Who here wears hearing aids?

[mingomom]

...and what do you wear for ear protection?

This may seem like a stupid question, but I just found out that I have mild to severe hearing loss in both ears (depending on the frequency and ear) and I've been fitted for hearing aids that will be completely hidden in the ear canal. My hearing loss is not gun related, but could rapidly deteriorate if I don't protect my ears. My hearing aids will be VERY tiny and can't easily be removed for putting in foam plugs, at least not without a risk of losing them - and I can't afford that.

I have been wearing foam plugs AND external hearing protection when shooting.
My audiologist was pleased to hear that I wear both, so I guess I'll be removing the hearing aids before going to the range, but I wondered what everyone else does. By the way, she didn't even blink when I mentioned shooting.

[rwilson452]

My hearing aids are the external type. They come off and go in the bag that holds my ear plugs, that go on under my muffs. My audiologist said gun fire can damage the hearing aids.

[mingomom]

My hearing aids are the external type. They come off and go in the bag that holds my ear plugs, that go on under my muffs. My audiologist said gun fire can damage the hearing aids.

I hadn't asked her specifically yet, but that was my assumption. They are rather delicate pieces of electronics. Maybe I just need to buy a cool little case to put them in.

Thanks for your input!

[Emptymag]

Could you repeat the question and type louder this time?








Sorry, I tried to just move on, but I had to do it.
This subject is interesting though.

[ErSwnn]

Yeah, by all means protect what hearing you have left. I'm deaf in one ear and have 50% in the other. I can't use hearing aids, the damage is nerve and unremedible from a bout with neural menegitis. I find I miss alot and I can't hear a thing in crowds. My left ear, the bad one, is nothing but noise. If I'm in a noisy enviroment everything becomes a muddled din.

On the bright side, it was great when I was still married but aiming towards a divorce. "Huh?" "Oh, I didn't hear you." Plus if I lay on my good ear, and I swear this is true, I can't hear a garbage truck in front of my house. Ergo I can sleep like a baby.

[mingomom]

Yeah, by all means protect what hearing you have left. I'm deaf in one ear and have 50% in the other. I can't use hearing aids, the damage is nerve and unremedible from a bout with neural menegitis. I find I miss alot and I can't hear a thing in crowds. My left ear, the bad one, is nothing but noise. If I'm in a noisy enviroment everything becomes a muddled din.

On the bright side, it was great when I was still married but aiming towards a divorce. "Huh?" "Oh, I didn't hear you." Plus if I lay on my good ear, and I swear this is true, I can't hear a garbage truck in front of my house. Ergo I can sleep like a baby.

I believe you about the garbage truck! Sorry to hear about your hearing loss - I am grateful that mine can be corrected. I hadn't realized just how many people have hearing losses until mine was diagnosed and I told family and friends. It can be such a hidden problem.

[Skullz]

Ask your audiologist if your hearing aids can have an electronic filter added. Maybe they can work similarly to the electronic muffs and shut down when a noise beyond a certain decibel level is detected.

I know that the guy who frequents the trap and sporting clays competitions and makes custom molded ear plugs offered me an option to have amplified filters added to my plugs or to have smaller plugs with a filter made. I couldn't justify the cost at the time ( over $1000) but it seems that might be an option for you.

Good luck!

[lprgcFrank]

My hearing Aid is from Walkers-same company that does the game hearing aids - got it at Cabela's too... Its very small and fits under my muffs.

I take it off when I'm doing extended shooting (couple hundred rounds in a short time). I use noise-canceling muffs and leave it on when teaching. No issues with the hearing aid.

[Hokkmike]

...and what do you wear for ear protection?

This may seem like a stupid question, but I just found out that I have mild to severe hearing loss in both ears (depending on the frequency and ear) and I've been fitted for hearing aids that will be completely hidden in the ear canal. My hearing loss is not gun related, but could rapidly deteriorate if I don't protect my ears. My hearing aids will be VERY tiny and can't easily be removed for putting in foam plugs, at least not without a risk of losing them - and I can't afford that.

I have been wearing foam plugs AND external hearing protection when shooting.
My audiologist was pleased to hear that I wear both, so I guess I'll be removing the hearing aids before going to the range, but I wondered what everyone else does. By the way, she didn't even blink when I mentioned shooting.

Should but I don't.

[DennisH82]

I have a pair of behind the ear Starkeys that Uncle Sam fiited for me in 2008. When I go shooting I take them out an wear muffs. I have lost a big chunk of my hearing over the years from things that go boom.