Henry Rifle Forums

I don't shoot nearly as much as most of you because of my location in the winter months. I do however shoot whenever I get the chance. I have several firearms from .22 all the way up to my ridiculous 500 magnum. All have a different report when fired. I'm paying for my foolishness. When I was young, ( long time ago ), shot many times w/o protection.

I since have used various forms of hearing protection. All depending on what I'm shooting whether handguns, shotguns or rifles. As you all know, there is a vast amount to choose from. All have their decibel ratings whether plugs or muffs which can range quite a bit. Most recent purchase was a very slim electronic pair but still have some interference with cheek weld clearance.

Back to decibel rating...I wish there was some info on safe numbers relative to different calibers.

Sorry to go on so long, just wondering how some of you address this issue. I still hear ok, however, suffer from daily ringing primarily in my left ear. Any input is appreciated!

we have two sets of electronic headphones :

I bought the Honeywell Impact Sport set for myself and they do OK ===> https://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-Am ... or+hunting

the Peltor headset and gel rings were a gift ....3M Peltor Tactical 6-S Slim Line Electronic Headset ===> https://www.amazon.com/3M-Tactical-Elec ... ical+97044

with a set of 3M Peltor Camelback Gel Sealing Rings ===> https://www.amazon.com/3M-Peltor-Camelb ... KMDRWWHE7H

the Peltor set is much more expensive .... their biggest advantage set is they are very comfortable .... I can and have often worn them for hours at a time .... they also adjust for each ear .... we also have several sets of nonelectronic headphones .... they also work but I really like being able to clearly hear what is going on around me so I use the electronic

I have a pair of Walker Game Ear electronic. Don't know how the technology works but I would think there would be ( even if only a millisecond ) enough of the blast before protection kicks in. Maybe not enough to harm anything ? I dunno.......

Thanks for taking the time to post the links Jim!

I've lost 30% of my hearing in my left ear from shooting revolvers when I was young. Back in the 60s and 70s, most shooters didn't bother with any hearing protection, crazy as that sounds (:)), these days. I now wear foam ear plugs AND hearing muffs over them, for all my shooting, even my rimfire. I think doubling up like that is the safest way to go. I'm taking no chances.

I have several types of muffs and plugs. The best I have was an accidental discovery. My muffs for my chain saws.
https://www.stihlusa.com/products/prote ... angenrr25/

Had not thought about doubling up. Thanks for the great suggestion. I only bought the electronic for shooting up at our cabin so I can here an approaching black bear which is very common. Might just have to rely more on my peripheral vision which is still very good. Just wish I had an eye on the back of my head.

Mags wrote:I have several types of muffs and plugs. The best I have was an accidental discovery. My muffs for my chain saws.
https://www.stihlusa.com/products/prote ... angenrr25/

Yes, from what I've seen so far, the non electronic seem to offer higher protection.

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Also, my observation. The better electronic one's seem to top out between 15 and 20 dBa. My Sthl are rated 25 dBa, which doesn't come across as much of a difference, except that the dBa scale is logarithmic. If I remember correctly every 5db is approximately double of linear.

markiver54 wrote:

Mags wrote:I have several types of muffs and plugs. The best I have was an accidental discovery. My muffs for my chain saws.
https://www.stihlusa.com/products/prote ... angenrr25/

Yes, from what I've seen so far, the non electronic seem to offer higher protection.

Interesting...thanks a bunch. Think I'll research this issue. Also; thanks again NCG for your great suggestion. Don't want to have to learn sign language yet.

as with some others, my hearing was permanently damaged back in the 60's through extensive shooting without wearing hearing protection .... the concern about potential damage during the fraction of a second it takes electronic headphones is understood but I've never found it to be an issue .... we fire some big boomers and can speak from personal experience that they work well .... the link below is to a site with extensive info



https://consumerfiles.com/best-electron ... rotection/

The local indoor range has a guy who comes and moulds them to youre ear. Ive never had it done but I do know that people who have done it say its a good way to go. I use some in the ear plugs that cut off alot of the sound. But my ears are already trashed from being around trucks for over 40 years.

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The non-product specific parts of the article do a real good job of explaining noise reduction.

JEBar wrote:as with some others, my hearing was permanently damaged back in the 60's through extensive shooting without wearing hearing protection .... the concern about potential damage during the fraction of a second it takes electronic headphones is understood but I've never found it to be an issue .... we fire some big boomers and can speak from personal experience that they work well .... the link below is to a site with extensive info



https://consumerfiles.com/best-electron ... rotection/

I’ve always used plugs, and custom fits for shooting. Even duck hunting I usually wear them. I work with machinery most days, so hearing protection is always on my list. Carbides spinning at 15,000 rpm and biting into metal or wood tends to be noisy! It seems after 16 years of marriage, my selective hearing has developed well!

All of my shooting is in open, wooded areas which helps to naturally soak up some of the report but I still use basic non-electronic muffs.
if I had to I could almost get by without anything - depending on what I am shooting - but still wear them. I have no hearing loss and don't want any! I managed to make it through my younger years shooting without ANYTHING and still OK in the hearing department.

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after 45 yrs of marriage, I've gone mostly def. or so I think I've been told. couldn't hear that part very well.

Redthies wrote:I’ve always used plugs, and custom fits for shooting. Even duck hunting I usually wear them. I work with machinery most days, so hearing protection is always on my list. Carbides spinning at 15,000 rpm and biting into metal or wood tends to be noisy! It seems after 16 years of marriage, my selective hearing has developed well!

Redthies wrote:It seems after 16 years of marriage, my selective hearing has developed well!

Wow! What a wealth of information Jim. Looked at some of it but will surely read it all. Thx!

Years in the military where things go bang; loud work environments; that ship sailed.

Thanks for your service Bugs! Hope you're still hearing ok!

I have had hearing loss for many years. Started shooting at a young age with no protection. I now wear plugs and non electronic muffs when shooting anything bigger than a .22. On days I am just plinking .22s I still wear foam plugs.