Author Topic: Ear protection (Read 3035 times)

Sverre · « **on:** January 22, 2003, 08:09:31 AM »

I have read a lot of articles - written by handgun hunters - but only two of the articles had something about wearing earprotection in the field. What about you guys? Do you wear earprotection in the field? And if: What kind? Sverre[/quote]

Hcliff · « **Reply #1 on:** January 22, 2003, 09:07:28 AM »

I have plugs that are the style that have the cord connecting them. I look silly but put the plugs in your ears and take the cord and put it over top of your ear (where your glasses rest). Now you can take the plugs out of your ears and let them hang. There are right there handy for you to insert when needed. I have been thinking about the Walker game ear but haven't been able (or jusify ) to spend $300 for a pair. I thought the price of those would have went down. You can buy a set of electronic muffs for the same price as one Walker game ear.

I always wear a set of plug (highest muffling I could find) and magnum muffs together when at the range.

I did have a quick running shot at a doe this fall with my 480. No time for plugs but I never noticed it and I also didn't get any ringing.

Hcliff

Mikey · « **Reply #2 on:** January 22, 2003, 09:27:43 AM »

Sverre: I always use both plugs and muffs at the range. Shooting the shorter barrelled magnums and heavy autos mandates as much hearing protection as you can put on.

The problem with using hearing protection in the field, especially when either in a stand or a blind when you need to be able to hear if something is moving, is that it may be too restrictive and you don't/won't hear the game approaching.

There are some electronic hearing protectors out there that are advertised as blocking the muzzle blast but still allow you to hear game animals approach. That sounds like the best of both worlds.

Hcliff said he used his 480 on a running deer without hearing protection and did not suffer in the process. If you are using a longer barrelled handgun that might be true. With my GI 45 I am OK without plugs or muffs. But with the Commander I need either or both. With either of my magnum pistols, both with less than a 4" barrel, it is an absolute 'must have'. With rifles I'm OK.

If I'm just using a handgun and in a blind or stand I will usually leave one ear unplugged and then plug it when and if I see the animal I intend to shoot at.

I think you just have to experiment to see what would be best for you - the goal however is to preserve your hearing as much as possible. Either that or we can all go to Canada and say 'Eh?'. Mikey here.

savageT · « **Reply #3 on:** January 22, 2003, 11:28:20 AM »

Mikey,
Tomorrow, I go to pick up my two new digital hearing aids that will cost some $5200!!!! Ye Gods....To think I was pretty cavalier as a youngster and thought I didn't need those ear plugs.........Between Rock and Roll as a guitar and bass player, and shooting at the range, I'm livin' proof what it does to you.

JimT

Hcliff · « **Reply #4 on:** January 22, 2003, 11:30:37 AM »

Good Post Mike. I was at the range in 8-9 years ago when I just wore plugs. I took them out for some reason while I was fussing around. Well I loaded up some 38 specials in a 357 GP100 6" and fired without plugs unknowing. I was scared to death with the sound :eek: :shock: . I thought I over loaded the shells and was scared. They eject ok, primers ok, etc. Confused :? Then I realized not much kick but lots of blast. No plugs!! :oops: That is when I became a serious believer in good protection. Since then I use the plug method as I expalined.

We only have one set of ears. Treat them and your eyes well!!!

Be Safe

Hcliff

Hud · « **Reply #5 on:** January 22, 2003, 11:48:03 AM »

I have always wore muffs or plugs at the range, but never in the field. And at 44 my hearing is still perfect.

I am having second thoughts about wearing plugs in the field when using my 480 as it has only a 6" barrel and is LOUD. I am going to try the earplugs with the valve that closes with loud noises.

