The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > The Skunkworks > Gear and Accessories

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old July 2, 2010, 05:05 PM   #1
SKostas
Member
 
Join Date: July 9, 2008
Posts: 21
Hearing protection for kids

Anyone recommend a good set of earplugs for kids? I need them to hear me while I'm teaching them how to shoot- I hear tell that the Peltor Combat Arms or some such are used by troops in theater with some success- anyone know of a good kid-sized version?
SKostas is offline  
Old July 2, 2010, 05:38 PM   #2
Vt.birdhunter
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 18, 2009
Posts: 637
Some "mold to fit" type plugs are likely to work.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=521839
Vt.birdhunter is offline  
Old July 2, 2010, 05:59 PM   #3
jglsprings
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 7, 2009
Posts: 1,827
I bought some electronic muffs, the kind where you can hear normal levels of sound, for my son. I wanted to make sure that he could hear EXACTLY everything I was saying. The hard part is finding a set that will adjust to the smaller head size.

Something along these lines......

muffs
__________________
Let's eat Grandma.
Let's eat, Grandma.

Commas save lives...
jglsprings is offline  
Old July 2, 2010, 07:16 PM   #4
velocette
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 25, 2007
Location: South Florida
Posts: 924
I've found that earplugs work pretty well in damping out the noise of unruly children. Ear muffs must be used along with earplugs to quell the noise of politicians pandering and puffering.

:-^
Roger
__________________
Trigger control + Breath control + Sight alignment = Gun Control.
http://www.hrpclub.info/
NRA Smallbore Prone Master, High Power Master
velocette is offline  
Old July 2, 2010, 07:21 PM   #5
Casimer
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 23, 2007
Location: Pennsylvania, USA
Posts: 1,918
How old are these kids?

Here's a forum dedicated to youth shooting programs. Someone there is likely to have some recommendations - http://www.targettalk.org/viewforum....c0fb7c4c1ae6ff
Casimer is offline  
Old July 4, 2010, 03:39 AM   #6
bamaranger
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 9, 2009
Location: North Alabama
Posts: 8,273
Dillons

I bought youth sized muff's and glasses from Dillons, the Blue Press folks.

I also started bamaboy w/ a Cricket and .22 CB's, so that he could shoot a bit w/o muff's in the very early stages, and I could coach w/ him hearing easily. But we went to muffs quickly, trying to establish safe habits.
bamaranger is offline  
Old July 4, 2010, 01:20 PM   #7
SKostas
Member
 
Join Date: July 9, 2008
Posts: 21
Thanks, everyone- they're 7 & 10- I don't know as muffs will be the way to go- but I'm going to try a couple of different plugs and see which they can hear me best with. We'll aslo be startin' em out with 22's....
SKostas is offline  
Old July 4, 2010, 03:37 PM   #8
CPTMurdoc30
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 27, 2008
Location: Stafford VA
Posts: 969
I got my 10 year old a set of Peltor Youth muffs and they work great. They allow him to hear me good enough and block a good bit of noise as well.

I have a hard time with ear plugs on him because his ears are very sensitive. I would look to see if you could find some small triple flange ear plugs.

For my plugs I use the following and They are nice soft gel I can wear them all day long and not be bothered by them.

http://www.discountsafetygear.com/no281125.html
__________________
Solving Virginia's Ground Hog problems 50gr at a time.....
CPTMurdoc30 is offline  
Old July 15, 2010, 06:38 PM   #9
finz50
Member
 
Join Date: January 13, 2008
Posts: 87
Let them use the foamies, just make sure you cut the in half (lengthwise). That's what I use for my 6 and 9 yr old kids...
finz50 is offline  
Old July 15, 2010, 10:20 PM   #10
JohnKSa
Staff
 
Join Date: February 12, 2001
Location: DFW Area
Posts: 24,930
There is significant sound transmitted to the ear canal via the bones around the ear. Muffs are needed to help deaden that sound. It's not a bad idea to use plugs too, but if you're going to use only one method, muffs are probably the way to go..

