How many of you handgun hunters use some form of electronic hearing protection while you hunt? After a few hunts and shots while hunting without hearing protection, I've decided that it's not pleasant at all. If only one shot is taken, it seems like it's not too terribly bad. However, during the hunt for a Scimitar Horned Oryx back in July I had to shoot 4 shots with my .44 mag within an hour without ear plugs and it was absolutely horrible. Not only did my ears ring for nearly 12 hours, but I could not even hear out of my left ear for at least 4-5 hours.

The last couple weeks, I've been using a pair of plugs connected with a cord, but you don't always have the opportunity to put them in before a shot, and I can't wear them the entire hunt because I can't stand not being able to hear a deer coming in.

I would like to get a pair of custom molded electronic plugs, but I know they can get EXTREMELY expensive. Can any of you recommend a brand of either custom molded plugs, or something like the "Walkers Game Ear", etc...? I don't mind spending a few hundred dollars on a good set, but in the past I've seen the custom plugs go for as much as $1,600 for a pair and I just can't swing that right now.

Thanks.

I don't use hearing protection, but probably should. I don't like wearing it and I really don't like the extra step of putting plugs in when it's go time. That said, a couple of years ago I was in North Carolina testing a .460 XVR and I wore Game Ears and I am glad I did as I took four shots in succession on two hogs. The brake on the XVR makes it unbelievably loud. Even with electronic muffs like the Walker Game Ears, I have trouble determining from which direction sound is coming from.

ES, I never fire a gun, whether hunting or practicing without hearing protection. At the range I use plugs with electronic muffs over them. You can turn the electronics up to hear even with the plugs in.

For hunting, I do hunt with the same muffs on. I have tried the Walker's and they are very good.I also have tried the cheap in the ear and they tend to fall out of my ears. The one I am going to look at the SportEar MicroShot product. They have a pair that even form fits to your ears based on body heat. These are not what I would call "expensive". Since I wear a single hearing aid that costs $1,700 EACH, the cost of $1100 per pair is not bad. My hearing problem is hereditary and not shooting related, but I certainly don't want to lose any more than I have.

Bottom line, your ears and hearing are surely worth more than the cost of an Ed Brown pistol.

MicroShot

quote:

Originally posted by larrys:Bottom line, your ears and hearing are surely worth more than the cost of an Ed Brown pistol.

MicroShot

Very true, Larry!

If it's cool enough out, I used electronic muffs but do think they tend to amplify wind and white noise to distort what I'm hearing. In warmer weather I use some sort of in-the-ear protection that doesn't effect the sounds around me. During my hunting trip to RSA, where I used a handgun almost exclusively, I used Sonic II hearing protection similar to these. They are way more effective than the minimal NRR listed on them. My PH asked what I was wearing and told him I'd send him a couple pairs. He told me later at the SHOT show that they worked out great.

I've also used the Surefire EP-3. The work ok for me but not as well as the Sonic II's though a buddy swears by them. I think it depends on how well they fit your ear canals.

ES when I shoot Skeet, I use custom moulded ear plugs. Nowadays you can buy these yourself for around $12-15 and fit them yourself. Just like fiberglass, you mix two chemicals together and stick the resulting goop in your ear and leave it for a few minutes. They harden a bit, but still retain a rubbery consistency and they do fit well. I use these for hunting also. I leave them out until the last minute.
In my youth I used to shoot at Bisley. Back then wearing ear plugs was for sissies! I used to shoot 303's on Sundays and my ears would not stop ringing until Tuesday. I thought that was normal!
Just a thought, Peter.

I've been really happy with the Howard Leight Impact Sport muffs. Compared to naked ears you hear so many sounds in the woods with them on it takes a little bit to get used to. I usually keep them about half volume. Much more than that and squirrel noise will drive you nuts.

Next year I'd like to upgrade to sport ears or something similar

quote:

Originally posted by TC260:
I've been really happy with the Howard Leight Impact Sport muffs. Compared to naked ears you hear so many sounds in the woods with them on it takes a little bit to get used to. I usually keep them about half volume. Much more than that and squirrel noise will drive you nuts.

Next year I'd like to upgrade to sport ears or something similar

+1 for the Howard Leight electronic ear muffs.

They don't really amplify the sound as much as a pair of Caldwell ear muffs will, but then again they don't have as much of a problem with wind noise. For $50-60 for the Howard Leight and $20-30 for the Caldwell, you can get some fairly comfortable earmuffs that work very well.

quote:

Originally posted by Peter: I used to shoot 303's on Sundays and my ears would not stop ringing until Tuesday. I thought that was normal!
Just a thought, Peter.

I remeber having the same issues after concerts I used to attend......