Hud

ftw · « **Reply #6 on:** January 22, 2003, 01:26:50 PM »

I always wear hearing protection at the range. In the woods I wear one of the thin bands around my neck. It is a thin band with ear plugs attached. If I have time or hear a deer coming I stick them in my ears but if not for one rare shot, I shoot without them.
I hear as many deer as I see and I could not stand to wear muffs all the time in the stand. Even those high dollar electronic ones would drive me crazy.
It is very important to protect your ears. I made it 40 years working around fighter jets and jet airliners and my hearing is still good. I always wore hearing protection around airplanes.

Frog123 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 22, 2003, 02:27:54 PM »

While at the range I wear both. My military issue plugs in my ears with a set of muffs over the top of those. I had hearing tests earlier in the year and was found to have a severe deficit in my left ear in the high khz range. The audiologist said this was more than likely due to not wearing my protection while I was hunting. I've always been extremely picky on the range with having ear protection. I won't even shoot a .22 without something in my ears. I was told all it takes is one bad experience and you can suffer permanent damage as a result. This is most commonly seen in the left ear of right handed shooters and vice versa. When shooting a long gun your right ear is turned slightly away and is buried some what against your shoulder. This provides some form of protection, however your left ear is now directed toward the muzzle. All it takes is to be near something to create a deflection in muzzle blast back toward you ie. the top of a shooting bench or standing near a tree in the woods, and you have set yourself up for potential damage. I never realized this till I was sitting in a stand over looking a food plot and a deer came out to my extreme left. I raised the contender in .35 rem and squeezed off a shot, I thought the gun and my head had both exploded for a half second. I never noticed the tree about five inches from the side of the barrel. The muzzle blast was directed back into my ear and tree bark was blown into my eyes. My head hurt and my ears rang for about three days. I now carry some of those cheap foam plugs, just something to help save what I have left.

Frog

Zachary · « **Reply #8 on:** January 22, 2003, 02:36:03 PM »

In the field? No, but maybe I should.

I own three Taurus RBs. Two in .454 and one in .480. (keep in mind that these revolvers have ported barrels.)

I was recently on a deer/hog hunting trip in Texas. To make a long story short, I shot 4 times at a running hog with the .480. Perhaps I was too excited to worry about the muzzle blast, but when it came to the final shot to finally put it down, my ears were ringing. :shock:

It was great to hear the pig grunt and make noises, but I think that next time I'm going to wear some type of hearing protection when shooting these big revolvers in the field.

BTW, I have muzzle brakes on my rifles. The Vais muzzle brake does not require me to use hearing protection on non-magnum rifles. However, I have other types of muzzle brakes on magnum rifles and I absolutely MUST wear hearing protection - even in the field. Even after 1 shot my ears ring like heck.

Zachary

Dand · « **Reply #9 on:** January 22, 2003, 07:09:09 PM »

For the last 20+ years I have always used protection at the range more recently muffs AND plugs though the gain is marginal. Last fall was my first real hand gun hunt and I unloaded a full cylinder of Corbon 41 mags without protection. Wish I hadn't - my ears still ring a little. I WILL be carrying protection in all future hunts. I hope I don't end up like my dad - even the best hearing aids don't help and he's socially isolated, frustrated and a really cranky old man.

GB in your old forum someone posted a truly professional discussion of hearing protection including some additional websites with data and everything. It was an EXCELLENT post and I read every bit of it. Any chance of reviving that post on this new forum. It sure made a believer of me. I ordered some 29 db muffs a few days later. I think the post evaluated some of the electronic muffs and showed they didn't offer as much protection as one might hope.

For those shooters who hunt without protection and think their hearing is still perfect, I doubt it based on a conversation I had with a local audiologist. I know mine suffering but not bad. I can also blame being around heavy equipment, 1000's of hours around commercial and sport fishing boats - but I've been shooting since I was 11 and never used protection until I was about 21.

