Ear protection while hunting

12 March 2023, 05:22

Scott Powell

So am I only one that does not wear hearing protection while actively hunting? As I count the days until I fly to the Caprivi (47 days) naturally I am overdosing on hunting shows and videos :-)

I just watched a show where the hunter was wearing hearing protection (defenders) while hunting buffalo. Seems dangerous to me not to mention uncomfortable..

I do wear protection in duck blinds and always at the range but other than that, never while hunting - especially dangerous game…

Am I the oddball??

12 March 2023, 05:58

Skyline

You are not the oddball...I do the same thing. There are apparently ear plugs that you can get which allow you to hear but function as protectors above a certain decibel level. I have yet to see any or meet anyone with them in the field. I can also say that I have rarely guided a client that wore hearing protection in the field either.

Just my experience and I am sure others will probably have different experiences to report, depending on where they are from and local practices.

12 March 2023, 06:25

bisonhunter1

For normal big game hunting, I DO NOT wear any type hearing protection. Prairie dog shooting and any range time type shooting, I always wear the them.

12 March 2023, 06:41

K Evans

Scott, you may be an oddball, but not because of this. The only person I have ever seen try to wear hearing protection in a hunting scenario was my by my best friend of 50 years on a 2x1 hunt in Australia…several very nice animals moved on while he tried to stuff earplugs in his ears after the very unamused guide told him to shoot. Won’t do that type hunt again.

12 March 2023, 09:16

Saeed

I never wear any ear protection while hunting.

I do wear both ear plugs and overear ear protection while shooting in our range.

12 March 2023, 09:35

Jason P

Never do and that’s why my ears practically ring non-stop.

12 March 2023, 11:46

georgeld

Yep, once your hearing is shot out and tinnitus takes over forever. And you end up with hearing aids, THEN you can get truer ear protection with the noise cancelling types.

Since my latest pair don't have it. I just open the battery doors and it's the best ear plugs I've ever found. Oh yes, these cost just over $6000 a pair.

The tones change sometimes often. The last 2-3 years it's been much like the big power lines hum. Only the volume changes. For years the tones sounded much like some of the hearing test tones. From a tinkling sound, to a whine.

I do hope when the time comes you will be able to enjoy the constant racket. UNTIL THEN BE SURE TO NEVER wear hearing protection when hunting. It would be a real shame for you to miss out on such a pleasure as this.

Remember seeing Roy Vincent wearing his ear muffs after Walter so kindly blew his hearing out with those "oh so FUNNY 5 shotgun blasts up close Saeed and others thought was so funny they rolled on the ground laughing?? That's something well worth remembering.

George

12 March 2023, 11:48

georgeld

Yep, once your hearing is shot out and tinnitus takes over forever. And you end up with hearing aids, THEN you can get truer ear protection with the noise cancelling types.

Since my latest pair don't have it. I just open the battery doors and it's the best ear plugs I've ever found. Oh yes, these cost just over $6000 a pair.

The tones change sometimes often. The last 2-3 years it's been much like the big power lines hum. Only the volume changes. For years the tones sounded much like some of the hearing test tones. From a tinkling sound, to a whine.

I do hope when the time comes you will be able to enjoy the constant racket. UNTIL THEN BE SURE TO NEVER wear hearing protection when hunting. It would be a real shame for you to miss out on such a pleasure as this.

Remember seeing Roy Vincent wearing his ear muffs after Walter so kindly blew his hearing out with those "oh so FUNNY 5 shotgun blasts up close" Saeed and others thought was so funny they rolled on the ground laughing?? That's something well worth remembering.
George

12 March 2023, 16:45

larryshores

I wear custom molded ear plugs to a certain extent . They are on a string to hold the two together . These are cheap. Less than $100.

I keep them in my pocket in my shirt. When we get close, I put the left one in and dangle the right one over my right shoulder . If I have time, I put it in before I shoot. Only takes a very few seconds to insert .

If shit has hit the fan, I take them both out .

I’d never wear muffs.

I have tinnitus in my left ear. I am not sure if is from shooting so much or from being married .

12 March 2023, 16:55

Charlie64

.

Yes and no - wingshooting always, plains game if I have time to put plugs in I will same on DG. Plugs on a string which I loop around the velcro fastener on my cap. As said if I have time I will use them, if a fast shot then not.....

.

12 March 2023, 19:55

CharlesL

I wear ear protection in my right ear, but not in my left when hunting. There has been times when we have been just going for a walk and I have taken shots of opportunity where I didn't have ear protection. When I was younger we didn't know what ear protection was.

