Ear plugs

[Billy74]

Not sure if this gets covered a lot but as a new hunter I'm not sure of ear protocol.  I do intend to use protection but wasn't sure when most guys put them in.  I like being able to hear (don't have fancy electric ones) what's around me in the woods but don't want to get caught off guard and need to shoot quick.  I do have the "headphone" style I can keep on without putting in my ear that might be quicker that grabbing them from a pocket.  Those are a tad uncomfortable though.  What do you guys do?


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[JakeLand]

For hunting I don't use them ! Why would you? At the range yes

[JWEBB]

I still don't use earplugs but I should. I lost a good portion of my hearing in my left ear two seasons ago shooting with my 300. There was a large rock bluff to the left of where I was shooting and it enhanced the sound as I shot. My ears always ring after I shoot but I knew it was different this time because it was also painful. I couldn't hear for a week out of that ear. Now two years later my hearing has improved some but I have constant tinnitus in my left ear. It really bugs me sometimes. For ear protection advice I would grab a pair of walkers game ears. They enhance normal sounds but muffle shots

[fish vacuum]

Use hearing protection at the range. Then you don't have to fire so many shots in the field that you damage your ears.

[Forks]

 SoundGear "in the ear" model works well for me. They enhance hearing and are the smallest on the market.

[Stizz]

Ear plug band all the way. The shooting will eventually catch up to all of us-especially if you shoot a muzzle brake...so i wear one of these around my neck hunting. Hardly notice it, and while i don't mess with it for quick shots, most of the time i have time to get set up and put them in.


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[jamesfromseattle]

Ear plug band all the way. The shooting will eventually catch up to all of us-especially if you shoot a muzzle brake...so i wear one of these around my neck hunting. Hardly notice it, and while i don't mess with it for quick shots, most of the time i have time to get set up and put them in.


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These are great. I stick them on my hat or hang them on the belt of my pack. I flinch without ear protection, so if I’m taking a long shot it’s always worth it to me to put them in.

[CP]

For deer hunting I can’t see that ear plugs are needed.  I wish that I had worn them over the years for waterfowl hunting though.  It’s not your shot that is going to damage your ears, it’s your hunting partner’s that you have to worry about.

But from now on I’m using this:

[h20hunter]

I now carry muffs snd keep them ready.  Can't get your hearing back so taking a few seconds to protect my ears is more important than any critter.

[Rainier10]

46 years old and wearing hearing aids. Wish I would have taken better care of my ears.

[Shrimper]

I wear ear muffs for more than just shooting, mowing the lawn, running the chainsaw, etc....  I had a generator once that would rattle the earth, amazing a 10hp motor could make that much noise.

My kids have been wearing muffs since an early age and now they wont work on anything loud without them.

When ear muffs are not an option I just use foam plugs.

[Evil_EdwardO]

I just bought the EP3's at Walmart for $13 and they work well. You can still hear. I play guitar and used them at band practice last night. I could still hear pretty clearly without taking them out and my ears were not ringing when I did. I'll be wearing them this weekend hunting.

http://www.surefire.com/tactical-equipment/earpro-products.html

[Bob33]

I (prefer to) never shoot without hearing protection, even when hunting.  If I'm mobile I usually use something like these around my neck. I insert them when getting ready to shoot.

https://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-Honeywell-Reusable-R-01521/dp/B001DZROH8/ref=sr_1_35?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1509550349&sr=1-35&keywords=Ear+plugs

[BigGoonTuna]

I just bought the EP3's at Walmart for $13 and they work well. You can still hear. I play guitar and used them at band practice last night. I could still hear pretty clearly without taking them out and my ears were not ringing when I did. I'll be wearing them this weekend hunting.

http://www.surefire.com/tactical-equipment/earpro-products.html

thanks, i'll have to go grab a couple pairs of those.  i end up with a headache from the noise when duck hunting some days, can't be good for me.

i was surprised when i took a(bad) shot at a deer last week with my .250 savage 99.  i'd never fired it without earmuffs on before, the sound was more like a loud .22 mag than a typical deafening centerfire blast.

[724wd]

I (prefer to) never shoot without hearing protection, even when hunting.  If I'm mobile I usually use something like these around my neck. I insert them when getting ready to shoot.

https://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-Honeywell-Reusable-R-01521/dp/B001DZROH8/ref=sr_1_35?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1509550349&sr=1-35&keywords=Ear+plugs

  always a set around my neck hunting

[JohnVH]

I have tinnitus pretty bad in one ear from a hunting trip 10 years ago, sometimes I wear the inexpensive digital howard leight ear muffs, and I have a set of soundgear electronic ear plugs.   Wear something!

[Stein]

I have a pair of electronic muffs that work great, but my kids often get them as they can hear directions while still being protected.  I have some push in plugs I use often for ducks and a pair of foam plugs on a string around my next I use for big game.

If I'm in a hurry during big game, they often don't get used.  If the shot is in an open area without a bunch of rocks (canyons, etc), the sound is surprisingly quiet.

I plan on picking up more electronic muffs when I can get them on sale.  I would love the pricey in ear electronics, but they are definitely not in the budget.

[JohnVH]

they werent in my budget either, but now that my ears ring 24/7 it became a priority, wish I did that before it was too late.

[Russ McDonald]

I am now using Walker Game Ears Silencers https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1018342050/walkers-silencer-electronic-ear-plugs-nrr-25db-pair.  Pretty good so far.   Haven't shout with them.   I also have Walker Game Ears Razor.  They work good but have some white noise.  They are the wives now.

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[bobcat]

I've never worn any ear protection while hunting, but I may consider it if I ever go waterfowl hunting again. Don't think I'll worry about it for big game hunting.

[andr3wxmma]

I wish i still had the military TCAPS i had in Hawaii for hunting, it was like having super hearing. I'm already getting bad hearing in my left ear but the hearing doctor said its more likely due to me always driving around with my window down, but i should wear ear protection when hunting too 

[h2ofowlr]

I now wear hearing protection every time I shoot.  I have ringing in both ears and my hearing has really gone down hill.  Duck hunting has been the killer on my ears.  Didn't start using hearing protection until about 2009.

[Bob33]

Firearms can generate noise levels of 150 decibels or more.

https://www.asha.org/public/hearing/Recreational-Firearm-Noise-Exposure/

Exposure to noise greater than 140 dB can permanently damage hearing. Almost all firearms create noise that is over the 140-dB level. A small .22-caliber rifle can produce noise around 140 dB, while big-bore rifles and pistols can produce sound over 175 dB. Firing guns in a place where sounds can reverberate, or bounce off walls and other structures, can make noises louder and increase the risk of hearing loss. Also, adding muzzle brakes or other modifications can make the firearm louder. People who do not wear hearing protection while shooting can suffer a severe hearing loss with as little as one shot, if the conditions are right.

[meatwhack]

For myself always at the range no matter the caliber. For hunting it all depends on the scenario. If there’s enough time I’ll put plugs if not I’ll shoot without plugs unless I’m shooting a gun with a muzzle break then I’ll put plugs in or not take the shot.

[pd]

My bow really isn't that loud to require ear plugs.








 



I never shoot a firearm, even a .22LR, without ear plugs.  At the range I double up (foam plugs and ear muffs).  I have very good hearing, and intend to keep it that way.  I recently carted a rifle around for the first time in a few years, and foam plugs were with me the entire time.

[jagermiester]

When shooting at big game animal I don't even hear it. I don't feel the recoil nothing. I think your adrenaline is all the hearing protection you will need don't waist your time with earplugs you might miss out on an opportunity.

[Humptulips]

Christ, if you wear ear plugs all the time what are you going to use as an excuse when your wife starts telling you her honey do list?

