Try www.espamerica.com/ I have a pair and have used them for high volume shotgunning and such mundane tasks as mowing my lawn. The pair I purchased is about eight years old and I have just sent them to the factory to be re-conditioned. Till now I have just changed the battery periodically and that was the only maintenance they needed. Been very happy with them.

quote:

Originally posted by SGraves155:
hogkiller, do you have a website for selling these?

Steve, I am a dealer for E.S.P., give me a PM, for my contact info.

Keith

I use the EAR moulded ear protection whenever I'm on the range. I was a marksmanship instructor years ago and never was without hearing protection. When I retired my hearing was fine. A bird hunting trip done without hearing protection and I now have a steady ringing in my ears. If I'd used protection, I wouldn't now have trouble hearing my grandchildren. What I plan to do is get a set of the ESP electronic units for hunting. The EARs will still be my range protection.

QUOTE ;;;HunterMontana;;; The up side is that though my hearing is actually pretty good and can't hear womens voices very well.

I've worked in construction for about 30 years and I've used some type of hearing protection for at least 20 years. Many carpenters choose not to use any, macho crap I suppose. I noticed something a few years ago, in the right acoustic conditions even a framing hammer can cause severe pain to the ears. Even so, I know older guys that scoff at any protection even using routers and table saws. Not surprisingly, their lunch time discussions can be heard half a block away![/QUOTE]..............................Some old timers are just plain stupid ................My big problem with getting my ears clapped while dangerous game hunting is it could get me killed ..........Wether you have a muzzel brake or not,,, fire a 375 H&H w/ 24" barrel twice in very dense jungle or timber and your ears will ring loud enough that you may not be able to hear that bear /lion ect breathing and when it first starts moving to come .......As I put brakes on all my rifles when I shoot around and hunt with people I offer them plugs ...If I go to Africa I will bring 4 extra sets of quality electronic plugs for the PH and all accompanying staff ............A GREAT thing about muzzle brakes is they keep people from getting in front of the shooter .............. .........Any PH so ignorant as to not want to use modern hearing enhancement/protection ,, essespecially at no cost to them is someone I don,t want to hunt with ....Period ...

What did you say?????? Wear the protection. Use the best hearing protection you can afford,,,drwes

I grew up in an area famous for its waterfowl hunting. My grandfather was the retired game warden. As one might guess, I have hunted since I was a small boy. I have also had severe hearing loss my entire life. I wear hearing aids in both ears. Here's what I know:

Most if not all current manufacture hearing aids have compression systems that shut down sound above safe levels. Hence, they serve somewhat as hearing protectors as well as aids.

Pretty much all aids from the major manufacturers ( Siemens, Starkey, Phonak, etc.) nowadays are digital.

Today's hearing aids are programmable to address your specfic hearing loss. Many, including the ones I wear, can be set for different environments so you can shift from quiet conversation to noisy rooms by the the press of a button.

Nerve damage (loss associated with exposure to loud noise) does not heal. It is forever lost.

One should have his or her ears tested by a certified audiologist to identify hearing losses in the various frequencies so your hearing aid can be adjusted to give you the greatest benefit.

If one fails to stimulate the auditory nerve, over time there will be atrophy. Failure to wear a hearing aid if one suffers significant loss can actually result in further loss. It's the old use it or loose it fact of life.

One should wear one's hearing aids during all waking hours. The brain must learn to interpret the sounds it hears from these aids (They are different sounds than your normal hearing). If you don't wear them all the time, you will never becomes as adept at using these devices as you otherwise would - hence you will never hear as good as you would if you truly learn to use them by wearing them all the time.

If you wear one in each ear you will hear better and better discern direction of sounds.

Hearing aids have come a long way - both in size and quality. Even though I have a severe loss in both ears, technology has advanced to where I can use the smallest units, CIC (completely in the canal). Siemens just came out with CIC units called "Nitros" which have the power and range of the BTEs (behind the ears) units. That's a big deal for those of us with significant loss. The BTEs are not suitable to an active lifestyle. The CICs on the otherhand, can be worn with motorcycle helmets, shooting muffs( I use electronic muffs at the range and when duck hunting.I just wear my hearing aids when hunting other game since few shots are fired.); can be worn while jogging, gymnastics etc. Just don't swim or shower with them in.

i don't have experience with the "Game ears" and the other hunting aids but I think they are actually hearing aids being marketed to a bunch of us old farts who don't want to recognize we could use a little help hearing all day everyday.

I don't sell hearing aids. I only post these thoughts to possibly help others in the hunting fraternity. If you are experiencing hearing problems, I encourage you to get it checked out by an MD. If the problem is nerve damage, I encourage you to investigate today's high tech hearing aids.