12 March 2023, 20:24

sandyhunter

In the second year of my apprenticeship, I wore a set of plugs on a plastic band around my neck. It was easy enough to put them in my ears so I could keep watching game--either with or without binos--for its reaction to the shot while a client used a rifle with an ear-splitting muzzle brake. I've no doubt I saved some of my hearing, and it never got in the way of being able to hear anything I needed to hear. I wouldn't put them in when following up wounded game, of course, but I protected my hearing a number of times when it would have otherwise suffered badly.

I'll say it again here, just in case anyone is listening: There isn't a PH alive who is happy to see a muzzle brake on a client's gun. They'd far rather the client bring a .30-06 for plains game and a .375 H&H for dangerous game and shoot those guns well. Moderate calibers shot well make for a better safari. Shot placement always trumps power, and no, a muzzle brake does not allow one to have the cake and eat it too--it's something with an awful cost for the PH, the trackers, and the game scout.

12 March 2023, 20:30

Hasher

quote:
Originally posted by Charlie64:
.

Yes and no - wingshooting always, plains game if I have time to put plugs in I will same on DG. Plugs on a string which I loop around the velcro fastener on my cap. As said if I have time I will use them, if a fast shot then not.....

.

I do the same. They just dangle off the back of my hat. If I have the time great. If not. Oh well.

When I’m in the deer stand they are sitting there and I almost always have time to slip them on.

Before we built the enclosed mega stand mt two favorite spots on Bronzepigs farm always had me out in the weather. If it was really nasty I would put them on under my watch cap and parka hood and they kept my ears toasty warm.

Mine is a low profile set of Peltors that are active hearing.

My favorite spot was always the tripod stand which has a patch of woods to my right. With them on and turned up I have heard more than one deer crunching through there.

12 March 2023, 20:35

Gale Johnson

I managed not to have tinnitus till after my first safari in 2016 when I shot a few animals with out a plug in my left ear. I have no idea how any PH has hearing left after a few years. I have looked in to electronic device such as esp but haven't been to a show to get fitted since 2019. For those that use something like that what are your thought's?

12 March 2023, 21:09

nevadaj

I started using OTTO electronic ear plugs a couple years ago. I use them all day when hunting and have found that they work well. They have a "normal" hearing setting and an enhanced level that helps me hear things hunting that I haven't in a long time. They shut down at a shot and have a case that recharge the earplugs at the end of a day of use. Been very happy with them.

12 March 2023, 23:05

Bwana338

Yes, i have started to wear fitted hearing protection while hunting.

The set was fitted by my hearing professional. The set has 4 setting and work well. Above a set thread hold they act as plug stopping noise transmission. This way my PH can talk to me in a low voice and i understand what he is saying.

At the rifle range I wear muffs in addition to them.

Shooting trap, i shut one plug off and the other set at the low setting so that i can hear.

I take extra batteries as a set will last about 5 days of continue use.

12 March 2023, 23:45

DCS Member

[QUOTE]Originally posted by larryshores:
I wear custom molded ear plugs to a certain extent . They are on a string to hold the two together . These are cheap. Less than $100.

I keep them in my pocket in my shirt. When we get close, I put the left one in and dangle the right one over my right shoulder . If I have time, I put it in before I shoot. Only takes a very few seconds to insert .

If shit has hit the fan, I take them both out .

I’d never wear muffs.

I have tinnitus in my left ear. I am not sure if is from shooting so much or from being married .[/

I great up not wearing plugs at all, except maybe at the rifle range. Being right handed, my left ear is worse with tinnitus. It sucks.

I have very similar custom molded plugs. It is my second pair, but these are blaze orange for obvious reasons.

They are constantly on when bird shooting. They are also on when I’m checking stations of our hunters in Argentina. I’ve been an advocate for our bird boys to wear them, with some success.

Some of our hunters will bring electronic muffs, others custom electronic plugs, others the $1 ones at the counter, some none at all, even though we advise such. Normally, those opting out will ask for protection after the first few boxes.

Muffs are only for the range, but I might use them from a blind prior to the shot, given time. Muffs just seem to interfere and almost create their own ringing depending on how you shoulder.

13 March 2023, 00:09

Atkinson

Never when hunting, but at my age when a young cowboy nobody ever heard of ear protection, I did notice my hearing was damaged and I went to hearing aids from shooting at about 85-86. but brothers at 85 things started happening way worse than hearing, hear that!! Then at 87 I was getting so much advise that I hid my hearing aids under my shorts in the dresser!! at 88 I didnt give a fats rats ass, and so it is..

to be continued!

