Hearing protection while hunting DG

[Hornedfrogbbq]

Huh? What? Pardon me? Say again? Hmmm?

As a late 50's hunter that did NOT protect my hearing from 100's of duck and goose hunts as well as deer and pig hunts, I sure wish i had protected my hearing in my earlier days. My daughters are so kind - they don't want me to get hearing aids, they want me to get an old ear horn!

So what ear protection do you recommend for hunting DG? I only am interested in something that enhances my hearing and shuts off at the shot. I have struggled on occassion with full over the ear muffs and getting a proper cheek weld.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

tagging in

 

[samson7x]

Nobody suggest a suppressor ok!

There are several options available. Some of which, your audiogram can actually be programmed in to really help speech understanding. Those options are higher priced than say a walkers game ear type. Did you have a budget in mind?

 

[SRvet]

I use these and am very happy with them. They weren’t a horrible cost either.

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/v100765196/

 

[KJE81]

I use these and am very happy with them. They weren’t a horrible cost either.

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/v100765196/

I also use them for all my hunting, although in the orange version, due to its ability to through the hearsling connect to the hunting radio.

 

[Zinz]

What is so great about the modern noise cancelling hearing protection is the ability to actually hear your PH giving last minute instructions. I took my dad on safari many years ago and he was soooo hard of hearing. My PH had some electronic ear muffs and Papa started wearing them. It completely changed how my father responded to the hunt. He was right there in the game and never hesitating.

These newer in-ear units are so handy and small. Just carry extra batteries in the field and off you go.

Walker's Game Ear has been perfecting hunting hearing protection for decades. I bet they have something good.

Ed Z

 

[roklok]

Pro Fit Series

These electronic earbuds use individual ear impression kits to mold earplugs for shooting. We created an affordable custom fit enhancement & protection model.

proears.com

I have these, the Pro-Fit Classics. They are AWESOME. I used them on my buffalo hunt last year as well as other hunts stateside. Custom molded to your ears so you can wear them comfortably all day. Enhance hearing until the shot goes off, then protects your ears.

 

[Surgeon1]

I've worn ESP custom plugs for years, my initial ones were analog. when the digital
came out from two other companies I tried them and they just were not the same quality as ESP so 2 years ago they made me a pair of digitals when I was at DSC
They even "tuned up" my 20+ yo analogs (and didn't charge me and they fit and sound better than ever). The digital are a big step up in clarity and comfort.
One of the other pair from a different Co who was also at Dallas "serviced" the year old pair that I had purchased from them that had a defective button and charged me
$250 plus shipping to repair

The ESP analog plugs have served me well on 4 continents and hundred of IPSC & USPSA matches and thousands of rounds on PDogs and SageRats. The new digital are even better.

Custom plugs are expensive but your hearing is priceless and when gone no amount of money will replace the it.

 

[HookMeUpII]

I'm 42yo and last year I was diagnosed with permanent 20% loss in my right, 25% in the left. Same situation as you, lots of wingshooting (waterfowl) as well as some other exacerbating factors/damage.

I am currently using the Walkers Restrictor buds but the previous generation. They are just OK. They protect my hearing well but the amplification of external, normal sounds is a bit crackly. Still better than regular non-enhancing plugs or muffs.

The muffs look nice but I've always had issues with wearing safety glasses with muffs at the range. I'm debating on picking up a pair. Someone mentioned to me you can buy replacement pads for them that accommodate shooting glasses better.

I will at some point probably purchase either Tetras, Proears, or ESP. At the end of the day, they are all priced around the same point.

My biggest fear: Losing one while waterfowl hunting, or any hunting, for that matter.

 

[Scott CWO]

ESP

 

[SteveT]

Huh? What? Pardon me? Say again? Hmmm?

As a late 50's hunter that did NOT protect my hearing from 100's of duck and goose hunts as well as deer and pig hunts, I sure wish i had protected my hearing in my earlier days. My daughters are so kind - they don't want me to get hearing aids, they want me to get an old ear horn!

