All ears

When dealing with firearms, safety is important. We're not just talking pointing the gun in a safe direction here. While I won't go into all of them in this article, there are dozens of things that need to be upheld for total safety, including hearing protection.


Sure, some may consider hearing protection to be the "pansy" way of shooting. Some folks just think it's too much of a hassle, too expensive, or another step to remember that gets in the way of getting the lead downrange. Truth is, believe it or not, guns go bang, and when they do, they are loud. The human ear is capable of coping with loud noises, to a point, on a very rare basis. Having said that, more than a couple of loud noises like gunshots with unprotected ears can and will cause permanent hearing loss and/or damage. Prolonged or repeated shooting without some form of ear protection is, very simply, a formula for intentional self-inflicted deafness. Period. Remove the macho testosterone manliness garbage, and this is what it boils down to. I like my hearing, and you should too.

There are several different types of hearing protection which are well suited for the shooting sports. I'm not going to try to cover every possible product here, or settle the debate about which is better. Some like foam plugs. Some like gel. Some swear only by the custom molded variety. Others will only use over-the-ear muffs. The best advice I can give you is to maybe try a couple of different styles, and pick what works best for you. Personally, I have a few different types packed in my range bag, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I use different types of "ears" depending on the gun I'm shooting. Secondly, I like to keep extra pairs on hand in the event that someone at the range with me needs them, but didn't bring a pair, or doesn't own any protection. Lastly, I keep them so that I can show people different options if they have questions about some of the products that are out there. So let's get to a few of them. Keep in mind, this is a small representative sample, just to give you an idea of what you might want to look for.

Plugs:

Flents foam plugs.

Plugs that go inside the ear, generally speaking, offer some of the best noise reduction out there. Some have cords to keep them together, and hang around the neck so you can keep up with them. They are great for using with rifles and shotguns, as there is nothing to bump into the gun stock. These type plugs are primarily broken down into foam and gel. Foam plugs come in many brands, and are pretty cheap for a pack with several pairs in it. They can wear out or become too dirty to use, and so are disposable for the most part. I currently use Flents brand Quiet Time plugs. These take a minute to put in, as you have to squish them first, then do some ear acrobatics and wait for the plug to expand again. I have found that these damn near make a person deaf when fitted properly, but extended wear makes my ears hurt, no matter what brand I'm using, so I don't keep these in for long. This can be a problem, since they can take a few minutes to put back in right. If you aren't going to wear the foam plugs the right way, don't bother with them at all.

Howard Leight gel plugs with fins.

Gel plugs, or "jellies" come in every shape conceivable. Some are just simple jellies that go right in the ear, some have "fins" that create a vacuum or tighter fit. I have not personally had good luck with any of these, as they can be tricky to get in since they are so soft, and removal is even trickier, unless you don't mind rupturing your eardrums. Wearing these, and removing them, due to the vacuum created, makes them uncomfortable for me, and so I don't use them. I do, however, keep two pair of Howard Leight corded gel plugs with fins in my bag. I also have a pair of softer Radians corded jellies, which I have never tried, if I'm honest, which are still in the plastic carry case. I also have a pair of Radians gel plugs with a "bar" attached, which is designed to go behind the head, and make keeping up with the plugs easier, as well as aid in quick insertion. I found, in my experience, that the plastic bar always wound up rubbing on my neck, jacket, or shirt, and thus transmitted every little sound from the rubbing into my ears, amplified a good bit more. I don't wear these anymore. Generally speaking, however, jellies are fairly inexpensive and can usually be washed with mild soap and water to clean.

Muffs:

Caldwell electronic muffs.

Earmuffs are what I consider to be the old reliable standby. I grew up on this type of protection, and a decent set of over-the-ear muffs will do an excellent job, and can be a durable, low cost solution. Muffs are advantageous because they can be quickly put on and removed, if needed. The downside to most is the bulk, which can interfere with the stock or butt of a long gun, but for pistols, they are just spiffy. There are several varieties of low-profile muffs, which help a bit with this. Since my introduction to muffs decades ago, the electronic earmuff has become fairly widespread in the marketplace. 

Howard Leight Impact Sport muffs.

This is a wonderful technology, as it allows you to keep the muffs on, unless your ears start to hurt, and not have to remove them to hear conversation or range commands. Electronic muffs have a cut-out circuit that shuts down the speakers inside the cups when a sound is detected over a certain decibel range, which differs from model to model. My experience shows that they cut out pretty damn quick. You can even test them by clapping hard near the muffs. Most have adjustable volume knobs, and dual microphones so you can hear in stereo. I have a pair of Caldwell electronic muffs, which have worked great for years. They are a bit bulky, but not heavy, and therefore won't work with some guns. They only set me back about $30 though, so it's a good investment. I like to put them on with the mics facing behind me. This makes it easier to hear the folks behind you, including range officers, and surprise surprise, is facing away from the noisemaker you have in your hand. No idea if this last bit helps, but what can it hurt? I also have a pair of Howard Leight Impact Sport muffs, which are low profile, and work much better with long guns. These also have adjustable volume, and dual mics, but are higher quality and therefore more expensive. They can be had for around $50 online, and have a headphone jack if you want to plug in your iPod to them while shooting. Seriously. No idea why you'd want to do that, but it's there for ya. These are currently my favorite set of everything in my bag.

No matter what type you decide to go with, I'd recommend giving different types/brands a try. Borrow what you can, (get over the cooties hiccup and be a grown up) and shop around. You may also find you like to keep a few different options in your loadout. Whichever way you go is fine, the important thing is to use hearing protection whenever you shoot. Make it a part of your shooting ritual or routine. Learn to check that bystanders are wearing ears before you fire as a courtesy. Being able to hear someone while you talk to them about the shooting sports will help you enjoy it longer, so be smart.

Radians jellies with cord.

Radians "Rad Band."

Impact sport collapsed for storage. Compact!

Muffs opened up.

-Owen