13 March 2023, 00:14

Use Enough Gun

I have enough commercial made electronic ear plugs, custom molded ear plugs, custom made electronic ear plugs, normal ear plugs, and electronic ear muffs to start my own store. Lately, I have worn my Walker Silencer In The Ear pair of electronic digital ear plugs for hunting and shooting, and love them.

While wearing them, you maintain, if not actually enhance, your normal hearing, and they 'cut off' when you shoot. If interested, get on 'Walker's Ear Protection' on the Internet and check them out. Check out the specs. Right now, Walker has them on sale for $149.99, down from $199.99. A cheap price to pay to try them and in order to save your hearing.

By the way, I'm 71, and I was raised that the big boys didn't need hearing protection. Because of that, I have lost some of my hearing over the years due to hunting and shooting without them, as well as due to high noise that impaired some of my hearing while working at USS Geneva Works full time while going to school at BYU full time way back in the day-again, not wearing hearing protection at the Steel Plant.

My simple advice to all of you: Get and wear electronic ear plugs to both hunt and shoot with. Your body, mind and ultimately, your hearing will thank you.

Don't be a fool and appear to be the tough guy that doesn't care or doesn't need them. Remember the old, well worn, but truthful adage: Stupid is as stupid does.

In the end, if you lose your hearing you will have no one to blame but yourself.

13 March 2023, 03:34

Trackman

Never while hunting but will always wear them while guiding or at the range.

13 March 2023, 07:13

Ske1eter

I wear them and have on each of my three Africa trips. And actually used them just this past week on a Texas hog hunt while shooting a Ruger .480 revolver.

These are what I use. They used to be called Sonic II's

https://www.earplugstore.com/h...mpact-ear-plugs.html

13 March 2023, 08:09

Brian Canada

I wear MSA Supreme Pro-X electronic earmuffs. They amplify the sounds in the bush and the instructions from the PH ( I am quite deaf.) and cancel out the gun shot.

13 March 2023, 11:43

DLS

I don’t wear them when big game hunting, only sometimes when shooting birds. Always when practicing.

But I’m damn sure gonna wear a pair that enhance my hearing the next time I’m in a leopard blind. I couldn’t hear anything Alan Vincent was whispering to me last time.

13 March 2023, 22:40

Jason P

quote:
Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
I have enough commercial made electronic ear plugs, custom molded ear plugs, custom made electronic ear plugs, normal ear plugs, and electronic ear muffs to start my own store. Lately, I have worn my Walker Silencer In The Ear pair of electronic digital ear plugs for hunting and shooting, and love them. While wearing them, you maintain, if not actually enhance, your normal hearing, and they 'cut off' when you shoot. If interested, get on 'Walker's Ear Protection' on the Internet and check them out. Check out the specs. Right now, Walker has them on sale for $149.99, down from $199.99. A cheap price to pay to try them and in order to save your hearing. By the way, I'm 71, and I was raised that the big boys didn't need hearing protection. Because of that, I have lost some of my hearing over the years due to hunting and shooting without them, as well as due to high noise that impaired some of my hearing while working at USS Geneva Works full time while going to school at BYU full time way back in the day-again, not wearing hearing protection at the Steel Plant. My simple advice to all of you: Get and wear electronic ear plugs to both hunt and shoot with. Your body, mind and ultimately, your hearing will thank you. Don't be a fool and appear to be the tough guy that doesn't care or doesn't need them. Remember the old, well worn, but truthful adage: Stupid is as stupid does. In the end, if you lose your hearing you will have no one to blame but yourself.

Thank you. I will try these out. As a modification to my last post, I have tried to wear hearing protection more often and did so on my sheep hunt this past fall. I always wear protection when dialing in my rifle.

Unfortunately, I was too dumb to realize the importance when I was younger. I will be 52 next month and I am sure I will pay for my hearing in the coming years.

14 March 2023, 08:29

lavaca

What? I always wore ear protection on the range, but not while hunting -- big game or birds. Should have definitely worn hearing protection on the birds, but on ducks and geese, I was calling and needed to hear. Quail and dove, no excuse. Now, I can't hear. I haven't worn ear protection in Arica. KISS. Too much could go wrong.

14 March 2023, 08:33

Ske1eter

Hardly. No need for bravado just to pretend that your hearing isn't important. There are several options available that do not impact one's ability to hear game.

14 March 2023, 08:47

Use Enough Gun

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This. Exactly.

14 March 2023, 16:06

ledvm

quote:
Originally posted by Scott Powell:
So am I only one that does not wear hearing protection while actively hunting? As I count the days until I fly to the Caprivi (47 days) naturally I am overdosing on hunting shows and videos :-)

I just watched a show where the hunter was wearing hearing protection (defenders) while hunting buffalo. Seems dangerous to me not to mention uncomfortable..

