is that short barreled handy bush rifles tend to produce a greater level of temporary tinnitus (ears ringing) which can last a day or more. 24" barreled rifles tend not to do this to such an extent. Of course many folk now use suppressors on bush rifles which are useful so long as the limitations are understood (effects of heat on the barrel) and cleaning procedures fully understood. On long range rifles like your upcoming Sendero, ear plugs are fine, the noise is well forwards and from a sniping position, you have ample time to fit earplugs. But again, the long barrel does allow for the occasional shot to be taken without hearing problems. High volume shooting is the area to be careful of if no protection is used. This and prior hearing problems. Prolonged exposure to excessive noise is where permanent hearing loss and permanent tinnitus occur. Although extreme noise can cause immediate permanent problems. Muzzle braked magnums can fall into this category. |
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@ 04:37 pm (GMT) |
Stephen LindsayRe: ear protectionI recently had this discussion with my physician who happens to consult with the local police department on medically-related issues. She strongly recommended muff ear covers, especially for range work with an overhead covering above the benches. She said to use something along the line of the 'Peltor Tactical 6S Active Volume Hearing Protector' with an attenuation rating of 19dB. I have actually been using the 'Caldwell Low Profile E-Max Electronic Ear Muffs' with an attenuation rating of 23dB, and I like them a lot. They are comfortable for long sessions at the range and they allow you to hear what's going on around the range better than plugs. My own rifle doesn't seem to bother me half as much as the braked 300 magnums that invariably settle in next to me. Even with protection, I go home with ringing ears. |
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@ 05:25 pm (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: ear protectionThe trouble with ear muffs is that they often ruin cheek weld and effect parallax, disturbing accuracy.I notice that a lot of guys have their rifles sitting way to low on their shoulders which also effects parallax and recoil follow through. If the shooter is wearing ear muffs, I often cant get the rifle sitting where it needs to be. It is not always the case though. Much depends on the stock fit and shape of the shooters head. But if you around brakes, I would certainly be looking for maximum protection. In NZ, we have what is called grade 5 ear plugs for very high noise levels, but I think you are on the right track with ear muffs. As we move ahead with your rifle project Stephen, we can work through these things (effects of etc) as we go. |
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@ 09:34 pm (GMT) |
Im2lazyRe: ear protectionI use "howard Leight Impact Sport" electronic ear muffs, and I find them excellent for both hunting and range shooting.The only problem I have found is they can whistle when wearing a hood, but it simply requires them to be turned off. From memory they are rated at 23dB and cost about US$60 or NZ$100 landed. On a recent trip to a covered shooting range I found they weren't enough protection and ear plugs were needed as well as muffs. |
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@ 06:38 pm (GMT) |
jason brownRe: ear protectionthanks for the replys. i dont mind the .22 or the odd shot from a .17hmr. but nothing more. i might try electronic for some things. but like nathan said i didnt think they would work well with cheek weld. so ear plugs at the range and long range. even though the muffs might not suit everything, i think i can find a place for them, in some instances. if anyone has anything on the $300 valve type plugs, id still be interested. |
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@ 03:22 pm (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: ear protectionI managed to have a play with I'm2lazy's earmuffs last week. They really are quite a trick, with a volume control so you can adjust the level of quiet noise that enters the ear. The profile of the muffs is slim, not bulky. Yet the bottom of the muff still touches the butt stock and lifts the head.As I'm2lazy suggested, you can get used to it. I think half the battle is knowing that such a thing can become a variable (regarding accuracy) if you allow it to cause parallex error. By knowing that it can pose a problem, effort is made to avoid negative effect, such as ensuring eye alignment is correct. |
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@ 03:05 am (GMT) |
jason brownRe: ear protectionwell i ended up buying the howard Leight Impact Sport.its been a crappy day so i didnt get a rifle out. first thoughts are they are light. and either my ears are big or the cups are small. they really do give you better hearing than you normally have. i did find something interesting when i used them on my drum kit. its not the same sound as a rifle, but one hit on the snare drum hardley got blocked out, it was the second hit in a row, that i could notice the reduction. i didnt buy them to drum with but i just thought it was interesting. |
