Hearing Protection

T

Tom Roberts

Well-known member
I figured it was time to try and save what's left of my hearing. Does anyone out there use or recommend the hearing enhancement/noise reduction type ear muffs? If so, what brand do you recommend?......Thanks.
 
I have a hunting buddie that uses a Walker's brand of some sort while we duck hunt and likes them ok. I'm not sure I will like having my ears covered up while hunting. But I need to do something. I've got buzzing/ringing in both ears from years of hunting and civil war reenacting.
 
Tom,

I have lost 90% in my left ear and always use hearing protection now. At the range or in the blind I use BlastBuster from the EarPlugStore.com http://www.earplugstore.com/blshearpl.html

Very comfortable to wear, I can hear normal conversations, duck calls, etc. but still limit the really loud stuff.
 
I too wear the Howard leightons. I like that they fold up to fit in my small hunting bag. They amplify normal sound, which can be annoying if there are waves or lots of wind. After a good day hunting, They save me from answering all questions with the answer "huh?"
 
I use the blast busters as well and my son wears the Howard Leights. Wearing the headphones for extended periods is uncomfortable, so I prefer the plugs.


Ed
 
I recommend two options. If you are willing to spend, buy some peltor earmuffs. The ones with the cupped low profile and will allow you to hear conversations and quacks until something goes boom.

If you want cheaper use combat arms ear plugs or similar flanged and perforated plug such as the brands others mentioned. Both allow you to wear them and hear normal sounds. I find the muffs more comfortable. Both are more comfortable than constant ringing
 
The one thing that I dislike about wearing plugs is trying to call. I can't tell if I'm hitting the tones well as...well, everything is muffled :) . Chuck, do your ear plugs allow you to hear your calling very well?
 
I have the constant ringing in my ears from hunting 3 to a blind for years (35) and not wearing proper hearing protection. I hate foam ear plugs and have tried them the last few years so last week while hunting in La I wore a set of Walkers Game Ears on every hunt.......I'll never shoot without them or something similar again.

The constant ringing is something I have to live with but I'm going to protect what I have left.
 
I bought the Walker's Game Ear hearing-aid type (I believe the HD Elite model). They wrap around your ear. I shopped around and believe I paid around $120 apiece. I have found that I prefer to wear only 1, with the other ear plugged. I wear it on the side that my hunting partners are sitting to allow conversation. They are amazing devices - first time I used one I heard mallards coming down the river before I saw them.

I opted for the hearing-aid type because the muffs interfered with shouldering my gun.

I chose this entry-level type protection due to fear of losing a custom-made $500 model - I'm good at dropping things overboard.

Thanks!
Paul
 
The one thing that I dislike about wearing plugs is trying to call. I can't tell if I'm hitting the tones well as...well, everything is muffled :) . Chuck, do your ear plugs allow you to hear your calling very well?
Click to expand...

Because of the way it fills the outer ear canal, when you speak, your voice is kind of muffled, like you have a head cold. However, these are musicians noise plugs, so by design, they allow the pitch and frequency to stay true, just decrease the volume.

Chuck
 
Tom,

I have lost 90% in my left ear and always use hearing protection now. At the range or in the blind I use BlastBuster from the EarPlugStore.com http://www.earplugstore.com/blshearpl.html

Very comfortable to wear, I can hear normal conversations, duck calls, etc. but still limit the really loud stuff.
Click to expand...

Wonderful I will get some of these!
 
Walker game ear muffs. I like to be able to hear in the Goose fields. I wear them deer hunting as well. I heard all 4 deer I shot this year before I saw them, a long long time since that was possible. The Peltor's are a good product aswell.
 
I've got excellent service from the Howard Leights. I have 2 pairs and they both have lasted many years. I even sunk one pair in saltwater last year and remarkably they still work (I took the batteries out, washed with water in and out and dried). I wear them for waterfowl, deer and turkey. They amplify over normal a bit - I think some of the game ears amplify more, but they also seem to break a lot if you read the reviews.
I find it you crank them up all the way you get some extra static, but if you turn them down just a touch (still above normal) you sound is perfect - crystal clear and sharp. Batteries really last. Offer good ear protection.
 
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