The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Advice for best hearing protection for range

labnoti · July 31, 2019, 04:49 PM

You were on the right track with Howard Leight electronic muffs doubled up with foam plugs.

If you get the low 22dB NRR electronic muffs, then be sure to always wear foam plugs as well. Just a .357 Magnum can measure over 165dB. If you only reduce that by 22dB, it's still 143dB -- well over the threshold of pain and it can rapidly cause permanent damage. If you shoot indoors or in certain outdoor terrain, sound can be reflected back at you, increasing your exposure. If you shoot with others on the range, just because you brought a quiet .22 short doesn't mean the guy next to you won't be shooting a .338 Lapua with a muzzle brake pointed right at your ears.

You can also get 30dB NRR electronic muffs (Howard Leight and other brands as well). These muffs are thicker. You could wear them without foam plugs with many guns under the best of conditions, but you'd still want to double-up whenever various sound level factors are working against you.

You can get behind-the-neck muffs for when you want to wear a wide-brimmed hat. I have a set of -33dB Peltors like this and they work great with a sun hat, but there's no electronics to let conversation through -- fine since I mostly shoot alone.

People with money to spend are more likely to upgrade to something like Pro Ears. I haven't tried them.

From my many years motorcycling, I've tried all the foam plugs under a helmet. The fat, bell-shaped Howard Leight MAX are the quietest but they put a lot of pressure on the ear canal which gets uncomfortable after a little time. Many more people find the Laser Lights, Hearos, and Mack's Comfy Cush style more comfortable for longer periods of wear. The Howard Leight Max Lite Low pressure are probably the softest that's still over 30dB NRR. Mack's makes slim plugs that can be a better fit on smaller ears. My kids use them and relatively thin Peltor passive muffs. I've tried them and they work ok for me too.

For music (working in live sound tech/engineering), I've tried Etymotic plugs. They have some advantages, but are only 20dB NRR. They could be ok doubled with electronic muffs, but otherwise are not suitable for firearms.

I depend on plugs when shooting rifles. I can't mount the stock with any of the muffs I have. Thankfully, I only shoot outdoors and never at public ranges where I'd be exposed to noises I don't control.

If I needed a better solution for rifle, I'd try the thin Howard Leight Impact Sport doubled with foam plugs. I think they have the best chance of not interfering with the stock.

July 31, 2019, 04:49 PM	#28
labnoti Senior Member Join Date: April 2, 2018 Posts: 252	You were on the right track with Howard Leight electronic muffs doubled up with foam plugs. If you get the low 22dB NRR electronic muffs, then be sure to always wear foam plugs as well. Just a .357 Magnum can measure over 165dB. If you only reduce that by 22dB, it's still 143dB -- well over the threshold of pain and it can rapidly cause permanent damage. If you shoot indoors or in certain outdoor terrain, sound can be reflected back at you, increasing your exposure. If you shoot with others on the range, just because you brought a quiet .22 short doesn't mean the guy next to you won't be shooting a .338 Lapua with a muzzle brake pointed right at your ears. You can also get 30dB NRR electronic muffs (Howard Leight and other brands as well). These muffs are thicker. You could wear them without foam plugs with many guns under the best of conditions, but you'd still want to double-up whenever various sound level factors are working against you. You can get behind-the-neck muffs for when you want to wear a wide-brimmed hat. I have a set of -33dB Peltors like this and they work great with a sun hat, but there's no electronics to let conversation through -- fine since I mostly shoot alone. People with money to spend are more likely to upgrade to something like Pro Ears. I haven't tried them. From my many years motorcycling, I've tried all the foam plugs under a helmet. The fat, bell-shaped Howard Leight MAX are the quietest but they put a lot of pressure on the ear canal which gets uncomfortable after a little time. Many more people find the Laser Lights, Hearos, and Mack's Comfy Cush style more comfortable for longer periods of wear. The Howard Leight Max Lite Low pressure are probably the softest that's still over 30dB NRR. Mack's makes slim plugs that can be a better fit on smaller ears. My kids use them and relatively thin Peltor passive muffs. I've tried them and they work ok for me too. For music (working in live sound tech/engineering), I've tried Etymotic plugs. They have some advantages, but are only 20dB NRR. They could be ok doubled with electronic muffs, but otherwise are not suitable for firearms. I depend on plugs when shooting rifles. I can't mount the stock with any of the muffs I have. Thankfully, I only shoot outdoors and never at public ranges where I'd be exposed to noises I don't control. If I needed a better solution for rifle, I'd try the thin Howard Leight Impact Sport doubled with foam plugs. I think they have the best chance of not interfering with the stock.