Hearing Protection/Amplification

[KP-Skagit]

Starting to face the facts that several hundred shotgun shells a year is going to leave me deaf the same way my old man is these days.

I hunt a combination of waterfowl and upland birds. Being able to hear ambient noise is really important for me, I cannot stand hunting with standard ear plugs in. That and if I am hunting with a partner, communication is important and yelling when birds are coming in isn't an option.

Curious what products folks have had luck with. I would prefer an earbud style, preferably with a lanyard to help keep track of them.

[storyteller]

Probably not what you had in mind, but I am a right handed shooter, I stuff a foam earplug in the left ear, when I shoot my right ear is somewhat shielded, left ear is not ringing at end of the day.

[vandeman17]

I bought a pair of connected ear buds to use this season to replace my muffs. I couldn’t wear the muffs for an entire hunt without getting a nasty headache. The buds I got I liked just fine but I proceeded to drop them somewhere when I was out trying to track down a cripple in the reeds. Nothing like $175 lost in the mud.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0DXQJ6JR7?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

[HntnFsh]

Probably not what you had in mind, but I am a right handed shooter, I stuff a foam earplug in the left ear, when I shoot my right ear is somewhat shielded, left ear is not ringing at end of the day.

The ENT doc I go to says hearing damage from shooting is usually worse on the off side!

[ghosthunter]

Yeah in same boat. 60 years of shooting left handed. Can’t hear a turkey gobble or elk bugle from any distance. Heck can’t hear the wife from the kitchen.

Bought some of those popular enhancers / protectors and they helped in the house, but in the wind they were too noisy, then they would start acting up.

My wife is threatening hearing aids, not sure I want to hear clearer, there’s some piece in silence.   

[Bushcraft]

I use Trophy Ear Flexx Pros for all my competitive shooting and hunting.

Best db reduction in the industry and flexible enough custom inserts for all day comfort.

Gonna cost you about $1500, but how much is your hearing worth to you?

[Kingofthemountain83]

My dad started using Walkers muffs last year... I tried them out while deer hunting... They enhance certain things great but being able to tell direction was impossible in my mind... You hear the same exact thing in both ears non directional... Hard for me to distinguish sounds when pouring rain... For duck hunting I think they would work great...   They have ear bud style options... We haven't shot with them yet to see how well they work at cancelling sound...

[Wetwoodshunter]

We get these molded earplugs at work with a different insert. You mold them yourself by putting them in hot water and fitting it to your ear. Once molded they stay that way unless you put them in hot water again. The inserts can be switched out depending if you want percussion flaps, max DB reduction etc.  These are not electronic at all and have no battery so there is no amplification and you hear almost as good as without earplugs. When you shoot a flap closes and it gives you about a 20 db sound reduction. I think these are going to be what you want if you want in ear. Try some out, if you don’t like them you are out about $60.

For duck hunting I have been using the walker earmuff because I am sitting in one spot.

[Stein]

I use some of the Walkers amplified with bluetooth for waterfowl, nice to be able to hear them plus you can listen to the radio when it's super slow.  I wish I wore something when I was younger.

[fowl smacker]

Both me and a buddy got the Westone digital x5.  The local hearing aid place is who I went through, they did my ear mold right there.  A bonus for me is that they were VEBA approved so I got to pay for them with that.  There's been a little bit of a learning curve with what settings work best for different scenarios.  They really excellent still hunting or just on the range.  I was hoping to wear them big game hunting with them turned on but the amplified sound of me walking drives me crazy.  If you're insurance or HRA/VEBA doesn't cover them they're expensive, like $1,400 but worth it in my opinion. https://westone.com/defendear-digitalx-5

[Threewolves]

Probably not what you had in mind, but I am a right handed shooter, I stuff a foam earplug in the left ear, when I shoot my right ear is somewhat shielded, left ear is not ringing at end of the day.

The ENT doc I go to says hearing damage from shooting is usually worse on the off side!

Interesting and strange about the off side.

I also shoot right-handed and have hearing loss in the "left, on side" ear. I now have to use a hearing aid on the left side only. I also use the foam plug in the left hear while bird hunting, and that works great.

One of the things I can't hear is crickets on the left side.

Colon Noir youtube hand some hearing device I think it was 200.00. Seems like it was on a show 6 months ago.

Sent from my SM-A426U using Tapatalk

[hughjorgan]

Haven’t tried these but they get good reviews.

https://tetrahearing.com/

[GWP]

When I played music in the 80's and 90's I realized quickly I needed some kind of hearing protection. I was also working in big aviation at the time and used plugs there. For music I paid for molded plugs that were made for musicians that let you hear everything accurately, just quieter.
I acquired two sets One full sized, one smaller) of Peltor muffs with stereo hearing that worked well, but are bulky for out in the wild.
I have hearing aids now (Costco) that help with normal hearing but do not have the sound deadening feature. They are also seseptable to wind noise.
If I have the windows down or if there is just generally too much or unwanted noise I just shut them off or turn them down. Turning them down does not make the wind noise any better, just to mention it.
At the range I wear muffs because that is what I have. Ear buds that would deaden noise would be great.

