Opinions on hearing protection usage?

Bsums · Dec 2, 2014

I find many people use hearing protection and certain levels of it for different hunting. The only exception on debating is dangerous game were you definitely shouldn't be using hearing protection. For small game; waterfowl, upland birds, squirrels etc I believe hearing protection is a must. To me a couple more ducks etc isn't worth hurting my ears. The only time I shoot at small game without protection is on cripples that I don't have time to put it on. When it comes to big game it depends on the scenario. If the animal is going to give me plenty of time I'd like to have hearing protection, preferably the electric ones but either partial or standard as it won't affect the outcome etc and is just protection. If your time is limited however then shoot without it. On injured animals its also by scenario; if your tracking a very much live animal you won't have the time for ear protection and is best to go without but if the animal isn't going anywhere but isn't dead yet ear protection can be left on for the extra shot. I do a good amount of hunting without ear protection but if you've got the means and the time to do so its better for you. I want to avoid bad hearing when I'm older. I know a fair amount of people whose hearing is awful from hunting without ear protection. Disagreements, opinions, etc?

Velo Dog · Dec 2, 2014

Bsums said:
I find many people use hearing protection and certain levels of it for different hunting. The only exception on debating is dangerous game were you definitely shouldn't be using hearing protection. For small game; waterfowl, upland birds, squirrels etc I believe hearing protection is a must. To me a couple more ducks etc isn't worth hurting my ears. The only time I shoot at small game without protection is on cripples that I don't have time to put it on. When it comes to big game it depends on the scenario. If the animal is going to give me plenty of time I'd like to have hearing protection, preferably the electric ones but either partial or standard as it won't affect the outcome etc and is just protection. If your time is limited however then shoot without it. On injured animals its also by scenario; if your tracking a very much live animal you won't have the time for ear protection and is best to go without but if the animal isn't going anywhere but isn't dead yet ear protection can be left on for the extra shot. I do a good amount of hunting without ear protection but if you've got the means and the time to do so its better for you. I want to avoid bad hearing when I'm older. I know a fair amount of people whose hearing is awful from hunting without ear protection. Disagreements, opinions, etc?

Bsums,

Good question, thanks for posting it.
I am 61 and my ears ring constantly.
If I drink too much coffee, they ring louder for some reason.
Most of my life I have used some form of hearing protection when feasible around machinery, guns, any loud noise.
When hunting, I have my ear plugs attached either to my hat or to a button hole in my shirt collar by means of a thin string or lanyard.

When time permits, I press the plugs into my ears before making ready to shoot but, sometimes things happen too fast and it is not possible, as you pointed out already.
One might think dangerous game hunting would not be "hearing protection friendly".
I did however, have time to put mine in prior to shooting the only buffalo I have ever taken because, we watched him grazing and knocking horns with other bulls for a long time before he figured us out and began walking briskly toward us in challenge.
I bagged him well and my ears did not suffer on this hunt.

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

JustinC · Dec 2, 2014

Sorry, say again?

AfricaHunting.com · Dec 2, 2014

Here is another thread that may be of interest: Hunting ear protection?: http://www.africahunting.com/threads/hunting-ear-protection.5839/.

Nyati · Dec 3, 2014

As one who suffers hearing loss, I recommend that you use electronic earmuffs.

A rifle shot of any caliber subjects you to permanent hearing loss, and it is accumulative.

http://www.keepandbeararms.com/information/XcIBViewItem.asp?ID=2052

JustinC · Dec 3, 2014

Hearing loss is of great concern and a real issue when hunting, dealing with weapons and working around machinery. My only comment would be (and it has already been made) is that its not always particle, especially whilst hunting and you only have a few seconds to talk to the guide, make a decision and take the shot.

