hearing protection

[chuck-ia]

trying to protect what hearing I have left. What do you guys use? The foam in the ear seem to work when shooting by myself, but with company find it annoying to take in and out. The type that goes over the ears interfere with my face on the stock. Maybe if I could find a pair that don't stick out so far. skuggestions? chuck

[Bull Shannon]

When I started doing CAS 10 years ago I went to the custom molded ear plugs and liked them very much.  Then I lost that pair and tried the electronic ear muffs and while they work well and allow you to hear what others are saying they were hot and interfere with shooting my own rifle.  Tried the disposable foam plugs but they weren't as good at blocking the noise so I went back to the custom molded plugs and they are just as good as the first pair I had. I recommend them and perhaps your local gun shows have a vendor that makes them while you wait.

[B.Habermehl]

I've had excellent luck with the various expandible foam plugs. You might try the corded ones, I rather like them myself. Due to religious wearing of ear protection when needed my hearing when last tested my hearing was considerably better than average for my age/occupation/hobbies.  BJH

[Woodbutcher]

 Please suggest where one would start to look for custom molded ear plugs. Thank you, Woodbutcher

[SCLoyalist]

Please suggest where one would start to look for custom molded ear plugs. Thank you, Woodbutcher

Hearing aid shop maybe, or ear/nose/throat practice.   If you want to try DIY, Cabelas sells a kit for making your own set.  (I have a set of Cabelas' plugs in my shooting box that I use on woodswalks, but think a set of muffs does a better job of protection.)

[James Rogers]

Any big sporting clays, trap or skeet shoot near you can usually have a vendor doing them on the spot.

[Bull Shannon]

Here's a place to start; http://www.earplugstore.com/best-custom-molded-ear-plugs.html

Most of the larger gunshows in my area have a vendor there who makes them on the spot, ready in about 30 minutes. First the material is mixed like epoxy from two parts, then the technician swabs the inner ear with mineral oil and the material is poured in.  After about 5 minutes it is hard enough to remove and insert the loss prevention strings and fully hardened in about a 1/2 hour. I do not know how effective the DIY kits are.

http://www.earinc.com/p1-nonelectronic-instamold.php
http://www.earplugstore.com/radians-custom-molded-ear-plugs.html

[smylee grouch]

I personaly have used a product called pro ears for several years and they work. I used to shoot competition trap and sporting clays along with muzzleloading and centerfire rifle competion and those pro ears always did a good job. I can still hear range officer comands and other shooters talking but shunt out the high notes that hurt your hearing.    Smylee

[Bull Shannon]

I personaly have used a product called pro ears for several years and they work. I used to shoot competition trap and sporting clays along with muzzleloading and centerfire rifle competion and those pro ears always did a good job. I can still hear range officer comands and other shooters talking but shunt out the high notes that hurt your hearing.    Smylee

Which product do you use? http://www.proears.com/

[Jerry V Lape]

Between main guns on tanks, .50cal Machine guns and shooting lots of rifle and shotgun without hearing protection I have significant hearing loss.  In my time the only hearing protection was rolled up cleaning patches or a little later the filter tips off cigarettes.  So now I have trouble hearing what my granddaughter has to say and have a constant buzz.  It gets much worse for a few days after going to the range unless I really take extreme measures.  So now I wear molded plugs under a good set of muffs.  Unfortunately not all sound is transmitted by entering the ear.  A significant part comes from vibration through the skull. If you really want protection you need a Combat Vehicle helmet with built in headset.  Sure wish they had been available back in the 60's and 70s but the delayed damage just wasn't recognized yet and there was no education regarding hearing protection.  And if I ever find out who developed ported magnum rifles  and shotguns I am going to put a shape charge off next to each of his ears!!

[Bull Shannon]

I know how you feel but fortunately when I went through the Sheriff's academy hearing protection while at the range had become mandatory while some of my instructors where of the "practice how you play" school of thought when it came to firearm qualification and were already partially deaf.  Unfortunately my thoughts on hearing protection where not solidified until after numerous rock concerts popular with my generation.  However, at a recent reunion of my high school friends to attend the farewell tour of a hard rock band ending a 30 year career, ear protection was sought by nearly all prior to the concert and my choice of custom molded ear plugs was commended amongst my peers.  The times they are a changin'

[chuck-ia]

I used to blame my hearing loss on shooting without protection. But, have worked as a mechanic since 73, the only time I put plugs in is when running the air hammer, very very noisy. To be safe I would have to put them in when I get to work and wear them all day, not practical. Lot of noisy tools, impact wrenches, hammering. So I don't think I can put the blame on shooting. thanks for the suggestions, chuck

[William Worth]

I favor the disposable foam plugs because I can keep keep them in my pocket at all times and I can wash them and keep a pair rotated out ready for duty.

Keeping them clean and using clean hands to put them in became evident to me years ago when I developed a case of boils in my ears, no doubt from poking dirty fingers in them.

