Hearing protection

492 Views 19 Replies 14 Participants Last post by Rateoftwist, 4 mo ago

TacticalSpeed

Discussion Starter · 4 mo ago

Hoping to find options to upgrade the other half's hearing protection for the range. She uses both foam plugs and Walker Razor muffs at the same time, but rifles and shotguns still seem to be too loud for her.

Anything we can replace either of those two for a better experience?

1 - 20 of 20 Posts

Rich J

· #2 · 4 mo ago

Howard Leight Impact Pro's are the largest ear cups / highest NRR I've owned.

www.amazon.com

Amazon.com: Howard Leight by Honeywell Impact Pro High Noise Reduction Rating Sound Amplification Electronic Shooting Earmuff for Indoor and Covered Ranges or Other Extremely Loud Shooting Environments (R-01902), Large : Sports & Outdoors

Buy Howard Leight by Honeywell Impact Pro High Noise Reduction Rating Sound Amplification Electronic Shooting Earmuff for Indoor and Covered Ranges or Other Extremely Loud Shooting Environments (R-01902), Large: Earmuffs - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Reactions: 5

danielmcohn

· #3 · 4 mo ago

Rich J said:
Howard Leight Impact Pro's are the largest ear cups / highest NRR I've owned.

Amazon.com: Howard Leight by Honeywell Impact Pro High Noise Reduction Rating Sound Amplification Electronic Shooting Earmuff for Indoor and Covered Ranges or Other Extremely Loud Shooting Environments (R-01902), Large : Sports & Outdoors

Buy Howard Leight by Honeywell Impact Pro High Noise Reduction Rating Sound Amplification Electronic Shooting Earmuff for Indoor and Covered Ranges or Other Extremely Loud Shooting Environments (R-01902), Large: Earmuffs - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

These are what I use. The only annoying thing is they are cumbersome and not the best for when you’re shooting a rifle

Reactions: 1

Ocean

· #4 · 4 mo ago

Forgive me if this is information you already know! People often get confused regarding the "Passive" vs. "Active" ear protection.

Short answer for the highest Noise Reduction...

Foam Earplugs @ 32dBs passive + Howard Leight Impact Pro @ 30dBs passive = 62dBs passive + the Active protection that will regulate all noise over 82dB. Active will help with being able to communicate 😉

OR...

Foam Earplugs @ 32dBs passive + 3M Peltor Optime 105 Earmuffs @ 30dBs passive = 62dBs passive. No Active protection! Cheaper option. Who needs to talk at a range anyways 🤐

Brands does not make that much difference. Highest Passive Protection value + decent Active protection.

OR...

OTTO’s NoizeBarrier® Micro
NoizeBarrier Micro High Definition Electronic Earplugs Hearing Protection

I regularly forget them in my ear after walking out the range as they do their job very "naturally." Does not have a fight with the rifle stock for space either. Spicy price tag!!! But, you know how your hearing works... if you lose it... Bye bye!

Easily one of the Top 3 Best Christmas presents I have ever received from my other/better half!

Long answer/explanation:

Passive protection is the protection that is provided solely buy the "physical structure" of the earplugs and/or the earmuffs (when it is powered off if electronic)

Howard, Walker's, Peltor, Sordin, etc. Any reputable over the ear electronic earmuff will provide very similar "Passive" protection which is roughly around 20 to 24 dBs.

They also will provide very similar "level of noise regulation" with their Active Protection features. They will regulate the outside noise and will lower any high noise down to 82dB. In the mean time, it will allow communication without yelling or removing the earmuffs.

However, they differ when it comes to the "effectiveness" of the Active protection. Passed the brand name recognition, fancy looks, rechargeable etc. the biggest differences are the Sensitivity and the Reaction Time. This topic possibly be a post of its own and can get very detailed.

Hope this helps with the issue your Other/Better Half's issue.

