Sonic Shooter's Aid earplugs

[sandspider]

Hi all

 

Was considering some decent ear defenders so that I can hear normal conversation and creatures rustling in the bushes. But as I don't actually do that much rough shooting, I'd prefer not to spend £80 odd on electronic defenders. I found the above ear plugs on Ebay for £10 a pair, and they claim to allow hearing of normal conversation, but to block the loud sound of a shot. (By sound wave impact rather than electronically). Well, the price is right, but has anyone used them and do they actually work?

 

The ebay item number is 390137719272.

 

TIA,

 

Giles

[artschool]

i have a pair of these. i wanted them for roost shooting for same reasons as you, being able to hear wildlife.

unfortuately i found them to be too isolating. you could probably have a conversation but i couldnt hear anything else. they were also not that comfy.

 

i am using a pair of electronic ear defenders until i fork out for a pair of cens proflex digital.

[apache]

Yes they work, not as good as electronic ear defenders but a fraction of the cost. I use them for rough shooting where I only take a few shots, don't make your ears sweaty in summer. I wear electronic ear defenders for clays where I may take a lot of shots in close succession and people shooting around me. The claim is correct that you can hear conversation.

[point and shoot]

I've used these for years. they do what it says on the can! they will protect your hearing against gun shot and allow normal conversation.

[Cosd]

Uncomfortable first few outings, but they soften up and not irritating at all now even when in the field all day.

 

You can hear conversation with them, whilst walking hearing is somewhat muted, you can hear flapping wings but orientation is a little harder.

 

I would definitely recommend them and for £10 you ain't taking a big gamble!!

 

Go for the Sonic II, I'm not aware that newer ones exist.

[Pigeon Paul]

Uncomfortable first few outings, but they soften up and not irritating at all now even when in the field all day.

 

You can hear conversation with them, whilst walking hearing is somewhat muted, you can hear flapping wings but orientation is a little harder.

 

I would definitely recommend them and for £10 you ain't taking a big gamble!!

 

Go for the Sonic II, I'm not aware that newer ones exist.

 

Perfect description. Especially on the "uncomfortable at first" they do appear to soften up with use.

I wear them for both hide and rough shooting and strongly recommend them.

[Chris Bb]

I tried a pair of these but found them so uncomfortable that I didn't have them in long enough to say whether they worked or not. Perhaps I need to persevere with them until they soften up. I have heard that the earlier, orange, version waas more comfortable.

[sandspider]

Thanks all, sounds like they're worth a go.

 

Unless anyone can recommend a similar priced ear plug that's more comfortable?! (And ideally allows you to hear quieter sounds like the faint rustling in the bushes...)

 

Cheers

[chrispti]

I cut the first (small) ring off of mine and pushed on some rubber ear bits I got with my mobile phone headphones.

 

Nice and comfy and still work

 

Edit to add;

 

As shown in this picture

 

http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/index.php?/topic/106554-ear-plugs/page__view__findpost__p__912717

Edited January 12, 2011 by chrispti

[clayman]

First off, the Patent for the Sonic II ear valve was sold off by North Industries about 3 years ago. Aculife bought the production rights but not the name.

 

Old North Industries Sonic IIs are orange/red.

Aculife's Shooter's Aid are milky white.

 

They are handy if you find them comfortable, but note their SNR is very low, so if you are really concerned about gunshot noise, consider higher SNR rated products. Higher grade passive systems exist in things like the Napier Pro-9. Standard 20p foam plus have much higher SNR ratings.

[sandspider]

Well, in the end I got some Surefire Earpro SP4 plugs from the states. Better attenuation then the Sonic Shooters, so let's hope I can get on with them.

 

Cheers chaps & chapesses.

[wayne78]

Well, in the end I got some Surefire Earpro SP4 plugs from the states. Better attenuation then the Sonic Shooters, so let's hope I can get on with them.

 

Cheers chaps & chapesses.

 

Have you used the Earpro's yet? I've been looking at getting a pair myself just wondered if they're any good

[Nightrider]

Put simply NO; sonic type ear plugs do not provide adequate protection. Being mechanically operated the moving parts cannot move from stationary to super-sonic speed fast enough to close off the high speed (speed of sound = 1150 feet per second approx) to prevent damaging sound levels reaching your eardrums.

So many shooters choosing this cheap option over the years have ended up with tinnitus. 

Any shotgun hearing protection needs a SNR /NRR noise reduction rating of ideally 27db or greater.

Some sonic plugs so low protection they get ratings barely in double figures.And SOME have no rating approval certificate marking on the packaging at all.

I learned this 30 years ago (at at specialist hearing prevention seminar). And still folk don't know this today. Sad.

Edited January 28, 2019 by Nightrider
Spelling of tinnitus.