[wadu1]

I use Howard Leight Impact Sport muffs, at the range and while hunting (duck and big game). I shot .22 for 3 years in school about a brick a week without ear protection. After a training accident while in the Army my hearing is shot and I now have hearing aids. The Howard Leight Impact Sport muffs allow me to hear while hunting and to hear others talking. Batteries (2 AAA) last most of the season. I also where Howard Leight muffs that can plug into my Ipod while mowing and other activities that cause a lot of noise.   

[Duckhunter14]

I'm looking into the Walker game ear buds. You can find them on sale for under $200 and they enhance your hearing while hunting, then muffle anything over 85dBa. Seems like a quality product. I've been meaning to buy some before every duck season and after getting my bell rung a few times in my boat already this year from my buddies I am going to purchase a set.

[scottcrb]

The only problem I have with the Walker game ear muffs is the amplify so much you get lots of white noise and makes it hard to hear there things plus I don't like constant noise in my ears. I do have tinitus as well but that can't be fixed .

[runamuk]

I am following this as my hearing is still very good and I cannot afford to compromise it. My son who is almost deaf used muffs for duck hunting which were great because he could also hear is hunting partners. He tried the ear buds but just like his hearing aides he constantly would lose them

I use earplugs always when shooting and have wanted something easier for hunting but usually have ear plugs on a string on my neck

[KopperBuck]

I've wanted to wear them in the blind, but I'm a sound guy - does calling initiate the cancellation?

[Molon5labe]

No better time than right now to purchase a suppressor for next season! Get the ATF wait started so you'll have it in time!

[runamuk]

I've wanted to wear them in the blind, but I'm a sound guy - does calling initiate the cancellation?

According to my son no calling did not cause them to muffle only shooting, or playing his drums.

[Bob33]

Most of the noise suppressing electronic ear muffs engage with noise levels of approximately 85 decibels.

[fremont]

I lost about 1/3 of the hearing in my left ear from a single shot that bagged a deer.  (7-08 with Varget.)  I'm right handed, and my right ear wasn't affected due to what the audiologist called the head shadow effect.  I had never thought of wearing ear protection before during hunting.  At the range, I always--and still do--double up with plugs and muffs.

People who say it can't happen with a single shot are wrong.  I'm proof.  In addition to profound hearing loss, I also have constant tinnitus in that ear and almost constant eustachian tube popping (like when you're trying to get water out of your ear after swimming).  Music will never sound the same again.  I struggle with conversations where there's background noise, like a restaurant.  I had to buy and wear a hearing aid due to my job.

I now carry serious custom made plugs, because I just can't take the chance of losing all hearing in that ear.  I have a friend who wears those plugs that are on the plastic band around his neck.  He can put them in each ear in about 3 sec.  Not as much protection as mine, but better than nothing.

If you still think you're bulletproof at least encourage juveniles to wear them.

[kball4]

I have a pair around my neck ever since I put a muzzle brake on my rifle.

[wadu1]

I've wanted to wear them in the blind, but I'm a sound guy - does calling initiate the cancellation?

According to my son no calling did not cause them to muffle only shooting, or playing his drums.

 
The only products I've had issues with were Walker game in the ear plugs is the amplify so much you get lots of white noise and crackling while calling. I have 3 or 4 different brands of muffs but for me it's the Howard Leight.  The Howard Leight Impact Sport muffs allow me to hear while hunting and to hear others talking.

[davk]

I dont like to when hunting, but have a few times.  I have pretty bad tinnitus from younger years target shooting without any protection, as well as hunting without protection, loud music, and a sim grenade going off by my head.  Im not that old and hearing in my right ear will basically completely cut out and have intense ringing for 10-15 seconds randomly.  I think my advice would be to carry plugs, and if you bump an animal and need to take a quick shot, do so.  If you are watching an animal for awhile and are setting up for a shot, throw them in.