Electronic Hearing Protection

PapaDawg wrote:Hey All - I'm in the market for electronic 'muffs. My hearing is bad (got HA last year) so regular muffs create a real problem when I'm at the range - can't wear HA's on the firing line. If someone talks to me I've gotta remove the muffs and that's not good with someone blasting away at the next bench. I've read alot of ads and internet hype, but personal experience and advice is always best. Please toss some thoughts my way, including brands, etc and I would like to stay under $150. And, the higher the NRR, the better.

Thanks for the help -

Your hearing is a very precious sense you shouldn't take for granted. The problem with most generic electronic muffs is that the protection is minimal(19-25db) and yes you can hear commands but the gunfire of large caliber induces hearing loss. I prefer to plug and use electronic muffs. Where you start seeing the difference is the quality of sound received is proportionate to the cost. Should you splurge at >$150 for electronics? That's your call and dependent on the quality of protection and hearing attenuation. I found even the Pro Ears to be scratchy, heavy and they use expensive batteries. I think the newest muffs on the market are the Sordin Pros or something like that. Yes, they run upwards of $300 but the sound quality and attenuation is nothing short of remarkable. You could go the cheap route with non-electronic with 36 db of protection along with plugs for a total of 41. The down side is if during a match, you light up a squib and don't hear the command to "stop" and light up the next one, well you get the picture. I even go so far as to turn my muffs mikes towards the RO.
What are expensive protection worth? Well, I've got 2 friends who are legally deaf. One a 60 y/o executive for Graebel who had to retire when he couldn't hear conference conversations despite $5000 hearing aids. The other is 40+ and married to a good friend also nearing deafness from a lifetime of competitive shotgunning without protection(his words). His days may be numbered as well as he flies all over the US and it adds to his deficit. He uses expensive hearing aids as well.
There you go, it's your choice and your pocket book. I've been double plugging since about 30 and 25 years later folks I deal with at work tell me I'm deaf?! I don't shoot everyday but for a good 10 years did so 3-4x a week mostly pistol, some rifle and some shotgun. I do hear ringing from rare time to time and fortunately it is rare. I'm splurging for the Sordins as soon as I can.