Question for Regular Varmint Hunters...

[Patriot_1776]

While hunting, say during a busy day with the P' Dogs, is hearing protection recommended?  I'm not a hunter yet, but I don't know what something like a 223, 22-250, or even a 223 WSSM sounds like w/o hearing protection in the open.  At my range, there is a roof, and side-wall barriers, so you can imagine ANY rifle will be very loud to the un-protected ear.  Much appreciated.   Patriot

[Steelbanger]

Patriot 1776,

On a prairie dog hunt, where hundreds of rounds are fired, I'd say yes, definitely wear hearing protection. I believe on a hunt for deer, where perhaps one shot will be fired, I wouldn't bother with plugs or muffs.

At your range, with enclosed top & sides, never even stand under it without hearing protection if you want to hear when you're older. Even the common 22 LR is too loud to go without protection in a confined space.

Many old timers with 85-90% hearing loss will agree with me on this.

[Catfish]

I have a .17 AH that is my summer time carry gun that I do shoot without hearing protection for for any thing larger I alway wear hearing protection and next summer I`ll be wearing hearing protection for it. In years past I done way to much shooting without protection and I am now paying for it, what did you say. Alway wear hearing protection when shooting.

[Lawdog]

Patriot_1776,

Steelbanger
 
Patriot 1776,

On a prairie dog hunt, where hundreds of rounds are fired, I'd say yes, definitely wear hearing protection. I believe on a hunt for deer, where perhaps one shot will be fired, I wouldn't bother with plugs or muffs.

At your range, with enclosed top & sides, never even stand under it without hearing protection if you want to hear when you're older. Even the common 22 LR is too loud to go without protection in a confined space.

Many old timers with 85-90% hearing loss will agree with me on this.
 

Although I am not that bad, thanks to using plugs and protectors for most of my shooting life, I do now use Walker's Game Ears while hunting because the loss I do have.  Use the hearing protectors any time you plan on doing lots of shooting.  Lawdog
 

[skb2706]

Not only wear hearing protection but insist on everybody around you wearing it as well. In fact I require my son to wear eye protection, bug spray and sunscreen too. We usually go for two or three days and late spring early summer can be brutal for biting flies and sunburns on top of ringing ears.
If it burns gun powder you should probably wear hearing protection.............its just a good habit. You won't find many people who have ever had long term health problems from wearing either eye or ear protection.

[DWARREN123]

When noise levels are above 85 decibels, hearing damage can occur and it may be permanent. Always wear protection, especially the hearing type.

[Coyote Hunter]

COULD YOU PLEASE REPEAT THE QUESTION???

Granddad is nearly stone deaf, Uncle even more so.  Both were lifelong shooters, although there were other causes as well (prolonged loud noise without hearing protection).

I don't get near the firing lines at the range without at least one level of protection (plugs) and when actually shooting use muffs in addition.

Anytime I'm shooting repetitively, protection gets used.  While hunting big game or coyotes where one shot is it, usually not.

[Redhawk1]

I wear Pro-AMP electronic earmuffs. You can hear normal sounds and even turn them up to amplify sound, but they also turn off automatically at any loud noise. Great invention. Anytime I am shooting I wear hearing protection.  

[skb2706]

Yep I wear Peltor Tactical Pros that do basically the same thing....the amplification comes in handy to make up for the early years of not wearing enough hearing protection.

[Patriot_1776]

I wear Pro-AMP electronic earmuffs. You can hear normal sounds and even turn them up to amplify sound, but they also turn off automatically at any loud noise. Great invention.

Those really do sound worth their price.  What does a normal conversation sound like electronic earmuffs?  Are they as if you have no protection on, like talking through glass, or talking over a phone line?  I can't quite understand how normal conversation would sound, but with how they sound performance-wise, I may invest in one.  I never really liked ear-muff type hearing prot. because when I wear shooting glasses, they press the ear-hangers against the side of my head, and therefore, I get a migrain after 20min. or so. :x  So I have pretty much used plugs ever since the first headache with that combination.    Patriot

[skb2706]

Two minor problems with amplifying hearing protection....in the wind they can be annoying as they pick that sound up real well. You can hear other sounds that you normally would not as well, foot steps, breathing and other people conversations. Mine cancel all sounds out above 82 dbs. and amplify all below.
Patriot - if you give me an address I can send you these little things that fit over your glasses arms that make the headset/glasses transition much more comfortable.

[Redhawk1]

I wear Pro-AMP electronic earmuffs. You can hear normal sounds and even turn them up to amplify sound, but they also turn off automatically at any loud noise. Great invention.

Those really do sound worth their price.  What does a normal conversation sound like electronic earmuffs?  Are they as if you have no protection on, like talking through glass, or talking over a phone line?  I can't quite understand how normal conversation would sound, but with how they sound performance-wise, I may invest in one.  I never really liked ear-muff type hearing prot. because when I wear shooting glasses, they press the ear-hangers against the side of my head, and therefore, I get a migrain after 20min. or so. :x  So I have pretty much used plugs ever since the first headache with that combination.    Patriot

Normal conversation is just that. It is amplified as much as you want it to be. Mine has a dial on the side you can adjust or even turn off if you wanted. When the wind blows I turn them on the lowest setting and it is no bother at all. But in no wind and in the woods I turn them up and I can hear myself breath.  :grin: