Electronic hearing protectors

[governor]

Anyone have any experience with electronic ear muffs? I am thinking about getting a pair and want some opinions from people who have used them.

Thanks.

[UncleSugar]

For electronic protectors, usually the total Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) is about 10 decibels (dB) less than convential ear muffs, but they cost much more. My conventional muffs cost less than $20 and give 31 dB NRR, but my agency issued me electronic muffs which only give 21 dB NRR.


My hearing is very important to me so I use both my conventional earmuffs (NRR 30 dB), and earplugs (NRR 32 dB). The convenience of the electronic muffs is not worth the damage to my hearing.

Read this and decide if a few extra decibels is really all that important:
http://www.entnet.org/healthinfo/hearing/noise_hearing.cfm

http://www.entnet.org/healthinfo/hearing/sound.cfm

[rzaruba]

Anyone have any experience with electronic ear muffs? I am thinking about getting a pair and want some opinions from people who have used them.

Thanks.

I simply take the Lightspeeds I use when flying, turn them on, push the mic up to the top, and throw the wires over my shoulder. They work great for gunfire as well as aircraft noise.

You do look a little stupid if you try to do the lawn with them on, though. Then the wires slide down and get tangled in the mower, etc.

But they work great. And with aircraft headsets, you could plug in an MP3 player or etc. if you wanted.

[release]

Sugar is right, the electronic ears are not as effective, especially in an indoor range, but they do have a purpose. When running a line or receiving instruction, the electronic ears make it a lot easier to hear. My hearing is also extremely important to me, except when listening to the spouse;), but I use both plugs and muffs when the decibel levels call for it and get my hearing tested once a year for deterioration from running the range. So far so good according to the doctors. I use plugs even when doing yard work with blowers and mowers. When in doubt, use the highest rated db (decibel) rated muffs (and plugs).

[ATFpoa]

I was issued a set when I went though a firearms instructor re-cert. They are great when working as a line coach or working coach-pupil drills. They also are fantastic if you shoot IDPA or IPSC, since you can hear commands and warnings much better. I wear plugs with them, and still can hear range commands just fine.

I know that they are rated as less db protection, but as I have been told, that decibel rating is based on continous noise, not sudden noise. The good electronic ones shut off during the report of a shot. But I still use plugs with them just to be safe.

[governor]

Thanks for the info. I think I will just stick with plugs and my regular muffs.

[DFrost]

I like them. They are issued equipment here. Plus they serve me well when I'm working in my wood shop.

DFrost

[nsedet]

As ATFpoa mentioned, they are great in certain situations, esp. in training situations where they allow an instructor to provide personal instruction to a trainee without impacting the others on the line.