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Ear protection??? #5851802 07/28/15 03:58 PM
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Bigfoot Offline OP
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What is a good way to protect your ears while hunting in the field? Just a simple plug to stick in at the last minute before shooting? What about stalking your prey when you need your hearing to follow prey/pigs? I tried the game ears muffs but they are so loud with interference it isnt practical to hunt with.

Last year I took a shot without plugs and it sucked big time!

Trust me I want a suppressor but it isnt in the budget so that is out for now. I am going to get a mini monster surefire for my AR eventually but it will be a few more years

just curious as to what ya'alls system is for protection

thanks


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Re: Ear protection??? [Re: Bigfoot] #5851810 07/28/15 04:07 PM
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This why I hunt suppressed. I wear ears at the range but I want my senses intact when hunting.


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Re: Ear protection??? [Re: Bigfoot] #5851821 07/28/15 04:13 PM
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Howard Leight's. I bought a set for the whole family. Works great.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001T7QJ9O/?tag...sl_8u1fe46m7f_b


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Re: Ear protection??? [Re: kry226] #5851827 07/28/15 04:21 PM
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Originally Posted By: kry226
Howard Leight's. I bought a set for the whole family. Works great.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001T7QJ9O/?tag...sl_8u1fe46m7f_b


I have two pair of those-that's a pretty good price, you won't find them much cheaper. I like them but I've only hunted with them 2-3 times. Mainly mine have been used at the range. They should get more use this fall unless my suppressors finally get here.


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Re: Ear protection??? [Re: Bigfoot] #5851845 07/28/15 04:31 PM
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Howard Leight's

Re: Ear protection??? [Re: Bigfoot] #5852168 07/28/15 07:29 PM
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I just put a pair of ear muffs on my leg and then pop them on when it is time.

Re: Ear protection??? [Re: Bigfoot] #5852377 07/28/15 09:58 PM
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In the past, I've used lightweight plugs, preferably the "sonic" type and put them in as late as possible. That said, the current crop of low profile electronic muffs are pretty good. You complain about them being loud, but most of them now have volume control, so you shouldn't have that problem. I do agree that the muffs can struggle when it's windy, and I dial down the volume on those days. They may not be perfect, but they're pretty good.

Finally, not to sound like too much of a hypocrite, I've got a Griffin Sportsman suppressor on the way specifically to avoid these minor issues. I now have several suppressors, and find them to be like potato chips: you can't get just one.


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Re: Ear protection??? [Re: Bigfoot] #5852389 07/28/15 10:09 PM
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cheers good thread... Back whin first started chooten, huh, earplugs & hunten ? rofl was unheard of... Learning ta fast draw, .22 it took practice, draw&fire, draw&fire, draw&fire... Go threw a brick a day... Sighting in for hunting, close shots, 50yard target, unless gun has a curved barrel, rofl wish still had that mussy, for prank... Couple shots ta zero in, one shot kill... Don't do lot of target paractive with the 30-30,or other modern deer&hog rifles. am confident in my shooting, & know my limitations... Allthe years hunting never wore ear protection, never had ringing in ears, & am concentrating on other fundementals... Have done hearing tests & pased no problems... Theirs a difference between target practice & hunting... If doing alot of target shooting,or plinking in me old age, cheers ear plugs, out hunting no ear plugs, for 1shot, listening ta polatitions is harder on my ears, dan chooten... Good thread, watch bull ridering, more & more riders wearing helmets, tip my cowboyhat safety, get some of the orange ones ya roll-up & they expand... flag



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Re: Ear protection??? [Re: Bigfoot] #5856486 07/31/15 04:11 AM
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So I have tinnitus and hearing loss from shooting my grandpas .22 revolver, 20 yrs ago... I don't want it to get worse so I hunt with the Walkers power muffs with the mics and volume control. I can hear whispers in the field and they are rated around 24 NRR. I also tend to bowhunt more too. no loud bangs and limit the shooting too.

At the range I prefer to go when there are fewer people around, move away from the guy shooting w the muzzle brake, and wear the muffs with the 31 or 33 NRR.

I read it someplace that hearing damage is like that bottle you drop on concrete and all it does is rattle around but not break; it only takes one time for the bottle to break and then you're screwed. Even though you shoot "all the time" w/o protection, sometimes the bottle breaks.

Here are some links with some good info on shooting, noise levels, and hearing loss:
http://m14forum.com/hearing/78442-various-noise-levels-firearms.html
http://earplugstore.typepad.com/got_ears...ht-for-you.html

Last edited by foodieguy; 07/31/15 04:30 AM.

