I'm in the market for some in ear hearing protection. I would like this to be my only form of hearing protection, meaning I don't want to stuff foam in my ears with ear muffs over. The issue I am having is finding something in my price range. It seems that I am either finding cheapie stuff for $6, or electronic pieces for $300. My price range is ~$100, would like to stay under that. If I can get a quality, comfortable piece that is NOT electronic, I will be fine with it. Currently I just have ear muffs, and they have a tendency to get in the way and are quite uncomfortable when wearing for a long time. Will greatly appreciate any recommendations you guys can provide.

I use the cheap foam ear plugs available from hardware stores as my preferred method of hearing protection. There are foam type plugs that attach to a head loop, but I think they have the same issues as headphones.

I just bought some of these:

 

Hearos Ultimate Softness - NRR32 DB Protection:

http://www.amazon.com/Hearos-Ultimate-Softness-20-Pair-Foam/dp/B001EPQ3H4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1301857950&sr=8-1

 

I've used the Hearos Xtreme Protection, which aren't as soft, but have slightly better protection (NRR33). I got a pair free and decided to try 'em.

 

Every day they give out 5000 pairs so try 'em out:

http://www.hearos.com/

(down on the bottom left where it says "Get Free Samples!")

Nick, is that your ONLY form of hearing protection? So you just mash them into your ear, do they form to your ear and are a one time use? Can you take them out and put them back in a couple minutes later?

See, you should have gone to the VF show. Just as you came in, there was a guy set-up doing custom fit ear plugs. The ones where they shoot the liquid in your ear and it forms to your ear canal. Not sure of the price, but I'd bet it was <$100.

 

OTOH, I use these...

 

http://www.sensgard.com/products-1

 

...the SG31 model. Hard to find muffs that will give a NRR rating of 31. Very comfortable for long periods of wear and do not get in the way or interfere with cheek weld when shooting long guns.

 

When I first got them, I didn't think they were doing a good job. Shots still sounded loud, but the quality of the sound was different. Now that I'm used to them, they are my only form of ear protection indoors or out. If you shop around you can do better than the price on the manufacturer's website. I like them, but maybe that's just me.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

Bob, I would have loved to go to VF, I was there last year so I know what a great show it is. Financially it would have not been smart to go. Thanks for the recommendation, I will look around for them!

Nick, is that your ONLY form of hearing protection? So you just mash them into your ear, do they form to your ear and are a one time use? Can you take them out and put them back in a couple minutes later?

 

these are pretty much what I use.

You roll them in your fingers, compressing them. Insert them into the ear canal and they expand, filling the canal. You just pinch them to remove them. Yes, you can remove and replace them multiple times.

I just ordered the pair that Bob linked. Will keep this updated as to how I like them.

Foam ear plugs are the way to go. They are comfortable (I have had them in for 6+ hours and they still didn't bother me, unlike muffs), you can have them in without and worry about a hat or anything, they're disposable and they are cheap.

 

But you don't want those. Although I would suggest them, it takes about 15 seconds (if that) to put them in. They are easy and convenient, but if you want more expensive custom forming ones, then check out any gun sites online. They have the like silly putty type ones that form to your canal.

RF, I might try out some of the foam plugs if the pair I just ordered didn't work. I'm looking for both comfort, and the ability to adjust my glasses/hat without worrying about hearing protection.

Nick, is that your ONLY form of hearing protection? So you just mash them into your ear, do they form to your ear and are a one time use? Can you take them out and put them back in a couple minutes later?

 

Yes, when I use my head camera, I can't wear my over-the head muffs. I roll them and stick 'em into my ear and a couple seconds later they expand and do the trick. They're reusable too.

http://amzn.com/B001T7QJ9O

 

I'm happy with these

I will rarely use earplugs AND muffs, the rare times being if I am shooting high caliber rifles in an indoor range.

 

Going back to my post about the foam plugs, they really do work well (block out high decibel sound) and they are very convenient. It is as easy as just pulling them out and putting them back in takes seconds. They do form you your ear canal, as another poster said you roll them between your fingers then stick them in and they expand to your ear. I have glasses and I always wear hats so they are a plus with them, muffs are uncomfortable with my glasses as they pull on them and I also can't wear hats. As Nick said, you can reuse them.

 

If you buy them in bulk, usually you can get like 50 or 100 for 20 bucks.

I usually buy bulk packs of these:

http://www.cabelas.com/hearing-protection-enhancement-radians-ear-plugs.shtml

 

It's like a jumbo bottle of 100 I think for around $25 bucks. It's nice cause I use them for riding motorcycles as well so I go through them a lot, and they really do work well.

I prefer the rubber-type buds compared to the foam ones. Easier to clean between uses (soak in a thing of soap water), and functions very well. From what I have noticed though from watching people use them, a good deal of people don't know how to actually use them properly-- and thus equate those type of buds to being non-effective.

I'm a fan of the CAEP-type/Combat Arms Earplugs (more info here), which I know are available to the public (either by 3M/Peltor or someone else, I have seen them around).

 

ETA: Cabela sells them, as do a number of other vetted sources. There is also a good deal of reviews and whatnot out there on the internet as well, so, plenty of places to sift through for more info/research.

Those are the ones I use. They're okay for shotgun sports, but I prefer muffs on the handgun range

The foam plugs actually reduce the sound more than earfmuffs. The problem is most people don't insert them correctly. You have to roll them for one thing. Also if you reach over your head with your other arm and pull the ear up while inserting it fits even better.

 

I sometimes double up when shooting indoors myself.

Yeah, I agree Babaganoosh. Most people just try to stuff them in their ears, and you know when they are not inserting them properly when they fall out sometimes turning their or anytime of movement.

 

The end of the ear plug should barely be sticking out of your canal.

I just bought some of these:

 

Hearos Ultimate Softness - NRR32 DB Protection:

http://www.amazon.co...01857950&sr=8-1

 

I've used the Hearos Xtreme Protection, which aren't as soft, but have slightly better protection (NRR33). I got a pair free and decided to try 'em.

 

Every day they give out 5000 pairs so try 'em out:

http://www.hearos.com/

(down on the bottom left where it says "Get Free Samples!")

 

These do work very well, I use them when I do cross country rides on my motorcycle, My Harley is a little loud but the wind noise at 70-80 for 12-18 hours a day can really cause damage. The worst I had was about 12 hours and everything sounded like it was squeaking.

 

Harry

OTOH, I use these...

 

http://www.sensgard.com/products-1

 

...the SG31 model. Hard to find muffs that will give a NRR rating of 31. Very comfortable for long periods of wear and do not get in the way or interfere with cheek weld when shooting long guns.

 

When I first got them, I didn't think they were doing a good job. Shots still sounded loud, but the quality of the sound was different. Now that I'm used to them, they are my only form of ear protection indoors or out. If you shop around you can do better than the price on the manufacturer's website. I like them, but maybe that's just me.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

 

For the Range or any shooting I use the version of these I got from the NRA, same thing just had the logo on it. I really like them and are a lot better than any muff style I have tried.

 

Harry

SureFire Sonic Defenders Plus

 

 

Allow normal conversation, and they can be plugged for added sound suppression.