Which Electronic Hearing Protection?

[tjdreams]

What do you recommend for Electronic Hearing Protection?
I shoot both Handgun and Rifle So I want something with a low profile that will not get in the way when shooting rifle. I want to be able to here the Range officer and others who may be nearby and talking to me. When at the range my phone is turned off, I'm there to shoot not listen to music or talk on the phone. So I'm not interested in a bunch of fancy bells and whistles. I just want to get good Quality hearing protection that will last and I'm not afraid to spend some $$$ if that's what it takes to protect my hearing. With that in mind what do you all recommend?

David

 

[CaptChaos]

I have this pair after using passive for years. https://a.co/d/eUdGq9O

Here’s something that I didn’t anticipate—it reduces noise above a certain threshold. I shoot outside and the secondary “crack” from echoing in pistol, rifle, and shotgun is highly audible. It reduces the initial sound of the round, but that secondary echo still comes through the speakers using the electronics. It doesn’t seem to be a damaging volume but it’s really weird. I often end up just turning them off completely. They are comfortable and work well though the seal could be slightly better. There is a gel filled upgrade ear cup seal also sold on Amazon I plan to get soon to fix this. To be fair I had this issue with my other sets of passive ear protection too.

 

[Chat-Bot]

Have different sets with the latest from Walkers. Had issues with the Quad but liked the X-TRM better.

https://www.walkersgameear.com/razor/

 

[Phoenix_1295]

I have the Howard Leight Impact Sport electronic muffs. They work well and I have been pleased with them.

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/howard-leight-impact-sport-electronic-earmuff

 

[AlBeight]

I have several pairs of Walkers Quads, and mostly like them.

At an outdoor range they’re just fine, but I always carry soft foam plugs to double-up if necessary as sometimes you’ll have someone next to you shooting what seems to be a cannon with the world’s worst muzzle brake. Truthfully I’m sometimes that guy, and the looks of hatred are noticeable.

Almost always double-up indoors, mostly from the echo and rotten acoustics. I’ve been known to give up earlier than planned just because my head can’t take the pounding any longer. I’m a chronic migraine sufferer, and I don’t need any help to get debilitating headaches.

I’ve been wearing the Walkers Game ear while hunting in the last 4 or 5 years (finally acknowledging my long-term hearing loss and trying to mitigate it as best I can). It helps with the shot very well, but they amplify ambient sounds with an annoying constant “hiss”, which after a few hours I turn off the power. Another problem is they lack clear sound directionality, I hear sounds that get my attention but often have no idea where they’re coming from. I’m searching for better hunting muffs always.

 

[treasurehunter]

I have the Howard Leight Impact Sport electronic muffs. They work well and I have been pleased with them.

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/howard-leight-impact-sport-electronic-earmuff

I have the same and like them.

 

[Blaster229]

Have different sets with the latest from Walkers. Had issues with the Quad but liked the X-TRM better.

https://www.walkersgameear.com/razor/

Finally ditched my 10-15? year old Peltors for the X TRM Walkers. Newer technology being digital, they are an upgrade over other models with the cooling headband and Gel Ear cups (which are usually an optional upgrade for most brands).
What kind of rifle? AR with a nice, tall riser, hearing pro isn't an issue.

My SEAL friends use walkers, Howard Leights, or Peltors when they are running helmet comms.

I'm not shooting 10's of thousands of rounds a year anymore, so anything new technology to me is fine.
Certainly not spending 2-400 bucks on Sordins, Safarilands, etc... The only thing more cost of these gives you is options for tac comms mostly.
I forgone the earbud route because I have never had a decent pair of music earbuds sit in my ears properly and comfy. Pretty sure the Axil's or others won't either.

I like to think my tinnitus helps block sound too

I just know GEL CUPS are like 50% or more of a selling point for me.

 

[Blaster229]

Oh forgot.......... Another hearing pro thread.

 

[trickg]

I have two pairs of Walker Razor slims that do ok so I'll jump on that bandwagon.

I'll tell you one I don't like too - I bought the Walker Silencer in-ears, and have not been happy with them. For me they just didn't attenuate enough sound, and even if I turned them off, it seemed like there was something draining the batteries - I was constantly changing them, and at this point one of them no longer works, which is I suppose ok except that I paid $80 for them (at the time) and I feel like it was money thrown away.

I wouldn't mind getting some in-ear electronic ear protection, but at this point I know that the price of admission for getting something decent is going to be more than $100.

 

[SkiPatrolDude]

I have the Walker XCEL 100's and they are fantastic. They have a better rating versus the Razors I believe. They are low profile enough where they don't get in the way. I can still get a solid cheek-weld laying prone or otherwise.

 

[ezracer]

Long story short. I don't use e-muffs. Guess I'm too old school. Oh hell, I'm just old

I have ALWAYS double plugged. I use in-the-ear plugs rated at 29 NRR and Walker over-the-ear rated at 25 NRR.

When the cheek weld bothers me, I simply raise the right ear muff up slightly to clear the stock.

Even "IF" I had e-muffs I'd still double plug so what's the point.

 

[RennBaer]

Long story short. I don't use e-muffs. Guess I'm too old school. Oh hell, I'm just old

I have ALWAYS double plugged. I use in-the-ear plugs rated at 29 NRR and Walker over-the-ear rated at 25 NRR.

When the cheek weld bothers me, I simply raise the right ear muff up slightly to clear the stock.

Even "IF" I had e-muffs I'd still double plug so what's the point.

Wearing electronic muffs over foam ear plugs allows you to hear and talk at normal volume levels, while still getting the full protection of both devices. I like being able to talk to someone at the range without either of us having to yell to hear each other. Electronic muffs are also really nice to have when taking training courses for the same reason.

 

[tjdreams]

Thankyou to all who replied. I picked up a set of Walker's Razor Slim with Bluetooth this morning. I wanted to get the ones with out Bluetooth but they were the only ones in stock and I was planning to spend the day at a private range with about a dozen friends shooting everything from 22lr to 50cal And I'm happy to Report that after 5+ hours of near constant firing I am. Very happy with my selection thanks to your advice. The Rasors worked better than expected I was able to hear people talking and even tell where they were to my right or left. yet they did a nice job of quieting down the shots.

Again Thankyou for all the advice
David

 

[Send Help]

EDIT: Just saw you already purchased a pair of ear pro, my bad for late reply!


It ultimately depends on how much you want to spend. My first pair of electronic ear pro was Howard Leights, they were about $40 on Amazon. They were nice and had good protection; however, I had to replace them 3 or 4 times before I got fed up with them. Also, I'm assuming it was the ear cup seal, but randomly I'd find my ears would ring even though the howards didn't shift on my head. Whether they just randomly stopped working or my clumsy ass dropped them on the ground.

I then acquired Peltor Comtac iii's which you can pick up for about $200 used, they're dated but you can beat the absolute shit out of them. Not to mention, the gel cups that come standard with these give an excellent seal and you can wear them for longer periods. I've used these extensively and they are good to go.

I recently set money on fire and got some OpsCore AMPs which are fantastic. They're comfy and can easily wear them all day, they also have "NFMI" ear plugs you wear in conjunction with the AMPs to boost the decibel rating which is cool since I've been shooting inside more recently. I don't know how serious you are when it comes to shooting with gear but they pair with a helmet really well which is a bonus. These are going to easy be at least $800-1200 but IMO if you have the coin to throw at one piece of kit, go for it. They'll treat you well.