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@ 10:26 pm (GMT) |
jason brownRe: ear protectioni used the ear muffs shooting today, the first thing i noticed was them hitting the stock. but i adjusted the muffs on my head a bit and cheek weld a bit and they were ok. i did nearly just go and put my ear plugs in at first.i mostly used them turned off, as it was just me shooting paper. i will still use them, and will turn them on in other situations. |
@ 03:51 am (GMT) |
BRETT HAYHURSTRe: ear protectionI lived off a .270 BA and .375 LA for a few years living in the bush on foot.If I didn't shoot an animal, we did not eat as I was in the middle of nowhere with two dogs rescued from the pound. Good times I was taking one shot per day, usually 2-3 shots a week was enough for us to eat well as one dog was a monster and the other average size. Shooting roos, pigs and others I cannot mention. When I returned to civilization I had my hearing checked at a medical for a job and had lost some hearing in my left ear, being a right hander. The audiologist asked if I was a shooter as it was a particular range of frequency I have lost and he had seen it before. These days I live in a house but still hunt on foot and have been looking at electronic hearing protection that increases ambient "bush" levels but protect me when the rifle goes off as I think the missus gets a bit peeved with me asking "what did they say ?" when watching a movie. You lose the "f's", "sh's" and "s's" (the range) so some conversation on the idiot box is not clear to me. I am still in my fourties and do not want to lose more hearing. If you do not mind losing some hearing, don't bother with protection but from my experience I would say look into these electronic aids as they amplify the ambient levels for greater stalking and save your ears for when not hunting. A win-win. I currently use ear muffs for the range and have above my ears when bush at the moment but do not always have time to lower onto the ears before taking the shot out bush. I will be getting some electronic aids and move into the 21st Century so Im not annoying everybody at the nursing home one day in the future by shouting because my hearing is shot !. |
@ 01:44 pm (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: ear protectionGreat post Brett. Excellent input. |
@ 04:38 pm (GMT) |
Jim MoseleyRe: ear protectionI use both the rubber or foam earplugs plus electronic muffs when on the range. We have a tin roof over the benches, so it's extremely loud especially if the guy next to you has a brake on his rifle. When hunting from my tree stands I use only the electronic muffs so I can hear the natural sounds. |
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@ 01:32 pm (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: ear protectionAJ asked me to post this, Hoodoo is wearing a set of Mutt Muffs. AJ also sent me a set for Sarge which he has been wearing at the range and when I am shooting prone long range / fixed position.
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@ 04:04 pm (GMT) |
faulknerRe: ear protectionThank you Nathan! Ya they have been a great investment for Hoodoo, he had no problem getting use to them and I find that they stay on OK but when they do slide off they end up around his neck. He still seams to hear when called or his correction collar "beeps" but is protected from the sharp rifle blasts, I have been shooting a couple rifles with brakes and pay close attention to keeping him straight behind either by tying him to one of my legs or my hunting partner holds him. the other advantage is they help to keep the little beggar warm, LOL. |
@ 07:51 am (GMT) |
Thomas KitchenRe: ear protectionhas any one tried these or a similar style product http://www.sensgard.com/ |
@ 11:55 am (GMT) |
Alvaro Piqueras Alonso-LambertiRe: ear protectionHi Thomas... No experience with that, but very interesting device...I have just get a pair of 3M earmufs. I paid for them roughly 10 times the price of a pharmacy standard ones, so hope they work at least twice better... They list 98db noise reduction outside on the box. You pay for them, open the box and then saw that they listed noise reductions according to frecuencies. Some pics: 
Whats the frecuency of a rifle shot? Maybe different if braked rifle? Well... worst case scenario is 20db atenuation, so lets say it's ok. BTW they have a nice blue strip and a cool plastic box to store LOL |
@ 02:58 pm (GMT) |