See less See more

TacticalSpeed

Discussion Starter · #5 · 4 mo ago

I have the Walker electronic muffs & she did not like them. She prefers non-electronic

Rich J

· #6 · 4 mo ago

Ocean said:
Foam Earplugs @ 32dBs passive + Howard Leight Impact Pro @ 30dBs passive = 62dBs passive + the Active protection that will regulate all noise over 82dB. Active will help with being able to communicate 😉

OR...

Foam Earplugs @ 32dBs passive + 3M Peltor Optime 105 Earmuffs @ 30dBs passive = 62dBs passive. No Active protection! Cheaper option. Who needs to talk at a range anyways

With respect, that’s not how you add dB’s for acoustic noise attenuation

Ocean

· #7 · 4 mo ago

Rich J said:
With respect, that’s not how you add dB’s for acoustic noise attenuation

Yes, you are absolutely correct...!!!

My apologies... I did not want to clutter the post with complicated logarithmic calculations and conversions. That is why I added "Highest Passive Protection value + decent Active protection" 😉

Below are the actual values:

Foam Earplugs @ 32dBs passive + Howard Leight Impact Pro @ 30dBs passive = 34.1dBs passive.

Foam Earplugs @ 32dBs passive + 3M Peltor Optime 105 Earmuffs @ 30dBs passive = 34.1dBs passive.

Cheers

Reactions: 1

robs9

· #8 · 4 mo ago

I wear while indoors a pair of molded ear plugs with a pair of Peltor Tactical ear muffs over my ears. Works very well.

Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk

Reactions: 1

LEDetailing

· #9 · 4 mo ago

I still cannot believe how well the Howard Leight Impacts not only block out the gun shots, but how accurate the stereo sound is.

If I ever need hearing aids, I’m going to skip the audiologist and just start wearing my ear pro in public

Reactions: 2

WellnessCoach

· #10 · 4 mo ago (Edited)

I would check that the hearing protection(s) are making good seals in and around the ears. I have heard good things about moldable silicon and custom ear molds made by ENT doctors/audiologists.

Reactions: 1

TacticalSpeed

Discussion Starter · #11 · 4 mo ago

WellnessCoach said:
I would check that the hearing protection(s) are making good seals in and around the ears. I have heard good things about moldable silicon and custom ear molds made by ENT doctors.

She has the gel pads on them

1BullitBarnee

· #12 · 4 mo ago

In a passive muff, I use the Peltor X5A's. They're the best that I've found, and they do a great job of attenuating gunshots, especially when paired with a set of "pine tree" silicone plugs. But, they are large and would likely be difficult to use with a shoulder stock on a rifle.

Reactions: 1

Chipss36

· #13 · 4 mo ago

I use Walker quads, not the slim razors.
26db VRs 23 db.
So a 3 db increase in noise reduction. It’s not much. But is something.
I like them mainly because I do not loose direction of sounds. And can wear them hunting. Also a tone control, helps remove hiss.
I used the big black Howard passives for years, but they to me are claustrophobic. Electronics just feel more open to me.

Reactions: 1

Rich J

· #14 · 4 mo ago

Ocean said:
Yes, you are absolutely correct...!!!

My apologies... I did not want to clutter the post with complicated logarithmic calculations and conversions. That is why I added "Highest Passive Protection value + decent Active protection" 😉

Below are the actual values:

Foam Earplugs @ 32dBs passive + Howard Leight Impact Pro @ 30dBs passive = 34.1dBs passive.

Foam Earplugs @ 32dBs passive + 3M Peltor Optime 105 Earmuffs @ 30dBs passive = 34.1dBs passive.

Cheers

Thanks, I just wanted to be sure folks were clear about how to account for additional NRR in using double plugs and muffs.

And you have clarified the correct way to combine log dB values, which works mathematically. But what I found after doing a bit more audiology research, was it isn't quite how OSHA uses NRR for estimating the effect of doubling ear protection.

