Ear Protection

[Burk Cornelius]

What is the best ear protection available? I mean the highest NRR? I have used custom ear plugs but they are playing havoc with my ears. The doctor told me the best ear protection is the outside ear muffs.

I have some Howard Leight muffs (22 NRR) but shooting inside I don't feel like I am getting the protection I need. I just picked up a pair of Browning's that are rated at 31NRR, which it about the highest I could find anywhere.

What do you use and why? Do you know what the NRR rating of your ear protection is?

 

[drmitchgibson]

I use the same ones that our helicopter flight crews use, which are foam ear plugs. They are 3M brand, model 1110, NRR 29dB. I also have some others that are Howard Leight brand, model MAX, NRR 33dB. In general, I always wear inner and outer ear protection when I shoot indoors. It makes conversation tough, but I don't go shooting to socialize.

 

[Burk Cornelius]

33 is some good NRR. The highest Howard Leight I could find was the L3 and it was 30 NRR

PS: I think I am going to go back to using both

 

[jtischauser]

I double plug. Foamies inner with a set of peltor tactical sport electronic muffs on the outside. The amplification of the muffs kinda helps me hear people talk with my Foamies in.

http://www.peltor.com/peltor.com/comm_detail.cfm?prod_family=Sporttac&ind_prod_num=MT16H210F-479-SV001

 

[Ben-Sons]

I double plug. Foamies inner with a set of peltor tactical sport electronic muffs on the outside. The amplification of the muffs kinda helps me hear people talk with my Foamies in.

http://www.peltor.com/peltor.com/comm_detail.cfm?prod_family=Sporttac&ind_prod_num=MT16H210F-479-SV001

+1

 

[Burk Cornelius]

I always wear inner and outer ear protection when I shoot indoors. It makes conversation tough

It also makes you talk REALLY REALLY loud

 

[Jefpainthorse]

33 in a muff is exceptional NRR
The cheap ones are in the 20's

Doubling foamies with muffs will give you a large percentage of both products NRR .... There is some calculation for that.... It's not simply additive. The muffs keep some of the sound off the skull and mandible bones... That's a added bonus as sound carries into the ear through the bone.
David Clark markets some very good ear muffs... But you pay through the nose for them

 

[Troy]

I double plug. Foamies inner with a set of peltor tactical sport electronic muffs on the outside. The amplification of the muffs kinda helps me hear people talk with my Foamies in.

http://www.peltor.co...H210F-479-SV001

This worked out well for me when I borrowed my brothers electronic muffs, then I bought my own which didn't work so well. I guess I need to look at the peltors, I just use ear plugs right now, unless it's cold outside.

 

[Burk Cornelius]

For non-electronic passive hearing protection, here is what I found to be most readily available (Top 3 NRR). I looked at some of the electronic and also some of the more expensive non-electronic muffs and non of them had over a 20-25 NRR.

1. Pro Ears Ultra 33 Passive Earmuffs 33 NRR - $38
2. Browning Ear Protection 31 NRR - $20
3. Howard Leight Leightening L3 30 NRR - $25

The Browning and Howard Leight are both available at Academy Sports. The Pro Ears are available from Brownells (remember to click the link on our home page before you order). I bought the Browning because they were the thinnest profile and they fit tighter (better ear seal). I will try them out and report back after a couple of matches.

I have linked to each product so you can see what they look like.

 

[Wall]

For non-electronic passive hearing protection, here is what I found to be most readily available (Top 3 NRR). I looked at some of the electronic and also some of the more expensive non-electronic muffs and non of them had over a 20-25 NRR.

1. Pro Ears Ultra 33 Passive Earmuffs 33 NRR - $38
2. Browning Ear Protection 31 NRR - $20
3. Howard Leight Leightening L3 30 NRR - $25

The Browning and Howard Leight are both available at Academy Sports. The Pro Ears are available from Brownells (remember to click the link on our home page before you order). I bought the Browning because they were the thinnest profile and they fit tighter (better ear seal). I will try them out and report back after a couple of matches.

I have linked to each product so you can see what they look like.

BC,
this sounds like a good subject for a blog review

 

[Burk Cornelius]

I probably will review the Brownings. I'd like to have some of the others to compare them to but, hey, you use what 'cha got!

 

[Burk Cornelius]

David Clark markets some very good ear muffs... But you pay through the nose for them

I did look at the David Clarks and they were only $35 for their Model 27 but it was only 27 NRR. Granted, they probably will outlast by $20 Brownings (by many years)