Ear/hearing protection

[Ira Whitten]

What does everyone use? I usually just use foam plugs or some pressure-gradient plugs when hunting. I use both plugs and ear muffs when shooting clays. Would love some recommendations.

[Bill Murphy]

I have used molded plugs for many years for shotgun shooting. I use the molded plugs and muffs for rifle and pistol. The molded plugs can be fitted at home from kits is that's what you want to do.

[Dean Romig]

When shooting clays I always use either molded plugs or some kind of baffle plugs.
I never use hearing protection when hunting as it covers the sound of game moving through the leaves/tall grass or forest floor litter. I need to hear those sounds.
Now that I am permanently dependent on hearing aids I rarely use plugs as my hearing aids are Bluetooth operated and I can set them to reduce loud noises.





.

[Stan Hillis]

Custom molded earplugs when shooting clays. Nothing when hunting, as Dean said.

[Bob Jurewicz]

I've used EAR Customized Hearing Protectors for more than 10-12 years. They enhance hearing under normal conditions and degrade loud noise like gunshots. I use these for hunting and target shooting. Can't say enough about my satisfaction. Only down side is the cost.
Bob Jurewicz

[John Davis]

99% of my shooting these days is on a trap field. I use foam ear plugs with the highest noise reduction rating. When used correctly, they are hard to beat and I buy them in bulk. Ear muffs get in the way. I tried the custom molded earplugs for years and they never seemed to work for me for long.

[John Dallas]

When I was in the Army 60 years ago, I stuffed used up cigarette filters in my ears. Today, my ears are one of the few body systems which still work well

[Buddy Marson]

I have used "Sound Gear" by Starky for over 10 years. I find these to be excellent for sporting clays and hunting. I also used ESP in the past and like the Sound Gear units a little better.

[Daryl Corona]

Like Bob, I use EAR electronic plugs and love them. I bought them when the Vintage Gun Cup was still in Sandanona, probably 20 years ago. I picked up a set of AXIL electronics last year to use as a backup and once you learn how to use them they are not as good as the EAR but then again didn't cost nearly as much. I wear mine target shooting and hunting.

[Stephen Hodges]

I have used ESP America hearing protection for the past 18 or so years. Not cheap, but durable, comfortable and outstanding customer service.

https://www.espamerica.com/collections/models

[Stan Hillis]

I've read that good foam ear plugs have the highest of all types in db reduction. I use them occasionally but have been using the custom molded, not the electronic ones, since 2008. I wore them on two trips to Cordoba where I shot upwards of 4000 rounds the first time, and 5250 the second trip, in four days.

Mine are so comfortable that I'd almost forget to take them out when we'd stop shooting and head back to the lodge for meals.

I can discern no hearing loss since I began using them in 2008. I can carry on conversations with my sporting squad members while wearing them.

My wife and I are 74 and my hearing is no worse than hers, AFAICT, and she has never been around loud noises. I truly believe most of my hearing loss occurred while in the Navy in a jet fighter attack squadron, where I would start the A-4s, on the ground, for the pilots, using a huffer, which is a little jet engine itself, contained in a trailer.

There was a range of frequency of sound that went totally silent for a brief moment as the pilot revved up the engine and I went under the plane to remove the probe and huffer air hose. I always wondered if that "silent" range wasn't doing great damage to my inner ears. But, it was probably the totality of it all that got 'em.

[Christopher Cefalu]

I have used EAR custom molded electronic hearing protection for well over 15 years for both clays and hunting. I highly recomend them, they aren't cheap but either are hearing aids.

[Phil Yearout]

I use an inexpensive pair of Walker Silencers at the range; they are rated about the same as the good foam plugs and are supposed to minimize loud sounds while letting conversation etc. through. They seem to work but I wish they were rechargeable; batteries are kind of a pain. I don’t wear anything while hunting.

[Randy G Roberts]

I use an inexpensive pair of Walker Silencers at the range; they are rated about the same as the good foam plugs and are supposed to minimize loud sounds while letting conversation etc. through. They seem to work but I wish they were rechargeable; batteries are kind of a pain. I don’t wear anything while hunting.

E.A.R. Customized Hearing
https://earinc.com/hunt-shoot/

I have used them for many years and have been satisfied. Several models to choose from at a variety of price points.

[Jerry Harlow]

I went to the local hearing aid place Beltone, had molds made of my ear canal, and attached the Walker Game Ear HD to them. In the woods it greatly amplifies animal movement noises, and when one shoots it shunts the noise. But almost deaf in the left ear from years of shooting, so these help greatly. Only problem on a 3 mph wind day one thinks it is a 20 mph wind. I have climbed down from the climbing stand thinking it was too windy, only to get down and realize there was little wind. But one can hear a turkey a long way off with these, or a deer sneaking, but squirrels will drive you crazy.

[Tracy Pellett]

I use TETRA , made in Tennessee , you will need to get a local ear doctor to make molds of your ears and send them to TETRA . I can have conversations on the sporting clay course and hear pheasants , huns and sharptail flush in the fields . Not cheap but very satisfied with how they work .