I've long thought about getting a pair of some sort of electronic hearing protection.

After a good hunting trip this weekend, where I was almost deafened by an SKS being shot repeatedly next to my right ear, I've decided to save what hearning I have left.

Do you guys have any recomendations?

I've been doing some research and I think I'm going to try a set of electronic muffs.

What are the pros and cons of Peltor Tacticals vs. Pro-ears (either Sporting Clays or Stalker)?

Thanks!

Not a bad idea, better late than never! I use electronic muffs and ear plugs at the range, the North Gun Muffler is one of the best with an NRR 29 rating, all other electronics that I've used or read about have a 21 NRR or lower. The North also doesn't cut out all sound at the shot, it just reduces the level, there's no dead period to wait on as there are with Peltors or any others. I used Peltors before, the Norths are much better.

I use SportEars while hunting, they ain't cheap, but they work very well.

http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/noduelgunmu.html

http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/shootandhun.html

http://www.sportearx.com/testimonials.html

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4787045

http://www.keepandbeararms.com/information/XcIBViewItem.asp?id=2052

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise/abouthlp/noisemeter_html/hp110.html

i've had several different ones, but my favorite is the peltors - most comfortable

I use Pro Ears Predator 300. They are made in the states and I found the customer service to be excellent.

After two years the ear cups were getting grubby and a phone call produced a maintenance kit that included ear cups and foam liners for small cost.

I find them most valuable at the range. You can carry on a normal conversation, and hear the Rangemaster while cutting out the damaging sound from the big boomers. The volume is fully adjustable.

Have you considered the "custom fit in the ear models"?

Peltor Tac-Com

If you want something more comfortable in hot weather. I would suggest the custom made, in the ear, electronic type. Namely, the E.S.P. Elites. I have been using them for years and would not go back to muffs. The comfort level is much higher than heavy muffs.

Keith

I have a pair of digital plugs from SportEar that I really like. I've had them for a couple of years with no problems.

I use PRO-EARS. They will run you about $250.00 plus for a set, at Cabela's. good though

I have a set of remintons I really like and a couple sets of peltor pro 6's that work. Make sure you get the kind tha surpress the sound and not just shut down at lound noises.

I bought a pair from Midway, $25.00!! I use them at the range and I want to use them PD shooting. They work OK not the best but I can hear conversation with them on and also listen to the radio in the dog town. The only problem is the amplification of the sounds you want to hear is not real good, the sound cut off is very good, but for $25 bucks what the heck!

How many of you guys use muffs while hunting?

I'm tempted by pro-ears, but I'm not sure about hunting all day in warm weather while wearing muffs...

I tried a pair for spring turkey hunting one year, even in mild temps, they were too warm for me, I much prefer the in-ear type for hunting. Good ones are expensive, but what price can you put on your hearing? We spend lots of money on guns, optics and hunting trips, making an investment to protect our hearing so that we can enjoy those expenditures only makes sense to me.

I use the Radians in the ear protection I bought from Cabelas for hunting. They work very well and I don't have to worry about my hat bothering them. For about $80 per pair, it is money well spent.

For your second question, I never fire a gun without hearing protection, not even a .22LR. At the range I use Peltor Tac6 with foam plugs under.

I try to wear them most of the time when hunting.

fwiw, I've got a pair of Walkers Game ears. I had them moulded to fit and like them for all my shooting needs. Mine were about $200.00 each and another $70.00 each for the moulds. Kinda spendy but it keeps me from flinching and I can hear. I've found that they aren't too good in high winds so I just shut them down. Huh? What?

quote:

What are the pros and cons of Peltor Tacticals vs. Pro-ears (either Sporting Clays or Stalker)?

I have the Peltors and they work very well. The individual volume controls on mine are very hard to operate. I used a permanent marker to put an arrow toward the "Off" position. Mine had no markings on the controls and because the controls are so hard to turn, it was hard to tell if they were turned all the way off or not.

Good hunting,
desmobob

I have used the pro ear stalkers for several years. Yes, in S. Texas they get mighty sweaty and pose a little hassle while wearing caps, etc. Also find the wind is a problem but other than that they do the job. If buying again I would go with a brand of in the ear fit.

quote:

Originally posted by muygrande:
If buying again I would go with a brand of in the ear fit.

Let me know when you are ready. I can fix you up with some of the E.S.P.s, either analog or digital.

Keith

quote:

Originally posted by Hog Killer:

quote:

Originally posted by muygrande:
If buying again I would go with a brand of in the ear fit.

Let me know when you are ready. I can fix you up with some of the E.S.P.s, either analog or digital.



Keith

I am intersted how much..........

quote:

Originally posted by jwp475:

quote:

Originally posted by Hog Killer:

quote:

Originally posted by muygrande:
If buying again I would go with a brand of in the ear fit.

Let me know when you are ready. I can fix you up with some of the E.S.P.s, either analog or digital.



Keith

I am intersted how much..........

PM sent.

Keith

I've shot about 1200 rounds of sporting centrefire rangeing from 243 to 30-06 in the field since 97.

Initialy I wore only a pair of Peltor sound trap muffs. Very good but as I got larger parcels of land to hunt they became too uncomfortable to wear while walking in warm weather. I got a pair of in ear electronic plugs which have worked well.