NRA Endowment Member

My kindly audioligest informs me that one shot is all it takes to damage hearing, I think that is what he said, didn't have my hearing aid on..I keep it in the dresser draw and my wife tells me that is why it doesn't work but what does she know...

If you hunt extensive and/or over a long period of time you WILL suffer hearing loss. All my 'old' buddies are deaf to one degree or another, most guides and PHs are also..

Facts:
There is no way to hunt dangerous game with anything in your ear. a serious hunter sometimes does not have time to stick the plugs in his ears, or just neglects to do so, those that do fumble with the plugs sometimes miss those windows of opertunity at some nice trophies. Sure as hell some nitwit will pop one off in the old ears before you know it, and that will happen several times in your hunting career, then the guy at the bench next to you pops one while your engaged in conversation with another or fixing sum'en...Over a span of 40 or so years s--t happens and if you think different, give me a call in 30 years or so, after 30 years you will only get a busy signal!

If you hunt and shoot seriously and often then hearing is the price you will pay I assure you..but do the best you can, maybe the younger generation will beat this scenario, but then they probably will never have the opertunity to shoot or hunt as much as the previous. generation did...who knows.

On the upside, I kinda like my quite world, it sure is nice to miss all the ya ya out there!

http://www.peltor.com/

these are great!



Peltor ComTac

Ray,
As far as the younger generation is concerned, they've ruined their hearing due to excessively loud home and car stereos. Its become a problem for those entering the military!

Prof242,
I suspect your spot on with that tidbit of info, then you have rock and Country Western concerts and that is also hearing loss personified..

As to wearing the Peliters and head sets, that doesn't fair well in the bush and in 100 plus temps...Unfortunately anything in your ears is a trek through hell in the bush..plug your ears and the noise of your own footsteps pounding in your head and fullness is unbearable..Believe me I have tried everything and nothing works out there if your really hunting...then you have the safety problem of being in the bush with a wounded buff and as bad as my hearing is, I am better without anything in my ears..

Surprisingly I get along quite well, the only time I am at a disadvantage is in a bar or resturant where crowds of people are chattering like magpies..

I am only speaking for myself but it includes a lot of time in the African bush and in the hunting fields of the world. If I had it all to do over I doubt that I would change a thing.

http://www.msa-sordin.com/en/produkter.asp

This is the protection I use.
They amplify sound, and when sitting in a stand I can hear all the small animals and birds fuss around on the ground and in the trees.
Not to mention the deer
Still they completely block out the dangerous high sound like firing a shot.

After many years in the merchant marine,oil business and as an Army small arms instructor, I have hearing loss on both ears.

This muffs gave me my hearing back while hunting, and still close out any damaging noise.

quote:

Unfortunately anything in your ears is a trek through hell in the bush..plug your ears and the noise of your own footsteps pounding in your head and fullness is unbearable..Believe me I have tried everything and nothing works out there if your really hunting...then you have the safety problem of being in the bush with a wounded buff and as bad as my hearing is, I am better without anything in my ears..

Ray, I hunt, work and exercise with my hearing aids in (and Texas can get pretty hot too!) Because they are in my ears, I hear game and most importantly, my PH, better and I enjoy some level of protection from muzzle blasts. The key is become comfortable wearing them all waking hours. Once you've done that, you will do better in the field and put your hearing at less risk.

Again, i don't sell hearing aids. I am just trying to be helpful.

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
Prof242,
As to wearing the Peliters and head sets, that doesn't fair well in the bush and in 100 plus temps...Unfortunately anything in your ears is a trek through hell in the bush..plug your ears and the noise of your own footsteps pounding in your head and fullness is unbearable.

There is a lot in what Ray is saying here in that it is very difficult indeed to get reasonable hearing protection that actually works in the field. On the range it is easy for me to wear muffs and plugs and not to suffer overly for it, apart from that conversation is tricky. However in the field is a different matter.

With this in mind I've take an alternative approach when in the field and instead of reducing the noise reaching me I've decided to attempt to limit the noise leaving the rifle. Now, I know that many in the US in particular are not very keen on sound moderators but they do work well and my personal position is that I'm willing to take a few moderated shots per year without hearing protection as the level of my moderated rifle should be below that which is believed to cause damage. That way I can hunt without muffs and plugs and yet still be, in my opinion, safe when the shot is taken. When on the range or with others, especially those ignorant enough to use a muzzle brake in such circumstances, I leave the moderator on and use both plugs and muffs.

To me this seems to be a solution that works well in all situations. There are some who might be unhappy with the extra weight etc. of the moderator but I haven't found this to be a problem, at least not one that I didn't soon adapt to. The only other drawback is that most moderators tend to be a bit ugly, however in the areas where I hunt there is no one to see me and if I want to admire the fine lines of my rifle it is the work of seconds to unscrew the moderator. All told a win win situation I believe.

quote:

I know that many in the US in particular are not very keen on sound moderators

Mainly because it is ILLEGAL TO HUNT WITH A SUPRESSER here in the states.