billjoe · « **Reply #10 on:** January 23, 2003, 07:42:49 AM »

unless you are already deaf. I have lost a partial amount of hearing from a one time joke that someone played on me while exploding a garbage bag filled with acetylene and oxygen. I have learned since, that my hearing is as important to me as my eyesight. Protect it at every opportunity. And don't think that hunting in the woods does not require hearing protection. You never know when that deflection my happen right into your ear canal.
I use hearing protectors at the range, in the field, with long guns and handguns. You don't need expensive sets. The decibel reduction rating is what's important. The price comes more into play with the comfort level of the headset.
I have an electronic pair of ProEars that I absolutely love. They have one of, if not the best, 5 yr warrenty. Unlike some units, they reduce the sound level when it gets above 80d, but do not shut entierly off. I like this feature because you never have a dead period of silence which I like when I'm hunting. They are comfortable and I wear them all day long when hunting. They run about $200 and if you think that's expensive, just see what it will cost to get your hearing back once it's gone. And don't even think you can talk me out of them...it'll never happen.
Just my 2 pennies.

BJ :grin:

Mikey · « **Reply #11 on:** January 23, 2003, 07:53:02 AM »

Hay HUD: When you get the earplugs with the valves in them and try them out, will you please let us know how well, if at all, they work. They sound like a good idea, allowing you to hear normal sounds but blocking the real loud ones. Almost like the best of both worlds.

Thanks. Mikey.

Mikey · « **Reply #12 on:** January 23, 2003, 07:59:15 AM »

I didn't know you were an Arthur Godfrey talent type - yee Gods Man, we have more in common than you might think. Arthur Godfrey lived just down the street from us when my family lived in Troy. He his my younger brother's Godfather, and we didn't have to do any singin' or dancin' or nutin. Course we never saw much of him but at least we didn't have to do the talent show. Man, who woulda ever thunk, huh?

yella hammer · « **Reply #13 on:** January 23, 2003, 02:53:49 PM »

I also use plugs and muffs

Does anyone now how this combination of NRR adds up
Say I have plugs at NRR of 31 and muffs at 28
Does this equal total reduction of 59

Mikey · « **Reply #14 on:** January 24, 2003, 03:56:01 AM »

Hay Yella hammer: I think it does add up, so that with both you are getting some really good hearing protection. Good thinkin' man. Mikey.

willis5 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 24, 2003, 06:14:18 AM »

1st time I shot my Raging Bull 454 w/o protection was on a nutria in a marsh in Maryland (I hate those buggers). Anyway, I had ringing for 3 days. I would LOVE a Game Ear, but as most of you have said they are EXPENSIVE! I have been wearing my muffs on my neck or head then sliding them on my ears before a shot. It works so far for me, but can be a pain for quick shots on pigs.

Cheers,
Willia5

Charlie Detroit · « **Reply #16 on:** January 25, 2003, 06:20:52 AM »

Well, I guess it's time for me to make some noise, here...I've been really careful with my hearing for my adolescent and adult life, and it's really paid off...I can still hear stuff that my kids lost the ability to hear years ago. Of course, I started out with excellent hearing on a wide range; TV used to drive me nuts because I could hear the drive coils in the back and it HURT! Fluorescent lights kinda bothered me, and right now my hard drive is a little unpleasant (it rotates at 7200 rpm...I don't know what the pitch of the sound is). I listen to orchestral music and can still hear most of it; I notice that as I get older (I'm 63), I kinda want more "tweet" from my speakers, and less "boom".
I use Pro-Ears electronics, and they're great, EXCEPT that 1) I can't wear a hat (yeah, I know what they tell you, but I can't), 2) my ears sweat like crazy in there. I can crank up the volume and hear guys talking 100 yards away, but muzzle blast doesn't bother me.
I would like to try the new "Woodland Whisper 2" thingies...they go into your ear and supposedly work like muffs, and two of 'em cost about 100 bux. I've been looking for more data on 'em but I can't seem to find any. Any info gratefully received....

Kernel · « **Reply #17 on:** January 25, 2003, 09:59:57 AM »

The Woodland Wonder 2 looks interesting. Price is good.

