Ear Protection

I am getting into Trap Shooting and hope to go on a few pheasant trips each year. Right now I am using just the foam ear inserts. They work but don’t fit great all the time.

I am looking for a more permanent and better fitting solution. I have seen some that are electronic and amplify ambient noise and people talking, but filter loud noises like Shotgun blasts. I am also considering a non-electronic version from Decibullz. This has a percussive filter that dampens gun fire, but not people talking as much Has anyone used these. Do they work, and do they feel secure that you don’t lose them?

https://www.decibullz.com/hearing-protection/percussive-filter/

Is there anything else that people use in the field that work well?
Thanks in advance

Electronic ear muffs are great, even in the $50 price range.

We’ve been using them prairie dog hunting, very nice to be able to hear everyone. Very important to hear each other I think.

The more you pay the more wind will be less of an interference. I love wearing them, I hear so much better than with them off.

For trap, I wouldn’t spend more then $50 unless you really want to.

All these are, are gun ear muffs, with a microphone and speaker that only transfer sound from the mic to speaker that in under harmful decibels…aka gun shots.

I can’t speak for the field – personally I think muffs in the field would be a PITA. For shotgun shooting muffs interfered with my mount and would sometimes hit the stock but many people do use them without issue.

For shotgun sports, custom molded ear plugs are great. I’ve tried the ‘mold your own’ and found them to be less than impressive. Custom molded ear plugs will last years and fit great. Baffles can be added to allow as much or little sound through as the shooter wants. You can also twist them out a very slight amount to allowing more sound in but still helping. You can get some ESP’s which are very, very nice but plan to spend some serious $$$

Hear 4 Ever (Shells R Us company) will have their trailer at the WI State Sporting Clays shoot at Game Unlimited in Hudson the first weekend in August. $65 gets you custom molded plugs that will last you years.

Pete

I neglected to use quality hearing protection for way too many years while working and shooting. Paying the price for it now and it sucks. This link will take you to a chart that gives you an idea of the DB level of different sounds

https://www.fastenal.com/content/merch_rules/images/fcom/content-library/FAST%20Guide_Hearing%20Protection.pdf

The NRR rating of muffs is quite simple, the higher the number the better they cancel sound. Range of NRR is generally 0 to 33. I personally like the electronic and own a few. Most of my muffs are in the 24-26 NRR. Whgen I’m running hammer drills or other equipment that is in that range, I use the cheap foam ear plugs AND my muffs. Otherwise the NRR 25is
h range has been good for me.

Here are a few I own

I just got these and so far they are pretty good. Different for me to have the ear buds compared to the muffs
https://www.radians.com/products/radians-vertex-nano-wireless-electronic-earbuds?hsLang=en

These are my average use muffs. comfortable and not big and bulky
https://www.radians.com/products/radians-rseries-r3400-quad-mic-earmuff?hsLang=en

These are better and I use with equipment. Not as comfortable for me, but I don’t wear them for long periods of time compared to my 3400’s which I can wear all day while shooting p/dogs
https://www.radians.com/products/radians-cse20bx-tactical-electronic-earmuff?hsLang=en

I have a nice set of electronic muffs. I cant remember the brand but one of the most popular.(Not Radians) They aren’t nearly as quiet as regular muffs. I wouldn’t range shoot a rifle with them without also using ear plugs underneath. Actually I just dont use them. What a waste of money. They sound amplification works well. Almost like a bionic ear!