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Hearing protection advice!!


stefnc
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Hi all, I have been using foam ear plugs and also the rubber ones with the little valve in them- niether have worked- my ears have been ringing like hell for days after, so was thinking of getting some electronic or other types if anyone knows of any decent types/models?

looking at spending £20-£40 and dont want anything too bulky as i do lot of walking while shooting!

many thanks in advance!!!

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Probably a good guide is the NRR ... the higher the number the more reduction . but it is measured in perfect test conditions. .. perfect seal to the head .. no glasses or hair in the way etc.

Surprisingly those little foam things have a high NRR if used properly.Those rubber things with a spring valve have a low NRR..

I believe some of the electronics have a medium NRR but cut the microphone at 85db so it suddenly sounds quiet yet they may only block less noise than a muff.

 

If your ears are that sensitive try a solid shell muff with the foams ..

See if you can get advice from a earing specialist through your GP?

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I dont mean to sound harsh, but your hearing is worth more than £20-£40, the ringing in your ears is a little warning, get the best you can afford from a reputable maker. As I have said before, I dealt with this sort of thing as part of my profession, and have seen many people with Tinnitus, it's a miserable condition and once you suffer, there is no cure or any alleviation of the symptoms.

 

Regards

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I use Peltor Shotgunner ear defenders, about £15.

 

Lightweight, look ok, fairly slim and never have ringing ears or otherwise, they do the job just fine. Just make sure whatever you get fits you well and adjust them to your head/ear properly.

 

A mate of mine does a lot of trap shooting and has had quite a few very expensive sets of passive/electronic defenders, in ear moulded plugs, custom made ones, and he's gone back to standard muff type defenders.

 

Only downside I can see is if you shoot a lot of competitions and need to hear instructions.

Edited by Guest
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I bought some 'Howard Leight Impact Sport' for £50 brand new. I found these to be excellent with no horrible wind noise. They cut above 80db and volume can be adjusted. batteries last for ages with auto cut off if you forget to turn them off.

 

Google the name and see what you think. I know hearing is very importaint but I can't see why I should spend £120+ on electronic defender when the Leights at £50 do the job nicely.

 

:good:

 

I know you were after something no too bulky but these are pretty slimline and I think they're quite light.

Edited by Montefeltro
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I bought some 'Howard Leight Impact Sport' for £50 brand new. I found these to be excellent with no horrible wind noise. They cut above 80db and volume can be adjusted. batteries last for ages with auto cut off if you forget to turn them off.

 

Google the name and see what you think. I know hearing is very importain but I can see why I should spend £120+ on electronic defender when the Leights at £50 do the job nicely.

 

:good:

:good:

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The only problem with plugs(from what i was told from my old jobs health and safety people) is that a lot of sound can get in from behind the ear. If you get a decent pair of cup type ear protection, they cover all the ear thus reducing the amount of sound entering from the back of the ear.

 

Hope this helps

 

Mark

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I bought some 'Howard Leight Impact Sport' for £50 brand new. I found these to be excellent with no horrible wind noise. They cut above 80db and volume can be adjusted. batteries last for ages with auto cut off if you forget to turn them off.

 

Google the name and see what you think. I know hearing is very importaint but I can't see why I should spend £120+ on electronic defender when the Leights at £50 do the job nicely.

 

:angry:

 

I know you were after something no too bulky but these are pretty slimline and I think they're quite light.

 

:blink: :unsure: :hmm:

 

If you are broke, your local army surplus store will sell you ex -military ear defenders for about £2, work really well, while you save the pennies for electronics. Believe me, your hearing is priceless, I suffer almost permanent tinnitus from neglecting mine years ago - you do NOT want that !

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MSA sordin supreme pros. Light, slim and built like a tank (military spec) so should last a long time.

They were the only ones that fit me without fouling te comb when mounting a shotgun.

The amplification they provide is like having bionic ears, you can hear birds and beaters in the woods from a looooong way away :unsure:

 

Yes they are worth the money over cheaper pairs :blink:

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I bought some 'Howard Leight Impact Sport' for £50 brand new. I found these to be excellent with no horrible wind noise. They cut above 80db and volume can be adjusted. batteries last for ages with auto cut off if you forget to turn them off.

 

Google the name and see what you think. I know hearing is very importaint but I can't see why I should spend £120+ on electronic defender when the Leights at £50 do the job nicely.

 

:unsure:

 

I know you were after something no too bulky but these are pretty slimline and I think they're quite light.

