Went through the archives and the last discussion was a few years old. With the new technology what are people wearing and why?

I wear custom molded plugs. Why? They are effective, efficient & inexpensive.

I just got back from an ENT where I got a steroid shot in my left ear in an attempt to stop them ringing. I will always wear protection in the future.

As a hunting guide for 18 years, can I give just a piece of advice. I am not totally familiar with all the hearing protection devices, so excuse my ignorance on that. But, I believe they make protection that allows for, or even amplifies your hearing ability.

There is nothing worse for a guide, than when the hunter has ear "plugs" in his ears, and you are trying to quietly whisper instructions to him. Perhaps the animal of choice has moved, maybe I am trying to quietly explain to him which one he is, etc. Trust me, I've had it happen more than once.

If you're gonna use em, use ones that allow you to hear normally, or better than normal.

I use Sordin hearingprotection it works excellent and for me the mics strenghten the sound, but heavy wind can be a problem.

Outlaw muzzle breaks!! Save some ears.

EARS

http://www.earinc.com/p1-electronic-hunting.php

Great instruments

I wore electronic muffs all day long and will do it next time too. They're comfortable enough that I forgot to take them off for some of my photos. They also provide protection of the ears from the sun, which is a point, because you won't be able to wear a broad-brimmed hat with them.

The benefit is also that you as a hunter will hear the animal. I know that some Ph`s are using this protection the guy I know told me that he is hearing the leopard scratching on the tree when he is climbing up to the bait, also hearing they are walking on dead leaves, I hunt Norwegian Moose with dogs that barking I`m able yo hear the dog barking on the double of the distance if I did not use the protection.

I use E.S.P Electronic Shooters Protection. They look like hearing aids and they ampfly sound which can be turned up or down. Mine are old but still work just fine.

Walker's HD Game ear - per the recommendations of Shakari and many others here on these pages. Amplify sounds and block noises.

quote:

Originally posted by eezridr:
Outlaw muzzle breaks!! Save some ears.

Amen to that!!

In South Africa one can get produts from PROTEC-EAR SA. www.protecear.co.za They allow one to hear but shut off at the higher decibels. They allow the wearer to hear everything except the discharge. They are custom made for the individual.
Once you have tinitus, it is yours and it gets progressively worse. Even a .22 rim-fire contributes, especially in young kids.
It becomes a little overbearing in the quiet of night.

The custom molded plugs I have are on a string. I have one in one ear and the other hanging on a string in my shirt pocket. it works very well. They cost about $35.

As a right hand shooter I stick a plug in my left ear which takes the most noise and in my case has lost the most hearing back when I wore no protection. I figure the 10 or 15 shots I make at African game every 2 or 3 years won't take out my right ear anytime soon. If I live long enought to wear out my right ear that way then I'll die happy!

This way I'm able to still clearly hear the PH and all other shooting I do involves both ears protected.

As CCMDoc recommended the game ears seam to work very well. My clients say good things about them. Personally I have a similiar arrangement for my Seimen's hearing aids. These are truly fantastic.

Mark

If you attend the Dallas Safari club, SCI or many of the larger hunting shows there will be Audiologists with booths there. They offer everything from basic molded plugs that muffle to plugs that amplify but muffle at the blast of the rifle. The more bells and whistles they have the more they cost. They can usually custom make the molds at their booths. Then there is always the "walkers game ear, Cabelas, etc generic muffs and plugs. I use some amplified muffs at the range so I can hear what is going on around me and protect my hearing as well. I already have the ringing and hearing loss from past abuse. Protection a must, you don't get hearing back,, you just can loose more.

Thanks, While shooting at the range whether rifle of smooth bore I always wear hearing protection but have never worn them in the field. I've been looking at the ESPs but wonder whether variables such as wind and footfall are amplified to the point of distraction.

I usually at the range wear plugs because I find that the muffs interfere with cheek weld for me, maybe I shoot wrong.

I do want to get a pair of the game ears for hunting in the field. I want to try and preserve my hearing as long as possible.

Red

I use E.A.R., Inc. custom molded electronic hearing protectors. They weren't cheap but work very well even with braked handguns. They're comfortable to wear all day and will amplify sound if you so choose.

Some electronic hearing protectors are a little faster than others at shutting out sound. My ears, i.e., tinnitus, tell me that some of the lower priced electronic ear muffs don't shut off quite soon enough which means that though you feel no discomfort, damage is still being done.

type louder I can't here you

I wear a set of "Walkers" and they work like a magic wond.

In the States I always use loaded .44 mags. People seem to think it's insane, but they work great as hearing protection and since I usually carry a snubby .44 as a back-up it's extra ammo in a pinch. I put in the right one a minute or two before an eminent shot and the left one at the last second.

When going to Africa I knew carrying ammo for a gun I didn't have would be a bad idea so I had my brother (a machinist) turn some hard plastic plugs of similar diameter and length to the ammo I'm used to. They worked even better because they're light so they stay in the ear canal longer without falling out (like the heavy loaded ammo).

The hard plastic goes into the ear canal instantly with no fuss or lifting of the ear, etc. like a soft plug. I'm still baffled why no companies offer a hard plastic plug for quick insertion. They're not comfortable for long periods, but they hold sound out very well and for big game hunting you don't need them in for a long time.

I've been preaching this for years, but I seem to be alone in thinking this is a good idea. Oh well, I've used this method for the last 20 years and will continue hopefully for the next 40.

For targets, competition, varmint shooting and even bird hunting I live in the Peltor Tac 7 electronic muffs, but for big game hunting I've found they are too big of a hassle. Falling off if you run, getting caught on every tree limb, etc. I've also found that the various electronic products short out in the occasional rainstorm.

I use ESP products. Electronic Shooters Protection has a website at www.espamerica.com

I have used many types of hearing protection, but for hunting, these cant be beat! You can turn them up to increase the volume and range or turn them down if there is background noise.

I have electronic muffs (Sordin) that I wear while on ranges. The muffs are hot in the summer and get in the way of hats, etc.

I have had several other brands of in ear protection and ESP is the only one that will take the abuse that I seem to deliver on a constant basis.

I hear the digital are far superior in audio quality, but 30 years of shooting competition have left my ears not in the best condition. I use the analog plags and LOVE them!

MV

Dear Guy's

My family uses Bilsom, Impact sports.

Carry them in the field and if there is time fit them. 90% of the time it can be done once game is sited.

We did so in Africa last year.

Turn them on and you can hear better than with your ears.In fact much better, you can hear game eating and so on.

Except when there is wind. The noise of the wind makes it harder to hear. Once the wind get above 7km per hr approx.

Regards Mark

I had E.A.R. Inc provide me with a pair of behind the ear, waterproof "aids" approximately 6-7 years ago. Prior to that I wore custom molded plugs. I have a bi-naural loss and the current devices allow me to hear during the hunt for the first time in years and protect me from the rifle report causing additional loss. I think they are great and everyone should be wearing something to protect their hearing.

I use surefire ear plugs on the range and they have been great for teaching classes as I can hear the students but they block out the gunfire. I plan on using them in Africa later this year.

Another positive vote for E.S.P. products. Have worn them bird hunting and big game hunting for years and plan to take them to Africa with me this summer. Their repair policies have been very liberal in contrast to problems I had with custom electronics I had made by E.A.R. Inc. Would not recommend their product.

I won't wear them in the field. I do have my son wear the electronic earmuffs, even in the field. He can still hear. I'm almost deaf, and almost dead, so what I do from here on out won't make much difference.