Hearing Protection

[Phishead]

Curious if anyone has a recommendation on hearing protection for the field. I’ve been looking at the Walker earbuds but the reviews are very inconsistent. Ears are starting to ring after a day of waterfowl hunting. Not a fan of the foam plugs given they reduce noise across the board. I normally wear muffs at the range but they’re not ideal for the field. I need something to reduce blast while amplifying ambient noise like geese in the distance. Any products y’all like?

[Russ McDonald]

I have the Walker Silencers which are the ear bud ones.  Love them.  I would imagine they would be awesome waterfowl.  I use them on the range.  Turkey hunting is hard because it muffles my calling so I don't know how loud I am calling.  I see that the have an over the ear bone style out.  https://www.walkersgameear.com/raptor-headset/.

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[Stein]

I use over the ear muffs, several different electronic ones on the market in the $50-75 range and they work great for hunting.  I have a Peltor set that need replacing after about 10 years of use.

[Russ McDonald]

I have the Walker Silencers which are the ear bud ones.  Love them.  I would imagine they would be awesome waterfowl.  I use them on the range.  Turkey hunting is hard because it muffles my calling so I don't know how loud I am calling.  I see that the have an over the ear bone style out.  https://www.walkersgameear.com/raptor-headset/.

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Looking at those Raptors there are for enhancement.  You would have to use foam plugs in yiur earsbfor protection but you will still be able to hear with the bone induction.

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[Emptyhanded]

I have a set of the walkers ear buds also, but both of them died with in a year of purchase. I used them for upland hunting and moving through cover with the dogs, the wind and brush noise was pretty bad with them in unless I turned my head a certain direction. I personally would not buy them again.

I have been looking at alternative options also and came across these companies.

https://www.decibullz.com/custom-molded-percussive-shooting-filters/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMInanl-tfD7QIVFR-tBh15MgTbEAQYASABEgIRU_D_BwE

I am interested in these but am conserved with how well I’ll be able to hear with the “percussive filter”.

Here are two other electronic options I e been looking at. I’m hoping someone has some feed back.

https://www.goaxil.com/product-category/all-in-one-ear-buds/

https://www.soundgearhearing.com/collections/instant-fit/products/hearing-protection-for-hunters-shooters


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[Magnum_Willys]

Walker slim electronic muffs at $40 are only rated 23db but work fine for hunting for me with a braked Lapua.  Not sure about waterfowl but would think fine.

[northwesthunter84]

I switched to the Axil Ghost Strike Extremes this year.  Very happy with noise reduction and with battery life.  I used them duck hunting and deer hunting.  I love being able to talk in the blind without having to scream.  That said the over the ears Walkers did better with wind outside the blind.  If I knew my dad would not loose them (common theme), I would buy him a set.  Still trying to convince the misses to use some because she runs a lathe at work all the time.

[Russ McDonald]

I have a set of the walkers ear buds also, but both of them died with in a year of purchase. I used them for upland hunting and moving through cover with the dogs, the wind and brush noise was pretty bad with them in unless I turned my head a certain direction. I personally would not buy them again.

I have been looking at alternative options also and came across these companies.

https://www.decibullz.com/custom-molded-percussive-shooting-filters/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMInanl-tfD7QIVFR-tBh15MgTbEAQYASABEgIRU_D_BwE

I am interested in these but am conserved with how well I’ll be able to hear with the “percussive filter”.

Here are two other electronic options I e been looking at. I’m hoping someone has some feed back.

https://www.goaxil.com/product-category/all-in-one-ear-buds/

https://www.soundgearhearing.com/collections/instant-fit/products/hearing-protection-for-hunters-shooters


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Were those the rechargeable ones?  I have had mine for a couple years now. 

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[Emptyhanded]

I have a set of the walkers ear buds also, but both of them died with in a year of purchase. I used them for upland hunting and moving through cover with the dogs, the wind and brush noise was pretty bad with them in unless I turned my head a certain direction. I personally would not buy them again.

I have been looking at alternative options also and came across these companies.

https://www.decibullz.com/custom-molded-percussive-shooting-filters/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMInanl-tfD7QIVFR-tBh15MgTbEAQYASABEgIRU_D_BwE

I am interested in these but am conserved with how well I’ll be able to hear with the “percussive filter”.

Here are two other electronic options I e been looking at. I’m hoping someone has some feed back.

https://www.goaxil.com/product-category/all-in-one-ear-buds/

https://www.soundgearhearing.com/collections/instant-fit/products/hearing-protection-for-hunters-shooters


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Were those the rechargeable ones?  I have had mine for a couple years now. 

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Mine took the hearing aid batteries.


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[The Big Game Hunter]

I use Howard Leight Impact Sport over the ear muffs. They provide really good hearing enhancement (and protection) and they don't get in the way when I shoot shotguns or rifles. I've done quite a bit of waterfowl and big game hunting with those ear muffs with good results.
They cost around $50, so they're pretty reasonably priced. I bought my first pair almost 10 years ago and they're still working fine. As an added bonus, they use regular AAA batteries.
https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/best-hunting-ear-protection/

[Stein]

I just ordered these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N39QLRQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[TheStovePipeKid]

I have a set of the original style Axil Ghost Stryke ear buds. They've lasted for several years of hunting and work well. They are the entry level model for the Axil brand if I'm not mistaken. If you plan on using the hearing protection several times a year for many years I would recommend saving up and getting a quality pair. Seems like most of the sub $100 pairs are hit or miss.

[Russ McDonald]

I have a set of the walkers ear buds also, but both of them died with in a year of purchase. I used them for upland hunting and moving through cover with the dogs, the wind and brush noise was pretty bad with them in unless I turned my head a certain direction. I personally would not buy them again.