 

 

me to :blink:

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Get the Napier Pro 9 (or 10) ones. They are light and are excellent in stopping unwanted noise.

Just got some of these for the missus, but she has small ear canal opening will this reduce the effectiveness of them? Is there a way to easily test them without risking her hearing (which is very good and she wants to keep that way..) I use the foam plugs, very effective but no good for having a conversation!

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Just got some of these for the missus, but she has small ear canal opening will this reduce the effectiveness of them? Is there a way to easily test them without risking her hearing (which is very good and she wants to keep that way..) I use the foam plugs, very effective but no good for having a conversation!

 

It should'nt affect them working. The best way is to try them by firing one shot. If they don't work for her, I'm sure that just one shot won't hurt her. It's continuous exposure to loud noises that cause the most damage.

 

I originally had the Pro9, but bought the Pro 10 for rifle shooting. Works well for shotguns too.

 

 

Steve.

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I think it depends on what you are doing!

 

 

On a clay ground i wear a pair of electronis ones bought from york guns, they are good.

 

If i am walking through a wood i tend not to wear any, because the maximum amount of shots will be fairly few.

 

But if i am a standing gun i wair foam ear plugs, used to wear rubber sonics but found them hard on the ear.

 

If i am duck flighting i wont wear anything as i wand to hear the ducks approaching.

 

 

So match your hearing protection to the right time and place!

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I have worked in the Aircraft Industry many years, standing next to turbine engines at take off power and various other noisy environments was the norm. It became a habbit to wear full cup ear defenders, and every time I walked into a noisy enviroment I always used them.

 

It became a source of a joke from many people as they thought I used to wear them just to "not hear them". Electronic Ears had not been developed then.

 

Well nowadays my hearing is perfect, and many of my friends are near deaf.

 

'nuff said.......

 

It is also correct that "in-ear" protection is not as effective as "ear cups". Sound vibrations travel through the bone behind the ear, thats why people wearing a headset can place it behind the ear and still hear what is coming through it, almost as clear as if it was directly over the ears.

 

I appreciate the new CENS in the ear devices are very effective - I have tried and compared them - nothing has convinced me to change to them though.

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Sorry chaps, what with this 'I'm with Stupid' sign.

 

I was only implying that the Howard Leight Impact sport electronic ear defenders do the same job as ones for £120 (Peltor etc..). So long as they are comfortable, fit well and cut the damaging noise out I can't see where the extra £70+ is going? I paid £50 for mine nwe (I know this is more than you wanted to spend) but for £50 you've got yourself a comfortable, light pair of electronis ear defenders.

 

In my original post I typed 'Can' instead of 'Cant' , my mistake.

 

Maybe I'm getting the wrong end of the stick. :blink: :unsure:

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Sorry chaps, what with this 'I'm with Stupid' sign.

 

I was only implying that the Howard Leight Impact sport electronic ear defenders do the same job as ones for £120 (Peltor etc..). So long as they are comfortable, fit well and cut the damaging noise out I can't see where the extra £70+ is going? I paid £50 for mine nwe (I know this is more than you wanted to spend) but for £50 you've got yourself a comfortable, light pair of electronis ear defenders.

 

In my original post I typed 'Can' instead of 'Cant' , my mistake.

 

Maybe I'm getting the wrong end of the stick. :angry::hmm:

 

Nothing meant by it, chap, no insult intended, it's just that there isn't a smiley to say 'I agree with you', just a laugh - when you are at work it is quicker to click that than type a long reply, your point is good and valid :blink: :unsure:

Edited by Bloke
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Nothing meant by it, chap, no insult intended, it's just that there isn't a smiley to say 'I agree with you', just a laugh - when you are at work it is quicker to click that than type a long reply, your point is good and valid :angry::lol:

 

Haaa Haaaa... Sorry chaps, doh.... The stick that had the wrong end I managed to grab hold of :yes::yes: :blink: :unsure: :wacko: :blush::blush:

 

:hmm:

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MSA sordin supreme pros. Light, slim and built like a tank (military spec) so should last a long time.

They were the only ones that fit me without fouling te comb when mounting a shotgun.

The amplification they provide is like having bionic ears, you can hear birds and beaters in the woods from a looooong way away :angry:

 

Yes they are worth the money over cheaper pairs :unsure:

Me too. :blink: love my Sordins.

 

Friend of mine who shoots a lot of clay comps all over world only wears passive ones. Lack of noise helps him concentrate.

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