Good electronic hearing protection?

[Cheeseybacon]

After enduring a trip to range on Saturday with my dad yelling at the top of his lungs while talking to people who were two feet away from him, I have decided that I am going to get my dad a set of electronic hearing protection for Christmas: the kind that blocks out gunfire/loud sounds, but amplifies quieter sounds like people talking. Maybe if he can hear better at the range then he'll stop yelling so much at everyone else.

My dad isn't deaf, but he's endured many years in a machine shop and it has definitely affected his hearing, so he currently wears a plugs AND muffs to preserve what he has left. While that's a great combination for maximum hearing protection, it's just a little impractical though, because he can't hear ANYTHING with that combination and as a result feels compelled to holler and yell at the top of his lungs when talking to everyone else. I also wear plugs and muffs, but I have a good bit more hearing left so hearing people isn't a problem for me just yet.

Can anyone recommend a good pair of electronic muffs that they've had good results with?

[dgg9]

Good = Peltor

Great = Pro Ears

Priced accordingly.

[TonyF]

Sordin.

Very expensive @ $250.00 but worth every penny. Waterproof battery compartment. Scalloped to minimize issues with cheekweld when shooting long guns. Electronics are superb.

[dgg9]

Sordin.

Which model do you have experience with?

Also, how is the ear seal? E.g., the Peltors never really sealed well for me -- too much direct sound from the outside comes in. They were actually painful indoors.

[Cheeseybacon]

How is the actual hearing protection one these things?

I realize that any pair of electronic muffs couldn't compare to a set of plugs + cheap muffs, but I'm curious just how much protection is lost moving to one of these types of setups? Is it negligible or fairly significant?

[dgg9]

I realize that any pair of electronic muffs couldn't compare to a set of plugs + cheap muffs, but I'm curious just how much protection is lost moving to one of these types of setups? Is it negligible or fairly significant?

Negligible, assuming they fit you well (that's true of passives, too). That's one of the ongoing problems about shopping for them: very few stores have a good selection of electronic ears, so you end up buying online, and risking selling in disgust and at a loss...a process I went through a while ago.

[Mtbkski]

You are four days to late. Midway had a pair on sell for $19.00. Normally around $35. They aren't the top of the line. But I see lots of guys using the same model at IDPA shoots, I have talked to them, and finally got myself two pairs. One for the betterhalf. So far, I have been very pleased with them. Didn't cost an arm and a leg, but you can hear people talking.

Hey they are still on sale. Like I said. They aren't top of the line. But they will do the job that you need done. If I ever get money that I'm not spending on firearms, maybe I will get a better pair, till then, these work great in my opinion, considering what you pay for them.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...725&t=11082005

[BradC]

I am a big fan of the ProEars.

They fit well, and sound well to me.

They also have a slightly scalloped part for cheekweld, and also have a felt pad there to limit any abrasion to a long arm.

As far as the waterproof battery compartment, I dont see that being much of a problem.

[TonyF]

Which model do you have experience with?

http://triadtactical.com/store/item/...eme_Pro-X.html

Also, how is the ear seal? E.g., the Peltors never really sealed well for me -- too much direct sound from the outside comes in. They were actually painful indoors.

They seal very well.

[TonyF]

How is the actual hearing protection one these things?

I realize that any pair of electronic muffs couldn't compare to a set of plugs + cheap muffs, but I'm curious just how much protection is lost moving to one of these types of setups? Is it negligible or fairly significant?

Outdoors the difference is negligible.

Indoors shooting a handgun they're fine.

Indoors shooting a rifle it's best to wear plugs under electronic muffs no matter what brand.