I do wear protection in duck blinds and always at the range but other than that, never while hunting - especially dangerous game…

Am I the oddball??

^^^ditto for me

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
J. Lane Easter, DVM

A born Texan has instilled in his system a mind-set of no retreat or no surrender. I wish everyone the world over had the dominating spirit that motivates Texans.– Billy Clayton, Speaker of the Texas House

No state commands such fierce pride and loyalty. Lesser mortals are pitied for their misfortune in not being born in Texas.— Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to Texas in May, 1991.

14 March 2023, 17:56

degoins

quote:
Never do and that’s why my ears practically ring non-stop.

Same here.

14 March 2023, 19:11

rnovi

I always wear something. Normally it’s a set of electric Sport-Ears. They’re kind of like old school hearing aids that go over the top of the ears. I put them on but don’t push the actual plug/aide into the ear Canal until we get almost to the final stalk. 200 yards from the final push I shove the left ear in…100 yards or less the right goes in…

I’m 54 years old…the unfortunate drawback to protecting my hearing is that I don’t have the excuse to play that I didn’t hear my wife.

14 March 2023, 23:46

Atkinson

I usually took those sponges on a string to hang around my neck and slipped them on just before I shot..Handed the out to the staff also. They worked pretty well and better than nothing...

I went deaf back in my tour with the El Paso Police and sheriffs departments . Every one was required to slip loaded 38 specials in there ears!!!

when qualifying.

Thats why I post on AR, I can't hear!

16 March 2023, 22:27

dr_dog_guy

I wear a pair of hearing aids made by E.A.R that block sounds over a certain level. They are programmable to my audiogram. I've worn them on 3 safaris as well as numerous elk, deer, duck, and upland bird hunts. Never even notice they are there after 20 minutes or so. My audiologist tested them while in my ear and found they successfully block sounds above the damage level (I don't remember the dB level). I already had hearing damage before I started wearing them from a misspent youth and an electric guitar. I wouldn't hunt without them anymore.

17 March 2023, 01:32

shoulderman

I wear the cheap orange or green foam ones that you insert. I can hear a whisper from a PH, but my ears don't ring at the shot. try them. I don't think you give up much in the way of hearing to communicate, but does decrease the perceived decibel of the shot.

17 March 2023, 03:53

crbutler

I have the EAR programmable ones, and use them “sometimes.”

What gets me is having them in for any length of time is uncomfortable. I actually hear better with them in, and certainly using them where repeated shots are happening is a good idea. If I’m hunting by myself, I probably won’t use them, but big game hunting I will put them in if I have time.

They do get your ears hot and sweat builds up, and getting a good swimmers ear in the bush because of your hearing protection is a sure way to ruin a trip! I’ve worn them all day at competitive events in the summer- it’s not very pleasant and it can be a chore to clean them with all that soupy earwax in them.

I wouldn’t condemn anyone for wearing them, but situational awareness is off (even with the amplified ones- sounds are not in the same place- and if they are not amplified then you are not hearing your surroundings. I should wear them more, but often don’t.

17 March 2023, 07:59

lavaca

I've hunted with a PH who keeps a set of muffs around his neck. When he puts them on, I know I'm about to shoot.

17 March 2023, 08:41

Ske1eter

quote:
Originally posted by lavaca:
I've hunted with a PH who keeps a set of muffs around his neck. When he puts them on, I know I'm about to shoot.

The poor PHs are stuck with clients with powerful rifles that often have muzzle-breaks. Normally they've got the binos up to check your shot and can't plug their ears. Ouch!

17 March 2023, 08:58

lavaca

Muzzle breaks are the worst. I've only got one rifle that has one that I bought used. I've never shot it. And probably never will.

17 March 2023, 17:58

tanks

Towards the end of the stalk I will put on my in-ear electronic hearing protection. I can hear everything going on and still protect my hearing. Here is a video of an elephant hunt. I have the protection in and one can hardly tell.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TZlqtxVI00

17 March 2023, 18:08

Saeed

I have live in cicadas in my ear!

17 March 2023, 18:48

Scott Powell

quote:
Originally posted by Ske1eter:
quote:
Originally posted by lavaca:
I've hunted with a PH who keeps a set of muffs around his neck. When he puts them on, I know I'm about to shoot.

The poor PHs are stuck with clients with powerful rifles that often have muzzle-breaks. Normally they've got the binos up to check your shot and can't plug their ears. Ouch!

Excellent way to get a PH on a rant - ask them about muzzle breaks!

I as well do not like them and do not own a single one. If I'm at the range and a guy shows up with one I generally leave and come back later!!