Hearing protection

[rabiddawg]

Anyone currently use or have any experience with electronic hearing protection?

Being totally deaf in my right ear, i ALWAYS plug my ear when i shoot. Even when i hunt. Often i sit with my ear plugged for a hour or so during prime time but many times i have to quickly plug up before shouldering my gun.

I went predator hunting this weekend and it was very frustrating not being able to hear if my caller was working or off when i used the remote. I did kill two bobcats!

I don't want big bulky muffs; rather something small.

[bwaites]

i love my electronic in ear canal plugs. But they don't come cheap. Expect to pay $500-1000 for custom fitted plugs. Its a one time expense, though, and to me it was well worth it. I love being able to here what is going on at matches and classes, and not having to do the on again/off again thing with a headset.

[NugginFutz]

rabiddawg - I use electronic protection, both on the range and in the field. I actually find that I can hear the pdogs better with them, than without, mainly due to my own hearing loss. For me, the only downside is the wind. Whenever it comes up over 5 or 10 mph, I often end up shutting them off to kill that annoying popping and roaring the microphones pick up.

If you want to try a pair on the cheap, order a set of the Caldwells. They run about $40 and have dual microphones, which allow you to hear in stereo - a mandatory feature for work in the field, and real nice when at the range. I will say, though, that while they work and are fairly comfortable, the Caldwell pair I have is now the backup set, and has been replaced by a more expensive, better sounding, better fitting pair from Pro Ears. Individual volume controls allow me to adjust each ear, independently - a feature which would suit your circumstances well, as there is no need to power the muff on your deaf ear. They also have an audio input jack, allowing them to serve as headphones for an mp3 player or a cellphone. While the thought of actually taking a call while in live fire is intriguing, I've never used that feature.

[Kikn]

For me, the only downside is the wind. Whenever it comes up over 5 or 10 mph, I often end up shutting them off to kill that annoying popping and roaring the microphones pick up.

Its probably ugly as sin but I have a camera that I use for auto/motorcycle racing. It also picks up a lot of wind noise. The fix for that was to take apart the camera and put a piece of foam between the front of the camera and the microphone. This does reduce the wind noise while still being able to hear the engine ect..

Like I said it would be ugly but you could probably glue a piece of foam to the outer area to help reduce wind buffeting.

[NugginFutz]

Its probably ugly as sin but I have a camera that I use for auto/motorcycle racing. It also picks up a lot of wind noise. The fix for that was to take apart the camera and put a piece of foam between the front of the camera and the microphone. This does reduce the wind noise while still being able to hear the engine ect..

Like I said it would be ugly but you could probably glue a piece of foam to the outer area to help reduce wind buffeting.

They actually do have foam wind screens covering each mic. It probably wouldn't hurt to add more, though.

[rabiddawg]

Bill, what brand are you using?

The Pro Ears custom fit ear plugs look to be about $800 each. First time its ever been an advantage being deaf in one ear

Anyone ever used sport ear? I think some of the nascar guys use those.

[PigOPs]

$800 will buy a silencerCo harvester and the stamp... Just sayin'

[VASCAR2]

I have been using Peltor slim line tactical 6S which helps when shooting rifles. Only down side as previously stated is when it's windy.

[Buster]

I enjoy my Caldwell eMuffs at the range....haven't lost any more hearing, can hear better with them on, and keeps my ears warm when it's cold.

[rabiddawg]

I guess i should try the muffs and save my money for a can.

I switched to plugs because i didn't like how muffs slip and sometimes they interfered with cheek weld.

[Klem]

Those Peltor Tactical/Sport work for me. I used to use the Peltor '6's but they chew the batteries up fiercely. Must be different technology.

Just the Peltors when hunting, but not wearing them unless I see something. I feel too uncomfortable with them clamped on my head for too long out in the wilderness. Plus they get sweaty in hot weather (great on a vehicle in the cold however).

Double ears (foam squeezies and electronic muffs) when on the firing line or indoors. Turn up the speakers to magnify the range officer's orders through the squeezies.

[wheelguner]

I use Leight Impact Sport Electronic Muffs and added these "dead cat" style windscreens:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/758560-REG/Rycote_065546_Micro_Windjammers.html

I first used them on my digital cameras that I use to record videos. Nothing will totally eliminate heavy wind noise but these do a very good job. Just be forewarned they attract a lot of smartass comments.

[montana]

My family and I use the Pro Ear Predator Gold. Wind and back ground shooting have no adverse effects to the audio. I am very happy with them.

http://www.proears.com/Gold-Series

[bigbear_98]

http://www.pksafety.com/leight-impact-sport-earmuff.html?gclid=Cj0KEQiAsdCnBRC86PeFkuDJt_MBEiQAUXJfLa98FnD0VxnKxz_RZIPoJZnW9SNdpxUyBaT00suAkRsaAm7Z8P8HAQ