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Best In-Ear Hearing Protection for Hunting

Fairlane66Fairlane66 Member Posts: 338 ✭✭
edited December 22 in General Discussion

Approaching 70 years of age, hearing in my left ear is significantly diminished due to a career flying airplanes and a lifetime of shooting. Hearing in my right ear is also degraded, but it keeps me going. I no longer fly, but I'm not going to cease hunting. I need to preserve the hearing left in both ears. I wear double hearing protection on the range, with muffs over foamies. However, I find muffs for field use cumbersome and obstructive. So, I'm looking for recommendations for the best in-ear protection for hunting. I want a system that allows normal hearing, but shuts out the blast of a firearm when it senses a rapid increase in decibels.

I've looked at Walkers. While the majority of online ratings are positive, they also get a fair share of deplorable reviews. Before I sink a significant sum of money into hearing protection, I'd like to know what you, who have experience, think.

Thanks in advance for replying.

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Comments

  • savage170savage170 Member Posts: 37,539 ✭✭✭✭

    I tried the axils not overly impressed

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  • Fairlane66Fairlane66 Member Posts: 338 ✭✭

    Thanks, savage170. What was your biggest complaint?

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  • savage170savage170 Member Posts: 37,539 ✭✭✭✭

    suppression was ok might be the range of my hearing that I've lost. but I didn't think the sound quilty was that good went back to my electronics muffs

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  • Rocky RaabRocky Raab Member Posts: 14,465 ✭✭✭✭

    It has been a long time since I was a provider for E.A.R. Inc, but I still highly recommend their products.

    https://earinc.com/

    I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
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  • 62vld204262vld2042 Member Posts: 1,222 ✭✭✭✭

    Back in the pd shooting days........I always wore ear muffs over foam ear plugs.

    I decided to replace the regular muffs with electronic type muffs. Although it may sound counterintuitive.........I would actually turn the volume up, so as to be able hear voices through the foam plugs........yet, retain the electronic db clamping in addition to the foam plugs…..at the shot.

    I forget the brand, and they are packed away. I do recall their slim profile, that help avoid stock contact.

    Hope this helps.

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  • Rocky RaabRocky Raab Member Posts: 14,465 ✭✭✭✭

    There are two types of circuits for these: clipping and compression. Clip circuits shut off completely when a set decibel level sound comes in. Compression circuits allow all sounds through, but lower the loud ones to a safe level.

    Clip circuits can be quite distracting and startling at the on-off-on sequence. Worse with any amplification. But they're cheap to make.

    Compression circuits are more expensive but preserve a natural level of hearing so all sounds are normal but a gun shot is a dull thud.

    Check the specifications, but price alone is usually a guide.

    I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
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