|
Forum Rules | Firearms Safety | Firearms Photos | Links | Library | Lost Password | Email Changes |
Register | FAQ | Calendar | Today's Posts | Search |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
December 23, 2011, 11:29 AM | #1 |
Junior Member
Join Date: July 25, 2011
Posts: 13
|
Is there a maximum to ear protection?
I am a little bit confused, trying to put together some decent ear protection for my wife and two daughters.
I use some leighton active muffs, and in ear plugs, but even so I do get a little fatigued after a couple hours with magnums. My hearing has been lousy for many years though, so it works for me. My kids and wife have pristine hearing, and I think they deserve to keep it for as long as possible! In looking for options, and I have seen most active muffs are only 22db reduction, and most plugs 18db. How is that combined? Is it cumulative? Or is there some maximum imposed by each component? I have seen Pro Ears Pro Mag Gold have a NR of 33db - if I combined those with in ear plugs, would it be much more, or is there a physical limit already reached again? If that's true, are the pro ears really any better than combining lessor muffs with in ear plugs? Understand my dilemma? I'd like to get them a minimum of 30db of protection, by some combination. Any advice on what to use, or insight into how the two types of protectors work together, would be greatly appreciated. They're only going to be shooting 22 for quite some time, but they'll be surrounded by a lot of magnums (our range is quite large, and quite loud). Thanks a bunch! |
December 23, 2011, 11:33 AM | #2 |
Junior member
Join Date: October 4, 2007
Location: All the way to NEBRASKA
Posts: 8,722
|
Don't overdo it.
Take care, especially with the kids, that they can still hear your voice- the ability to hear "Cease Fire!" or other range commands might be important at some point.
My ear muffs had a 29dB reduyction rating, and I think they are plenty, especially for the .22rf ...... |
December 23, 2011, 11:45 AM | #3 |
Junior Member
Join Date: July 25, 2011
Posts: 13
|
Good point - and I had that in mind, which is why I am only considering active muffs - those that amplify sounds into the muff, cutting only sounds that are harmful. It's what I am using.
As for passive muffs - there are a ton of them that are 33DB, at reasonable prices, even in pink, if only it was that simple. |
December 26, 2011, 02:23 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: February 26, 2006
Posts: 737
|
http://www.earinc.com/p1-nonelectronic-instamold.php
NRR is 30 and worth every penny. Call and they will give you the contact info for the nearest rep who comes to you and custom fits the molds to your ears. |
December 26, 2011, 02:53 PM | #5 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 17, 2005
Location: Swamp dweller
Posts: 6,187
|
Quote:
The way it works is combining muffs and ear canal plugs will give roughly a 4-7 db increase in NRR so if muffs are 30 NRR and the plugs are 33 NRR then you will have a 37-39 NRR. Peltor has muffs at a 30 NRR and Howard Leight has ear canal plugs at a 33NRR
__________________
NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be. |
|
December 26, 2011, 09:02 PM | #6 | |
Staff
Join Date: February 12, 2001
Location: DFW Area
Posts: 24,992
|
Quote:
Having used plugs and muffs together in the past, I can tell you that the difference between using only one or the other vs. both is considerable. One option is to combine active hearing protection with plugs. Turn the volume all the way up on the active muffs and that will often allow the user to hear range commands through the plugs while still providing additional protection when there are loud noises.
__________________
Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?
|
|
December 27, 2011, 08:34 AM | #7 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 17, 2005
Location: Swamp dweller
Posts: 6,187
|
Quote:
__________________
NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be. |
|
December 27, 2011, 08:58 AM | #8 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 8, 2001
Location: Forestburg, Montague Cnty, TX
Posts: 12,717
|
Quote:
Actually, the combined hearing protections do provide an arithmetic barrier of protection for the auditory canal. The problem is that sound gets to the middle and inner structures through other means such as bone conduction through the skull and mandible and even via the Eustachian tube.
__________________
"If you look through your scope and see your shoe, aim higher." -- said to me by my 11 year old daughter before going out for hogs 8/13/2011 My Hunting Videos https://www.youtube.com/user/HornHillRange |
|
December 27, 2011, 09:12 AM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 17, 2005
Location: Swamp dweller
Posts: 6,187
|
I learn something new every day! At times reading comprehension takes a back seat, way back and then at times is in the seat next to me.
__________________
NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be. |
December 27, 2011, 03:59 PM | #10 | |
Staff
Join Date: February 12, 2001
Location: DFW Area
Posts: 24,992
|
Quote:
__________________
Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?
|
|
December 27, 2011, 04:16 PM | #11 |
Member
Join Date: November 22, 2011
Posts: 34
|
For me I'd just muzzle my wife and my noise problem would be solved!
|
December 27, 2011, 10:59 PM | #12 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 17, 2005
Location: Swamp dweller
Posts: 6,187
|
Quote:
__________________
NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be. |
|
December 27, 2011, 11:20 PM | #13 |
Staff
Join Date: February 12, 2001
Location: DFW Area
Posts: 24,992
|
It's not a problem. I've done the same thing many times myself.
__________________
Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?
|
December 30, 2011, 04:40 PM | #14 |
Member
Join Date: October 21, 2011
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 98
|
Check this site out. I called them and these plugs are rated at 34db.
http://www.earplugsonline.com/aboutus.html At the price I know I'm ordering some. |
December 30, 2011, 05:03 PM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 29, 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,328
|
During my last trip to the indoor range...I had to head back out the door to double up as the guy next to me was shooting some sort of magnum handgun.
Have got to join an outdoor range! |
December 30, 2011, 05:24 PM | #16 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 13, 2005
Posts: 4,700
|
I have been wearing plugs and muffs for years, but I pick up sounds through the rest of me. I look at hearing protection like a volume control-you can adjust it to a comfortable level, but it's not an on-off switch.
|
|
|