I will admit, I haven't found an answer to this. I need to be able to hear while hunting doves. The amplified muffs are way too hot, the foam plugs are too good, can't hear anything but my breathing. I cant afford $1000 for ESP plugs.

How about a cotton ball like in the old days???

I usually don't wear anything...........what, I couldn't hear you....

I have toiled with this issue myself. I have severe Tinnitus and at least one doctor has told me I have Meniere disease, so I an very keen not to damage my hearing any more than it already is. Besides growing up in a shooting and hunting family I worked the flight line at Edwards AFB on F-15's. The Pratt & Whitney F-100 engines did me in. The problem with most of the plugs is that you can't hear your buddy holler BIRD or ROOSTER!

Has anyone tried these? https://www.google.com/shopping/product/...wBA4Q8wII7gMwDA

I use foam but only put them in only about halfway. I can still hear pretty well and shotguns aren"t overly loud anyway (not like magnums in an indoor range). I can leave them in that way most of the day without chaffing

I been using the orange foam plugs for 15 years, they work great, and they are cheap. I keep a bunch on me if a lose them or hand them out. You get used to them. I can hear people talking fine and I can hear birds too. I can hear the whistling wings with those plugs in, and my hearing is bad and getting worse. That being said, I been saying for years I want to get some fancy ear plugs that block sound only when you pull the trigger. And I don't want no ear muffs.

have the same condition, 5" gun mount on a tincan, started then all the years doing construction (table saw ect)added to the demise of my hearing

Wouldn't we be a pair in the field? "Colt! Bird!!!" What?

That's funny, I could see this happening to me too, "Buzz, Bird!!!" "What"...."never mind" "He long gone now"

Just got a set of these and used them at the range over the weekend. Absolutely amazing and not a bad price for electronic dampening earbuds.

http://www.gsmoutdoors.com/shopping/Silencer-in-the-Ear-PAIR-P1032.aspx

I finally bought a pair a digitals would never hunt without anything else all it takes is one shot and you can lose 50% plus of your hearing not worth it

So you like them huh? How did find out about them?

What do you use?

which did you get?

Here is what I use.

You can hear people talking, it's not as restrictive as the foam ear plugs. Mine are probably 10 years old and have served me well.

I went to a ear doctor a number of years ago and he asked if I shot guns. He asked if I wore hearing protection and I said yes with rifles but not really with shotguns. He said that I should wear at least one ear plug in my left ear since I am right handed as the left ear is closer and not protected to the gun blast. Since then I have wore one foam plug in my left ear during dove season with no ill effects and you can still have a conversation.

These are really good. Comfortable and the passive filter allows you to hear normal conversation pretty well. I have $100+ molded/custom plugs and I like these much better.

https://www.alpinehearingprotection.com/earplugs/worksafe/

Friend of mine turned me onto them. He got a pair as well. I had a pair of ear buds last season that were non-electronic that I had trouble fitting my ear, and overall there wasn't a whole lot of protection due to the bad fit. They were also 20 bucks, soooooo. Figured investing a little bit of money into something that will help prevent my hearing was worth the expenditure. I am happy with my purchase/experience with them so far. Only down side is the cost of the batteries, since they use the same type as hearing aides. Not necessarily the cheapest out there but again, a small price to pay for having better hearing long term.

Buzz, I'll be using these from now on:

http://texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/6821428/1

You can be hot or uncomfortable for a little while or deaf for the rest of your life. Don't take any chances with hearing protection. Mines permanently damaged because I made a poor decision once. Don't make the same choice I did.

I primarily use Howard Leight ear muffs but these Silencios are very good too

Ear muffs are for girls.

What?

Plus they probably flare birds...

I use the foam plugs by 3M and have for many years.
Whatever you pick, find something and always wear ear protection AND eye protection.

Rule No. 1: eyes and ears on when shooting, ALWAYS.

It just takes one time to mess up your ears forever. I shot sporting clay 1989, I never wore ear plugs before, I'm not sure if anyone did back then, but I was standing behind another guy shooting, one particular shot, it rung my ears, and it never went away. And has gotten worse over the years, but I have gotten use to it.

Tinnitus.
I have it too.
Playing rock music and pulling triggers caused mine.