Eventualy however some cumulative effect has occured because even with them in I get increased tinnitus when I have shot.

I now use a moderated 243 and the plugs or an unmoderated rifle and muffs.

For a few shots a year the plugs are still OK with an unmoderated rifle but I would not shoot a magnum or a braked anything with just electronic plugs.

I still have above average hearing for my age so they have worked despite the tinnitus.

Check into the 'soundscope' brand of hearing aids... you can get them at an ENT's office, they are made from actual moulds of your own ear canal, so they fit perfectly.

I've heard deer walking in open fields 60 yards away, and can hear turkeys spitting at 75 yards with them.

Kinda pricey, though. A set costs $390 at cost, so they can be as much as 700 bucks after markup.

quote:

Originally posted by Hog Killer:

quote:

Originally posted by muygrande:
If buying again I would go with a brand of in the ear fit.

Let me know when you are ready. I can fix you up with some of the E.S.P.s, either analog or digital.

Keith

How much?

quote:

Originally posted by megalomaniac:
Check into the 'soundscope' brand of hearing aids... you can get them at an ENT's office, they are made from actual moulds of your own ear canal, so they fit perfectly.

I've heard deer walking in open fields 60 yards away, and can hear turkeys spitting at 75 yards with them.

Kinda pricey, though. A set costs $390 at cost, so they can be as much as 700 bucks after markup.

Can you tell what direction the sounds are coming from??? I have 1 Walker Game ear I can hear great with it but can't tell whare it came from, my right ear is worse than the left , I have lost a lot of my hearing between the two of them.

elkman,

pinpointing sound locations are spot on when you wear them in both ears.

That was actually one of my problems before going to the soundscopes brand of hearing aid... I've lost a significant amount of hearing in my left ear, and had an impossible time telling where the gobbler was sounding off from. Now with both hearing aids, I turn up the volume on the left side more than the right so I hear equally well out of both ears.

Best money I've ever spent on a hunting accessory by far.

Skidly, PM sent.

Keith

quote:

Originally posted by Hog Killer:
Skidly, PM sent.

Keith

I've been wanting to have a set of in-ear electronic plugs made but find it hard to swallow spending more for my ear plugs than my sporting clays O/U shotgun I'd appreciate any info you have that would help....

quote:

Originally posted by brayhaven:
I've been wanting to have a set of in-ear electronic plugs made but find it hard to swallow spending more for my ear plugs than my sporting clays O/U shotgun I'd appreciate any info you have that would help....

PM sent

Keith

quote:

Originally posted by brayhaven:
I've been wanting to have a set of in-ear electronic plugs made but find it hard to swallow spending more for my ear plugs than my sporting clays O/U shotgun I'd appreciate any info you have that would help....

I was asking myself that, but after a few times of shooting in the wrong position, etc. My ears will ring long after the shot. I'd rather pay extra and keep my hearing. The kind Hogkiller offers, you'll forget they're even there. I use a similar version for work. Mine don't have the gagedtry, but are very comfortable. Everything else will push against the inside of your ear. After a while you'll get an earache. The custom version seal your ear while filling the exact void. Nothing but comfort!

quote:

Originally posted by .366torque:

quote:

Originally posted by brayhaven:
I've been wanting to have a set of in-ear electronic plugs made but find it hard to swallow spending more for my ear plugs than my sporting clays O/U shotgun I'd appreciate any info you have that would help....

I was asking myself that, but after a few times of shooting in the wrong position, etc. My ears will ring long after the shot. I'd rather pay extra and keep my hearing. The kind Hogkiller offers, you'll forget they're even there. I use a similar version for work. Mine don't have the gagedtry, but are very comfortable. Everything else will push against the inside of your ear. After a while you'll get an earache. The custom version seal your ear while filling the exact void. Nothing but comfort!

.366torque, Thanks for your post.

Keith

I just finished watching "The Mane Event", featuring the egomaniac Marc Watts. The video was entertaining enough (its quite funny watching someone behave like that), but the only thing of value I got from the video was seeing those E.S.P. ear plugs in action. I hadn't seen them before. Although my hearing is still pretty good, I have nasty tinnitus...I figure I should probably get with the program and quit cheaping out on hearing protection.

Hogkiller...I am interested in more info on them if you want to PM me too.

Cheers,
Canuck

Canuck,

Guess what you now have.

Keith

Some of my experience with custom moulded plugs.

To seal effectively the material must be very flexible - silicone rubber is best. The acrylic type do not seal effectively enough for firearms usage.

Get them made slightly oversize by being 'double dipped'. The biggest issue with custom plugs is poor attenuation through leakage past the plug. This is because your ear canal changes shape as you move your head, sometimes to the extent that a shot can seem darn loud. The labour involved in putting in the circuitry and then removing it if the fit isn't right makes it wise to check the moulds without circuitry to test for correct fit.

They are an excellent compromise - witness the fact that I have better than average hearing after 1,000 field shots 90% of which have been taken with only those as protection BUT they are not miracle cures and should not be expected to cope with braked magnums etc.

Check very carefully on the claimed attenuation, time to cut off and particularly the maximum output. A good company should have those figures to hand. Good afterservice is essential as they do go wrong.

I now use them in conjunction with a sound moderator.