Ok, here is the story

I was shooting at my range like I normally do every week with my ear plugs that are good down to 25db, I have used these for about 2 years with no problems. They were fine shooting my .45ACP and even my .454 (although thats even walking the edge), however today I was shooting with my right ear (the deaf one) towards their cinderblock supporting wall, while a guy on my left was shooting a 45-70!

I think what happened is the 45-70 (which sounds like a cannon) echoed off the wall and just hurt the right ear drum, my left is perfectly fine. Everything basically sounds like I have water in my right ear, its not fun. This is also the side that I have ruptured my eardrum twice through martial arts, and that may have something to do with it.


Anyway, long story short, I need better ear protection if people are going to be shooting guns like that in the indoor range, and I could use something better for when I shoot my 454 anyway. I was looking at electronic ear muffs, but they didnt seem to block out anymore sound than regular ones (they let me take them inside the range to test). The electronics were neat because I could hear everything people said, but Im really just worried about the best protection. Cost really isnt an issue, so...anyone have any suggestions?

BTW, its 6 hours later and my right ear is getting back to normal for the most part.

Thanks,

JL

Use both the soft plugs and the electronic muffs over them. That's about the most effective way to deaden the blasts, especially when wearing glasses which most ranges require. A lot of the muffs won't conform over the frame (temples) of the glasses and will leave a minute gap for the noise to enter.

Be sure to roll the soft plugs into tight sticks and wet them prior to placing in the ear. Let them expand inside the ear.

Muffs and plugs if indoors. Get to an audiologist(?) and see if anything can be done, if you have not already!!!!!!!

Use both the soft plugs and the electronic muffs over them. That's about the most effective way to deaden the blasts, especially when wearing glasses which most ranges require. A lot of the muffs won't conform over the frame (temples) of the glasses and will leave a minute gap for the noise to enter.

Be sure to roll the soft plugs into tight sticks and wet them prior to placing in the ear. Let them expand inside the ear.

Ditto. You can also simply turn up the amplification on the muffs to overcome the plugs in order to hear conversations more easily.

Just want to support what others are saying here. I found hearing going in my left ear a number of years ago. I was wearing the best Industrial Grade hearing protectors I could find with an attenuation rating somewhere around 32 decibels. So, I began to double up my protection, i.e. wearing custom fit ear plugs under my muffs. Furthermore my audiologist, who told me the change was clearly pathological, also told me at the time that I should have my custom fit hearing protectors checked every year or so, maybe every 6 months, and especially if my body weight changes alot (faint hope here right :-)). Actually I have come to feel that it is almost impossible to completely protect yourself from the effects of muzzle blast if you are doing a great deal of shooting. One thing that convinces me of this is that, even with the double hearing protection, my tinnitus is far more pronounced after shooting for awhile. It just makes sense to pay attention to the possibility of hearing loss from what we are doing at the range. Fred

First of all, sorry to hear about your ear. Second, I am with everyone else on using muffs and plugs. I use muffs up to 30 decibles. Usually that works for me because the range I go to only has a couple other people in there. But if someone is using a large caliber right next to me I'll get some plugs to put under my muffs.

Some noise comes through the bones in your skull behind the ears, so plugs can't do it all.

Sorry to hear about your hearing problems. Been using muffs and plugs for a long time. Never used the electronic ones, but, have heard good things about them. Hope every thing turns out ok on your hearing.

I've never shot at an indoor range, i use soft plugs for everything at the handgun range and muffs for rifle and shotgun. when im out by myself i dont use anything for shooting under the .357/.45ACP area, probably stupid but thats me, young and stupid.

I use both if large bore or muffs if not.
http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/541841
My wife and I both use these ear muffs. I see they are on sales again,, I bought the first pair on sale and the second at regular price,, hey are worth every penny IMHO...

45-70 indoors :confused:

These Peltor Tactical 7S Muffs look interesting. Is it difficult to change the battery on them? I bought a pair of Marksman electronic muffs a number of years back and I can't change the rechargeable batteries on them.

Most electronic muffs today use either "AAA" or "N" batteries. Not difficult at all to replace.

The tac 7S use a 9 volt battery it is very easy to replace. There is a cover on the outside of the ear cup with one finger screw open cover remove battery, The batteries are still working in ours.. I do remove them if we are not going to shoot for a couple weeks..

When this happens you should get to an audiologist ASAP. They CAN treat and your loss may be reversible IF you get to them in 24 hours. Next time wear hearing protection. Every time you do this you loose some of your hearing on a permanant basis.