Does anyone use ear plugs while hunting?

Does anyone use ear plugs while hunting? If so, which kinds/types do you use and do they affect your hunt in any way?

im curious about this as well.

I have only ever shot my big bores with hearing protection and im not sure I like the idea of shooting these guns without it. last year I took a deer with a 7x57 while not wearing hearing protection and my ears were ringing for a few minutes after the shot. shooting a 375 H&H or a 450/400 NE without hearing protection isn't a pleasant thought.

-matt

I have only wore earplugs while sighting in, don't recall ever hearing the shot while hunting.

I'm packing a pair for SA, my ears are a little messed up since last year and I don,t want them to get any worse

I wear ear plugs (custom fitted) all the time when bird hunting.
It takes some real getting used to at the start. You want to blame the ear plugs for the misses.
Once used to them you are set.

There are some real high end "plugs" that are really hearing aids that also block (report) sound.
Incredible tools.
If I had the bucks I'd have bought them a long time ago.

Minimum you can wear one in the ear that is pointed at the muzzle.

Hello gutterdoc,

Yes.
I began as a young adult after a day of excellent duck shooting, as well as duck missing, over decoys.
My ears rang for awhile after that.
From then on, for many years, I put paper into them.
I've used local vegetation as well, in a pinch but it is not very effective.
If you experiment a bit, you can use just enough paper that it will mediate the damage to the membrane ("eardrum") yet, still afford you enough reception to lesser sounds, so as to not make a hunting trip miserable.

Now, I use soft plastic ones that have a stub or "tail" to pull them out with, and their business end has flexible/soft plastic rings (like 3 or 4 Saturn Rings) that fit snugly into the ear canal, effectively blocking most sound all together.
They are sold with their own, thin plastic lanyard, which I fasten either to the back of my hat or to my collar button hole, so they are always there, impossible to misplace during a shade tree lunch break, etc.
With these, I always wear one in the ear closest to the muzzle (like BRICKBURN recommends).
That way, if a sudden shot is required, at least my ear that would've been damaged the worst, is then not damaged at all.

The ear facing sort of away from the muzzle-blast wave, is slightly shielded by my big ugly head.
Likewise, when preparing to stalk an animal that has been spotted in the distance or in a herd, I just pop the other plug into my other ear and am thereby fully covered.
When hunting grouse, rabbit, pheasant, doves, etc., I just wear them in both ears and after walking awhile, I get used to the annoying sound they make in my ears with each step.

I recommend "training" your ears with them though, by wearing them for a few minutes a day, until you can build up to wearing them all day.
If you're not used to them, they can make your ear canals slightly sore from the long hours with their snug fit.

Only an ADHD old curmudgeon like me could've written a whole boringass book about ear plugs, sorry.

Cheers,
Velo Dog

BRICKBURN said:

Minimum you can wear one in the ear that is pointed at the muzzle.

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You have an ear pointed at the muzzle?

Anyway, if you are a right handed shooter and wish to wear only one ear plug, it should be in the left ear. You probably shouldn't point your ear at the muzzle or point the muzzle at your ear.

Just because you don't hear the shot in a hunting situation, doesn't mean there is no damage to your ears. You should always wear hearing protection when you shoot unless you're using a suppressor on a gun that isn't too loud to begin with.

There are several viable options:

1. There are relatively economical noise suppressing ear muffs. Sounds are a little different when wearing them but it's something you get used to and if it's cold, they keep your ears warm.

2. You could wear foam ear plugs though not the most convinient.

3. The custom molded electronic hearing protectors are the best. I have ones made by E.A.R., Inc. and they work well even when shooting a braked 450 S&W Magnum handgun. They're also comfortable to wear all day.

I know budgets are different but if you're spending money on guns, considering the benefits of protecting your hearing so you're not saying "huh" later in life.

