Hearing protection while hunting DG

[Sabre]

Walkers Silencer 2.0 BT work pretty well.

I have tried a lot of different kinds. My biggest issue with the hearing aid style ones are the batteries. Those type of batteries begin to die when you uncover the battery and continue to die even when not being used. Also the tiny batteries can be frustrating to fumble with.

I found the Axil brand ear buds to be very uncomfortable in my ear.

The walkers I mentioned have good sound quality, don't seem to be too affected by wind, have good battery life, are comfortable in the ear, and have a quick charging internal battery.

The negatives of them are that they are more prone to issues long term than say more "professional" ones. I have had to send one in for replacement because it developed a quiet but high pitched noise. And the current pair I have that are 2 years old seem to be more finicky about charging lately.

But they can be gotten on sale for around $100. So for less than 1/20th of the price of a professional pair, I expect the product to not last as long.

 

[HankBuck]

Huh? What? Pardon me? Say again? Hmmm?

As a late 50's hunter that did NOT protect my hearing from 100's of duck and goose hunts as well as deer and pig hunts, I sure wish i had protected my hearing in my earlier days. My daughters are so kind - they don't want me to get hearing aids, they want me to get an old ear horn!

So what ear protection do you recommend for hunting DG? I only am interested in something that enhances my hearing and shuts off at the shot. I have struggled on occassion with full over the ear muffs and getting a proper cheek weld.

@Hornedfrogbbq - hearing protection while DG “Hunting”?? Why? Because you are afraid of “hearing loss” when you get old? So what, most people with Hearing loss Never hunted and never fired a gun - heredity combined with normal exposure to environmental noise adds to most hearing loss. For high volume shooting, ducks, doves, skeet, targets etc… YES, I’d always wear hearing protection but it’s not on my radar for a DG hunt. I’m not implying that it’s a bad idea - but I doubt it will save you a measurable amount of hearing years later (maybe for a PH). Even then, if hearing loss runs in your family - get ready to wear hearing aids regardless of what protective measure you take. At least I’ll have a good story to tell the grandkids of “Why Grandpa’s Deaf”. (Now before an audiologist chimes in: 1). I’m 1/2 kidding and. 2). I can’t HEAR You !

 

[roklok]

I've tried the axil xcor's and the walkers - both of them the earbud version.
I sent them all back and went back to the over the ear electronic muffs. walker razor's.
I can't abide the wind noise feedback from the earbuds. It's not as bad with electronic muffs for some reason.

If you're paying north of $200 for electronic hearing protection to be able to hear what's going on around you and a 3mph breeze drowns it all out... I don't see the value.

At the high risk of getting flamed for mentioning a suppressor, my 375 has a suppressor.
I still take the muffs and when it gets time for things to be "sporty" I just put them on and go.
If things are sporty before I manage to get them on... the can still mitigates to some extents. Audiologists and purists can "AKTUALLY!" me on whether it's "hunting safe" but it is better.

If you do look at muffs - i recommend you get the styles that are tapered at the bottom or you'll be irritated as you bang them off the stock when trying to get a good cheek weld.

Another muff version that is highly praised is sordin supreme pro x earmuffs.

Good luck.

My Pro-Ear Classics do not have the wind noise problem. I hunted in wind conditions that buffeted me around on the shooting sticks, but no issue with wind noise. According to their website the Classic has wind noise reduction, the less expensive "Sport" does not.

I like suppressors owning a number of them and have hunted with them, however there are rifles that for one reason or another I don't want to or cant attach a suppressor. I purchased the Pro Ear Classics on sale for the price of a premium suppressor, and they work on ALL my handguns, rifles, and shotguns. One of the best shooting and hunting related products I have purchased, I wish I had them years ago. I am trying my best to preserve what hearing I have left.

 

[Tanks]

So what ear protection do you recommend for hunting DG? I only am interested in something that enhances my hearing and shuts off at the shot. I have struggled on occassion with full over the ear muffs and getting a proper cheek weld.