What I see online is that OSHA has a rule of thumb for doubling up, of just adding 5 dBA to the highest noise reduction rating of the higher-rated hearing device. For example, if you’re using an earplug with a 30 NRR and an earmuff with a 26 NRR, you would add 5 dB to the 30 NRR for the earplug. Your protection level would then increase to 35 dB, assuming the earplug is worn properly.

I am still trying to track down where this recommendation is in the OSHA web site, but you see this 5 dB mentioned frequently.

Interesting discussion!

www.efficientplantmag.com

The Fundamentals: Effects Of Doubling Up On Hearing Protection - Efficient Plant

Most end users think OEMs take particular pains to design things that last. That’s true in most cases, but not all. Will doubling up or wearing dual protection-an earmuff in […]

www.efficientplantmag.com

https://sps.honeywell.com/content/dam/his-sandbox/marketing/hearing-protection/documents/HL_articles_hon_soundsource_dual_protection_v7.pdf

www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com

Double hearing protection

What is double hearing protection, and when is it needed?

www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com

See less See more

Reactions: 2

Zonamo

· #15 · 4 mo ago

Rich J said:
if you’re using an earplug with a 30 NRR and an earmuff with a 26 NRR, you would add 5 dB to the 30 NRR for the earplug. Your protection level would then increase to 35 dB, assuming the earplug is worn properly.

The increase in sound pressure amplitude corresponding to an increase in DB rating from 30 dB to 35 dB is 77%.

Beau Etienne

· #16 · 4 mo ago

Rich J said:
Howard Leight Impact Pro's are the largest ear cups / highest NRR I've owned.

Amazon.com: Howard Leight by Honeywell Impact Pro High Noise Reduction Rating Sound Amplification Electronic Shooting Earmuff for Indoor and Covered Ranges or Other Extremely Loud Shooting Environments (R-01902), Large : Sports & Outdoors

Buy Howard Leight by Honeywell Impact Pro High Noise Reduction Rating Sound Amplification Electronic Shooting Earmuff for Indoor and Covered Ranges or Other Extremely Loud Shooting Environments (R-01902), Large: Earmuffs - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Agreed!

PhilaPop

· #17 · 4 mo ago

Rich J said:
Howard Leight Impact Pro's are the largest ear cups / highest NRR I've owned.

Amazon.com: Howard Leight by Honeywell Impact Pro High Noise Reduction Rating Sound Amplification Electronic Shooting Earmuff for Indoor and Covered Ranges or Other Extremely Loud Shooting Environments (R-01902), Large : Sports & Outdoors

Buy Howard Leight by Honeywell Impact Pro High Noise Reduction Rating Sound Amplification Electronic Shooting Earmuff for Indoor and Covered Ranges or Other Extremely Loud Shooting Environments (R-01902), Large: Earmuffs - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Agree 100%, I own 2 sets for myself and a set for the missus. My wife is very sensitive to loud noises, so for her I recommend the ear pulgs and the Howard Leights. No such this as overkill, if your wife is anything like mine as far as gunfire is concerned. And best of all, you can buy them on Amazon which means you can simply return them if she's not satisfied.

Lamont56

· #18 · 4 mo ago

TacticalSpeed said:
She has the gel pads on them

I also use gel pads and the eye frame you wear can make a difference.
I wear ESS Crossbow Suppressor frames that have ultra thin temple arms that keeps noise out by having little to no effect on the seal of the ear cups, and they also relieve pressure points.

TacticalSpeed

Discussion Starter · #19 · 4 mo ago

Lamont56 said:
I also use gel pads and the eye frame you wear can make a difference.
I wear ESS Crossbow Suppressor frames that have ultra thin temple arms that keeps noise out by having little to no effect on the seal of the ear cups, and they also relieve pressure points.

We already use gel pads

Rateoftwist

· #20 · 4 mo ago

Howard Leight have served me well at the range and while maintaining the lawn. My favorite set though are my msa sordin pro with soft headband and gel earcups that allows best situational awareness and hat wearing comfort

Reactions: 1

1 - 20 of 20 Posts