Thanks guys. My dad and I are going over the SA and he shoots a braked 300 WM. That thing is rude. He wears ear plugs and I usually don't. But now as I get older the ringing in the ears lasts longer and hurts more. Hindsight is 20/20. Just trying to find some decent hearing protection that will allow me to have a conversation while protecting from the muzzle blast. I have looked at custom plugs. They range from $500 to $2000. I wasn't ready for that expense in the hunting budget. Any other thoughts without breaking the bank?

Grumulkin said:

You have an ear pointed at the muzzle?

Anyway, if you are a right handed shooter and wish to wear only one ear plug, it should be in the left ear. You probably shouldn't point your ear at the muzzle or point the muzzle at your ear.
..........

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Just the structure of my poor homosapien skull. One ear either side.
Skipping the exact angles, one does point toward the muzzle, the other away.

Being right handed, my left ear is "toward" the muzzle.
Repeated Hearing tests with all results have showing that I have ZERO hearing loss in the right ear. The same can not be said for the left.

I have literally fired 10's of thousands of rounds from shotguns and rifles.
Also, exponentially more shots have been taken in my proximity.
I value my hearing.

If the high tech plugs were more affordable I would have them in both ears out hunting.

If I am around another person shooting I wear plugs in both ears.

At any range I use the moulded plugs and high quality ear muffs over top. I have stopped further damage. I wish some adult would have lead the way to safer shooting when I was younger.
My ear plugs travel to Africa every time.

I coached track for 28 years.

This is something I have been looking at for a long time. I have been a bow hunter for the past 20 years but my left shoulder is getting to the point that I feel it the next day if I shoot 60 shots at 65 lbs.
I have a safari set up for September this year and I plan using a rifle since the last time i went to Africa I spent 5 days in a blind and got my number one animal the last day with a bow. I would like to see more of the land.
After all those years of coaching track and doing starts with a 22 starting pistol two or three days a week. My right ear is in real bad shape. I use ear muffs now when I go to the range. I have a 7mm mag and am taking a new 300 wm to Africa both have brakes. I may have to hunt with a rifle as I get older so what kinds of ear plugs could I use on the safari. I don't want to walk around looking like I have tunes on the whole trip.

BHFS300

I use two pairs. 1. By ear inc. And 2. By sport ear, they are electronic enhance hearing but also protects.

They are extremely comfortable, (moulded to my ear) and have only influenced my hunting in a positive way..

Only problem is I can not use being deaf as an excuse with the missus anymore..

My best always

I use electronic muffs and yes they can be a little hot and a little in the way, but if you turn them up you can hear much better than ever. I've always tried to wear plugs just didn't do it when I was only going to shoot a shot or two. People think they really don't need them but they do. Just went to the doctor last week after the wife complained about the birds fighting in the back yard and I watched them and didn't hear a thing. Well the doctor ran some hearing tests and told me I had lost 50% hearing in my right ear and 30% in my left. Gee I wish I had done a better job of wearing plugs. What really bothers me is that I could have had a really nice custom rifle for the $6000 the hearing aids cost.

i will have to look into some fancy plugs. my hearing isnt what it was as a kid and its only getting worse. its gotten to the point where if i have standard foam ear plugs in, you would need to yell at me for me to hear you at all. i always tell peoply need to talk as loud as i do cause i can just barely hear myself. im betting ill be completely deaf by age 40.

-matt

I had a pair made by E.A.R. at the SCI show a couple of years ago. I agree that they take a bit of time to get used to - having something in your ears for an extended period of time is not the most comfortable, even if they are custom made. Result is that I tended to have them around my neck and put them in when I expected to shoot . . . not always successful if the shot needs to be taken quickly. I also agree you never hear the shot when you take it - just like you don't feel the recoil. but you will feel the effects of ringing in your ears a bit later. I'm over 50, and have enough hearing loss, particular in my left ear (the one pointed towards the muzzle!), and have almost permanent ringing in that ear, that I'm getting much better at planning ahead.

