I use the Peltor Tactical Sport and Sound Guard ear plugs. For me... the Peltor's are very comfortable to wear all day at the range. I tried the Howard Leight Impact Sport muffs, but they were a little too tight fitting and gave me a head ache.   

Quote from: stegosaurus on May 19, 2011, 12:05:02 PM

I have these Howard Leight's and love them, although I haven't really used anything else to compare besides foamies. Plus they are reasonably priced for electronic muffs. I have bad hearing to begin with so I like the Howard's because they help me hear people around me. Foamies block out too much sound.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001T7QJ9O/?tag=2ahawaii-20

I have a pair of these, wore them for the 4 days of training in vegas -- no problems.  They are *AWESOME* imo!

It allows me to hear students when we are talking, however, if there is lots of gun fire (like there is at the pistol / range) it becomes a little bit more difficult to hear.  Most of the amplification cuts out and it just protects my hearing lol.

I'd also recommend these electronic muffs, they worked flawlessly and can't be beat for the price.

Ha!!

I use reusable in-ear plugs connected by a cord. I'm already more than half deaf from birth so I take the ear plugs out to talk to people when I can't understand them by reading lips. At a busy range I just leave them in, nod and smile.

I'll use over ear protectors if that's what is around but I prefer in ear ones. They work a little better and are more comfortable, at least to me. I also almost always have some around since I use foamies when riding the motorcycle.

I was thinking of trying something like these: http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&productId=202692156&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=202692156&cm_mmc=shopping-_-googlebase-_-D25X-_-202692156&locStoreNum=1701

I like the idea that you can hear somewhat normally when the ambient sound isn't too loud but it shuts down when hit by a loud pulse. Not too fond of safety equipment that requires batteries. Not sure how that would be in practice but the range I shoot at here rarely has more than 1 person shooting at a time so conversa.... utting ou...ouldn'....e a pro....m.....

I use cheap over-the-ear muffs, the kind without batteries. Seem to do the job adequately, and I can make out speech fairly well. I tried a couple of in-ear foams, but one wasn't enough (my ears didn't QUITE bleed that day, but it was uncomfortable shooting), and the other practically blocked out ALL sound. I couldn't hear ANYTHING.

Does anyone else have a problem getting the foamies in and expanded correctly? I think I have to fiddle with them for 10 minutes before they are in correctly.

The most effective way I know how to put in foam ear plug is to reach over with the opposite arm and pull up on the tip of your ear while you insert the rolled up ear plug into your ear. Be careful, though, because this will really open up your ear hole and you could go too far in.

I thought we were supposed to wear  old cigarette butts. Or 40 cal brass?!? Where have i been?!? Lol


Just kidding. I am one that also prefers foamies. Best protection and working around helicopters for a couple years have proven to be the most comfortable.

I am using an old Peltor ear muff with 24db (I think, my memory is faulty these days) sound reduction. They work well enough and if I am next to someone with a cannon I will put in a pair of foamies as well. I really want to try a pair of the electronic muffs as have been recommended here. But I have a tough time buying them without being able to try them on for comfort first.

AO yellow plugs seem to fit best and have a 29db rating which I need according to my hearing tests. 

The issues with the Surefires are if you have different size ear canals. You may have to purchase 2 different sizes, which was my problem. Make sure you test them out b4 going to the range...or at least don't stand next to Lonzo's .338!

The issues with the Surefires are if you have different size ear canals. You may have to purchase 2 different sizes, which was my problem. Make sure you test them out b4 going to the range...or at least don't stand next to Lonzo's .338!

Hahaha, your odd ears are ruining your range days. 

You know what kind of ear protection I use. 

I now use custom ear plugs that I had made at the last gun show in November at Blaisedell.  Works great!  Cost almost $50, but I think it was well worth it - foam plugs never worked well enough & ear muffs would get in the way.

I now use custom ear plugs that I had made at the last gun show in November at Blaisedell.  Works great!  Cost almost $50, but I think it was well worth it - foam plugs never worked well enough & ear muffs would get in the way.

saw that guy, pretty neat.  Too much $$ for my taste though. 

My wife and I both use the custom molded plugs also.  We've never used electronic muffs so I can't say how they stack up, but the custom plugs, in my opinion, are better than using the foamies along with regular muffs.  I've shot on the pistol side standing next to guys shooting comped open guns with no issues.  They are a bit more costly, but they are comfortable and effective.  Another big plus is that they guy that makes them is a really cool local guy from Maui.  We bought ours when he first came down to gun show the other year, and have no regrets at all. He explained the whole process, what he was doing each step, and just was a real pleasure to purchase these products from.  He also can make molds which can be sent away to make the custom hard material plugs which can accomodate electronics (ipod speakers, communications, etc), something akin to what NASCAR racers use.  My wife and I will probably try to catch him at the next gun show to get those made next. 
Excellent product, excellent customer service, from a local vendor.  In my opinion,  not much more one can ask for.

I use those custom plugs from Stacy too. By far the best and most comfortable hearing protection I've used. I have electronic muffs, regular muffs, surefire plugs, foamies, and nothing beats the comfort of these while still providing good protection. I'd definitely say they're worth the money.

Does he give you a traveling case for them when not in use?
Seems like a good option to have them custom made.  Tailored clothes. Custom guns, fits in perfectly

Does he give you a traveling case for them when not in use?
Seems like a good option to have them custom made.  Tailored clothes. Custom guns, fits in perfectly

Bass monkey, you funky monkey...

Yeah you get a little black case for them. Kinda like those coin purses you squeeze to open.

Anyone use MSA Sordins?  I was wondering what the difference was between the analog and the digital model was.   Like if you get directional hearing with one and not the other.  I've always used some old Peltor's and they were alright, but I haven't shot for awhile , pulled them out and they had mildew or some crud on them.  Seemed like a good time to shop for an upgrade and came across the Sordins on the net.
They're pretty expensive, are they worth it? 
Anywhere carry them locally?

I've used these 3M Peltor Combat Arms Earplugs for quite some time and I love them. Plus they're relatively inexpensive so if you lose them it's no big deal! 

They have two sides, one for passive protection and one for constant protection.

Here's the websote link:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000W2CPCC/?tag=2ahawaii-20

I got the Sportears custom electronic earplugs.  Basically like a hearing aid that blocks out loud noises.  They are very comfortable and could keep them in all day if I wanted to.  They avoid sweaty ears on hot days.  Sounds great and very useful if you have to teach a class or in combat situations with gunfire around you, and when wearing a helmet.  Downsides is my battery drains after a month of non-use (or maybe I forget to turn them off?), and they cost me $1,000.