HSMITH Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 I have been using good plugs (33db rated and inserted properly) with Pro-Ears Dim + muffs over them, and I am still having issues. What is THE absolute best configuration at reducing noise, no price cap, no anything, just want some options on the most effective noise reduction system I can find? I am ready to shave my head to try to improve the seal on the Pro-Ears, try a motorcycle helmet, etc. I need to do something!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coolduckboy Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Shooting .50 caliber sniper rifles or something? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Smith Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Well, in my case, the best solution turned out to be finding some ear plugs that fit me well (Howard Leight Smartfit). Until I tried these, I never had any luck getting a really good seal. With these, fully inserted, I can almost block out all external sound - to the point that it can be difficult to understand what someone right next to me is saying if they don't speak loudly. If I plug with these and put my regular muffs over them, it's like being on the other side of a big concrete wall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mapzter Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Are silicone/gel ear seals available for your earmuffs? They made quite a big difference in how well mine sealed over the frame of my shooting glasses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EZ Bagger Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 I use the moulded plugs and when I have them made I tell the guy (Decot at the Nats) that I want them to seal up TIGHT. He's been pretty good at doing that for me. Basically, hold the ears up just like you should when inserting the roll up foam plugs, but you'll have to hold them while the silicone sets. Still wear muffs on top too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coolduckboy Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Impact™ Sport, those are what i use for muffs and i use the Howard Leight ear plugs (silicon) that i got from A1 three years ago if i really don't want to hear anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSMITH Posted September 30, 2008 Author Share Posted September 30, 2008 Todd, any idea what the NRR is on the molded plugs like you have? Just to clarify, I am using the highest NRR disposable plugs I can find, plus the Dimension + Pro Ears and it isn't enough. Tinnitis, headaches, etc from matches are getting really old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flexmoney Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Howard, I figure you have the bases covered, but I'd better mention a few things anyway. I rarely see any shooter properly installing their ear plugs. Maybe they get there, I don't know. I was taught to reach over the top of my head with the other hand and pull up on my ear as I inserted the plug. I know it makes a difference with the plugs that I use. And, while shooting or RO'ing, make sure to keep the mouth closed so sound doesn't enter the mouth cavity and transmit through the bones. I assume you've played with the gain settings on your current ears? Along with the sensitivity? http://www.pro-ears.com/troubleshoot.htm For muffs, I get great fit and function from 3M's 1440 muffs. A good choice if you want to try a non-electronic pair for testing. Might be worth a call to Pro-Ear and see if they have any options for fit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steel1212 Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Howard,I figure you have the bases covered, but I'd better mention a few things anyway. I rarely see any shooter properly installing their ear plugs. Maybe they get there, I don't know. I was taught to reach over the top of my head with the other hand and pull up on my ear as I inserted the plug. I know it makes a difference with the plugs that I use. And, while shooting or RO'ing, make sure to keep the mouth closed so sound doesn't enter the mouth cavity and transmit through the bones. I assume you've played with the gain settings on your current ears? Along with the sensitivity? http://www.pro-ears.com/troubleshoot.htm For muffs, I get great fit and function from 3M's 1440 muffs. A good choice if you want to try a non-electronic pair for testing. Might be worth a call to Pro-Ear and see if they have any options for fit? I've got a set of 98DB Muffs. They are industrial and I can't hear crap if I have them on. I'm thinking about using them when I RO 3 gun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSMITH Posted September 30, 2008 Author Share Posted September 30, 2008 Thanks for the info Kyle, I have not played with the gain or sensitivity, I didn't know you could.... I will give it a try and see what shakes out. Corey, tell me more about the 98db muffs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XRe Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 You may still be getting transmission through the skull, etc. Not much you can do about that... If your muffs aren't sealing against your face completely, you're losing efficiency there, too. You might opt for a quieter gun/load combo or see a doc and determine if you might actually have something else going on. The headaches might be from pressure on the head from the muffs, or pressure in the ear canal from the plugs (or both). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dajarrel Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 I've got a set of 98DB Muffs. They are industrial and I can't hear crap if I have them on. I'm thinking about using them when I RO 3 gun! Mr. Estill, Please let us know what kind of ear muffs these are. At 98db noise reduction, that would give you absolute silence anytime the gun wasn't going off. Mr. Smith. If I'm not mistaken, and I have been before, the 33 db reduction that properly inserted disposable plugs advertise is about as good as you can get with plugs. Those and peltor electronic muffs are what I wear when shooting my open gun indoors with good success. However the poor RO next to me usually has something else to say fwiw dj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSMITH Posted September 30, 2008 Author Share Posted September 30, 2008 Open guns are what bothers me, my 6" with Clays is very quiet (comparatively) and I don't have a problem shooting it. RO'ing Open shooters is also a problem, short guns or guns with a bunch of blow holes in them will give me a headache and ringing in 20 rounds. Dave, the transmission through the bones being part of the problem is entirely possible, it almost feels like the pressure waves coming off the Open guns is more the problem than the noise..