Hearing Protection

[Newbie_AH]

I’m looking for advice on which ear defenders to get. I definitely went over ear style and have had a look online at Sordin, Peltor and Walker but would appreciate recommendations on which product offers best protection. 
 

I’m new to clay shooting so expect quite a few posts from me 😁

[BobbyH]

1 hour ago, Newbie_AH said:

I’m looking for advice on which ear defenders to get. I definitely went over ear style and have had a look online at Sordin, Peltor and Walker but would appreciate recommendations on which product offers best protection. 
 

I’m new to clay shooting so expect quite a few posts from me 😁

You can spend as much or as little as you like.

£30 electronic ear defenders off Amazon do the job,

£350 Swatcom ear defenders also do the job!

I personally use DeciBullz moldable inner ear defenders as my gun mount catches the bottom of my current electronic ear defenders 

[owain]

I have a pair of MSA sordin, I bought them secondhand about 14 years ago. They are brilliant, I were them all the time when clay pigeon shooting. 

[Newbie_AH]

31 minutes ago, BobbyH said:

You can spend as much or as little as you like.

£30 electronic ear defenders off Amazon do the job,

£350 Swatcom ear defenders also do the job!

I personally use DeciBullz moldable inner ear defenders as my gun mount catches the bottom of my current electronic ear defenders 

Thanks BobbyH, I’ll give DeciBullz a look as well

2 minutes ago, owain said:

I have a pair of MSA sordin, I bought them secondhand about 14 years ago. They are brilliant, I were them all the time when clay pigeon shooting. 

Thanks Owain, a solid endorsement for the quality of Sordin 👍🏼

[Newbie to this]

Any of the Peltor ones will do the job, I have the rangeguard ones, which have a slim profile which helps with mount issues above, but the rangeguard are hard to get in the UK.

Edited October 19 by Newbie to this

[Mfozz]

I use Peltor bullseye 1 and Peltor Optime 2 both do the job with the Optime 2 being slightly higher rated so in effect are a bit quieter. The Bullseye are aimed at shooters so are a little bit contoured to aid gun mount. For me, makes no difference with my mount. 
 

Been contemplating (for ages) buying electronic over ears, but I always have something else to spend 200 quid on!! 
 

The advantage of electronic is, the bangs are suppressed but normal conversation talking is not affected …. Magic!  So if you shoot a lot with mates or have lessons etc, electronic can be useful.. saying that I get by with the standard passive ones. 
 

As an aside, only my opinion but I’d steer clear of cheapy no name brands and Amazon specials. 

[Newbie_AH]

2 hours ago, Mfozz said:

I use Peltor bullseye 1 and Peltor Optime 2 both do the job with the Optime 2 being slightly higher rated so in effect are a bit quieter. The Bullseye are aimed at shooters so are a little bit contoured to aid gun mount. For me, makes no difference with my mount. 
 

Been contemplating (for ages) buying electronic over ears, but I always have something else to spend 200 quid on!! 
 

The advantage of electronic is, the bangs are suppressed but normal conversation talking is not affected …. Magic!  So if you shoot a lot with mates or have lessons etc, electronic can be useful.. saying that I get by with the standard passive ones. 
 

As an aside, only my opinion but I’d steer clear of cheapy no name brands and Amazon specials. 

Thanks Mfozz, definitely going with well known brand and buy direct. Have read a few things about people getting fake products on Amazon 

[Dog-Fart]

Howard leights are good started at £35 If I remember

[Flashman]

I’ve used Sordin for near twenty years. 
I had a hearing test recently that detected slight hearing reduction in the right ear - almost certainly down to shooting (I’m right handed). 
The Vet suggested using in-ear foam plugs as well as over ear electronic cans.  I haven’t noticed any problems, moreover I’m often told I hear too damn much - but the machine’s don’t lie. 
Once the hearing goes, it won’t come back, so take care of it. 

[Whitester]

I had a cheap pair for years that I paid £40 for and they were ok but recently purchased a pair of peltor sportstac. Much better in terms of clarity, comfort and battery life. Spend your money and take your choices I guess but the more expensive ones are better than the cheaper ones in my experience.