When I'm hunting I use cheap plugs on a string tied around my neck. 9 times out of 10 there's time to put them in. -- Kernel

Hud · « **Reply #18 on:** January 25, 2003, 03:49:37 PM »

The Bilsom 655/656 NST Reusable ear plugs are the ones I was thinking of that reduce loud noise yet let you hear normal noise. I have not tried them but hear they work well. I see they also have disposable ones that work a little differently. They don't list a NRR.
The website is http://www.indlsaftey.com

Another company I found has something similar. They have a NRR of 20 which isn't the best, but better than nothing when in the woods.
The website is http://www.cirrushealthcare.com/earfilters.htm

Hud :music: :x :gun4:

Hud · « **Reply #19 on:** January 25, 2003, 03:55:54 PM »

Try this in place of the first website I listed.

http://www.indlsafety.com/catalog/category.asp?catalog%5Fname=IndustrialSafety&category%5Fname=Ear+Plugs&Page=1

Hud

Charlie Detroit · « **Reply #20 on:** January 26, 2003, 04:14:14 AM »

Years (!) ago I had a pair of what were called Lee-Sonic Ear-Valves. They were little metal cans with soft rubber finned ear plug thingies on one end. Inside were sound-pessure-activated plungers or something that thumped shut when a pressure-wave hit them. The woked pretty well for outdoors, but indoors you were in trouble. A pair of plain muffs would fit over them for indoors. They were a little distracting, because the little plunger things were very mobile, and they would rattle around when you moved your head. I found a pair of similar ones made of plastic a couple of years ago, and they were useless...they simply didn't work. So much for progress.

Boss Kongoni · « **Reply #21 on:** January 26, 2003, 04:19:45 PM »

If you lose your hearing how are you going to hear all the complements on how good you shoot?

It only takes a second to put as set of ear plugs in. You only get two ears from the factory, take care of them.

I've read that a SINGLE report from a .44 mag. handgun can do termendous damage to the unprotected ear of the shooter. I shoot a FA .454 with a ported barrel, imagine what kind of noise level that produces.

Charlie Detroit · « **Reply #22 on:** January 29, 2003, 03:50:31 AM »

As a matter of fact, the ONLY time my Pro-Ears didn't quite do the job was when I was coaching "Mr. CIA Assassin" with his FA ported .454 at our sight-in clinic this Fall. The first report left my ears ringing...not badly, but I knew I had to do something...so I moved so HIS head blocked the sound from reaching MINE. It worked.

Mikey · « **Reply #23 on:** January 29, 2003, 03:55:37 AM »

Hay Charlie: Good Move! That's better than using your girlfriend for protective headgear when you're on your motorcycle. Tee he he he. Mikey.

Charlie Detroit · « **Reply #24 on:** January 30, 2003, 03:30:57 AM »

Hi, Mikey...
I ain't got no motorcycle, although living here in Harleytown, I ought to. Mebbe I'm gettin' old enough to do somepin foolish an' not get blamed for it. I just put in for Social Security yesterday. It might knock my wife off SSI, which I won't miss...they do their best to screw up your life, but I will miss her Title XIX...no way in hell I can afford her medical bills, but the guy at the SSA said it wouldn't be a problem; she could get the Title XIX through some other program. Now maybe I can get some of the stuff we've been needing for years...tuckpointing, yard grading, new bathrooms, etc. Going on rockin' chair money and continuing to work effectively doubles my income at a stroke. Dang! I almost forgot...my garage is fallin' down, too.

Mikey · « **Reply #25 on:** January 30, 2003, 05:04:32 AM »

HarleyTown and no motorcycle? That's OK. I sold my last one for a garage floor and don't miss it. I do like my garage floor however.

I know what you mean about having that kind of Ttile XIX help with medical bills. My late wife and I didn't qualify for that kind of assistance while she was ill and the bills took our savings. I don't know which is worse, having lost her and all we had or just having to keep on going it alone. Dang glad I got my driveway cleared out after the last snowfall, I was beginning to get cabin fever and was trying to rationalize with the dogs (that never works - they never listen to more than 5 words before they rool over and go back to sleep). What is it they say, a watchdog is a dog kept to guard your home, usually by sleeping where a burglar would awaken the household by falling over him. Or, my favorite is - never buy a watchdog who snores louder than you do.