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritinUSA Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 What type of eye protection are you using ? Glasses with a thick ear stem can prevent the muffs from sealing around the ear. If you are good with machining you could make a set of stems out of a flat strip of metal, that may ensure a better seal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lcs Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Open guns are what bothers me, my 6" with Clays is very quiet (comparatively) and I don't have a problem shooting it. RO'ing Open shooters is also a problem, short guns or guns with a bunch of blow holes in them will give me a headache and ringing in 20 rounds. Dave, the transmission through the bones being part of the problem is entirely possible, it almost feels like the pressure waves coming off the Open guns is more the problem than the noise..... Howard, I have two sets of earplugs that are custom made ($40 each). They inject silicone into the ear to make a mold. You have to "screw" the finished plugs into your ears (No smarta$$ comments allowed ) I then wear cheap Browning non-electronic over those plugs. I then suffer from CHS (can't hear shit) . I shoot open inside and the noise is very subdued. I also use them when I ride my Harley on extended road trips to kill the wind noise. These bad boys have been tested up to 100MPH. The plugs will not come out till you take them out. Quite comfortable also. Where did I get them you ask? Well the military made one set for me and the other set I got from a vendor at the US Trap championships when they were here in Vandalia Ohio. If you find somebody who makes those, I bet you would be happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steel1212 Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 I had the wrong name they are Peltor Optime. Here is a quick google I did. I was also wrong its got a 25 decibel rating but is for up to 98 dba noise. I know they seal quite well and I use them when I'm trimming .223 brass with the shop vac on. http://www.highperformancesafetyproducts.com/h9a.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larry cazes Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Dave, the transmission through the bones being part of the problem is entirely possible, it almost feels like the pressure waves coming off the Open guns is more the problem than the noise..... I had a short open gun built a few years ago and it had 2 small barrel holes that were causing me to have headaches after matches. I had my smith rebarrel it and eliminate the holes and it fixed the problem for me. Latest full length gun has no holes and I just use Pro-Ears and no plugs and the headaches have not returned. The short violent bursts of pressure against my face and head when shooting the gun were the cause for me, not the NRR on my muffs or plugs. I don't seem to have as severe a problem when RO'ing shooters with similiar setups but I do tend to give a bit more space bewteen myself and the shooter at times if needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rishii Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 Howard check your pro ears are sealing all the way around, my last pair didn't and I've had permanent hearing damage since then. I found the head band didn't flex enough to sear behind my ears. have you thought about going to the old standby, the peltor ultimate 10, I'e always had better luck with the wire type headbands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSMITH Posted October 1, 2008 Author Share Posted October 1, 2008 Thanks guys, I have some things to try and some new muffs that might help.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gundry Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 Howard, keep in mind the NRR is not the be-all end-all of how good your hearing protection is. The actual reduction is not the same for all frequencies. It is possible for a set of NRR 30's to actually dampen less than a set of 20's for a particular frequency. Take a look at the charts that come with the protection. Not sure what the normal range of frequencies are for open and standard guns, might make for some interesting research... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoshidaex Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 Howard, I've had issues with the dimension pro ears plus series not sealing well. My peltors with a lower NRR seem to do a better job than the pro ears. I tried modifying the head band so it exerts a bit more pressure to seal better but its still not 100%. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AikiDale Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 Open guns are what bothers me, my 6" with Clays is very quiet (comparatively) and I don't have a problem shooting it. RO'ing Open shooters is also a problem, short guns or guns with a bunch of blow holes in them will give me a headache and ringing in 20 rounds. Dave, the transmission through the bones being part of the problem is entirely possible, it almost feels like the pressure waves coming off the Open guns is more the problem than the noise..... Simple Howard. Quit ROing and shoot Production. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wooddog Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 What!?... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
austinkroe Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 (edited) Wear a hat and big glasses. Try to cover and cushion as much of your head from the concussion as you possibly can. The motorcycle helmet is not a bad idea if your hearing is your main concern but I think it would make shooting very difficult. Personally I use some custom molded ear plugs that I got from a guy at the Texas State Limited match and put a set of peltor wrap arounds when I am shooting but I only shoot Limited. These are the guys I used am I am very happy. Another option is to quit shooting open. I will take the offending guns off your hands if it means I will save your hearing. Edited October 1, 2008 by austinkroe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big_kahuna Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 Howard, Check these earplugs out: SilentEar (NRR 32) is the Highest Rated Reusable Ear Plug currently made anywhere in the world! Could help if used under your Pro-Ears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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