Anyone use hearing aids/protection...like SportEar??

[Hornseeker]

I am 43 and abused my ears pretty bad as a kid through my 20s... then haven't been "diligent" about hearing protection for another decade... really only the last 5 years or so I've been fairly diligent... EXCEPT that... I dont wear hearing protection while duck/upland hunting... nor big game.

Anyhow, much shooting and construction and motorcycle riding from 5-30 yrs old... has given me definite hearing loss and tinnitus... (ringing)... I HATE to shoot even that one shot now at a game animal, because it makes my ears ring louder than normal for a solid couple days... plus I know the damage its doing... and normal conversation is getting tougher and tougher every year...

So... anyone using a combo aid/protector? This Sportear seems like a good product. Not cheap. But good and maybe worth it. Just looking for some feedback/opinions.

Thanks

[BULLBLASTER]

I have some cheap battery powered ear muffs from cabelas. Dont remember brand... but they seem to work well. I use them rifle hunting with my braked rifle or in my blind. I have heard animlas go down that other people (plugging their ears) at the shot them opening didnt hear. Theh were like $59 and worth every penny i think.

[quadrafire]

Huh? Can't hear you.......
You have described me exactly. Constant ringing. Left ear is worse than the right. Wifey is none too happy that she has to repeat things so much, and the kids think i'm stupid for saying Huh.... almost every time (some of it may be habit)
I was thinking about this exact topic last night while watching a commercial on one of the outdoor channels. Can't remember the brand, but Shockey was one promoting it.
Haven't looked into it.
I have been diligent the last 5-10 yrs while shooting or running a chainsaw, but not while hunting. Seems like it would be awkward.
I'll tag along here

[NRA4LIFE]

I'm in the same situation.  Poor hearing, extreme ringing, etc.  I used the Walker Game ears for 3 or 4 years and really loved them.  They worked very well.  The problem was keeping them working.  I had to send them back twice, once under warranty and once not.  After they crapped out the third time I abandoned them completely.  I now carry some muffs with me and try to put them on before the shot.  Sometimes I do, sometimes not.  I am also looking at the SportEar, looks promising.

[Old Man Yager]

Same deal here, wife thought I just didn't listen to her, until I got tested and we found out I do have hearing loss. Should have covered them up when I was younger! I've got Tinitus too. No fun hearing that damn ringing all the time. She works for an ENT, so I got some used hearing aids, and those help lessen the ringing, and it's nice to not get bitched at as much for not listening to her!

[MP123]

I tried the Sportear and it does work pretty well for some things.  I HATED it for hunting though.  It picked up and amplified every rustle, footstep, wind blowing, leaves, and so on, very very distracting.  I mostly hunt Upland and spot/stalk big game, if you usually hunt out of a blind or tree stand or something where you're sitting still they might be fine but all the amplified background noise drove me nuts.

They do work though, when you fire they block the noise.  Of course so does a $12 pair of ear muffs.  I always wear ear protection at the range and never hunting but I probably should...

[KFhunter]

I use walkers game ears quad muffs

It makes a squirrel sound like a stampede of wildebeests coming to get you,  takes some getting used too.  I wear them and curse myself how loud I am walking down a game trail  crunch crunch brush snap crunch.

Also make sure you turn off the cell phone   buzzzzz buzzzzzzz  GAH WTF! buzzzzzzz 


Problem is I can't draw the bow back with them on, but shooting they're the cats meow.

[Hornseeker]

I am going to keep researching and listening (hehe) to peoples opinions...