[Jacko3275]

Just ordered some will let you know how they go

[Nightrider]

On 30/01/2019 at 20:50, Jacko3275 said:

Just ordered some will let you know how they go

I look forward to hearing about your purchase. Hopefully such devices have improved their performance over the years.

I am particularly interested to know what Hearing Protection Rating they have now achieved. This will be the SNR / NRR rating figure usually printed in a circular motif with the rating figure, in decibels, printed in the centre.  Some I saw years ago had SNR / NRR ratings so low ( as in low meaning low protection) that they did not even provide the tested ratings with the product!   That meant no-one knew how poor they were. But, they are cheap, so a great many of those buying hearing protection didn't even know what the SNR / NRR ratings mean (and others didn't know they exist even...)  Keep me posted, please.

 

[TIGHTCHOKE]

Blimey an 8 year response time!

[Nightrider]

A shame no one else saw it earlier to help the guy make an informed decision...

 

[Jacko3275]

18 hours ago, TIGHTCHOKE said:

Blimey an 8 year response time!

Didn’t realise whoops 

[Stonepark]

Sonic II's i believe are under rated due to their design when it comes to shooting. Their current SNR is 18. However the SNR tests to measure this are not impulse noise (gun fire) but constant sound.

Similarly, Surefire EP4 are rated SNR 12 with filter cap out and 24 with filter cap in. However their impulse noise ratings are SNR 28 and 40 respectively.

In practice, i detect little if any difference between my sonic II, EP4, emtec noisebreakers and hybrids (moulded plugs using sonic valves) when out in the field.

 

[Nightrider]

An SNR rating of 18 is pitifully low (and 12 SNR utterley useless) for shotgun hearing protection.

The major issue with Sonic type plugs has always been that, being mechanical in operation, the discs and springs could NOT accelerate from zero to 1150 feet per second (speed of sound approx) fast enough to prevent sound impulse from a shotgun (obviously travelling AT the speed of sound) from reaching the eardrums.

Maybe they have overcome this very difficult feat; if so, please provide factual evidence of such

Because the 'sonic valves' can catch up later on, closing AFTER the initial 130 / 140 Decibel 'hit' to the eardrums, it gives the user the impression that they have usefully prevented the dangerous to hearing pressure level.

Even SNR 24 is a minimal  pass, IF it actually achieves this.

I would want PROOF that these can offer adequate protection.

NB: The hearing Protection Seminar I attended had audiologists who had worked on this issue with the military, including the US Miltary, who had looked into 'Sonic' type plugs.

 

Do, please, obtain Proof that these type of protectors are now capable of providing adeqaute protection and I will happily make that known much more widely.

Until then, waxed foam plugs are a proven better option (and also inexpensive).

Let us get this correct; incorrect advice ultimately helps no shooter; but it does help folk selling cheap products to the unwary...

 

[Stonepark]

1 hour ago, Nightrider said:

An SNR rating of 18 is pitifully low (and 12 SNR utterley useless) for shotgun hearing protection.

The major issue with Sonic type plugs has always been that, being mechanical in operation, the discs and springs could NOT accelerate from zero to 1150 feet per second (speed of sound approx) fast enough to prevent sound impulse from a shotgun (obviously travelling AT the speed of sound) from reaching the eardrums.

Maybe they have overcome this very difficult feat; if so, please provide factual evidence of such

Because the 'sonic valves' can catch up later on, closing AFTER the initial 130 / 140 Decibel 'hit' to the eardrums, it gives the user the impression that they have usefully prevented the dangerous to hearing pressure level.

Even SNR 24 is a minimal  pass, IF it actually achieves this.

I would want PROOF that these can offer adequate protection.

NB: The hearing Protection Seminar I attended had audiologists who had worked on this issue with the military, including the US Miltary, who had looked into 'Sonic' type plugs.

 

Do, please, obtain Proof that these type of protectors are now capable of providing adeqaute protection and I will happily make that known much more widely.

Until then, waxed foam plugs are a proven better option (and also inexpensive).

Let us get this correct; incorrect advice ultimately helps no shooter; but it does help folk selling cheap products to the unwary...

 

The peak sound pressure level (SPL), spreading of pressure wave and other physical characteristics of the impulse noise from weapons were studied in actual shooting conditions for assessment of gunfire noise exposure. Additionally, the attenuation of SPL by hearing protectors was measured with miniature microphones to evaluate protection efficiency in real shooting conditions. The peak SPLs at the shooter's ear ranged from 132 dB (miniature rifle) to 183 dB (howitzer). The spectral content of the main part of the acoustic energy was less than 400 Hz (peak 16-100 Hz) for large-caliber weapons and 150-2,500 Hz (peak 900-1,500 Hz) for small-caliber weapons (rifles). The safe distances from the noise source (less than 140 dB peak SPL) were 50-200 m for large-caliber weapons. Rifle impulses (assault rifle, caliber 7.62) had a peak SPL of 154 dB at a distance of 4 m from the muzzle. The peak SPLs of different explosives ranged from 125 to 185 dB at distances of 10 to 300 m. In rifle shooting, the attenuation efficiency of earplugs (16dB) or small-volume (thin) earmuffs (17 dB) was not sufficient and their use as sole protectors cannot be recommended. Instead, large-volume earmuffs should be used. Impulses from pistol and shotgun were fairly effectively attenuated both by small-volume and large-volume earmuffs.

