i saw the post about protection.. has anyone tried the electronic hearing enhancement devices..is this just for hearing impaired ,,or do some really magnify normal hearing in the woods ..

Slim, all the hearing protection devices offer enhancement. The product line I carried had the slogan, "It's like binoculars for your ears." And it is.

However, the biggest mistake most new owners make is to crank the volume up too far. Oh you can sure hear everything, but you have a completely distorted sense of distance. Or, as I used to explain it - what you think is a moose in the bush is a mouse at your boot.

My advice was to create a small sound (rub your palms together next to your ear), then insert and turn on your device. Adjust it until that same sound is just a little bit louder than before, and stop. That gives you a wee bit of enhancement, but not so much that you become disoriented.

Finally, be VERY careful about buying cheap hearing enhancement devices (I've seen some in magazines for $30 each.) Most of them have NO or very crude protection systems - some of them continue to amplify even the gunshot! They might be okay for birdwatchers, but absolutely NOT for shooters!

Rocky really hit the nail on the head when he talks about running the enhancement to high. Folks want to hear like superman and find that it really doesn't work that way.

I've used several good ones in the 75 to 125 buck range. Most of the really inexpensive ones are there just to sell the idea.

Thanks, Bob.

I was a hearing protection dealer for 15 years. I made more than 14,000 sets of custom earplugs and also sold over a thousand sets of electronic plugs in that time - so I ought to know SOMETHING about the field. As I'm now retired and no longer have a financial interest, I'd be happy to advise any of you in an objective way.

I started using electronic muffs when they first became available. As an instructor I quickly found how important it was to be able to hear what was going on around me. I have used several brands but really like the Peltor Tactical 6S behind the head set. The are slimline muff that work well with long guns, have the strap behind the neck rather than on top of my head, and has separate volume controls. The last is important because I can tune out one side to listen to a student and I also don't need both ears at the same volume. Years of first driving a 113 and then in the TC hatch exposed my right ear to damage from that big unmuffled exhaust and the hearing loss on the right is much higher.

thanks for the info .. it sounds like stuff that will help me ,,not over do it ,when i can get one..id have answered sooner but we are having to work doubles and such .. its a bit funny ..i took this security job ,when i retired ,,for spending money an cause setting around the house aint as easy as it sounds..
now with this fella sick.. im working more hrs than when i was running my on buisiness..
but thanks for the advice .. i just get a lotta help from you fellas on the forum..