Is any kind of hearing protection used on safari?

[NewForester]

Hello, is any kind of hearing protection used on Safari? There are a lot of tiny noise cancelling hearing aid type of devices available these days.

I have not seen much mention of hearing protection and yet you could be firing multiple rounds of large calibers, and moderators (silencers) are either illegal or regarded as ugly (take an ugly girl to the prom as a Flatwater Bill says).

In the UK just about everyone seems to use a moderator now which means that you don't need hearing protection. And that is when we are generally firing only one round.

Having no ear protection would damage hearing, wouldn't it?

 

[JimP]

It depends on the hunter. Some use some kind of hearing protection and others don't.

As for suppressors, they are legal in South Africa and actually quite popular.

 

[sierraone]

Take some sponge earplugs or other type protection for checking the zero on your weapon. Other than that I don't wear hearing protection when I'm hunting. And as @JimP said, suppressors are fairly common over there. Just not for me.

 

[Tanks]

I use in ear electronic hearing protection. One good thing is it actually amplifies regular sound so you can hear further, Had a hearing test done and molds taken then sent to factory for production. Had them for several years and been very happy with them. I use them every week at the range.

SportEAR Custom Edge 360 Hearing Protection & Enhancement – AXIL

Features Our Custom 360 are custom molded earplugs that amplify your hearing and protect your ears from damaging noise levels. They have programmable circuits like hearing aids use. They’re the perfect device to preserve your hearing, even among some of the highest decibel levels. The Custom 360...

www.goaxil.com

 

[Wade J VanGinkel]

I tie the corded silicon ones to the back of my cap now. They swing on my neck and take 2 seconds to stick in my ears.
I can't afford even 1 shot anymore without. Hearing has been damaged enough already I could lose it all if I forget.

 

[JLF]

When I practice shooting I use protectors, but never hunting ...

 

[Royal27]

All up to you.

I take my custom earplugs and use them when checking zero on rifle but not while actually hunting.

 

[35bore]

Whatever you use or don't use in your home country/state/providence should work. Unless you don't use them when hunting.

 

[Tra3]

I’m with @Wade J VanGinkel on this: I use the small plugs on a length of cord. I wrap the cord around the top button on my hat and then tuck them behind my ears (like a pencil). It is comfortable and ready to quickly put in. Even a hasty and imperfect attempt will get enough protection. I buy a few dozen at a time and hand them out as needed. My ph used them too. I have good hearing still, trying to keep it that way.

 

[meigsbucks]

I used an ear band when checking the sights. I wore them around my neck when hunting but only remembered to insert them in my ears for a couple of animals.

 

[BigSteve57]

I used the 3M silicone plugs connected by a thin plastic cable. I had the plug in my left ear fully inserted whereas the plug in my right ear was 1/2 way inserted. Thia allowed me to hear while at the same time protecting the ear that was on the same side as the rifle. When it came time to shoot a slight bump on the right ear pushed the plug in the rest of the way. I've hunted this way for 30+ years.

 

[Petey J]

I haven't been to Africa, yet, but am planning to take my custom molded hearing protection with amplification. I'm a Wingshooting instructor and use them for long sessions. They makeit easier to hear conversation, but block out the loud noises. I also use them in the duck blind, because who hasn't had their bell rung by a shotgun going off next to them with a magnum load?

One thing about these custom molded versus universal fit (which I had previously) is that the microphone sits in the helix of the ear. This blocks out most of the wind noise. Whereas the universal fit units have a microphone out in the open and it catches enough wind to drive me batty.

I ordered my at Pheasant Fest and saved 30% off retail. https://www.soundgearhearing.com/collections/custom-fit/products/custom-product-silver

 

[Philip Glass]

Hello, is any kind of hearing protection used on Safari? There are a lot of tiny noise cancelling hearing aid type of devices available these days.