Keith

Gents!
I use the above peltor com tac and am satisfied with them as they make me hear better than without them on. I can hear incoming animals much earlier and still it cuts noise down with 25db.
I also use a moderator/suppressor to further make it less noisy, and if it is illegal to have it, then it is of course hard to obtain one. On the other hand, where it is legal, it is not so smart to not put it on the rifle since even when using protection the decibel levels are above what can give permanent hearing damage from one exposure.

The only thing that can prevent hearing damage is the combination of a good suppressor and good hearing protection.

That combination gives 100 db in your ears. If you use earplugs, peltor com-tacs, suppressor, you can theoretically go down to 60 db from the outside, but the jaw bone and skull also transmit sound to the ears, so you would likely be around 80db or so.

When I can afford it, I will buy the soundscope professional molded in earplugs with bluetooth & wireless com-radio compatibility. They are just like a normal hearing aid that can be worn when it is very hot outside too. Not more exhausting to wear them then to wear lenses or glasses...

Sincerely
Daniel

quote:

Originally posted by Hog Killer:

quote:

I know that many in the US in particular are not very keen on sound moderators

Mainly because it is ILLEGAL TO HUNT WITH A SUPRESSER here in the states.

Keith

Its illegal in some states, not all.
And if its legal, a suppressor is very nice.
I have a friend here in Noray who uses suppressors on all his rifles and he brought it with him to SA last year. He also plans to take it to Namibia this year I belive.

475Guy1, replied to your PM.

Keith

WHAT?

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Atkinson:
Prof242,

Unfortunately anything in your ears is a trek through hell in the bush..plug your ears and the noise of your own footsteps pounding in your head and fullness is unbearable..Believe me I have tried everything and nothing works out there if your really hunting...then you have the safety problem of being in the bush with a wounded buff and as bad as my hearing is, I am better without anything in my ears..

Surprisingly I get along quite well, the only time I am at a disadvantage is in a bar or resturant where crowds of people are chattering like magpies..
QUOTE]

I wore the EAR digital aids every day for 16 days while hunting and liked them. I can hear better with them since they are tuned to my hearing test. It is true that your ears feel occluded, your own voice sounds funny and you can hear loudly, footsteps across dry leaves. I was OK with all this but it might drive someone else crazy. I can hear whispered instructions (and admonitions) from the PH MUCH better: "The animal is Right There - CAN'T you SEE it?"

An ear doctor first confirmed my high frequency
hearing loss. He said: "You are probably compensating by heading for the wall at restaurants or cocktail parties - this reduces conflicting noise from 360 degrees to 180 degrees. High frequency loss makes it difficult to separate sounds. And you also practice a bit of lip-reading" He was right and now I wait for a seat by the wall and watch the lips closely!

Our guys all bought Sport Ear and are very happy with them.

quote:

Our guys all bought Sport Ear and are very happy with them

Which model are you using?

At the Houston show I was talked into getting a pair of theMicro Open Ear RF412s. Since I was planning on getting everyday aids anyway he convinced me this was the best of both worlds. Talked about how they had a number of different size inserts etc.

Well I bought them and tried them. First issue was they wouldn't stay in. Called about different size tips. Oops the two it comes with are the only ones. We can send you longer tubes for $4 or you can get molded tips. I asked for a price and they never got back with me. Took them to the range with the foam tips. I couldn't even shoot my 223. Rifles 4 benches away were too loud. Ended up with muffs over the top.

As an everyday aid the feedback, background noise etc made them almost unwearable. Like many compromises they didn't work for either purpose.

Sent them back under their 30 trial period they said they would credit my card I wouldn't hae to wait on a check. They signed they received them back on the 15th. I called on the 20th they said they would credit that day. Called on the 25th they said oops got behind they would credit on that day. As of the 27th no credit to my card.

I got the ESP's that I ordered from HogKiller last week. I haven't had a chance to really test them yet. I only put them and walked around the office with them in. If turned up a little, you can hear every footstep you take on our wood floors. I got the analog models and was a little apprehensive about "white" noise, but it really wasn't noticable. I suspect that it may become an issue in the wind, but otherwise I don't think it will. So far I'm well pleased. As soon as I can get to the range, hopefully this weekend, I'll get back with a full report.

David Walker

I previously noted that I had been using a set of "Pro Ears"-- which are muff style. Since that post I would add that I cannot recomend them -- at all! I had to send mine back as they were not balanced -- they tried to charge me well beyond what I felt was resonable for a set of muffs that had only been barely used. Very disappointing customer service and the individual that called was a butt head. Told them to return them as they were and I will use for ???
G