Crow Busters Forum

crow187 · Veteran Member

Hearing Protection?

Bob · Guru

Hello Crow 187,

If I am solo I wear no protection, but if I am with a partner I stuff cotton in both ears. I can still hear them cawing with the cotton.

Bob A.

raptor5618 · Veteran Member

I would think that it might be a matter of what you might want to spend. I see some ear plugs that go inside the ear and more like a hearing aid than a muff. They do the same thing where they just shut out the loud damaging sounds. I have two pair of the muff kind and usually forget to put them on when I am shooting but at the range I find them pretty distracting as it blocks out my gun but a few guns away where I guess the sound is not loud enough to be blocked comes through which is a shock sometimes. I saw some where they are passive and let sound through but block the louder sounds but only by 6db.

I think some of the Hearing protection that seems more comfortable (smaller) to wear is also the more expensive ones. I would think that if you were diligent the ones that sort of look like headphones that go into your ear would sit on your neck and only take a few seconds to put them on when you are sure that you might be shooting. Where I go I can see most of the sky so I would think that you have a second to protect your ears and even if you only used them most of the time, they say that each shot causes the damage so you would be lessening the times your ears get damaged.

I personally feel that I should be using hearing protection whenever I hunt but at the very best I only use it when I am stationary hunting. So sometimes while hunting deer and sometimes when crow/squirrel/duck. I guess sometimes is more of a once in a while, even though I always take electronic muffs and those passive plugs with me. But I think if I hunted with a muzzle brake I would wear one all the time.

I rarely go through a box of shells but even in my younger years when that did happen I do not recall my ears ringing afterwards. Now if I shot my gun without muffs which we did back then my ears would ring like crazy. Even when I shoot my 300 at game I do not ever recall hearing the shot nor do my ears seem to ring like they do when I get to the range and forget to put my muffs on and they start shooting. Even at a distance it bothers me. Probably not much of an answer.

Old Artilleryman · Guru

It's a good thing that this Forum is written. Because if it were spoken, lots of guys out there would not hear the dialogue biggrin .

I don't like to wear hearing protection for all the reasons mentioned. BUT, I also want to maintain what little bit of hearing I have (see my avatar.....), so I wear electronic muffs when shooting crows or trap. Now, if I'm only on a one shot trip, as with turkey or deer hunting, then I don't wear them.

I also use earplugs with valves (not too expensive--Army issue) that work pretty well (yes Army issue--believe it or not, they work well) when training with smallbore rifle, especially indoors. They do not work as well as the electronic muffs but they (muffs) are not possible to wear during 3-position shooting.

Bottom line: hearing damage is cumulative. Save what you have!!!

bpshunter · Veteran Member

After 30 years of duck hunting I've loss a lot of hearing primarily in my left ear. I now wear the ear plugs that have baffles in them to lessen the ringing after a hunt. They are bulky and uncomfortable but they do help. You can talk to other hunters and hear ducks quacking as they come in. However as a side note they do not help when you sit in front of the caller and crank it wide open. I guess baffles work better on reports and not constant noise.

BPShunter

crow187 · Veteran Member

Thanks for all the advice folks. Seems like in the last couple of years, I've begun to hear crickets and cicadas all day and night, even in the dead of winter. I used to enjoy hearing the "jarflies" in late summer as a kid, so now I can enjoy them all year long. My bride of 39 years (whom I call my "first wife" and my "babies' mama") sometimes complains that I don't hear what she said, but I just nod my head and grunt like I understood what she said. I believe I'll go back to the old army ear plugs like some of you recommend. I hope I can find the little clear vial to attach them to my collar button hole.

NGillespie10 · Senior Member

I had this issue last weekend for the dove season opener. My left ear was ringing for several hours after. Should have brought plugs.