[steve1066]

10 minutes ago, Whitester said:

I had a cheap pair for years that I paid £40 for and they were ok but recently purchased a pair of peltor sportstac. Much better in terms of clarity, comfort and battery life. Spend your money and take your choices I guess but the more expensive ones are better than the cheaper ones in my experience.

Also you can buy gel inserts for the sportac that makes them more comfortable.

[Whitester]

I don’t think you can but you don’t need them, they are already comfy enough.

[BobbyH]

Just seen this;

3M Peltor HY80S-EU Sporttac Gel Earpad Kit - Earshot Communications

You can get the Gel insert fpr the Peltor Sportac's - but for £44!

[kevin55]

1 hour ago, BobbyH said:

Just seen this;

3M Peltor HY80S-EU Sporttac Gel Earpad Kit - Earshot Communications

You can get the Gel insert fpr the Peltor Sportac's - but for £44!

And they're out of stock at that price! Cotton wool?

[Newbie to this]

12 hours ago, BobbyH said:

Just seen this;

3M Peltor HY80S-EU Sporttac Gel Earpad Kit - Earshot Communications

You can get the Gel insert fpr the Peltor Sportac's - but for £44!

You can get cheaper ones, I got some off Amazon for my rangeguard. They are fine and much comfier than the originals.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0BCJPNFMG?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Edited October 24 by Newbie to this

[steve1066]

16 hours ago, Whitester said:

I don’t think you can but you don’t need them, they are already 

16 hours ago, Whitester said:

I don’t think you can but you don’t need them, they are already comfy enough.

Yes you can, and yes you do, the original ones go hard after a couple of years.

[Old Boggy]

On 20/10/2024 at 15:23, Flashman said:

I’ve used Sordin for near twenty years. 
I had a hearing test recently that detected slight hearing reduction in the right ear - almost certainly down to shooting (I’m right handed). 
The Vet suggested using in-ear foam plugs as well as over ear electronic cans.  I haven’t noticed any problems, moreover I’m often told I hear too damn much - but the machine’s don’t lie. 
Once the hearing goes, it won’t come back, so take care of it. 

I`m a bit confused here.

Normally if shooting off the right shoulder, it`s the left ear that`s affected most as the right ear is protected by your arm.

Also, does your vet carry out hearing tests?

[Flashman]

2 hours ago, Old Boggy said:

I`m a bit confused here.

Normally if shooting off the right shoulder, it`s the left ear that`s affected most as the right ear is protected by your arm.

Also, does your vet carry out hearing tests?

Vet = joke title. 
Right ear’s next to the gun.  
Not sure how your ear’s protected by your arm. 

[oowee]

On 20/10/2024 at 14:50, Dog-**** said:

Howard leights are good started at £35 If I remember

They are excellent. Even if i do loose them occasionally. They are particularly comfortable when you wear them all day with the felt liners. 

[smokingdragon]

I was told years ago when we used to have annual hearing tests, that is was the opposite ear that was vulnerable from the sound bouncing of nearby sufaces.

[oldypigeonpopper]

Hello, I always thought it was the opposite ear to have hearing loss depending on right or left hand, i wish now there were more info on this years ago when i did a lot of clay shooting, now 50 percent loss in left ear of right hand shooter, when i get chance to go now i use some folding Peltors, Saying this i cannot put it all down to shooting as i have worked in some noisy industries when health and safety was not maintained like it is today, We did have ear plugs but imagine welding by an Industrial turbine going full speed 😒

[London Best]

13 minutes ago, oldypigeonpopper said:

Hello, I always thought it was the opposite ear to have hearing loss depending on right or left hand, i wish now there were more info on this years ago when i did a lot of clay shooting, now 50 percent loss in left ear of right hand shooter, when i get chance to go now i use some folding Peltors, Saying this i cannot put it all down to shooting as i have worked in some noisy industries when health and safety was not maintained like it is today, We did have ear plugs but imagine welding by an Industrial turbine going full speed 😒

I agree. I worked in noisy workshops for 30 years and I am fairly deaf, especially in my right ear. Lots of my colleagues are also deaf. 
I have to say that none of my shooting friends are the least bit deaf despite some of them shooting more than me, which is a lot.