Electronic ear protection recommendation

[MAdcox]

I’ve been researching amplified hearing protection online and decided I just need to ask the experts. AH is a far better resource than any internet search.
I am looking for my first pair of electronic ear protection to keep what little is left of my hearing from being damaged. But I am no longer hunting alone much at all. I have kids with me nearly every outing and need to be able to communicate with them from whispering in a deer blind to laughing and visiting in a duck blind. I would prefer the ear bud type over muffs just for ease of wear with hunting hats and warm head coverings. But I’ve never hunted with full muffs before so even that may be wrong thinking.

 

[meigsbucks]

This year, I started using Axil rechargeable ear buds. They seem to do well. At the range, I do double up with muffs, just out of precaution. They say they have an 8 hr life per charge and it’s pretty close.
These are also Bluetooth and when I take my wife to the hair salon, listen to music on them.
One of my better purchases.

 

[sgt_zim]

This year, I started using Axil rechargeable ear buds. They seem to do well. At the range, I do double up with muffs, just out of precaution. They say they have an 8 hr life per charge and it’s pretty close.
These are also Bluetooth and when I take my wife to the hair salon, listen to music on them.
One of my better purchases.

View attachment 646330

I have these exact hearing pro. They work great.

My only complaint about them is they don't do a very good job of suppressing wind noise. They're great for having whispered convos, and also great in the deer woods where I hunt. I can hear deer walking on the dry leaf litter a couple minutes before I can see them, so I'm alerted to sit very still. I won't hunt without them anymore.

I only discovered the wind noise issue on my recent safari in RSA. But my PH and I were able to easily whisper back and forth.

 

[Rule 303]

The buds seem to be the way to go if used away from the range. Unfortunately I have yet to get around to trying some. So I will be following this thread closely. The electronic muff that I use are the Sordins. Comfortable and very good at cutting out the loud noises without shutting off all noise.

The newer ones have 4 settings to reduce background noise in different environments. I have yet to try these, but the reports are very good.

 

[Boris11]

I used soundgear instant fit last year and they seem like a good value. I want to buck up for custom molded ones eventually. A little bit of too little too late though, my hearing is already shot

 

[375er]

Soundgear custom fit are fantastic. Wearing them as I type this as a matter of fact!

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

The buds seem to be the way to go if used away from the range. Unfortunately I have yet to get around to trying some. So I will be following this thread closely. The electronic muff that I use are the Sordins. Comfortable and very good at cutting out the loud noises without shutting off all noise.

The newer ones have 4 settings to reduce background noise in different environments. I have yet to try these, but the reports are very good.

What is the issue at the range? I was considering these too in order to avoid the bulky muffs banging into the rifle stock.

 

[Rule 303]

What is the issue at the range? I was considering these too in order to avoid the bulky muffs banging into the rifle stock.

Just going by what others have said above and some at the range that have buds, they are not as good as blocking the noise as the muff types. Most I know that have the buds use muff's as well.

 

[MontanaPat]

I have Axil XCors and they seem to work fine at the range but my range may only have 1-2 others there at a time

 

[reinwood]

I use these for a while, very happy:

3M™ PELTOR™ Electronic Earplug, EEP-100​

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/v100765196/

 

[Sabre]

I have tried a lot of different electronic ear pro and have read countless reviews of many brands.

So far the best I have found for an average price option are the Walkers Silencer BT 2.0

I really did not like any of the Axil ear buds I tried.

For me, I have found a lot of electronic ear pro to be uncomfortable in my ear. The Walkers ones mentioned above, I started having a bit of earache after multiple days for 8-12 hours a day wearing them. But for people that might hunt more average hours per day, it likely wouldn't be an issue at all.

The next pair I try will likely be some variation of the 3M Peltor because they have a decent number of positive reviews.

 

[BeeMaa]

I paid the big bucks for the Tetra Custom Shield Multi-Pursuit but I don't believe I'm getting the ROI that I expected. They are good but at that price point, I expect ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING. They have been left behind on more than a couple of trips now because of these new muffs.