[HntnFsh]

The other thing I was told, is that plugs help but aren't great at hearing protection. Muffs are better because they help with the hearing loss caused by the noise conduction of the bones right behind the ear. I think I got that right?

[bearhunter99]

I have the Walkers Bluetooth muffs for shooting at the range.  I love them. you can turn up the volume and easily hear the guys you are with but they shut down at the blast plus you can listen to music while you are sighting in. 

I bought the Walkers ear buds and have not used them as much as I should but they seem to work great in the field.  You can adjust the volume so you can hear without the sound of your own walking and breathing driving you nuts.  I just always forget to grab them or I grab them and forget to charge them....  If you are still hunting or sitting they are great because you can turn the volume up and hear everything better than you would with just your ears - especially with the constant ringing in my left ear....

[Buckjunkie]

Lots of shooting without protection when I was young, marine corps aviation and Boeing manufacturing on the 737 line with ear muffs or plugs. I was hit in the nose with a golf club when I was 5. I’ll be 60 next April and I got hearing aids 6 years ago. The audiologist asked if I used a lot of antibiotics. Well, with a sinus injury sinus infections were frequent. Every doc throws antibiotics at you.

The audiologist said there is a high degree of correlation between antibiotics and hearing loss.

I just bought my second set of hearing aids from Costco. They aren’t perfect, but they help a lot. Wind sucks with hearing aids.

Put suppressors on any weapons you have to shoot quickly. Otherwise use hearing protection to save what you have.

[gallion_t]

I used these for about 3 years waterfowl hunting. They finally crapped out on me this season and stopped holding a charge. They worked fairly well and at $60 it's not terrible to replace ever few years. I'm trying muff style this go around though.

https://www.amazon.com/Walkers-Flexible-Neck-Electronic-Headset/dp/B07D5TTPW8/ref=mp_s_a_1_7_maf_1?crid=18GP17JXA75H7&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.FwiHM8lxB5KWNd_5UPbSul69WwVCZw-wSD0lPL4nbydjzxvonu-AVI0CrlnNsLOtF08xOy7Pgi0NCtHvq0AQiJ-tSUmdmDcElBapbM0xtjIRGszWNKdsLxpEg2hFyeBZkjrF8JHjn3UFntaaM3eTtIzCc5K2_wDWoEJG-EchF5KsqiTHg5EXhCG4eX0s8kbYQZgYYh5s1eCVnkZ5FDzWzw.N3El73gFMxkYa71LDJwmdCaPJJ1qv9RdOpvNHs51nAM&dib_tag=se&keywords=walker+earbuds&qid=1768443200&sprefix=walker+ear%2Caps%2C265&sr=8-7

[bearhunter99]

I used these for about 3 years waterfowl hunting. They finally crapped out on me this season and stopped holding a charge. They worked fairly well and at $60 it's not terrible to replace ever few years. I'm trying muff style this go around though.

https://www.amazon.com/Walkers-Flexible-Neck-Electronic-Headset/dp/B07D5TTPW8/ref=mp_s_a_1_7_maf_1?crid=18GP17JXA75H7&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.FwiHM8lxB5KWNd_5UPbSul69WwVCZw-wSD0lPL4nbydjzxvonu-AVI0CrlnNsLOtF08xOy7Pgi0NCtHvq0AQiJ-tSUmdmDcElBapbM0xtjIRGszWNKdsLxpEg2hFyeBZkjrF8JHjn3UFntaaM3eTtIzCc5K2_wDWoEJG-EchF5KsqiTHg5EXhCG4eX0s8kbYQZgYYh5s1eCVnkZ5FDzWzw.N3El73gFMxkYa71LDJwmdCaPJJ1qv9RdOpvNHs51nAM&dib_tag=se&keywords=walker+earbuds&qid=1768443200&sprefix=walker+ear%2Caps%2C265&sr=8-7

Those are the ones I have!  So far they have been great

[Elk_Guapo]

Sordin Supreme Pro-X are great, too!


https://www.sordin.com/products/sordinsupreme-prox-neckbandgreen

[vandeman17]

I used these for about 3 years waterfowl hunting. They finally crapped out on me this season and stopped holding a charge. They worked fairly well and at $60 it's not terrible to replace ever few years. I'm trying muff style this go around though.

