Choosing the best hearing protection

You may not spend much time thinking about hearing protection, let alone the best ear protection out there for certain activities. However, it may be more important than you think. Let’s say you spend the morning mowing the lawn, then swimming laps at the local pool. After fueling up with lunch, you head to the park pavilion for an orchestral performance.

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Without realizing it, you've just engaged in three activities that can pose a risk to your hearing health.

The best way to protect your ears in these situations is through hearing protection. Proper use of hearing protection allows you to preserve your hearing while continuing to enjoy your preferred hobbies or profession.

As a shooter, selecting the right hearing protection is among the most crucial choices you'll ever make. You only have one set of ears, and damage to your hearing is irreversible.

Shooting poses a high risk for hearing loss—without ear protection, a single gunshot can cause immediate and lasting damage.

Firearms produce significantly loud sounds. For context, a normal conversation measures about 60 dB, whereas an unsuppressed gunshot can reach levels of 140-190 dB. Sound levels of 78 dB can cause hearing loss over time, making ear protection non-negotiable.

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) classifies 140 dB as a painful sound, thereby highlighting the risk associated with shooting any type of gun.

Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) is a measurement that indicates the effectiveness or maximum sound reduction capability of hearing protection. The higher the NRR, the greater the protection. When buying ear protection, always check the NRR to ensure it’s adequate for the environment in which you’ll be shooting. Contact us to discuss your requirements of What Are Passive Ear Muffs.

Generally, the higher the better. Most electronic ear protection ranges from 22dB to 33dB, providing varying degrees of protection. There are no fixed standards for the ideal NRR because it depends on the specifics of your shooting environment. Higher ratings are recommended for indoor shooting, high-caliber rifles, and extensive range time.

If you've already suffered hearing damage or are in an exceptionally loud environment, you may want to consider "double plugging"—using both in-ear and over-the-ear headphones—to maximize noise reduction.

There are two main types of hearing protection: In-Ear and Over-the-Ear. Let's break them down further:

Ear Plugs - These fit inside the ear canal. They include foam plugs, plastic corded plugs, and custom molded in-ear plugs, ranging from inexpensive to costly. Ensure you’re using them correctly by inserting them fully into your ears.

The advantages of in-ear protection include portability and cost-effectiveness. However, they might be uncomfortable, and they tend to muffle all sounds, making it hard to hear range commands and other ambient noises.

Over-the-Ear Hearing Protection

These are the headphone-style protectors commonly used by shooters. Many people prefer them for their comfort and additional features that enhance the shooting experience.

Passive Ear Muffs - Made to block sound using foam and ear cups, these require a good fit to ensure effective noise reduction. Passive muffs do not amplify sound, which can be a drawback in listening to range commands.

Electronic Ear Muffs - These offer the comfort of passive muffs with the added benefit of sound amplification through integrated microphones. They can enhance your hearing on the range while blocking out high-decibel gunfire. Some models even include a jack for music players.

Fitting ear muffs correctly is essential. They should sit firmly and comfortably on your head without any gaps.

No matter what or how often you shoot, never go without ear protection. Investing a few minutes to select the right type of ear protection can significantly reduce your risk of hearing damage and ensure long-term enjoyment of shooting. For questions about our hearing protection products, please contact our customer service department.

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