Guns, Bows, Shooting Sports, and Hunting Electronic hearing protection...?

[fkovalski]

I am thinking of taking some tactical shooting classes/ instruction. They require electronic hearing protection. I have never used this advanced type of technology for the ears.



When on the range, I use the very familiar foam earplugs. I do not like the over the ear type because it interferes with my style of holding my rifle. I can tolerate rear muff type when shooting the handguns.



In reading the reviews on the Cabela's website for hearing protection I see that the opinions are all over the board and I realize I will need to see them up clise and in person at the store before purchasing; this is something I feel best not purchased via mail order. But...



... any opinions regarding your experiences with electronic hearing protection is appreciated.

 

[Grizzly]

When I go to the shooting range I use both the ear plugs and over-the-head ear muffs for maximum ear protection with AM/FM stereo and ipod jack.



I don't know if electronic hearing protection are any better.



george

 

[magothy1]

I have Pro Ears, I think they're called. Pricey, I got a decent deal thru the skeet club. Very nice, I like them, use them in the shop, boat, where ever. They use a couple N batteries in each ear, you got to get used to turning them off.

 

[SVick]

I have some made by Walkers Game Ear from Sportsmans Guide. They were around $50 I believe. Tried another brand first, they were junk, these work great and take normal AAA batteries. You can hear better with them on.

 

[rluft]

I have Peltor Tactical 6. 5 muffs that I love. They are thin with a molded concave to prevent interference with the stock when shooting long guns. This type of hearing protection is great for shooting classes because they allow you to hear the instructor then clamp down the noise when gun fire commences. I also have a cheaper pair from Sportsmans Guide that work well but are quite a bit larger, not as handy when shooting long guns.

 

[SRath]

Do not buy cheap ones!!

At least if you shoot outdoors. The wind amplification is like a non-stop hurricane in your ears with cheap ones.



I coach a high school shooting team and one of the dads gave me his electronic ones to use since I need to both hear everything and protect my hearing (what Uncle Ted left me of it back in the 70's anyway) at the same time when working with 20 teenagers with shotguns. I tried them, but quickly had a terrible headache on windy days.



I have tried more a expensive model with better wind baffling in the past and don't recall having that problem.



As for silencing gunshots, even the cheap ones do that well and instantly. Kinda like those magical auto-darkening welding helmets.

 

[goodguys75]

I use the molded ear plugs for shooting... . the make them just for your ears... work very well

 

[SRath]

The thing about the electronic muffs is they actually amplify sounds, which is good for near-deaf guys like me, until the instant a loud noise occurs, so you can literally hear yourself and others talk.



The good ones have microphones in each ear cup and good wind baffling; the cheap ones have one mic and poor baffling that amplifies a slight wind into a huge constant roar.

 

[BIGNASTY]

I have some made by Walkers Game Ear from Sportsmans Guide. They were around $50 I believe. Tried another brand first, they were junk, these work great and take normal AAA batteries. You can hear better with them on.

I agree with SVick Walkers is great I forget I have them on. I have really bad hearing anyway and this will help protect what I have.

 

[The patriot]

I have the Peltor tactical 6. Theyre great IMO. Had them for about 10 years now. Takes AAA batteries and dont forget to turn them off and double check it. They have a habit of turning back on... or maybe it's just they way I ham fist them. :-laf

Place I buy through has them pretty reasonable. Under $60. I payed much more than that 10 years ago.

I know some guys that swear by the Comtac's, but theyre too $$$ for me.