December 25, 2021 Merry Christmas — Protect Your Hearing As a Gift to You”Science has shown that a continuous exposure to 85 dB for 8 hours can cause permanent hearing loss. Even worse, spikes of 130 or more can cause permanent hearing damage. Source: NRA Blog. The Risk of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can be progressive or irreversible. This is serious business if you are a shooter. The NRA Blog warns that you may not realize you are affecting your hearing. Hearing loss can occur gradually and may not be noticed until severe symptoms appear. The damage is done. Effective hearing protection is essential when you shoot firearms or are near gunshots. We recommend a good set tapered foam earplugs topped with ear-muffs for maximum protection. There are some situations where you may prefer lightweight hearing protection that can be quickly taken off. If you are working as a rangemaster, waddie, or observer at the firing line, you may prefer lighter-weight hearing protection that can be quickly removed. Sound levels for common noises: 9mm Luger pistol 160 dB Jet aircraft engine (near), 140 dB.22 LR pistol, 134 dB Normal person pain threshold: 120dB Noisy nightclub: 110db Riding motorcycle at 65 mph is 103 db Power lawnmower 95 dB Hearing damage: 85 dB (sustained 8+ hours) Ringing telephone: 80 dB Normal conversations: 60 dB. What about suppressors Is it okay to use a suppressor if you don’t need it? It is not. Even the most powerful suppressors, even those with the smallest and quietest calibers (.22 LR), can reduce the gunshot’s peak sound level to between 110 and 120 dB. This is a significant reduction in the sound level of a gunshot, which according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (“NIOSH”) is as loud as jackhammers (110 dB) and ambulance sirens (120 dB). Normal caliber rifles and handguns have suppressed sounds levels that exceed 130 dB. This is just below OSHA’s threshold of 140 dB. We recommend hearing protection, even when shooting is suppressed. Ear Muffs – Max Protection and Compact Options The current USA Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) is 34 dB. You need big muffs to get this level of protection. But, luckily, you don’t have to spend a lot. Quality ANSI-approved muffs can be purchased for as low as $15.00 and have a 30+ dB noise reduction rating. You can choose from the 34 NRR G&F PRO Muffs starting at $10.99, or the more comfortable 30NR Walker EXT Range Muffs starting at $12.75. Both products feature padded head-bands that can be retracted. Ear muffs with a low profile are preferred by competitive shooters and hunters. These ear muffs have a lower Noise Reduction rating, NRR 22-24. We recommend wearing earplugs underneath muffs when you are shooting matches or at busy ranges. You should still be able hear range commands even if you have plugs underneath if you use low-profile electronic muffles such as the Howard Leight Impact Sport Muffles. 2. Electronic Plugs — New Technology With Adjustable Volume Many companies now offer electronic earbuds that have small speakers, so you can hear range commands and converse with others. These must be designed to protect your ears. Use ear-buds that are not designed for music playback. This NRR is higher than many compact ear muffs. When loud impulse sounds (like gunshots), exceed 85dB, the plugs will automatically compress amplification. Internal amplification makes it possible to hear range commands and converse with others. The cord that connects the plugs has twin volume controls. These plugs include moldable earhooks that can be adjusted to fit 3 different sizes of ear tips. Optics Planet’s base unit in dark green is $85.39 Amazon also sells a deluxe model with BlueTooth for $113.62. You can make phone calls with the BlutTooth model. Foam Earplugs – 20 Pairs – Small, Affordable, but Essential
50 Pairs
Earplugs made of high-quality foam offer excellent hearing protection at a low price. These Howard Leight NRR33Max plugs are our Editor’s favorite foam headphones. Max plugs are in my ears about 3-4 times a week, depending on whether I am shooting, motorcycling, or mowing lawns. The Leight Max plugs are very efficient, easy to insert/remove (with their flared ends), as well as less irritating than other brands. You can buy 20 pairs of these NRR33 Leight Max earplugs for $8.88, or 50 for $11.90. Experts say that plugs and muffs can increase your effective noise reduction by as much as 4-7 dB NRR. Ear bands — Lightweight, easy to use, and inexpensive. These products can also be used as hearing protection for hunters. These can be worn around the neck to help you spot game and then inserted before you shoot. We tried two types: the Howard Leight Quiet band (shown above) (25 dBNRR) and the Radians Rad-Band (23/23 dBNRR). The Leight Quiet Band is durable and can be replaced. Radians Rad-Band is light-weight and has Jelli(TM), plugs that are washable, comfortable, and reusable. Peltor also sells Sport Banded Earplugs, but those seem a bit fragile and the NRR seems exaggerated.
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