Hearing Protection - What Should I Buy

[NIGHTHAWK]

I have tinnitus. I want to protect my hearing, but I also want to go to the field with the option of hearing while wearing hearing protection prior to taking a shot. Right now I bring ear plugs to the field hunting.

For the range I have noise canceling Walker brand with sound amplification. I don’t like hunting in them.

I know there are devices for specialized, environment-specific sound enhancement with automatic noise cancellation.

What do you use for the range?
What is your preference for hunting?
What would you get or switch too?
What is out there worth looking at?

Off the shelf?
Custom made/molded to you ear?

 

[Tex .416]

I have tried a handful of electronic earmuffs in conjunction with teaching. The Howard Leight Impact Pro is the best I have tried to date. They have a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 30, bringing shot sound down to 82db. I and students wear them all day and never turn them off. Batteries (AAA) typical will last a few days in warm weather wearing them all day. They seem to be comfortable for everyone.

They are super handy in a deer blind trying to help kids or my wife. They amplify whispered instructions enough for the kids to easily hear me.

I have worn them walking in the brush and they stay in place. Turned on, they help hear the animals.

Curious to see feedback from others. Please include the NRR.

IMPACT PRO ELECTRONIC EARMUFF | Howard Leight Shooting Sports

IMPACT PRO ELECTRONIC EARMUFF

www.howardleightshootingsports.com

 

[mdwest]

First buy a suppressor

I should honestly up my hearing protection game.. for hunting I use custom molded ear plugs… mostly because they’re lightweight, compact, don’t take any room in the pack, etc etc… and reasonably affordable.. I had a set made when I was coaching a shotgun team and spending a lot more time on the range than now and doubled them up with over the ear electronic hearing protection… I had another set made in January at TTHA.. the guy making them was just a couple of booths down from our booth, so it was simple and easy (and he provided a discount to other exhibitors)…

Between the suppressor and pretty much any additional ear pro I’m pretty much covered though… it’s only when hunting or shooting unsuppressed that I really should think about upping my game..

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

First buy a suppressor

I have them up to 300 RUM

Not for a .375 H&H or for my 450 Dakota…

There other dilemma I have is flying out of SF. Cal doesn’t allow suppressors… Unless there is a work around I’m unaware of? Short of driving to another state and flying with suppressors…

 

[mdwest]

I have them up to 300 RUM

Not for a .375 H&H or for my 450 Dakota…

I picked up a yankee hill R45 for my bigger bore stuff… pretty inexpensive can, short and compact so it doesn’t add a lot of length, etc…

 

[Hedge774]

I have them up to 300 RUM

Not for a .375 H&H or for my 450 Dakota…

I have a 46 cal on layaway. I'll let you know how it works out!