[Nightrider]

This chart from the Health &Safety Executive, following on-site and in use testing of hearing protectors, records the reuslts obtained.

These are just for plugs, including foam plugs (as I had suggested).  Good ones performed quite well (as they have before).

The full document (long & very detailed) is available on the HSE web site. It has results for all types of hearing protection.

Table 5:

Range of earplugs/ canal caps tested

Earplug model and number Description / SNR dB / Cost

1 EAR Caboflex Banded tapered canal cap / 19 / £4

2 EAR Ultrafit 20 Corded premoulded flange earplug / 20 / £2

3 Howard Leight Banded round ear canal ca p/  23/ £3

4 Howard Leight Quiet Premoulded bulb shape earplug/  28 /  30p

5 EAR Classic Compressible foam earplug / 28 / 20p

6 EAR Express Pod Foam earplug on stalk / 28 / 50p

7 EAR Ultrafit Premoulded flange earplug / 35 / £1

8 Howard Leight Max Compressible foam earplug 37 20p

[Stonepark]

On 03/02/2019 at 17:56, Nightrider said:

This chart from the Health &Safety Executive, following on-site and in use testing of hearing protectors, records the reuslts obtained.

These are just for plugs, including foam plugs (as I had suggested).  Good ones performed quite well (as they have before).

The full document (long & very detailed) is available on the HSE web site. It has results for all types of hearing protection.

Table 5:

Range of earplugs/ canal caps tested

Earplug model and number Description / SNR dB / Cost

1 EAR Caboflex Banded tapered canal cap / 19 / £4

2 EAR Ultrafit 20 Corded premoulded flange earplug / 20 / £2

3 Howard Leight Banded round ear canal ca p/  23/ £3

4 Howard Leight Quiet Premoulded bulb shape earplug/  28 /  30p

5 EAR Classic Compressible foam earplug / 28 / 20p

6 EAR Express Pod Foam earplug on stalk / 28 / 50p

7 EAR Ultrafit Premoulded flange earplug / 35 / £1

8 Howard Leight Max Compressible foam earplug 37 20p

 

Unfortuneately the chart is only good for use in constant sound areas, not representaive of how the plugs deal with impulse noise which is what we deal with when using firearms and the noise they use to test for SNR does not have this impulse element. 

The paper from HSE which your chart came from specifically pointed out that most users did not adequately identify their requirements due to a lack of understanding or that of the hearing protection had vaious options and how these worked and dealt with various issues such as fit, placement, sound source and protection requirements.

Sonics (similar to other filtered ear plugs), specifically are designed to protect from impulse noise and do this by having a small opening (approx 2mm) and the valve which closes with pressure. Even as you suggest should the  valve not work effectively, just having the small hole protects significantly against the impulse noise.

Have a look at the paper on "Performance of Hearing Protectors in Impulse Noise  " by Buck, which deals with this difference between constant noise and impulse noise.

I previously quoted Surefires figures from their EP4 manual sheet (and given how litigeous the USA is, I have little doubt they are exaggerated), which clearly show that with impulse noise when the tunnel/filters are open  (circa 2mm hole) 28db and when the tunnel/filters close 40db both of which is perfectly adequate for pistol and shotgun use.

Given the Sonics are mid way (SNR18db) between the uncapped EP4 (SNR 12db) and capped EP4 (SNR 24) in their open valve form and have a small holed which is valved, they will sit somewhere about 34db against impulse noise which is adequate, even though for constant noise their SNR of 18 may be inadequate.

 

 

 

 

 

[Walker570]

I remember many moons ago a Hearing Specialist telling us that ear plugs are basically useless as the sound is also crried into the ear via the bones surrounding the ear and good quality ear muffs were better and even better good fitting plugs and good quality/fitting muffs, unfortunately years too late for me as I have an orchestra playing in my head constantly and my hearing is probably about 10% of what it was.  I now wear electronic ear plugs CENS which at least allow me to hear what people are saying. I have moderators on all of my rifles bar my double rifle when I wear the CENS and a pair of muffs.    My years from 10yrs to 25yrs of age did mine as ear protection back then was never considered.   

Look after those ears because I can tell you struggling to hear a conversation is not fun.  At least I can hear myself think when driving my old Landie ....... no it ain't funny.

 

Edited February 4, 2019 by Walker570

[Jacko3275]

My sonic 2  plugs worked great last week bit uncomfortable but reckon they’ll soften in time

Edited February 21, 2019 by Jacko3275