M12Shooter · Guru

I rarely wear hearing protection while hunting big game, waterfowl or upland species. But when crow shooting I do wear electronic ear muffs as I can fire as many rounds during one morning crow hunting as I would in an entire season of waterfowl hunting. Further, the electronic muffs enhance the call of distant crows but shut out noise well below the damaging level. I have suffered 50 percent hearing loss on the left side and would like this to not get much worse.

Ted

BUZZ · Senior Member

I wear ear plugs when crow hunting, or anytime I am doing a lot of shooting. I prefer the ones on a string so I can loop them through my hat and keep track of them easier.

Lone Star Phil · Senior Member

I wear ear plugs even when using our sound-attenuated metro barrels and sub sonic ammo.

Big Honkers · Guru

Im surprised how many of you said that you experienced "ringing ears" after a solo hunt. I have never had any ear issues after a good solo hunt with lots of shells fired. I have, however, had a bit of a headache after a big shoot from the recoil against my cheek but even a headache is rare.

Maybe my hearing is already too far gone?

As stated above, when hunting with a partner (even a trusted one) good hearing protection is a great idea.

BH

BigBlackBirds · Senior Member

A few years back I started to notice intermittent ringing in my ears. I've been pretty good about wearing ear protection target shooting but never wore it hunting before. I think it is just an outcome of middle age and all the noise we expose ourselves to.

I looked over lots of options for protection and had thought about fitted electronic plugs (just hearing aids with cut off) but decided the cost was too much given that they didn't provide a step up in protection above regular plugs. Since then I've started wearing foam plugs with muffs over them anytime I'm at the range, especially shooting pistol. In combination they really knock down the decibels.

I tried foam plugs for hunting but found they cut out too much noise. The electronic plugs would shine in this scenario. Instead I bought a pair of electronic muffs. You'll need to try on a number of pairs to find one you like, mainly one that fits good. They aren't as good at noise reduction as regular plugs but they are better than nothing plus they actually help amplify birds off in the distance that you would never otherwise hear. It takes awhile to get use to them but I won't hunt without them now.

motiondecoy · Guru

I always wear hearing protection...they are not designed to keep out the noise but to reduce it to an acceptable level. I like the cotton in the ears idea as I am aware of the bulkiness complaints....ear plugs are uncomfortable too but I'd rather be able to hear later as everyone I know who didn't use hearing protection but shoot a lot have hearing loss and it doesn't get better!

M12Shooter · Guru

BigBlackBirds wrote:
A few years back I started to notice intermittent ringing in my ears. I've been pretty good about wearing ear protection target shooting but never wore it hunting before. I think it is just an outcome of middle age and all the noise we expose ourselves to.

I looked over lots of options for protection and had thought about fitted electronic plugs (just hearing aids with cut off) but decided the cost was too much given that they didn't provide a step up in protection above regular plugs. Since then I've started wearing foam plugs with muffs over them anytime I'm at the range, especially shooting pistol. In combination they really knock down the decibels.

I tried foam plugs for hunting but found they cut out too much noise. The electronic plugs would shine in this scenario. Instead I bought a pair of electronic muffs. You'll need to try on a number of pairs to find one you like, mainly one that fits good. They aren't as good at noise reduction as regular plugs but they are better than nothing plus they actually help amplify birds off in the distance that you would never otherwise hear. It takes awhile to get use to them but I won't hunt without them now.

The "ringing" or "buzzing" in ones ears is a condition called tinnitus. It is most often a result of subjective hearing loss from noise. Gun reports even as mild as a 22 rimfire are damaging to human ears. My left ear rings continuously which is a result of decades of shooting without hearing protection. Mind your hearing folks as going deaf is not a quiet process!

Ted

Zeddicus · Senior Member

I never go out without! Just get one that fits and get used to it - for obvious reasons.