https://www.amazon.com/Walkers-Flexible-Neck-Electronic-Headset/dp/B07D5TTPW8/ref=mp_s_a_1_7_maf_1?crid=18GP17JXA75H7&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.FwiHM8lxB5KWNd_5UPbSul69WwVCZw-wSD0lPL4nbydjzxvonu-AVI0CrlnNsLOtF08xOy7Pgi0NCtHvq0AQiJ-tSUmdmDcElBapbM0xtjIRGszWNKdsLxpEg2hFyeBZkjrF8JHjn3UFntaaM3eTtIzCc5K2_wDWoEJG-EchF5KsqiTHg5EXhCG4eX0s8kbYQZgYYh5s1eCVnkZ5FDzWzw.N3El73gFMxkYa71LDJwmdCaPJJ1qv9RdOpvNHs51nAM&dib_tag=se&keywords=walker+earbuds&qid=1768443200&sprefix=walker+ear%2Caps%2C265&sr=8-7

Those are the ones I have!  So far they have been great

How do they do in the wind?

[brokentrail]

I was just looking at Walker's website, they currently have a BOGO and some other models on sale

https://www.walkersgameear.com/ultimate-alpha-muff/?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17128727262&gbraid=0AAAAAC01Fi5yIO0IZizygivbBX5_OGJF2&gclid=CjwKCAiAvaLLBhBFEiwAYCNTf7DM0fnde44Ec8NtlIwrID_vYgtYjTm3fsidikru2EM0X-CBcAPFdRoCjqEQAvD_BwE

[JDHasty]

I have used custom molded in the ear plugs that have double industrial filters in them.  Bought my first pair in 1990 or so while shooting trap.  We have four pair of Pro Ears Gold muffs.  They amplify, but cut off at a certain decible.  At the range I frequently turn them up and wear a pair over my plugs and that works out good if some jerk is next to me with a SBR with a muzzle brake on it.  I can very clearly hear conversation, but those muffles shooting noise almost to nothing. 

Varmint shooting I just use my in the ear plugs most of the time.  I have used the Pro Ears in tree stands while deer hunting.  Not much good if the wind and rain are like when hunting is good though. 

I'd be deaf as a post if Ron Tree, the Winchester Trap guy, hadn't given me a pair of muffs when I was a kid.  He chewed me out pretty good.  As it is, I have a $7K pair of hearing aids, but never use them.  They amplify women and kids voice.  There is good reason old men lose that range of hearing.  Women and kids get on a man's nerves.  Maybe I'll try them for big game hunting.  The plugs work fine for upland bird hunting. 

[Wetwoodshunter]

I have used custom molded in the ear plugs that have double industrial filters in them.  Bought my first pair in 1990 or so while shooting trap.  We have four pair of Pro Ears Gold muffs.  They amplify, but cut off at a certain delible.  At the range I frequently turn them up and wear a pair over my plugs and that works out good if some jerk is next to me with a SBR with a muzzle brake on it.  I can very clearly hear conversation, but those muffles shooting noise almost to nothing. 

Varmint shooting I just use my in the ear plugs most of the time.  I have used the Pro Ears in tree stands while deer hunting.  Not much good if the wind and rain are like when hunting is good though. 

I'd be deaf as a post if Ron Tree, the Winchester Trap guy, hadn't given me a pair of muffs when I was a kid.  He chewed me out pretty good.  As it is, I have a $7K pair of hearing aids, but never use them.  They amplify women and kids voice.  There is good reason old men lose that range of hearing.  Women and kids get on a man's nerves.  Maybe I'll try them for big game hunting.  The plugs work fine for upland bird hunting.

This made me laugh. I have to do annual hearing tests and track any decline for work. They tell me my hearing is great…. My wife think I’m deaf as a rock.

[HntnFsh]

I have used custom molded in the ear plugs that have double industrial filters in them.  Bought my first pair in 1990 or so while shooting trap.  We have four pair of Pro Ears Gold muffs.  They amplify, but cut off at a certain delible.  At the range I frequently turn them up and wear a pair over my plugs and that works out good if some jerk is next to me with a SBR with a muzzle brake on it.  I can very clearly hear conversation, but those muffles shooting noise almost to nothing. 

Varmint shooting I just use my in the ear plugs most of the time.  I have used the Pro Ears in tree stands while deer hunting.  Not much good if the wind and rain are like when hunting is good though. 

I'd be deaf as a post if Ron Tree, the Winchester Trap guy, hadn't given me a pair of muffs when I was a kid.  He chewed me out pretty good.  As it is, I have a $7K pair of hearing aids, but never use them.  They amplify women and kids voice.  There is good reason old men lose that range of hearing.  Women and kids get on a man's nerves.  Maybe I'll try them for big game hunting.  The plugs work fine for upland bird hunting.

This made me laugh. I have to do annual hearing tests and track any decline for work. They tell me my hearing is great…. My wife think I’m deaf as a rock.

Be very careful to not give her any reason to think otherwise!

[Fishmaker57]

That is called “SHS” -Selective Hearing Syndrome. Many married men suffer with this!