Hearing Protection

[Opposite Pole]

I like the SureFire Sonic Defenders. They are in-ear models, have different ones with different ratings and do a decent job of letting me hear conversation while still blocking the report of the rifle. Plus they are only about $15/pair

+1 on these, not what OP is looking for but great and cheap hearing savers. I normally use electronic muffs but have a pair of EP7s in my car just in case and another one in my range bag. When someone with a muzzle brake sets up on a bench next to me, I put them in my ears and wear over-ear Peltors on top. Works a treat when extra level of protection is needed and can still have a conversation. They work surprisingly well on their own too.

 

[tedthorn]

I had the plesure of being asked to field test the Howard Leight Impact Sports amplified ear muffs this past fall during our rifle hunts.
In short.....they worked fantastic and I wont be without them in the future

 

[Mike B.]

The original post is a bit old but hopefully this will help someone else at some point. I too wear hearing aids. I currently wear the oticon opn S behind the ear style aids and have never had a problem with them falling off during hunting. I worry about that all the time though. I had bought a pair from sport ear, their most expensive in the ear model custom model and I never thought they were worth the money. The sound quality was pretty poor so it discouraged me from ever using them during hunting. I only used them during range visits and what not where conversations hardly take place. One of them eventually failed and I didn't bother getting it fixed.

I recently purchased a set of westone defendear dx5 units. They were custom molded at my hearing professional office. So far I do like them but they are so new I can't give much feedback on the sound quality. They were much cheaper than the sportear but not sure how they'd compared sound quality wise and for me, way more comfortable to wear. I prefer the in ear type units over ear muffs because they're just way easier to deal with. You can still comfortably wear caps to keep your head warm, sun out of eyes, etc. This is just another one of the many options already given to you to look at to see what might work for you.

https://www.westone.com/store/defendear/defendear-digital/

 

[Ridge Runner]

I dont wear my hearing aids at the range. I just wear expanding foam ear plugs, that reduce 80% or so of rifle blast, yet allow me to hear and understand someone talking, loud, not yelling loud.

I have moderate tinnitus and wear over the ear hearing aids supplied by the VA (Vereran Affairs), they are not the best, but not the worst. I always carry a couple of packs of batteries cause half the pack is dead and the others might last a few minutes or up to 8 hours. If or when I get a good box of batteries, they'll last about 20 hours of continuous use.

When hunting with firearms I wear them to hear all the sounds around me. Once I spot the game I am hunting I remove them as they done reduce loud sounds. When bow hunting I just leave them in, they dont interfere when drawing or shooting my bow.

For those wanting to use enhanced hearing devices while hunting I recommend saving your money and researching the various types available that only have an automatic shut off at low level decibels, with at least a 3-5 year unlimited warranty.

I HIGHLY! HIGHLY! recommend everyone use hearing protection when working around machinery, mowing the yard, especially at the range or anywhere loud (above normal conversation) noise exists! Tinnitus is not something you want regardless of age!

 

[Bill DeHaan]

I purchased a set of Otto NoizeBarrier electronic ear plugs (protection). In short, I am very impressed. They are smaller than I expected and stay in my ears much better than all others I've had. The charge lasts many hours, with recharging capability from batteris within the carry case. There are two levels of sound enhancement - the lowest setting is plenty for me. (at 60 my hearing is still very good). The noise attenuation is very quick and all I need. I use them at the range as well as plans to use them during an upcoming RSA hunt.

 

[Ridgewalker]

I get pretty hot wearing headphone hearing protection. I’ve got a pair of these rechargeable Walkers that I put a clip on the cable to attach them to my collar. Luckily I’m not deaf yet, so I really cannot say how well they will work for you. Midway puts them on sale for $49 now and then.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1020574653?pid=535441

I also have a pair of these at substantially more, but they fit my ears a little better and they have replaceable batteries. I attached a string with another clip for my collar to them as well.
https://www.etymotic.com/gsp15.html

Here’s wishing you luck coming up with what works best for your situation.

 

[shootist~]

https://www.espamerica.com/

I know how you feel.
I have severe to profound hearing loss and can no longer carry on a conversation at the range with just electronic muffs. After talking to a number of people at my range with ESPs, I went that route. They are basic no frills hearing aids/hearing protection, made for shooters. Expensive, but worth it.

Since they are all In the Ear, they are comfortable under your muffs for range use, and also provide good protection worn alone.

They don't Blue Tooth to my phone or stream my TV, but for conversation, I would rate them at 90%+ of what I get from my Resound hearing aids. You send them a set of ear molds and if you currently wear hearing aids, also your hearing test. I had mine back in about two weeks.

Three price levels - I need maximum speech clarity and therefore went with the top end set. Our club president does very well with the mid priced version, even though he is also a hearing aid user.

 

[Tra3]

+1 for 3M electronic hearing protection. I have a pair of their earmuffs that are Bluetooth compatible so I can listen to music when I am at the range alone. I still use double protection when at the range.
Out hunting I keep a pair of soft earplugs on a string tied around the button on the top of my ball cap. I can almost always insert them before shooting.

 

[Tanks]

I have been using Sport Ear aka Axil for the last 6 years. Mostly for hearing protection but the ear exam showed I had hearing loss for high pitched sounds, so they programmed for that as well. A lot less than $5K though not cheap.

https://www.goaxil.com/product-category/performance-hearing-aids/

 

[Philip Glass]

I wear hearing aids. Mine do not have compression for loud noises. I don't hear much without them. I cannot hear normal woods noises without them, nor can I usually understand conversational speech from most people without them. So I now need hearing enhancement when I'm out hunting.
Yes, i could get new real hearing aids that would include this, but my audiologist tells me I'm in the over $5000 per ear price range. I would not want to wear anything that expensive in the woods.
Anyone with experience with Game Ear or similar ear buds?
Thanks
Bfly

PS. wear hearing protection, if you don't you will regret it.

I have Sport Ears and they can possibly be a cheaper solution for you. I was not aware that hearing aids didn’t have sound suppression. I guess like you say it’s the more expensive ones. I’d shop around on the regular hearing aids first.

 

[shootist~]

I think hearing aids do have some form sound suppression, based on some testing I did a few years ago ( sample of one, etc.). But it might not be the instant shut down you need for shooting unless they are designed as such.

With an earlier set of Costco branded Resound aids, under not the best electronic muffs, I was running speed drills with an AR - the aids did shut down, but only After the first shot.

 

[rnovi]

I have both electric muffs and Sport Ears. I like the Sport Ears much more for hunting. I have the behind the ear types.

Generally, I don’t wear them during the day except on final stalks. I’ll leave them looped over my ear, ready to be inserted as we get close.

I also carry a couple of normal earplugs or a set of corded plugs attached to my hat. In case of a malfunction I always have the backup.

A little planning ahead and I’ve not had to suffer for unprotected shots.