The ShootForum hearing protection test

[Beer Hunter]

I've had time to write it up at long last!
It's in the articles section.

Hope it's of some use to you

Kev.

[beanwood]

Superb - thank you, it must have been quite a bit of work (And expense?) but you'll be saving me some of my hard earned cash!.

Top man.

Thanks again.

[hungryrob]

Pretty comprehensive!!

Looks like I'll be buying the Napier Pro defenders then!

[Beer Hunter]

...Looks like I'll be buying the Napier Pro defenders then!

You wouldn't be missing out by choosing them either - they are great

Kev.

[mr smith]

Pretty comprehensive!!

Looks like I'll be buying the Napier Pro defenders then!

Might get some meself,always thought they looked like they'd be pretty hopeless.

[jeff]

Interesting read. Can't get the Peltor XP's here, but I did get a pair of SportTacs a while back. Without a doubt they are far better than any of the three other pairs of electronic muffs I have (Deben, Peltor Tac6's and an unbranded pair) - and while I agree initially with the comfort and button comments, I have to say I can now work them easily with my right hand (Though gloves are a non-issue over here!) and forget I'm wearing them. Unlike other bulkier products, they also don't get in the way of gun mount which is a problem I seem to suffer from. Testing them yesterday on the bench with my braked 300WSM for the first time, I was also more than happy with their noise reduction qualities for a slimline product. Not sure I'd be happy paying 90 pounds for them, but at the US$100 they cost me, they are a bargain. I suspect the other US-based products have similar savings though, so I'm not suggesting these are better simply because they can be had cheaper. I'm suggesting that in 4th place you'd be more than happy with them, especially if you struggle with the fit of big muffs like I suspect I would with the XP's. I will grab a pair of the Napier Pro9's when I'm over next week though, if I can find them! They might be ideal for field use when you need to take them off and on constantly or want them on just for the shot.

Also have a passive, custom-fit pair of plugs exactly like those tested but with no opion of electronics (EMTEC Noisebreaker's). I got these for UK game shooting, where I found muffs cumbersome and regular earplugs uncomfortable and ineffective. These cost me something like 60 pounds a few years back, including the fitting session at a Boots hearing centre where they make the moulds. Whilst I doubt they are anywhere near as good as the electronic ones, a mechanical valve in them does allow normal speech to be heard (Though a little subdued) and like the test, they can be worn all day without discomfort. They would probably still represent a 300 pound saving over the cheapest electronic option, so if that was the difference between buying and not buying they are well worth a look if they are still available! If the primary use is range or clays, buy the electronic muffs.

[dicehorn]

Must say Kev that was a very good review. One can become a little cynical when reading reviews in the shooting press and the thought of back handers comes to mind, so it was good to read from someone off a level playing field..

I have had a pair of Peltor Sportacs for four years but must say the on/off and volume buttons are easy to adjust once you have worn them awhile and agree with your review but would have given them a couple of more points re the buttons!

There was one aspect that was not covered by you and to be fair it was something that would have been out of your scope. It was the question when comparing 'bins' with 'in ear' what the long term affect they would have on your hearing.

I raise this because I load on four very large commercial shoots up on Exmoor, loading for about 60 to 70 days a season. At one of these shoots I was loading for an American guy who was the top ear specialist operating out of Beverley Hills. He said to me he was glad that all the loaders were wearing proper ear protection unlike some of his group who had ear 'inserts' I told him that I liked the look of them but the price for good ones was too high. His reply was that there are no good ones - yes they are comfortable to wear and that they did a very good job in muffling the loud bangs but that was all.

Surely I said that is what they all do? Now he got pretty technical with me, however the gist of it was that ear protectors have not only to cover the ear canal bit, but also the thin bone behind the ear flap which stores all the components that give you hearing.

This got me thinking about the world's top Olympic clay people and the question I therefore ask is how many of them wear the in ear variety? - I am involved with a chap local to me (do their foxing) who has shot for the uk and was European Champion and he has said when I asked this question that indeed some do wear the in ear plugs but only under 'proper' bins - he had never seen anyone from any country shoot without bins.

We are all sensitive to loud noises but we all differ to what degree it affects us. We perhaps know shooters who during their shooting career have paid scant regard to their hearing protection and now in later life appear to have suffered no affects whilst others shooting much less have ended up with poor hearing or tinnitus. As there is no scientific proof one way or the other and not therefore knowing how it is likely to affect me in later life, I dont see the point of taking a risk with anything other than bins.until I get proof otherwise.

Peter

[Beer Hunter]

Peter,

I have heard rumours of hearing damage caused through bone structure, but although I've done some considerable research on the subject, I can find no evidence or scientific papers that agree - and, god, have I trawled through a heap of them recently! zzzzz.......

As such, I have to conclude that it is just that, a rumour.

Kev.

[dicehorn]

Peter,

I have heard rumours of hearing damage caused through bone structure, but although I've done some considerable research on the subject, I can find no evidence or scientific papers that agree - and, god, have I trawled through a heap of them recently! zzzzz.......

As such, I have to conclude that it is just that, a rumour.

Kev.

I hear what you say Kev - I did state that there was no scientific evidence one way or the other.

We could say therefore that it is rumoured there is a God - until then I will stay a Darwinian - at least there is some scientific evidence to support him.
Its just that my concern is not today's effect on my hearing, but in the future.

I suppose perhaps I am scare mongering - after all if I do get tinnitus, as annoying as it is, I shall still be able to operate a keyboard and make small contributions to this forum

Peter

[Beer Hunter]

Peter,

My view is that based upon the balance of evidence from long term industrial usage of percussion machinery etc, there doesn't appear to be any greater risk from wearing ear-plugs than earmuffs.

There is however good evidence that your hearing can be damaged through an open mouth or nose. Perhaps you want to start wearing mouth and nose muffs?

Kev.

[dicehorn]

Peter,

My view is that based upon the balance of evidence from long term industrial usage of percussion machinery etc, there doesn't appear to be any greater risk from wearing ear-plugs than earmuffs.

There is however good evidence that your hearing can be damaged through an open mouth or nose. Perhaps you want to start wearing mouth and nose muffs?

Kev.

And there was I thinking how civilized you and I were being

[Beer Hunter]

And there was I thinking how civilized you and I were being

I was trying to be humorous. Don't take it personally cupcake

Kev.

[pierred]

Very impressed Kev a very comprehensive review,thanks for taking the time to compile it for us don`t supose it happened over a cup of coffee.

[Fenrir]

I know they weren't in your original test Kev, but having treated myself to a pair of MSA Sordin electronic ear protectors I thought I would drag up this thread to the top because it is worth it.

[1in9]

Peter,

My view is that based upon the balance of evidence from long term industrial usage of percussion machinery etc, there doesn't appear to be any greater risk from wearing ear-plugs than earmuffs.

For industrial machinery at constant lower levels of noise you may be right.

However, I agree with the thinking that for intermittent very loud bangs there is a definite advantage to cans over plugs, in that they cover the Mastoid bone area behind the ear, which has an airspace behind it and is more sound sensitive/conductive to the inner ear than the rest of the skull, just give it a tap! An army range course I went a good few years ago covered the difference between plugs and muffs when using support weapons. Running a full days live fire on Sennybridge being the proof in the pudding!