I have been using the yellow sponge insert type hearing protection for a long time. They knock off 29db or 30db, I can’t remember the exact number. I use the sponge type because they do not interfere with the stock when I shoot rifles.

I wonder if the sponge type is as good as the muff type for protecting your hearing? Does anyone know for sure? I’d like to get the best for my ears that I can. If the muff designs are significantly better than the sponge method, I’ll switch over to whatever is the best muff design out there.

I ain’t getting any younger and I need to protect what I have, the best I can.

Thanks for the tips.

I use the sponge types (plugs) unless things are really loud. Then I use earmuffs too. Our little 3 lane pistol range has bare steel walls and doubling up does make a difference.

Bye
Jack

In my daily work environment I'm subjected to noise levels in excess of 130 decibels. Changing cutting edges on a D11R with a 1" drive impact wrench can be very hard on your ears. The reverberation off the dozer blade is irritating all thru the shop, and it's a big shop. We wear both ear plugs and muffs to reduce the level to MSHA standards. We are even limited to the amount of time we can be exposed to certain levels of noise.

For the best reduction in noise levels I like the MAX preshaped foam earplugs by Howard Leight with a noise redution rating of 33 dB. They are better shaped making them easier to put in than the old yellow foam plugs. Their slick surface also makes them easier to remove after they've been in your ear for awhile.

The ear muff type hearing protection is more suseptable to wearer error. If (and you should) you wear shooting glasses the sealing ring around the muffs is disturbed by the bows of the glasses making the muff less efective. The softer the sealing ring the more the muff can conform to the uneveness caused by glasses. Liquid or jell filled sealing rings work best.

When used properly, foam ear plugs offer protection superior to the muff style hearing protection. However, using them properly involves more than just stuffing them in your ear.

noise level is kinda a little abstract. it not only involves ludness but also duration.

a gunshot is very loud but does not last very long meaning you can usually wear just any plain 'ol ear plugs and usually be just fine. assuming it is not painfull or uncomfterble.

but in extreeme circumstances with sustained high or very high it is required to wear double ear protection, plugs and muffs at the same time, muffs alone can sometimes eliminate up to 80db. while most pluggs eleminate only around 30-60db.

moral of the story wear what is most comterble or if your worried about hearing loss you can always just wear double protection.

I ALWAYS wear both, plugs and muffs when shooting either rifle or pistol. If I'm in a match where range commands must be heard, I'll wear electronic muffs over plugs. Only when I shoot clay targets do I only wear plugs and then I wear custom molded plugs. I think we loose our hearing just in the day to day world, so why not do all you can to protect it the best you can while shooting?

I made the mistake once of not wearing adequate hearing protection and now have a permanent ringing in my ears. Plugs and muffs from then on. It used to be plugs only but now I double up because I like being able to hear the birds and the wind and all sorts of high range noise that you can lose first from that kind of hearing damage.

I use about anything, I have the plastic "christmas tree" plugs, foam, custom molded, disposable silicone and muffs. If i am shooting my braked 223, I usually double up, other than that, I don't know that I can really tell a huge difference between them.

I worked in a iron foundry for a number of years. I used "expanding foam" type plugs for reasons of comfort. This was near 25 years ago. I still like the plugs. My hearing is good to this day! The "trick" was to put them in properly for a good seal. Can't just push them in. You must reach behind your head with your left arm and pull your right ear so as to open the canal. Then stuff the plug with your right hand. Repeat with opposite hand.
I could work a 16 hour shift in comfort that way. I like "muffs" now days. I can put them on and take a shot out the back door pretty fast. I still carry a pair of foam plugs in my pocket though. Protect your ears!
Cheezywan

muffs are good but prolonged wear causes my head to hurt,


you can double up to be safe but anything under 60 decibles doesnt cause hearing damage, but it never hurts to be safe

I made the mistake once of not wearing adequate hearing protection and now have a permanent ringing in my ears. Plugs and muffs from then on. It used to be plugs only but now I double up because I like being able to hear the birds and the wind and all sorts of high range noise that you can lose first from that kind of hearing damage.

What were the exact circumstances under which you lost some of your hearing? As a musician/shooter I live in terror of that happening to me. Ok, well not quite terror; it's just one of the last things I would want to happen to me.

There are earplugs available that cut out considerably more noise than the yellow foam items.

They only help if worn. I use plugs and muffs but more to improve my groups than protect my hearing. It is not good now. I am blessed with better than average hearing tough and want to keep what I have left. X-3 looms were hard on the ears back in the 70's.

For the best reduction in noise levels I like the MAX preshaped foam earplugs by Howard Leight with a noise redution rating of 33 dB. They are better shaped making them easier to put in than the old yellow foam plugs. Their slick surface also makes them easier to remove after they've been in your ear for awhile.


Yeah, I've been using these for quite a while because there's a big box of them at the door before every orchestra rehearsal (or at least every rehearsal when things are gonna get loud) and I make a habit to pick a few up for shooting later on. They really are the best foam plugs I've used; easy, comfortable, and effective. I looked at the reduction rating on the last pair I used and it was 33/37. Not bad at all!

Also, one of the last time I was at the range I tried muffs (non-electronic) over plugs and didn't really hear that much of a difference. I was disappointed. I'll probably stick to just plugs.

I worked in Textile mills for years and then in a machine shop for 20 more and now I have suffered much hearing loss. I also bought my Super Blackhawk in 1976 and didn't know the value of proctecting my hearing untill it was to late. Protecting your hearing is as important as your 2nd amendment and your hunting rights, wear what you must and vote as you must!!!

I have taken to wearing my electronic muffs in the woods while hunting. They actually let me hear things I was missing before. They cut off noise at a certain db but let you converse with others with no problems.

I just use the molded foam types, they work fine... I work in a noisy environment, but am required to hear acute commands that prohibit using hearing protection... oh well... I only have a short time more at that job...

NEWS FLASH The foam plugs do not protect your ears the way that muffs do. Place your finger tip just in front of your ear and feel the soft spot. This leads directly to the bones of the inner ear. The shock wave hits this spot and causes the bones to vibrate causing hearing loss. You dont hear this as much but the damage is bieng done. However if you just want to look cool try putting .38 brass in your ears. You will be deaf as a post but look real cool. Justin