I shifted to wearing custom molded plugs (nothing added) and when I can, add a set of Sordin Supreme Pro-X muffs over them. The electronics in the Sordin are amazing. It's easy to distinguish what direction sounds are coming from. These do two things, amplify sounds as well as dampen shooting sounds...perfect for hunting.

I've used these muffs for goose and turkey hunting as well as at the range. I haven't seen an impact on the them hitting the stock or it changing how I mount the shotgun. With the rifle they do touch the stock but the gel pad (pay for this upgrade) maintains a seal.

 

[BeeMaa]

What is the issue at the range? I was considering these too in order to avoid the bulky muffs banging into the rifle stock.

Plugs are better for low frequency noise, and muffs for high frequency noise. Using both gives a more rounded approach and does increase the level of protection.

Each have their advantages and disadvantages but in general, top quality plugs and muffs will give good protection if worn correctly.

If worn correctly is a big one. If plugs are not inserted properly or there are gaps in the seal of muffs, there will be some loss of protection. Do your best to wear them properly.

 

[Gerry Addison]

Has anyone else used the Sordin muffs? Looking for something I can wear while grouse and turkey hunting.

 

[Kalthoff]

While hunting I use Sordin Supreme Pro-X with gel earpads. They have amazingly good electronics, I can easily hear the wildlife around me. Beware that the passive dampening could be better.

At the shooting range I use Peltor ProTac III Compared to the Sordins they have better passive dampening, but worse electronics. Since more shots are fired at the range than while hunting, these are my choice for the range.

In both cases I often supplement with single-use foam earplugs - the construction site type, in order to bring the passive dampening to an acceptable level.

 

[sgt_zim]

Just going by what others have said above and some at the range that have buds, they are not as good as blocking the noise as the muff types. Most I know that have the buds use muff's as well.

The thing about the inserts is you have to use the correct size inserts for your ear holes. I have a slightly larger plug for me left ear than right. My in-ear axils suppress noise as well as any over-ear muffs I've ever worn.

 

[skydiver386]

Indoor range shooting and outdoor range shooting or hunting require different setups.

Indoor ranges with center fire rifles require both earbuds and muffs. I prefer the Surefire EP4 earplugs, with Peltor electronic muffs.

Haven't come to any conclusions about electronic ear buds because I haven't found any that last.

 

[Sabre]

It's worth noting that I have heard a decent amount of people with custom fitted earplugs complain that when shooting, when they press their cheek to the stock, it can cause a gap to form in the ear opening on the plugs.

I just feel like it's worth mentioning because it surprised me on such expensive earplugs to end up with a similar problem that a lot of people have when using muff style ear pro.

The biggest issue I've noticed in ear bud style is:
1) comfort
2) ambient/wind noise becoming obnoxious

 

[roklok]

I have had Pro Ear Pro Fit classics for almost a year now and love them. I used them in Zambezi in October on my safari, and have no complaints. Amplifies ambient noise, but shuts out gunshots. Fit to your ear, can wear them comfortably all day. Mid range pricy, $1,500.00, but I would pay it again after owning them. Wind noise is not an issue with these, and they have 4 different amplification levels.

https://proears.com/electronic-hear..._wqVF9kxELdssFYLIvFiFcZWBlXkfok38CAXG-8AWO47W

 

[skydiver386]

I have had Pro Ear Pro Fit classics for almost a year now and love them. I used them in Zambezi in October on my safari, and have no complaints. Amplifies ambient noise, but shuts out gunshots. Fit to your ear, can wear them comfortably all day. Mid range pricy, $1,500.00, but I would pay it again after owning them. Wind noise is not an issue with these, and they have 4 different amplification levels.

https://proears.com/electronic-hear..._wqVF9kxELdssFYLIvFiFcZWBlXkfok38CAXG-8AWO47W

Those look like nice equipment. I saw they have a tinitus adjustment. Not sure how it works, but could be a valuable thing for older shooters that have this hearing condition.