When I started competitive shooting ear protection was not even thought of. Being around that game for most of my life, and being involved with the NHRA has ruined my hearing! Only under the quietest conditions (like hunting) can I hear much of anything thats going on, and the loss of low frequency audibility turns every day sounds into a garbled mess. I also have "tinitis" (a constant ringing or buzzing in the ear), which drives me nuts (now you know why I am so irritable all the time). All; wear ear protection whenever you can afford to do so! Under hunting conditions, and with my hearing in the shape it is, I do not wear hearing protection and the occasion shot doesnt bother me, but, when I am at the range I always have my ear plugs installed....better late than never, I guess.

I, if at all possible, use some form of hearing protection when I shoot. There have been some exceptions such as when I unexpectedly jumped a couple of deer with no hearing protection (neither I nor the deer had hearing protection) and was wearing my 44 Mag. and the time a groundhog came out from under the porch and I had my 9mm Glock. I guess I also make exceptions with such rounds as 22 LR or 17 HMR out of a rifle.

When shooting at a range, I use foam ear plugs under ear muffs. For hunting, I use custom made E.A.R., Inc. electronic hearing protectors. They work great even with such guns as a braked 460 S&W Magnum and a braked 375 H&H Magnum.

I have tried electronic ear muffs but my ears tell me they don't protect as they should since I get tinnitus after using them. I would say the reason is that the sound level they cut off at isn't quite low enough. It doesn't sound loud when you shoot with them on but I think damage is still being done.

Only a fool would shoot firearms without hearing protection of some kind. Even cheap ear plugs are better than nothing. Don't like the feeling or the fact you can't hear as well with them in?......You won't like the fact that you can't hear at all either! Enough said.

Huh? What did you say? Did you say something?

quote:

I remeber having the same issues after concerts I used to attend

C'mon Marko, Laurence Welk and Liberace were not THAT loud!
Peter.

quote:

Originally posted by Peter:

quote:

I remeber having the same issues after concerts I used to attend

C'mon Marko, Laurence Welk and Liberace were not THAT loud!
Peter.

My first concert was Black Sabbath......

Hey flat top, my audiologist said the reason I have "tinitis" was because, "When you can't hear anything else, that's all that's left". When I got my hearing aid, the tinitis went away just like he said.

ES, you DON'T want to be like us. When that special lady comes along and whispers in your ear, you sure as heck don't want to answer with .....HUH. You want to boldly announce, "No, my wallet is MINE."

Larry; My wife grabbed me the other day and asked me (loudly) why I never answer her when she asks for money to go shopping. I told her (as she well knows) that my hearing is shot. She told me that I always come to dinner when called, and that I always come to bed when called, but, it seems to her that the only time that I dont hear her is when she asks for money.......A hearing aid is the last thing I need!!!

Every married man has selective hearing -- that is a fact!

Whit;...........our "selective" hearing capabilites NEVER go bad!!!!

And that is the really bad part of my hearing loss...it IS the upper frequencies including the normal female voice spectrum. When the wife asks me if I heard her, I just hand her the Audiologist chart and say, "What'd you say?" My daughters just quit trying.

Try the Game Ears. I love mine and never hunt without at least one. If I am hunting with a group, I use a Game Ear in my left ear and a two way radio bud in my right ear.

Started wearing them twelve years ago. I had started taking my eight year old grandson turkey hunting with me at that time. After calling for a while in one location, I was ready to move. But my grandson said “Did you hear him, Paw Paw.”. “Hear what.” I ask. He said “That tom, there he gobbled again. Did you hear him.” I told him that I did not hear a thing and for him to stop playing games. But he insisted he heard a gobble. So I kept calling. After each call, he would say he heard a gobble. He heard the tom five or six more times before the bird moved close enough for me the hear him. We did not shoot the tom because a hen showed and they left together. But the next week I purchased my first Game Ear. Then I learned just how much of the outdoors I had been missing. No telling how many toms I had walked away from because I could not hear them. Some time I heard too much. I can hear my clothing scratch when I move.

My hearing was shot before I started wearing the Game Ears. For you own good, never shoot without good ear protection. That will be the best money you ever spend for shooting.

I use the pro ears. I didn't use anything but when I started using the 454 casull it was very obvious something was needed. Since I know I have lost some hearing over years of shooting I now wear them even when rifle hunting. They work really well for me. It doesn't come back young guys!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Woodrow S:
Only a fool would shoot firearms without hearing protection of some kind. Even cheap ear plugs are better than nothing. Don't like the feeling or the fact you can't hear as well with them in?......You won't like the fact that you can't hear at all either! Enough said.

Agree 100%. Once you lose hearing, it isn't coming back-ever. I prefer ear muffs, but like Woodrow said, ear plugs are better than nothing.

The Howard Leight muffs have really impressed me. I always wear them now and they work great...they also keep my ears warm. I'm sure the more expensive models are better, but these ain't bad.