Adult late onset hunter. Why did I wait so long to get started?
Re: Ear protection??? [Re: Bigfoot] #5856512 07/31/15 06:45 AM
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I have access to many types of ear protection. I prefer the foam expanding type remaining in my left ear. I then wear the plastic band type around my neck. Prior to the shot it is simple to deploy. Or, I wear the lanyard type and simply push the right one in at show time. Only takes seconds.

Tried muffs that are too bulky, can't wear my hat, won't integrate with my stock, make my ear sweat, etc.

My opinion is, you never know when you may need to shoot. Ear protection is a minimal transition afield & you should never discount it as unimportant.


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Re: Ear protection??? [Re: Bigfoot] #5856540 07/31/15 09:54 AM
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If I had the money, I'd ditch the muffs and go with a hearing aid-type of electronic hearing protection. Problem solved.


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Re: Ear protection??? [Re: Bigfoot] #5858456 08/01/15 05:09 PM
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IDK but whatever you use beats the constant ringing I hear now.


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Re: Ear protection??? [Re: kry226] #5860902 08/03/15 03:23 PM
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Originally Posted By: kry226
Howard Leight's. I bought a set for the whole family. Works great.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001T7QJ9O/?tag...sl_8u1fe46m7f_b


That's what I use

Re: Ear protection??? [Re: HogBranch] #5860904 08/03/15 03:24 PM
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Originally Posted By: HogBranch
I just put a pair of ear muffs on my leg and then pop them on when it is time.


This is what I do when hunting from a blind

Re: Ear protection??? [Re: Bigfoot] #5860914 08/03/15 03:31 PM
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I sure wish I would have listened to my Father many years ago...the damage is already done for me in my left ear.
I have a automatic set I use now


Re: Ear protection??? [Re: Bigfoot] #5860927 08/03/15 03:38 PM
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This is how I protect my ears while hunting.



Originally Posted by unclebubba
Just to make sure that it is done thoroughly, I go both ways.

Re: Ear protection??? [Re: Bigfoot] #5860996 08/03/15 04:10 PM
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You moving that YHM titanium around? I do the same.


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Re: Ear protection??? [Re: Bigfoot] #5861003 08/03/15 04:12 PM
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Most suppressors aren't necessarily hearing safe though.


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Re: Ear protection??? [Re: Bigfoot] #5861126 08/03/15 05:17 PM
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I introduced Goldy to the Latest and Greatest Protection...

Toilet Paper in the Ears eeks333




Even made him a Custom Fitted Set rofl



Re: Ear protection??? [Re: SniperRAB] #5861356 08/03/15 07:37 PM
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cheers Been thar done that.. In my case twas ta keep the bs from oosing out, so the uddder person didn't know what i twas a thinken... rofl got that out of the way.. Been Blessed, first deer rifle was mussleloader, so not alot of repeated firing, same as shotgun, bird hunting, usualy one shot... Fastdrawing is were the most, consecative shooting... Hunted eather on ground in open or sitting in tree, till got first chain on stand... Military theyvissued ear plugs for whin out on range, & if forgot em, the were on dog tag chain, get cigerate butt... Shooting out of a box stand, ear plugs good thing.. Archery got a silencer noise damperer on bow... Gun silancers are good, if can aford it... i've been Blessed... Good Thread flag



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Re: Ear protection??? [Re: Bigfoot] #5871819 08/10/15 04:18 PM
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Suppressor, hands down.

Re: Ear protection??? [Re: foodieguy] #5871973 08/10/15 06:00 PM
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Originally Posted By: foodieguy
So I have tinnitus and hearing loss .....
Here are some links with some good info on shooting, noise levels, and hearing loss:
http://m14forum.com/hearing/78442-various-noise-levels-firearms.html
http://earplugstore.typepad.com/got_ears...ht-for-you.html



Foodie, thanks for those links.
I always use H.P., and I knew that 'damage' is cumulative, but those links made me realize some additional realities:

(1) Even with 33db protection, big rifle & pistol fire = 155db - 33db = 122db means damage still accumulates! frown

(2) being around a lot of big-caliber shooting (range) with only 33db, damage accumulates FAST ( TIMES the number of shots fired nearby)! eek2

I usually 'double up' (foamies + muffs) when range is crowded ('thought' I was getting ~60db protection), but I will now LEAVE if I can't get away from mr.muzzle-break 300wsm or mr 44mag-pistol - I usually grin and bear it, but the additional damage is not worth being there!





Re: Ear protection??? [Re: Bigfoot] #5872262 08/10/15 09:03 PM
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IDK for sure but after being in the artillery for more years than I care to admit to I'm afraid the cat is out of the bag so to speak...and I did wear hearing protection.


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Re: Ear protection??? [Re: Bigfoot] #5873893 08/11/15 08:56 PM
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I use electronic SportEars and SOUNDGEAR for a lot of my big game and upland hunting. They are small and insert into the ear canal. Also have a suppressor for the 308 and 6.8



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