Hearing Protection

[Gunowner99]

I’ll cut right to the Chase. Those cheap throwaway foam earplugs have a 32 NRR. Every fancy set of walkers or whatever have 22 maybe 23 NRR.

Why would I buy an expensive set of noise, canceling microphone activated, blah blah blah when you get better hearing protection with the cheap foam ones?

[Curmudgeon]

Mine are not electronic but I have seen the advantages of being able to hear
between booms. And I have also seen what you have, the relatively wide range
of protection between various products. I seem to recall searching the web based
on the NRR rating, and being able to locate electronic units rated in the high 20's
and low 30's, but it took a lot of looking.

I don't recall the NRR for my over-the-ear protection but for the past several years
I have always worn both the foam inserts and the muffs simultaneously. I think
would still do that with the electronic ear-pro.
I've done enough to my ears in the past 5 1/2 decades.

[Gunowner99]

I follow you. It seems that everyone uses this electronic protection and whether that*s at the range or whether it*s on TV and honestly if it provides a lower reduction why is it so prevalent?

[OwnTheRide]

As to why you might choose headphones over earplugs: comfort and convenience. Earplugs can kinda hurt after a while... though, OTOH, so can headphones, at least in my case. As for convenience, it's a lot easier to take headphones off and on, whereas with earplugs, they don't really work until they've expanded and they have to be set just right, so temporary removal is a pain in the rear.

Personally, I use the foam plugs, specifically these from Amazon. Have containers of them everywhere I might need them - in the range bag, in the truck, in the garage, etc. Headphones get way too sweaty for me most of the time, and during the season they don't, they get in the way of my warm hat.

[RockIsland]

I follow you. It seems that everyone uses this electronic protection and whether that*s at the range or whether it*s on TV and honestly if it provides a lower reduction why is it so prevalent?

So you can hear without taking your plugs out. I use both.

[STBear]

I use both the foam and electronic at the same time.

[lager1829]

I use these Mack's Maximum Protection NNR 33. $15 fo 50 pairs. Work great.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[akley88]

i use walker's quad mic earmuffs, NRR of 26dB. i dont have to take them off to hear and they can actually amplify quiet noises. so if your one to use ear muffs while hunting this can help you hear whats moving around you.

[Gunowner99]

That may be what I do, but honestly does having the microphone help or should I just skip it?

I*m just trying to figure out what my best course of action is

[JaySmith]

That may be what I do, but honestly does having the microphone help or should I just skip it?

I*m just trying to figure out what my best course of action is

Depends on if you're at the range alone or with someone. When I hit the range with friends it's nice to be able to have a conversation without removing foam.