I have been looking at alternative options also and came across these companies.

https://www.decibullz.com/custom-molded-percussive-shooting-filters/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMInanl-tfD7QIVFR-tBh15MgTbEAQYASABEgIRU_D_BwE

I am interested in these but am conserved with how well I’ll be able to hear with the “percussive filter”.

Here are two other electronic options I e been looking at. I’m hoping someone has some feed back.

https://www.goaxil.com/product-category/all-in-one-ear-buds/

https://www.soundgearhearing.com/collections/instant-fit/products/hearing-protection-for-hunters-shooters


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Were those the rechargeable ones?  I have had mine for a couple years now. 

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Mine took the hearing aid batteries.


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Yeah I had those and hated them.  New gen us awesome.

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[wadu1]

I've been using Howard Leight - Impact Sport muffs for years. Thin and use a common AAA battery, use them on the range, duck blind and on walkabout big game hunting. I've used Walkers and Peltors and the Howard Leight just out perform and the other two. During duck season when I had a lease I used them every weekend for the entire season with only one battery change.   

[BeWitty]

Has anyone used the higher end options? Sound gear or Tetra?

Wondering if anyone has tried going through insurance or an HSA?

[hunterednate]

I'm on my second season using Tetra, and I'm happy with them. Pricy, but comfortable. Time will tell how durable they are. Sound quality is better than anything else I've tried.

[BeWitty]

How’s the sound while calling? Can you hear yourself?

[hunterednate]

Definitely. You can hear yourself calling crystal clear.

[vandeman17]

I really should start wearing hearing protection while duck hunting but I can't decide which route to go. Muffs are nice because I don't have to worry as much as losing them like I would with an earbud falling out of my ear. The thing I don't like about muffs is that after wearing for a little while, I tend to get a pressure headache. The other issue I have with either style is how loud they can get in the wind, especially if you are in the reeds.

[Brushcrawler]

I’ve been wearing the same pair of SoundGear for four years. Put them in when I leave the truck, take them out at the end of the day. Still comfortable 12 hours later and have never fallen out or had any problem in the rain.

[BeWitty]

I’ve been wearing the same pair of SoundGear for four years. Put them in when I leave the truck, take them out at the end of the day. Still comfortable 12 hours later and have never fallen out or had any problem in the rain.

Which Soundgears do you have? The custom fit Silvers or Platinum or the orange instant fit ones? Did you pay out of pocket or successfully get insurance or and HSA to pay?

[Brushcrawler]

Just the instant fit, although I might upgrade if I ever have to replace them. It never occurred to me to try to get reimbursed for them. That’s a great idea and worth a try!

[BeWitty]

I got a Letter of Medical Necessity from my Dr and now my HSA will pay for the electronic Hearing Protection. I have it narrowed down to Tetra Alpha Shield or Soundgear Platinum. I’m leaning towards the Soundgear.

Any additional info? I’m all ears.

[BeWitty]

Hearing Clinic near me is a distributor for SoundGear so I decided to go with those. I went with the Phantoms since they are rechargeable and Bluetooth capable. Should get them in a couple weeks.

[BeWitty]

I got my SoundGear Phantoms today. I will use them for a hunt on Saturday and report back how they are.

[longrange7mm]

Id highly recommend the Otto NoizeBarrier's I just finished a review on them you should check out.

https://www.rokslide.com/otto-noizebarrier-micro-ear-protection-review/

[spoonman]

I have the walker ear buds and like them. If it’s windy they are annoying.

[kselkhunter]

I can vouch for 3M brand Peltor.  The TEP-200 is their top of the line tactical ear plugs.  Amazon had a "prime" sale on the industrial version of that, the EEP-100 model, two summers ago at 50% off so I bought one of those instead....same darn thing they're just far less expensive than the "tactical" model and neon green color instead of black.  Get the "skull screw" ear inserts as they just screw into your ear and stay put....no worries about coming out.   My only complaint is they pick up noise too well, so if I wear them while stalking I hear my clothes rustling...mostly just an annoyance....but nice when sitting to pick up animal footsteps or a distant bull bugle.  But they shut off pretty well in high wind which is nice.  I use them for everything: duck blind so I can hear my buddies talking until the shot goes off, big game hunting, upland hunting (again putting up with my clothing noise), chainsawing/splitting firewood, and working in the shop with wood/metal cutting tools, etc.  They get used alot and I love them.  Still going strong with no issues after two years of heavy use.

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/3M-PELTOR-Tactical-Earplug-TEP-100-1-Kit-EA-Case/?N=5002385+3292682142&rt=rud

[High Climber]

Id highly recommend the Otto NoizeBarrier's I just finished a review on them you should check out.

https://www.rokslide.com/otto-noizebarrier-micro-ear-protection-review/

Thanks for that review, looks like a good option

[longrange7mm]

Id highly recommend the Otto NoizeBarrier's I just finished a review on them you should check out.

https://www.rokslide.com/otto-noizebarrier-micro-ear-protection-review/

Thanks for that review, looks like a good option

  you bet

[KFhunter]

I have the walkers razer bone conducting headphones since I have severe to profound conductive hearing loss. The little hammer and anvil bones don't move, and my eardrum doesn't vibrate, but my nerves are fine. 

Walkets Bone conduction bypasses the bad parts of my ears, but I wouldn't reccomend them unless you have conductive hearing loss. I woyld opt for high end in ear products that aren't Walkers.

The Walkers razors work ok, but as with all Walkers products (after they outsourced to China) you pay heafty premium prices for junk.


I have ear surgery coming in a month or two see if they can free up those tiny bones and get them moving. It affects my hunting a great deal, as I can't hear a cow elk and have to be on top of a bull to hear a bugle.

If that doesn't work then its perminant conductive hearing aids for me.