Bryan WebsterRe: ear protectionI lost some hearing years ago while diamond drilling as well as shooting rifles.Then hunting 1960 to 1986. Then from 1987 to 1995 I was spending winters shooting from helicopters and that caused more hearing loss. More recently our shooting at the rifle ranges and in the field has been much more frequent, and I have noted more hearing issues in spite of the fact I used ordinary ear muffs or ear plugs at the gun ranges for years. Anyway, this morning I ordered a set of electronic earmuffs. Pricey they are, but they are said to work quite well: Below is the brand and model, purchased through SRS Tactical in Calgary at their Alberta office, online. The company appears to be base in Florida, USA. MSA Sordin Supreme Pro-X - OD Green Cups, Camo Headband They are supposedly going to arrive on or near my birthday, so if I remember to do so, I will report back on them here. |
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@ 06:00 am (GMT) |
Thomas KitchenRe: ear protectioni ended up buying some of those sensegard ear muffs.i got one 32db and one 26db i use the 26db at work but need to buy the 32db for when using a concrete saw or jack hammer. i use the 32db for shooting they seem good can still talk with them on. also wearing safety glass are easy as they don't interfere with each other unlike ear muffs and glasses. as they sit from middle of the ear they don't touch stock either. also a reasonable price |
@ 07:01 am (GMT) |
Bob MavinRe: ear protectionI need a new set of plugs, these look interesting.http://www.earplugstore.com/in-ear-hunting-hearing-aids.html Cheers Bob |
@ 07:31 am (GMT) |
Mike DavisRe: ear protectionSWMBO bought me a set, off trade me, of the elcheapho earmuffs with built in microphone and noise shut off. they are about a hundy normal price so she a thief as won the auction for under $40any way they work great to some extent, I can crank up volume to where it suits me, I can hear things that I havent for years as my hearing isnt as good as it once was (left ear is loosing high pitch) the only bug with the cheap ones is they are mono not stereo..... stereo ones would allow me to fine tune sound to give me directional hearing..shooting ducks wearing them I hear them coming but cant tell where they are. tried them out the other night Hare shooting off back of ute, I fired about 70 rounds and the other guys about the same, the muffs switch off as soon as volume goes up,wind will do it as will chainsaw at anymore than idle, sitting in cab while guys were blazing away with .12ga above my head was no issue at all and I could carry on conversation with guy sitting beside me easy enough. if I can adapt to shotgunning wearing them (30 hares for 50 rounds on back of speeding ute) Im sure you lot will be able to adapt your rifle technique to use them too. |
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@ 02:10 pm (GMT) |
Bryan WebsterRe: ear protectionQuote: I lost some hearing years ago while diamond drilling as well as shooting rifles.
Then hunting 1960 to 1986. Then from 1987 to 1995 I was spending winters shooting from helicopters and that caused more hearing loss. More recently our shooting at the rifle ranges and in the field has been much more frequent, and I have noted more hearing issues in spite of the fact I used ordinary ear muffs or ear plugs at the gun ranges for years. Anyway, this morning I ordered a set of electronic earmuffs. Pricey they are, but they are said to work quite well: Below is the brand and model, purchased through SRS Tactical in Calgary at their Alberta office, online. The company appears to be base in Florida, USA. MSA Sordin Supreme Pro-X - OD Green Cups, Camo Headband They are supposedly going to arrive on or near my birthday, so if I remember to do so, I will report back on them here. The electronic muffs came early so I tried them. Well I wore these while out hunting today to assist hearing game in thick bush. Hard to get used to as they magnify the natural sounds around you quite a lot. Heard elk walking through the brush around 50 meters from me. Took the muffs off and could not hear a thing. Later in the day I decided to fire a few shots to check that my scope was still sighted in and the muffs performed better than I had expected them to. Pleased with them. Another thing is they are formed so they do not interfere with the cheek weld to the stock and their battery operation they claim is up to 600 hours from two aaa alkane batteries. Time will tell. |
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@ 08:54 pm (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: ear protectionMust be either your birthday or close to it then. Happy Birthday Bryan!Thanks for taking the time to post this info. The earmuffs look pricey but I think a key factor to this may be the fact that the electricals are actually waterproof. This something that does not always get taken into consideration. Thanks again, have saved to favorites. |
@ 07:32 pm (GMT) |
Francis SaundersRe: ear protectionI brought some Deben slim electronic ear defenders.Wish Id always shot with these. I can here the ducks wings at night. There brillent. The only down side is that if you try to wear hem all day you do sweet. I can get a good cheek weild with the rifle. There not cheap but then it is your hearing.[b] |
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