[4ster]

I use the foam plugs mostly because I bought a large box of them for work and they are handy.  I find the ear muff style to be too hot when the weather is warm.  If I had to do a lot of communicating on the range between shots the noise canceling ear muffs would be better.  I can hear the range instructions clearly with the foam ones though.

I don't think I have ever seen anyone use the foam earplugs installed properly on the range.  Most of us do not get them as far into the ear canal as required for good hearing protection.  At a meeting years ago an industrial audiologist demonstrated an ear pull where you use the opposite hand to pull the top of the ear to straighten the ear canal so that the rolled up plug can be fully inserted into the ear for maximum hearing protection.  I usually just roll them up and stuff 'em in but this does not give full protection.

Here is a link to a Youtube video showing how to insert foam ear plugs:


Steve

[Kermit]

That's a helpful video, Steve. I have a sister who's an audiologist and she taught me these techniques years ago.

I use disposable plugs and "earmuffs" together whenever possible. That works for me everywhere but the range. For that situation, I use custom moulded plugs. We get a fellow to come to our gun club a couple times a year to do his thing.

I can remember a time a few decades ago when a guy using hearing protection, at the range or on the job, got razzed about being a sissy. Thank goodness times have changed.

We went to a Neil Diamond concert a few weeks ago, and after 2 songs I had foam plugs in. It was that or leave. It was physically painful for me. I left a nephew's wedding reception a few months back because I couldn't tolerate the DJ's volume. My grandkids crank the volume on their earbuds, and they'll be deaf sooner than I was. We've done education on smoking, texting, sex, and motorcycle helmets. Could hearing protection be next?

Seems people will pay hundreds of dollars for great concert seats only to lose their hearing. 

[smylee grouch]

Bull 3540, I use the Pro Ears electronic muffs. I have had the same pair for 10 or so years and they work great for me.    Smylee

[Chris Treichel]

Considering that I have hearing loss due to having to much fun in the Infantry especially due to Ms. M-242 chain gun, SMAWs and AT-4s. I try to wear hearing pro on the range and also when reenacting.  I still use the rubber mil issue orange ones that come in the little plastic container. They come in three sizes and work well enough unless your shooting the big stuff and you can barely see that your wearing them (during reenactments).

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

I left my ears in RVN and have hearing aids courtesy of the VA.  They also made custom earplugs for me. Problem is that when they are in I can hear nothing!!!!!   So usually at the range I use foam..... I don't go to ranges where people shoot those noisy suppositoy guns with smokeless powder.. they hurt my head ... and make me flinch

[Standing Bear]

I got a set of the molded plugs at a gun show 25+ years ago.  Like em so well I got another set the next hear.  One set in the shooting box and one in the truck.  Still got both.  Saw a vendor making them at the show last week.

as for the LOUD locations, I use the molded and then put electronics over them and set the volume so can still hear.
TC

[David R. Pennington]

Huh? ..... I almost always keep disposable earplugs in my pocket. I find most amplified sound too painful to endure for long. I even have to put them in at church sometimes when they crank up the sound system. I almost always use them at movie theaters concerts etc..., They are handy if you have to share a room or a tent with a snorer too. 

[dagner]

  go to your hearing aid shop   call around and get the price for them   i got every where from 55 to 150 for the  same poured ones .guys said at friend ship they got theirds for 35  .   you now can get the hearing valves in them that let you hear talk but shut down on gun shot  i was quoted  90   i used the poured ones for 4 years now  still look like new  those custom properly fitted are only way  to go  like the guys said you got the plain ones in you dont hear nothing   when  midway usa  have their big sale on electronics for 20 bucks  they work great 3 of us have used them for over 2 years now.  muzzle loader to 45 acp fine   223 and .357 mag  still need a  light ear plug with them 
dag

[Canute Rex]

What 4ster wrote about actually getting the plugs in your ears is vital. Roll the plug up tight, reach around the back of your head with the other hand, pull your ear back, and push that bad boy right in there. Hold it in place till it finishes expanding. I see too many people with plugs hanging halfway out of their ears and getting half the protection. Remember that not all of them have the same rating. There are longer ones and ones with a flare around the outside that work better.

I like the ones with cords, but prefer the ones with a woven fiber cord to the ones with a plastic monofilament cord. The mono cord whistles in the wind.

I left most of my hearing on the anvil when I was in my late teens and have serious tinnitus (buzz/whine). Here's an unsolicited endorsement for those of you who skimped on protection like me: The Oticon Delta hearing aid. It's small, light, and programmed to match your particular pattern of hearing loss. It only amplifies what need to be amplified and can distinguish between the human voice and background noise. The part that goes in your ear is shaped like a little parachute with gaps in it so that natural sound can get in along with the amplified sound. Very comfortable. For years I wondered how anyone could carry on a conversation in a restaurant or understand the words to the songs on the car radio. Now I can. Warning: I call these "Geezer Jewelry" because they cost some serious cash.