Bsums · Dec 3, 2014

I think the electronic ones are the way to go. From the thread Jerome linked us to, a couple brans of ear plugs were shared

http://www.sinclairintl.com/shootin...tection/earpro-sonic-defenders-prod23976.aspx

http://www.earplugstore.com/sonicvalveii.html

These two stood out to me from the thread but someone looking to shoot a lot of animals should get a couple pairs or spend the 200$ or 300$ on a really good pair of electric ear muffs or earphones. I've been getting into bow hunting lately and one of the biggest benefits is not having to worry about noise.

matt85 · Dec 4, 2014

i havent worn hearing protection on any of my hunts. with black powder its not an issue but with modern rifles i regret not wearing any. i completely lost my hearing for a full minute after taking a deer with a 7x57 last year.

i cant imagine touching off a big bore without hearing protection! my 416 RM is loud with hearing protection...

-matt

Hank2211 · Dec 4, 2014

I didn't start to wear hearing protection on big game hunts until I started to notice hearing loss, and ringing in my ears. By then, of course, it's too late. Now I use e.a.r. type hearing protection when I hunt. With the new electronic hearing protectors, there is no excuse not to wear protection. You know you are causing damage when you don't wear some type of hearing protection. No one's ears are immune. And hearing loss is progressive. Every shot makes it worse.

Now I wished I'd listened (!) to my elders when I was young and cocky.

Timt · Dec 5, 2014

Always used to either have the foam plugs or the big bulky electronic ones when I was shooting. Sadly every time you took out one of the foam plugs or took off the big ones to adjust them the animal pops up and you end up shooting without any earprotection.
Most memorable was my shortbarreled .300wm with a brake on.... Never managed to shoot an animal while wearing earprotection even if I tried to use it!

Now I use these electronic ones that even have bluetooth. Moulded to your ears and very easy to wear so you never need to take them out, I have seen the light!

TokkieM · Dec 5, 2014

I have learned the hard way, many times not possible for a client to shoot off the sticks or find a suitable rest. This is when the PH comes in real handy, rifles have rested on my shoulder, my head and my ass, it plays havoc with my ears, now I use electronic earprotection as much as possible while hunting.

Scott Slough · Dec 5, 2014

I shot a 7 mm rem mag with a suppressor on my Safari last year, which I LOVED. Recoil felt like shooting a 22 LR, the sound was SIGNIFICANTLY reduced, I was able to hear the bullet hit, and no ringing or hearing reduction after the shot so I could have heard and responded to my PHs directions for a follow-up if needed.

I purchased a .300 Blackout last year and I am currently in the process of procuring a suppressor for use with subsonic ammunition for all of my US deer hunting and hog hunting. I first got interested in the subsonic/suppressor combo when I couldn't even hear the guys at the range shoot when I had my muffs on. Hearing protection was one of my justifications for the cost of the rifle, the NFA trust, and the suppressor. The fact that it is really quiet for hog eradication is a bonus! My record with the bolt action .300 win mag is three from a sounder (specialized name for a group of pigs) ... hoping to do better with a "silenced AR."

BigSteve57 · Dec 15, 2014

I wear ordinary earplugs when hunting - the type connected by a plastic line. I'll place one plug firmly in the left ear and put the other plug in the right ear slightly so I can hear. If you're a right handed shooter, the rifle blast really hits the left ear after all. You'll see me with my hearing protection in the pictures I posted.

I should probably get a pair of the custom made hearing pieces. That would be better.

I have worn hearing protection my whole life during chores involving power tools and my hearing at age 57 is great.

ArmyGrunt · Feb 10, 2015

I learned the hard way after a great many years in th Army that hearing protection is really a good thing. I always have some shade of ringing these days. On the range, I have over the ear muffs by Peltor. On safari I used some simple in-the-ear ones I got after my hearing eval for a flight physical. I was able to hear the PH talking very quietly.
My first kill I only had the L plug in, because I wanted to hear him. Bad idea. I was mostly deaf on that side for about half an hour.
I recently found through an internet newsletter "Ghost Stryke" ear plugs. They fit in the ear, and function as any electronic set would- enhancing normal sounds, attenuating the high decibel ones. Some web searching and you can find them for under $300. The company website itself wants far more...I'm giving some thought into buying a set after I recover from the taxidermy shipping bill that just came up, two months earlier than estimated!