So what ear protection do you recommend for hunting DG? I only am interested in something that enhances my hearing and shuts off at the shot. I have struggled on occassion with full over the ear muffs and getting a proper cheek weld.

Look at Axis

 

[Andrew62]

I use the Axil, Xcor model. They have different levels of amplification, Bluetooth as well. What I really like is that I can hear last second input from the guide on dangerous game hunts. I would think these would really be nice on a leopard or lion hunt.

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

Look at Axis

I have a pair...but a generation ago where wired and not wireless. The issue is trying to keep them in my ears. I wear foam earplugs like 75% of the time at night so i know how to insert them and i've worked with the Axis folks at the shows but it is difficult...and really hard if it is cold out and the foam is like a rock. I think i want to try a custom fitted pair that they mold to your ear.

 

[SteveT]

I use the Axil, Xcor model. They have different levels of amplification, Bluetooth as well. What I really like is that I can hear last second input from the guide on dangerous game hunts. I would think these would really be nice on a leopard or lion hunt.

That’s the same as I use. Just couldn’t think of the model.

 

[MAdcox]

I use the Axil, Xcor model. They have different levels of amplification, Bluetooth as well. What I really like is that I can hear last second input from the guide on dangerous game hunts. I would think these would really be nice on a leopard or lion hunt.

I got the same ones last summer. I haven't used them much but they definitely helped me hear my daughter's whispers in a deer blind and still muffled the shot when she fired. I tried them in the duck blind but haven't figured out how to wear them under a warm hat. The cloth rubbing on my ears was so constant and irritating, I just took them out.
I am planning to take them to Zambia after buffalo next year.

 

[thegreyghost52]

Fresh off safari in Namibia and with plans for buff in Zim for ‘27 so I’m definitely looking for some upgrades. I used axil xcor in ears as, like many, I prefer to wear a wide brimmed hat which isn’t conducive to over ear protection. Unfortunately, both the pair I had and the ones my dad wore made it impossible to hear speech on either setting (even on sound enhancement mode all I couldn’t hear people speaking around the fire at night). Have people had good results with other in ear electronic plugs?

 

[Russ16]

I use ESP when hunting. Most useful when upland hunting and when shooting clays where there are multiple shots. They can be annoying on very windy days. Better than they used to be but they still pick up too much wind.

 

[NDWoods]

I purchased Sound Gear through my audiologist that are electronic and custom molded. I can wear them all day comfortably unlike any other earpro I have tried. I always wear then hunting now unless shooting a suppressed bolt action.

 

[Russ16]

I purchased Sound Gear through my audiologist that are electronic and custom molded. I can wear them all day comfortably unlike any other earpro I have tried. I always wear then hunting now unless shooting a suppressed bolt action.

I had sound gear and liked them. They were stolen when I left my truck unlocked one night. Only downside is they used those hearing aid batteries my current ones are rechargeable which is nice.

 

[Datchew]

I've tried the axil xcor's and the walkers - both of them the earbud version.
I sent them all back and went back to the over the ear electronic muffs. walker razor's.
I can't abide the wind noise feedback from the earbuds. It's not as bad with electronic muffs for some reason.

If you're paying north of $200 for electronic hearing protection to be able to hear what's going on around you and a 3mph breeze drowns it all out... I don't see the value.

At the high risk of getting flamed for mentioning a suppressor, my 375 has a suppressor.
I still take the muffs and when it gets time for things to be "sporty" I just put them on and go.
If things are sporty before I manage to get them on... the can still mitigates to some extents. Audiologists and purists can "AKTUALLY!" me on whether it's "hunting safe" but it is better.

If you do look at muffs - i recommend you get the styles that are tapered at the bottom or you'll be irritated as you bang them off the stock when trying to get a good cheek weld.

Another muff version that is highly praised is sordin supreme pro x earmuffs.

Good luck.