onefulham Posted March 7, 2012 Report Share Posted March 7, 2012 I have had a hearing problem since Nov, just had a bath, bit of water in my ear and now deaf in one ear, pee'd off but will have to get used too and deal with it, asked for a second opinion and saw a consultant today, my wife came to ask questions as well. She is very concerned as I now only have one good ear plus my 15 year old son and myself just taken up shooting last year, and we both love going. My wife, to be fair is now ultra cautious about our hearing because she cares. We do use and always very aware to put on from the car our Napier Pro 9, I feel they are very good and work well, when my wife mentioned to the consultant about the shooting, it was not something he was happy with and asked what we used, seemed more interested in the price, probably concerned just using foam plugs. Didn't know about what I feel good Pro9's but went on about the headphones they do for musicians etc, approx £80, now my wife is saying no shooting for Matthew till he and I get better hearing protection, so after much rambling, sorry, what can we get that work and please her ? Thank you for any much needed advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bicykillgaz Posted March 7, 2012 Report Share Posted March 7, 2012 i normally use some of the orange foam plugs which always manage to find their way into my pocket as i leave work :yp: however if the bosslady has spoke i'd get on ebay and look at the low profile peltor green ear protectors some can get in the way of of mounting your gun but they are quite thin but still as effective there not too dear either about £10-20. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy198712 Posted March 7, 2012 Report Share Posted March 7, 2012 i think fieldsportschannel had a review on them, ranging from the cheapie one use foams to the £600? semiems (sp) jobbies and the verdict was that the cheapie foams worked just as well as the top jobs, but they block out all sound, where as the big wonga ones block out only loud sounds so you can still chat normally.... worth a search for the video Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agjm Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 i think fieldsportschannel had a review on them, ranging from the cheapie one use foams to the £600? semiems (sp) jobbies and the verdict was that the cheapie foams worked just as well as the top jobs, but they block out all sound, where as the big wonga ones block out only loud sounds so you can still chat normally.... Im with Andy on this one. There is no real difference in the hearing protection of a cheap and most expensive pairs of ear defenders. The part that protects your ear is identical. You are just paying extra for the microphone, speaker and electronics which bypass the protection when there is no loud noises. The pro 9s have an SNR (amount of sound reduced) of 21, a search of the internet has come up with mouldex disposable foam earplugs a £5 for 5 pairs with an SNR of 35. The napier pro 10s have a slightly higher rating as they are designed for centrefire shooting so they may be worth a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooter Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 We did a lot of research for work and found that as agjm says they all remove around 21dB max. When I am on the range I use soft plugs under switched off Howard Leights, which does give you complete silence, but in the field I only use Pro 10's or plugs, but that's rifles not guns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onefulham Posted March 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 The thing is my wife, thorough pain that she is, looked into it, safe level of sound that will not damage your hearing it says is 85 Db, average non ported shotguns are 151 db when going 'Bang', my Napier Pro 9 lower ambient sound by 32 db, so you can see not down enough for no damage, the consultant said all loud noises will mean some damge however slight and repeated going over 85db will meana loss of some higher frequencies. I had a quick look last night, as she will not allow Matthew to go shooting again till we get some 'Proper ear defenders'. Napier do some that say will not allow above 85db, electrical ones about £50, most do not mention the level they cut in db, just whatever the EU standard is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cookoff013 Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 i use these http://www.seton.co.uk/peltor-optime-iii-ear-muffs-nonsignmg629.html?gclid=CN-GnOeo164CFZARfAodQTXQfA very comfy. it gives the best protection ever. its light and is not too intrusive. i have an expensive pair of sportacs and only use them in certain situations. i have shot rifles with the optomeIII and plugs. i can recomend that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cookoff013 Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 forgot to add, if i ever loose them, i`d without doubt, order 2 pairs the next time. they are way beyond the best ear protection. i started using the optomeII then started using the 3. they keep your ears toasty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coyotemaster Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 We did a lot of research for work and found that as agjm says they all remove around 21dB max. When I am on the range I use soft plugs under switched off Howard Leights, which does give you complete silence, but in the field I only use Pro 10's or plugs, but that's rifles not guns. This is what I too have found to be most effective, plugs and muffs, but not in the field. The foam plugs do a great job but do make hearing a bird flush, normal conversation and such a pretty hard do. I still use Lee sonic rubber molded plugs with the metal baffle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killer_pigeon Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 what gun you shooting ? semi auto's can sometimes be louder then a o/u as you dont have a good closed sealed chamber as with o/u i only ever use yellow foam ear plugs and they do the job fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakerboy Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 Peltor Ear defenders for me about £150.00ish, but you get what you pay for. It is not only the ear drum you want to protect it is the bone surrounding the ear as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onefulham Posted March 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 (edited) Very good point Terry, I never really thought of that untill my wife saw in another artical about ear defenders, that is why to her now our Napier Pro 9 are not good enough, may only lose some top frequency but when you only got one ear working want every bit working as good as it can ! When I had the hearing test I was surprised how much I could hear with the ear hole completely blocked and the sound fed to the bone around the ear. Edited March 8, 2012 by onefulham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakerboy Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 Very good point Terry, I never really thought of that untill my wife saw in another artical about ear defenders, that is why to her now our Napier Pro 9 are not good enough, may only lose some top frequency but when you only got one ear working want every bit working as good as it can ! When I had a hearing test I was surpised how much I could hear with the ear blocked and the sound fed to the bone around the ear. If you want to borrow mine whilst I am on holiday let me know. I will be away from the 21st until the 28th, I also have a set of debdens for your Son to try, the debdens are a little cheaper at about £100. from memory. You will be able to give both a good test. Cheers Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onefulham Posted March 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 Thanks Terry but we are away that weekend as well . I really appreciate the offer though, hope you have a good trip, we are just visiting the in-laws, not one to look forward to ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salopian Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 The best protection that you can get is to use foam in the ear plugs and muffs over the ears. But you have to realise that sound will carry through the bone mass around the ear canal. So unless you use foam plugs (big ones over the eyes) and shoot braille targets your never going to satisfy the wife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elgreco Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 I bought a set of MSA Sordin electronic ones. They block sounds above 85db and are quite slim so don't clater against the stock as you mount. Not cheap but worth it Cheers Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onefulham Posted March 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 The best protection that you can get is to use foam in the ear plugs and muffs over the ears. But you have to realise that sound will carry through the bone mass around the ear canal. So unless you use foam plugs (big ones over the eyes) and shoot braille targets your never going to satisfy the wife. ' never going to satisfy the wife' ? She been talking again ??!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bicykillgaz Posted March 10, 2012 Report Share Posted March 10, 2012 Id tell her seems she likes doing so much research to put it to good use and find this mystical pair of ear protection which she demands you wear! I've got 2 pairs of peltor optime2 ear protectors both nearly new for £15 I'll post them too you plus a handful of foam plugs. Take the Mrs with you let her try them if she's not happy you may aswell sell your guns as you'll not find much better. Pm me if you want the peltors mate Atb Gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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