I had thought that after I retired I could hire out as a male stripper for the senior citizens lady's nights just to pick up a few $, but ya know, some of those gals really expect their money's worth. It might be more work than I had originally thought. Maybe I should try my hand at gunwriting - might be safer for my overall longevity and state of health.

Still snowless in Detroit? Mikey. :-D

Charlie Detroit · « **Reply #26 on:** January 31, 2003, 04:19:04 AM »

Don't know about Detroit...haven't lived there since '61. Live in Milwaukee now...Home of Harley Davidson. My only remaining Detroit relative (cousin) gave up and got a winter home in Tennessee (Knoxville area). Gettin' soft, I guess. I always said I want to die where at least I ain't all sweaty...looks like I'll make it. Just now getting a little bit of snow...our second all-day snow (all-night, actually). It's tapering off, now...I'd doubt there's more than an inch out there. We're someting like 15-16" behind our normals this year...easy on the back, but tough on the farmers. Of course, if we get normal totals, they're always bitchin' about how they can't get into the fields to plant. One of the nice things about being a farmer, I guess...you always got something to gripe about.
"O, don't the days seem lank and long
When all goes right and nothing goes wrong,
And isn't your life extremely flat
When there's nothing whatever to grumble at?"

Mikey · « **Reply #27 on:** January 31, 2003, 09:15:19 AM »

That last little ditty was certainly poetic
tho the lives of some farmers must need to be hectic,
but if the ground is smooth and your road is flat
I doubt you'll find a engineer who will complain about that.

Or

The whiskey, it flowed
and her movements they slowed,
but she stayed for just one more.
The music had stopped
the whiskey had slopped,
and then she hit the floor.
"The Dance of the One Legged Jayne"

Definitions: Vermont Stump Thumper - Vermont Politician
Vermont Stump Jumper - Vermont Social Climber
Vermont Stump Humper - Vermont Socialite.

When some men go to the dogs, it's pretty tough on the dogs.

And, from Mark Twain: My father may have been a St. Bernard and my mother a collie, but I'm still a Presbyterian.

If you make the mistake of treating your dog like a human, he will treat you like a dog.

Is he a good watchdog she asked. Yes, he replied - if you hear a suspicious noise at night you only have to wake him and he will begin to bark.

Poetically Unlicensed Mikey

HappyHunter · « **Reply #28 on:** February 01, 2003, 03:01:25 AM »

Hey since you are quoting Mark Twain her are my favorites:

"Children should be placed into a well...at the age of 16 the well should be covered"

Another : "When I was 16 my father was so ignorant that I could not stand to be near him...It was amazing how much he learned in the next four years"

I guess it makes more since if you have raised children thru the teen years.

Fred a/k/a HappyHunter

Charlie Detroit · « **Reply #29 on:** February 01, 2003, 06:00:11 AM »

Mine was from Sir W.S. Gilbert, of Gilbert & Sullivan fame...danged if I can remember what operetta it's from, though. One of the "patter songs" from one of the "irascible old man" characters.
Sorry to hear about your late wife, Mikey...that's one of the things I've been spared in this life, although, if they had thought of it, I'm sure they'd have used it. Mebbe I oughta keep my mouth shut...they might be readin' over my shoulder. I seem to have this "guardian" function throughout my life...I'm always picking up characters that need a lot of looking after...protection of some sort. I suppose that's why I've always been interested in arms...more of a symbol than an actual need, but it's a potent symbol. I think, and this is a serious hypothesis, although I know some people can't stand the idea, that this is one of those things we can expect to get paid for later. You can define "later" any way you please. Although the satisfaction of doing the right thing is pretty good, too.