In ear Hearing Protection 2014

[Steve Moneypenny]

I saw an old thread in a search but it was 10 years old.

I purchased some molded silicone hearing protection from Jim Shanahan at a nationals at PASA Park years ago.. like 2005 or 6. they have lasted great and i love them, but it's time to upgrade I do believe.

I would prefer digital, but that can be very expensive it seems.

ProEars have sponsored sevigny and vogel it appears, maybe a few other shooters. they don't give a whole lot of info,

Precision Ear ( makers of DefendEar) seem to market themselves better.

Also I heard of one company that works with your health insurance and keeps the costs quite manageable.

I was looking for more information and personal experiences.

Thanks!

[Jim Norman]

Steve,

I have some hearing loss and after being harangued by my wife and daughter for a couple years decided to look into hearing aids and hearing protection. I chose SportEar. There was a special at FNH in 2013. I am generally happy with them although it was a rough start. Yes they are expensive. They do allow me to hear whatever is happening around me and unless I am ROing a Comped gun I have no issues. Rifles, Shotguns and regular handguns are fine. These have 4 settings, Standard is low enhancement, second brings in a bit more, third opens up and you hear EVERYTHING, forth clips the loud noises extremely well.

Now, I generally have them set on the standard or 2nd spot and even regularly shoot with them in that setting outdoors. .Anytime there is a really loud noise, they clamp right down on it. Took a while to get used to them, but I have finally. Two things I have found. One buy batteries in bulk, they last about 4 to 4-1/2 days, $0.80 each. Second, store them upright with the outside up and in part that goes into your ear down.

As for Health Insurance coverage, that will depend upon your policy, sadly mine does not cover this. You MAY be able to claim them as a requirement for your work, but I would make sure and be careful on that one.

I mentioned wearability. I have over the years had several pairs of custom molded earplugs. By the end of the day I am glad to take them out, these I am lately forgetting I have them in.

[Steve Moneypenny]

Thanks Jim! wearability is a big thing for me!

[TMC]

Check out Westone they have excellent in-ear products and are coming out with universal fit electronic hearing protection. Their design does not encapsulate the electronics making them easy to clean and if you need new ear pieces you don't have to get new electronics. This feature also allows you the sell them should you want to. The molded pieces are a lab-made and fit really well and they keep your impressions on file if you want a different color or solid plugs.

Full disclosure I am sponsored by them but this also means if you decide to buy I can get you $100.00 off the Digital 1, 2 & Hunter models.

https://www.westone.com/defendear/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=86:defendear-digital&catid=46:products&Itemid=107

As for experience, the material Westone uses is very comfortable and they fit better than others I have owned. I used to use another brand but the material was very stiff and didn't fit my ear very well so there wan't much sound blocking. If you get the molded set Westone has a network of Audiologists to make the impression so you know you're getting a proper fit from a professional.

Edited December 17, 2014 by TMC

[ericjhuber]

That's the route I went and no one in their right mind would sponsor me so no disclosure necessary on my part. I use a pair Westone DefendEars that I had an audiologist make the impression for me. Fits great and I really like the product overall. I'll throw a pair of ProEars over them when I need to double up. The club I shoot at the most is an outdoor range...technically, but its action bays have thick walls and thick ceilings since it's in an urban area. So if you get some really loud Open guns, it's sort of like shooting in an indoor range.