16 replies to this topic

[Chiburbian]

I have long used cheap muff style or cheap foamies when shooting.

With my current eye protection, it hurts to wear the muffs for more than a couple hours.  I know I need better eye protection (designed for shooting and use under muffs) but I am also looking for advise on active hearing protection and custom molded en ear style.

What do you prefer, and where do you find it?  Specifically, where can I get good long lasting custom molded in-ear hearing protection?

Thanks!

[milq]

I'm looking into this as well, I also wear earplugs under a motorcycle helmet and most of them get pulled out when putting a helmet on.

Somewhere, I have the name of a guy (a Dr. I think) in Mt. Vernon IL that does custom molded plugs, my nephew had them for awhile and my sister was happy with the service from this guy's office. I don't know what his title is, sorry. She paid around $40 for them to be made, so they are reasonable.

I have also been told that sometimes you can get them made at large shooting events that draw vendors. There are DIY kits out there, but I've heard mixed results from folks on them. It seems to me that DIY would be difficult since you can't see what you're doing.

[es503IL]

These work pretty well

http://www.amazon.co...s/dp/B000W2CPCC

[bob]

A lot of shooters wear plugs and muffs.

I have found that for me the cheap muffs are just as comfy as the expensive ones. Although they may not work quite as well.

A lot of people swear by the custom molded ear plugs, but I have never tried them.

[Getzapped]

I wear low profile behind the neck muffs.  The strap goes down behind the neck so there is not that much pressure over the top of your ears.  It greatly reduces the force pushing against the arm of the safety glasses.

[ike]

I'm happy with Caldwell electronic muffs. If you have never tried electronic muffs,you will be amazed at how they work.

[Tompo]

I use ear plugs AND muffs.  the more hearing protection the better, IMO.

[TyGuy]

Caldwell electric are great.  Get them when on sale at MidwayUSA

[oneshot]

If they're worth anything they have a decibel rating on the package.  Look for ones that are at least 30db protection.  If I'm shooting indoors, I'll wear plugs and muffs and really, I'll do that even outdoors most of the time.  It's amazing how sensitive your ears are to damage and once they've been damaged, there's no going back.  You don't want to lose hearing or get tinnitus.  I have a mild form, my ears ring when it's silent and I have to run a fan at night to get to sleep, but if it's worse, you'll even hear it over the noise of the day around you and that's maddening.  I know a guy with it and he has to wear things that look like hearing aids, but they blow air into his ears to make white noise to cancel out the ringing that's there 24/7.  Not fun.

[abolt243]

I used molded, in the ear plugs for years while shooting trap competitively.  Great hearing protection, very comfortable, they don't interfere with shouldering/cheeking the gun.  For handgun shooting, I use electronic muffs.  

I had my molded plugs made at vendors at large trapshoots.  You might want to check with some of the local hearing aid vendors in your area.  I believe that some of them will make plugs for you.  Audibel, Beltone, Smith's, etc. would be places to start.   Use something, or you'll be spending a lot more time (and money!) at your local hearing aid vendor.

AB

[Chiburbian]

Where do I get the good molded ones if I don't shoot trap?

I am thinking about buying the mold yourself kind to tide me over until I find the good professional ones.

[vezpa]

Call me a wuss, but I wear Foam plugs under my full ear protection.  Double quiet.

[sirflyguy]

vezpa, on 08 April 2012 - 06:25 PM, said:

Call me a wuss, but I wear Foam plugs under my full ear protection.  Double quiet.

I use some Caldwell electronic muffs.  I will admit that after shooting my 40 or 45 for a bit, I still can feel it in my ears.  So if I don't need to hear range commands, I have started using plugs and muffs.  Being a musician, I would like to keep my hearing loss musically-related as much as possible!!

[abolt243]

Chiburbian, on 08 April 2012 - 10:51 AM, said:

Where do I get the good molded ones if I don't shoot trap?

I am thinking about buying the mold yourself kind to tide me over until I find the good professional ones.

Read my post again.  The part right after the word trapshoots.  I suggest that you check with some of the hearing aid vendors in your area.  I've listed some of the top brands.  Or, you could go to your local eye, ear, nose and throat doctor (or whatever they call themselves now).  But, I'm guessing you'll pay an office call fee along with the fee for the plugs.  You might invest a phone call though.

AB

[Xwing]

I usually just wear the earmuffs.  But if I want extra protection, I put (cheap Walmart) foam earplugs underneath my muffs.  Works very well for me.

[Kaeghl]

I still have and use the double-baffle-flange ear plugs Uncle Sugar issued to me many many moons ago. They work just as well now as they did then. Nice thing about them is that there is a long-ish stem sticking out of them for easy removal.

[moparcardave]

Kaeghl, on 10 April 2012 - 08:33 AM, said:

I still have and use the double-baffle-flange ear plugs Uncle Sugar issued to me many many moons ago. They work just as well now as they did then. Nice thing about them is that there is a long-ish stem sticking out of them for easy removal.

Those were good, a lot better then the DI's that used filter'd cigarettes lol.