Johnny7604 · Feb 10, 2015

I use Walkers Game ear electronic hearing aid style. Work great. Can enhance low level sounds and totally blocks dangerously high sounds. I would not hesitate to use on a dangerous game hunt.

If I turn them up I can listen in on conversations 50 yards away.......not that I would ever use them for that of course.

ArmyGrunt · Feb 10, 2015

Certainly not, Johnny! Especially on the firing line taking in Basic Training!

sestoppelman · Feb 10, 2015

Being half deaf since childhood, I cannot afford to lose anymore hearing. I carry along electronic muffs now and when I get close I put them on my head and cover my left (near totally deaf) ear, and pull it down onto my right ear and turn up the volume, just before shooting or observing shooting. Its sort of a PITA but you get used to it. My boy who went with me to RSA last summer on his first hunt, used them too and had no issue with it.

Bert the Turtle · Mar 9, 2015

I wear either plugs when actively stalking or muffs in a stand. No problems. Takes only a few seconds to pop in a pair of plugs. If in a stand there should never be a situation where one doesn't have time to put on muffs.

I'd wear electronic muff or plugs if it were a dangerous game and heavy vegetation situation while on active stalk. The only way I'd shoot without hearing protection is if I had to shoot (as in life being threatened) and didn't already have protection on. If I draw my pistol on a mugger I'm not stopping to put in plugs. Same thing if I'm walking along and a lion charges me. But if my PH has time to glass a herd of buffalo to pick a shootable bull or look at a lion and determine if he is the one we want then I've got time to protect my ears.

I understand the idea behind not wearing protection so you can hear the animal (particularly dangerous) but those animals are more dangerous in follow up than on the initial shot and if you shoot the first shot without protection you aren't hearing right for the follow up any way.

Ole Bally · Mar 11, 2015

You can get earplug type hearing aids that cut out sounds like shot detonations...way to go! They'll enhance your hearing out in the bush too![/QUOTE]

Bsums said:
I find many people use hearing protection and certain levels of it for different hunting. The only exception on debating is dangerous game were you definitely shouldn't be using hearing protection. For small game; waterfowl, upland birds, squirrels etc I believe hearing protection is a must. To me a couple more ducks etc isn't worth hurting my ears. The only time I shoot at small game without protection is on cripples that I don't have time to put it on. When it comes to big game it depends on the scenario. If the animal is going to give me plenty of time I'd like to have hearing protection, preferably the electric ones but either partial or standard as it won't affect the outcome etc and is just protection. If your time is limited however then shoot without it. On injured animals its also by scenario; if your tracking a very much live animal you won't have the time for ear protection and is best to go without but if the animal isn't going anywhere but isn't dead yet ear protection can be left on for the extra shot. I do a good amount of hunting without ear protection but if you've got the means and the time to do so its better for you. I want to avoid bad hearing when I'm older. I know a fair amount of people whose hearing is awful from hunting without ear protection. Disagreements, opinions, etc?[/QU

rookhawk · Mar 26, 2015

Sportear are excellent and they enhance your senses for still hunting and stalking, not just for bird hunts.

The bad news is that Every hearing aid style device is frail and they fail often. I've sold a half dozen to clients and 100% were back at the factory within 18 months. They just aren't that durable but the warranty is long and fair.

Opinions on hearing protection usage?

Bsums

Velo Dog

JustinC

AfricaHunting.com

Nyati

JustinC

Bsums

matt85

Hank2211

Timt

TokkieM

Scott Slough

BigSteve57

ArmyGrunt

Johnny7604

ArmyGrunt

sestoppelman

Bert the Turtle

Ole Bally

rookhawk

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