In-ear hearing protection. It enhances your hearing, comfortable and cuts down the noise at the time of firing your weapon. It is custom made for people's ears.

You can see a part of it sticking out of my left ear.

 

[M70375!]

Huh? What? Pardon me? Say again? Hmmm?

As a late 50's hunter that did NOT protect my hearing from 100's of duck and goose hunts as well as deer and pig hunts, I sure wish i had protected my hearing in my earlier days. My daughters are so kind - they don't want me to get hearing aids, they want me to get an old ear horn!

So what ear protection do you recommend for hunting DG? I only am interested in something that enhances my hearing and shuts off at the shot. I have struggled on occassion with full over the ear muffs and getting a proper cheek weld.

I use Pro Ears, only $69 , they work great and hang on my ears till I need them, I just push them in, no digging out of my pocket or a bag when I need them. I also use them on the bench instead of muffs.

 

[Tanks]

've tried the axil xcor's and the walkers - both of them the earbud version.
I sent them all back and went back to the over the ear electronic muffs. walker razor's.
I can't abide the wind noise feedback from the earbuds. It's not as bad with electronic muffs for some reason.

If you're paying north of $200 for electronic hearing protection to be able to hear what's going on around you and a 3mph breeze drowns it all out... I don't see the value.

I don't have an issue in regard to wind with mine. Though, cost is North of $1K, guess you get what you pay for.

@Hornedfrogbbq - hearing protection while DG “Hunting”?? Why? Because you are afraid of “hearing loss” when you get old? So what, most people with Hearing loss Never hunted and never fired a gun - heredity combined with normal exposure to environmental noise adds to most hearing loss. For high volume shooting, ducks, doves, skeet, targets etc… YES, I’d always wear hearing protection but it’s not on my radar for a DG hunt.

Even once will result in a hearing loss, and it keeps worse cumulatively. BTW, modern hearing protection can also be programmed to help with your hearing. They program the firmware of the ear pods based on your hearing test. I was told I had loss in high pitched spectrum, I blame my first wife.

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

I just see that if things ever get hairy, guys are ahooting all around each other. I know, I know, make the first shot correctly and things won't get hairy.

 

[375er]

I purchased Sound Gear through my audiologist that are electronic and custom molded. I can wear them all day comfortably unlike any other earpro I have tried. I always wear then hunting now unless shooting a suppressed bolt action.

Ditto on the Sound Gear. I have a pair and love them. I find the hearing aid a bonus because I can change them quickly anywhere and not worry about a charger and down time.

 

[Philip Glass]

I am in the same situation with terrible hearing damage. I've used the custom electronic hearing aid style but they annoy me. I forego hearing pro on DG hunts and use a suppressor or some passive hearing pro on PG or other volume shooting hunts.

 

[Tanks]

I purchased Sound Gear through my audiologist that are electronic and custom molded. I can wear them all day comfortably unlike any other earpro I have tried. I always wear then hunting now unless shooting a suppressed bolt action.

Yep. My partner and I have had Sound Gear Phantom when it first became available. I also pair it with my phone via Bluetooth.

SoundGear

SoundGear Phantom is the world’s first—and still most popular—custom, rechargeable, and Bluetooth® compatible hearing aid and protection device.

soundgear.com

 

[Javaman]

I’ve had great luck with Wild Ear custom hearing protection. Lost my 7 year-old right one in Limpopo last month so ordering up a new pair with upgraded electronics and a simpler interface. Not cheap at $900 but I have no hearing loss and they work great for all kinds of different shooting.

 

[DLSJR]

That’s the same as I use. Just couldn’t think of the model.

I had poor results with Axil products. I’ve got the wired and also wireless versions and neither has been satisfactory for me. Maybe it’s just me, but they don’t fit well and don’t stay put. They were so bad I had a custom pair of Sound Gear Phantoms made for my ears by EAR at SCI this past January. Jury is still out on those. They’re comfortable, Bluetooth compatible but I couldn’t hear my PH whisper a few weeks ago (yes, they were turned on and at full volume) so I took them out and could hear him better with nothing.