Lone Star Phil · Senior Member

Everyone seems to be dancing around the cause-and-effect issue here. Shooting non-suppressed guns without hearing protection will condemn you to a life of:

1. Hearing aids.

2. If no hearing aids:

A. Not wanting to go to restaurants with background noise because you won't be able to hear any one at your table.

B. Opting for the subtitles on every DVD you watch.

C. Continually asking people to repeat what they just said, to an annoying degree for both conversants.

D. Lip reading.

E. Cupping your hand over your ear to 'gather' more sound energy.

It may take longer, depending on how much you shoot, but you'll get there.

Huh?

Buckshot1822 · Senior Member

My brother just bought a pair of these. They work pretty well, and are pretty neat.....If the yellow end is inserted into your ear, they work basically the same way as electronic muffs, without any electronics........so you can carry on a normal conversation, and have normal hearing, until a loud noise is created.....

www.midwayusa.com/product/453211/peltor-indoor-outdoor-range-e-a-r-ear-plugs-nrr-22-db-1-pair

10gacrowshooter · Senior Member

Lone Star Phil wrote:
Everyone seems to be dancing around the cause-and-effect issue here. Shooting non-suppressed guns without hearing protection will condemn you to a life of:
1. Hearing aids.
2. If no hearing aids:
A. Not wanting to go to restaurants with background noise because you won't be able to hear any one at your table.
B. Opting for the subtitles on every DVD you watch.
C. Continually asking people to repeat what they just said, to an annoying degree for both conversants.
D. Lip reading.
E. Cupping your hand over your ear to 'gather' more sound energy.
It may take longer, depending on how much you shoot, but you'll get there.
Huh?

I am all ready there at age 53 and my reading eye are bad too

-- Edited by 10gacrowshooter on Tuesday 10th of September 2013 11:41:26 PM

8fishermen · Guru

Buckshot1822 wrote:
My brother just bought a pair of these. They work pretty well, and are pretty neat.....If the yellow end is inserted into your ear, they work basically the same way as electronic muffs, without any electronics........so you can carry on a normal conversation, and have normal hearing, until a loud noise is created.....

www.midwayusa.com/product/453211/peltor-indoor-outdoor-range-e-a-r-ear-plugs-nrr-22-db-1-pair

I have used these on the range and in the blind for a couple of years now and they are effective and comfortable. Very easy to get in and out of the ear and with the yellow side in you can still hear birds coming in. Most ear buds and and things are not comfortable to me but these are very comfortable. My kids use and like them as well.

Zeddicus · Senior Member

Spot on Phil!

I also find them very useful!

On driven hunts I can hear Hares, Foxes and Boars approaching - and I hear the beaters in the woods! When one is lagging behind - I can hear him!!!!

When I shoot at night from a seat I can hear which direction and how far the boar has gone. I can even hear where it has dropped and if it is REALLY dead!

So, not only will my ears benefit, it also adds safety (and my ears stay warm!).

Rgds,
Zedd

ecuchief · Senior Member

I can also vouch for the Peltor plugs. I use them 100% on the range and especially in a duck blind with 3" shells! When I am out by myself, I do not use them as I don't usually shoot that much and I use 2.75" loads.

John

NGillespie10 · Senior Member

I've been looking for something like these. The electronic ones are so expensive, but these seem to get great ratings and are pretty easy on the wallet.

Zeddicus · Senior Member

We spend 100s of €$£¥ on gear. Time to invest in our health...

chip · Guru

I'm amazed at the people that never do or never have worn ear protection of somekind... I would give anything to have back the years I went without it. If you shop hard enough and long enough you will find a good pair for a reasonable price. I bought a pair last year at Gander mt. for 38 bux!!!! they run on a battery the size of a quarter and they are pancake flat. They actually enhance my hearing and block out the gun blast or any other sharp noise like when I chamber a round in my MAXUS. They help alot when I've got my fox pro cranked up too!!! The battery last forever in those things too!!

Al in SC · Newbie

Chip, Which ones did you get? I want to know which electronic ones you folks have tried? I am trying to select some that I can live with.