Be sure that the muffs seal all the way around their perimeter. Remember that the child won't know how the muffs are supposed to fit--you're going to have to help them make sure they are fitting properly and working well.
__________________
Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?
JohnKSa is offline  
Old July 16, 2010, 08:53 AM   #11
demigod
Junior member
 
Join Date: March 13, 2008
Location: AZ
Posts: 1,129
Muffs for kids. Most people don't know how to get ear plugs in properly anyway. I always see them barely hanging out of their ears.

The only plugs I'd consider for kids would be the ones with the Stethescope style head piece that holds the plugs in place.
demigod is offline  
Old July 16, 2010, 09:42 AM   #12
oneounceload
Junior member
 
Join Date: April 18, 2008
Location: N. Central Florida
Posts: 8,518
Quote:
There is significant sound transmitted to the ear canal via the bones around the ear. Muffs are needed to help deaden that sound. It's not a bad idea to use plugs too, but if you're going to use only one method, muffs are probably the way to go..
Exactly, and almost as much inner damage occurs this way - I just got my hearing tested, and one of the causes of my tinnitus over the years had been plugs only with my shotguns along with the occasional hunting shot with no protection. Muffs can be fitted to small heads, even with glasses on.
oneounceload is offline  
Old July 16, 2010, 06:50 PM   #13
Buzzard Bait
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 25, 2008
Location: Republic of Texas
Posts: 502
double muff

I double muff kids I use foam plugs in their ears and the a set of 31 rating ear muffs over that
bb
Buzzard Bait is offline  
Old July 17, 2010, 09:58 AM   #14
Regular_Joe
Junior Member
 
Join Date: November 29, 2009
Posts: 7
'Ears' are important

Definitely recommend going with muffs for kids - their hearing is so much more sensitive than adults. I second the notes above about using foam plugs along with the muffs for younger kids and that kids rarely know how the muffs are supposed to fit.

I have 6, 8 and 12-yr-olds. The 6 year old uses muffs w/foam plugs, the 8 yr-old uses the peltor youth (~$25) muffs that he says are comfortable enough to wear all day, and the 12-yr-old uses a set of shotgunner muffs (slimmer, lighter, tighter fit for him - he is in between the youth and adult sizes).

Another thing we watch for is when they put on their 'eyes' - sometimes thick frames will unseal the muff.

Kudos for introducing the next generation to the fun and safe world of shooting!
Regular_Joe is offline  
Old July 21, 2010, 08:01 AM   #15
gregjc9
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 30, 2008
Location: Northern Va
Posts: 501
I too make my kids double up on the ear protection, the soft rubber mushroom style plugs and ear muffs. If they dont hear me, they are always within arms reach, but that's never been an issue.
__________________
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

Greg
gregjc9 is offline  
Old July 21, 2010, 11:25 AM   #16
longranger
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 4, 2008
Location: Buffalo WY
Posts: 1,056
Quote:
Thanks, everyone- they're 7 & 10- I don't know as muffs will be the way to go- but I'm going to try a couple of different plugs and see which they can hear me best with. We'll aslo be startin' em out with 22's....
Fitted ear plugs are expensive and your kids are growing,they last about as long as a pair of their shoes.My kids and grand kids never liked anything poked into their ears.They liked dads and granpa's electronic muff's.
Muff type with rifles will mess cheek weld for some shooters,no perfect answer,let them find what works for them.None of my kids younger than 12 liked any of the stuff poked in thier ears and would have them in wrong or not at all.The ones they will wear are the right ones.
longranger is offline  
Old July 21, 2010, 04:39 PM   #17
mete
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 14, 2004
Location: NY State
Posts: 6,575
Sadly the habit of listening to very loud music is common and most kids by the time they are 18 have lost a significant part of their hearing !! Try to address that along with gun and other sounds.
mete is offline  
Old July 22, 2010, 07:14 PM   #18
Bentonville
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 11, 2002
Location: NC
Posts: 345
http://www.proears.com/store/p/157--...Ultra-33-.aspx

These are some of the best muffs on the market. They are leather and good quality. 33NRR is the highest muff I have found. I want the Pro Ears active eletronic muffs. Always use plugs and muffs together. Teach them the right way early on. Good Luck
Bentonville is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:48 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.07988 seconds with 10 queries