I have not seen much mention of hearing protection and yet you could be firing multiple rounds of large calibers, and moderators (silencers) are either illegal or regarded as ugly (take an ugly girl to the prom as a Flatwater Bill says).

In the UK just about everyone seems to use a moderator now which means that you don't need hearing protection. And that is when we are generally firing only one round.

Having no ear protection would damage hearing, wouldn't it?

For me it depends on the hunt. Am I going to be hunting hard for three days or more before I get a shot or am I shooting everyday? I have the Sport Ears that are the expensive custom made ones but I prefer not to use them. If a rifle has a muzzle brake then you must have hearing pro. Hunt with a suppressor and then you have no problems. You can use a suppressor in RSA and Namibia.
Where are you hunting and with what gun?

 

[chashardy]

I used an ear band when checking the sights. I wore them around my neck when hunting but only remembered to insert them in my ears for a couple of animals.

Likewise. Kept the band on around my neck while walking around and stalking. Put them in if I was about to take a shot.

 

[CoElkHunter]

I tie the corded silicon ones to the back of my cap now. They swing on my neck and take 2 seconds to stick in my ears.
I can't afford even 1 shot anymore without. Hearing has been damaged enough already I could lose it all if I forget.

+1!

 

[Nyati]

I use electronic muffs, or a supressed rifle.

 

[Bert the Turtle]

I keep the custom molded ones in my pocket and put them in on the stalk. I don't mind recoil much but I do not like noise. Shooting without hearing protection for sure adversely affects my shooting. That said, I have taken a shot or two without when things happened to be a surprise. But never if I can avoid it.

There is probably a role for the electronic kind. I don't understand the concept of "I don't wear hearing protection when hunting because I need to be able to hear the animals". That might work for a little while but soon enough, your hearing without protection will be no better than mine with. Except I can take the plugs out.

 

[NewForester]

Where are you hunting and with what gun?

I haven't booked any safaris yet. I have only just become interested after reading Dr Robertson's book, "The Perfect Shot 2". Namibia probably looks tops at the moment (because I read that Windhok is the cleanest city in Africa and I don't my wife would want it too rough). I would like to get a .375 H&H but I would have to apply to the Police in the UK to do that.

That begs another question: if you are using a moderator (suppressor), I presume that you can't use open sights as well. Or can you? Foresight further back?? (On another thread, I read that most .375 users wanted open sights as well as their scopes.)

 

[Philip Glass]

I haven't booked any safaris yet. I have only just become interested after reading Dr Robertson's book, "The Perfect Shot 2". Namibia probably looks tops at the moment (because I read that Windhok is the cleanest city in Africa and I don't my wife would want it too rough). I would like to get a .375 H&H but I would have to apply to the Police in the UK to do that.

That begs another question: if you are using a moderator (suppressor), I presume that you can't use open sights as well. Or can you? Foresight further back?? (On another thread, I read that most .375 users wanted open sights as well as their scopes.)

I do not need open sights on a .375 but bigger calibers than that I would. I do not use a suppressor on my .375 but I will for other PG calibers.
I presume this will be your first Safari and not for DG and with that in mind I’d recommend using a .300Win or similar caliber. We all love the nostalgia of the .375 but it is not always the best choice.
Philip

 

[Standard Velocity]

The custom fit electronic in-ear devices are really good even if a bit expensive.

I really don’t like over-the-ear headphone style. The rifle smacks the housing pretty hard even on the narrow ones.

For target practice and woodworking, both of which I do a lot of, I really like soft rubber in-ear buds. Most don’t fit my ear holes well and I’ve been through a dozen different brands. The Softvox are what I’ve settled on. The silicone is very soft and the gills are wide in diameter but thin material. This makes them fit well and comfortably in my ears.

They come three pairs to a pack with a storage vile. They don’t melt from the heat living in my truck like others have and the pair that hang on the door of my shop are easy to clean with the air compressor. Just blow the sawdust right off. They work well enough that I can’t hear the air compressor turn on in the closet I built for it.