As for the cost, they aren't cheap. But in my experience lots of people who say they can't afford them also have expensive guns, super premium bullets, high end scopes, high end binos, etc. It all depends on what and how you prioritize. Hearing loss is permanent, so I suggest it be prioritized pretty highly.

Jaco Strauss said:

I use two pairs. 1. By ear inc. And 2. By sport ear, they are electronic enhance hearing but also protects.

They are extremely comfortable, (moulded to my ear) and have only influenced my hunting in a positive way..

Only problem is I can not use being deaf as an excuse with the missus anymore..

My best always

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Jaco, I have been looking into the E.A.R inc. model, but was not sure about the investment. Your recommendation goes a long way.
What about simply taking the batteries out of the earpiece on the side that your wife sits?

KMG Hunting Safaris said:

Jaco, I have been looking into the E.A.R inc. model, but was not sure about the investment. Your recommendation goes a long way.
What about simply taking the batteries out of the earpiece on the side that you wife sits?

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Marius what a plan!!! I just exploded with laughter btw!!

Seriously they work very well...

My best always

Jaco Strauss said:

I use two pairs. 1. By ear inc. And 2. By sport ear, they are electronic enhance hearing but also protects.

They are extremely comfortable, (moulded to my ear) and have only influenced my hunting in a positive way..

Only problem is I can not use being deaf as an excuse with the missus anymore..

My best always

Click to expand...

Jaco, as you own and use both, can I ask your opinion what the major differences between the two makers are ?

Are there advantages/disadvantages between the two ?

Are they fragile to fine dust, moisture ?

I have thought of going this route for a number of years but there isn't a lot of feedback "on-the-street".

They are not cheap !

Thanks in advance.

PaulT said:

Jaco, as you own and use both, can I ask your opinion what the major differences between the two makers are ?

Are there advantages/disadvantages between the two ?

Are they fragile to fine dust, moisture ?

I have thought of going this route for a number of years but there isn't a lot of feedback "on-the-street".

They are not cheap !

Thanks in advance.

Click to expand...

Paul, I like the Ear inc. They fit better, this would be my primary pair, the moulded foam keeps all electronics pretty well sealed, I have not had any issues with them, my pair also doubles up as headphones, as I had the adapter placed in it as well, I went all out!

To be quite honest the first weeks or so takes some getting use to, but now I put them in in the morning and take them out only once or twice a day, one does get use to them.

In short if I had to spend the money all over again, I would without a doubt, they are less cumbersome than the much larger earmuffs, cooler and way more practical, and apart from gps and rifle probably the most important piece of gear I have.

I hope this helps.

Thanks Jaco.

I have to do something soon to save what little hearing I have left.

I think that Ear Inc are at the shows each year, I might try get mine measured and made in Dallas next year.

I picked up on your comment where you say they actually improve your hunting !
It would be nice to hunt with hearing again !!

Thanks again,

Paul.

PaulT said:

Thanks Jaco.

I have to do something soon to save what little hearing I have left.

I think that Ear Inc are at the shows each year, I might try get mine measured and made in Dallas next year.

I picked up on your comment where you say they actually improve your hunting !
It would be nice to hunt with hearing again !!

Thanks again,

Paul.

Click to expand...

You are totally correct about that Paul
I think that is a problem many of us hunters suffer from.
My hearing is by far the same as it used to be because of thousands of hunting shots without hearing protection. Specially my left ear.
I have put a silencer on some of my guns, but not all.
I also plan to buy some electronic custom molded ear plugs.

I am for sure doing everything to protect my kids hearing when they go with me hunting.

One of my friends where a funny hunting pair some years ago. I could almost not hear anything and his eyesight was poor.
He got his eyes fixed with laser surgery, but there is not much I can do with my hearing..

I have tried to use electronic ear muffs when hunting, but they drive me totally crazy and I only use them at the shooting range now.