Ear Muffs vs Plugs

[markg]

I have traditionally used muffs. I thought I would do some research and see if one type of ear protection is better than another. I came across this video and thought i would share it. Please share your experiences with what you use and why.

Application will be target shooting at a range.

Thanks in advance for your comments.

https://youtu.be/cDoaFFb9qx0

[300 tc win mag]

I use ear plugs myself

[bobalong]

My plugs are handier but the muffs are probably 3-5 times quieter. I use the muffs when shooting at the range.

[nast70]

I got a set of electronic muffs for Christmas. Looking forward to trying them out. Otherwise there's always a handful of foam plugs in the ammo box. never know whos popping by to watch.
There are some interesting comments below the video. I think i'll be trying the combinations of plugs and muffs to find out what works best for me.

[pikergolf]

Interesting, I had always thought muffs had better protection. Turns out my choice, plugs has the best protection. I find muffs intrusive on the range.

[Dick284]

Busy range, I wear both.

[fps plus]

I double up with plugs and muffs

[Scottmisfits]

I have electronic muffs and molded plugs. Shooting alone or with one buddy, either or. Busier range and competitions I’ve come to the conclusion of both.

[STY181]

Trap and Sporting Clay's I wear molded plugs at the rifle range plugs and muffs

[pikergolf]

Originally Posted by Scottmisfits

I have electronic muffs and molded plugs. Shooting alone or with one buddy, either or. Busier range and competitions I’ve come to the conclusion of both.

Do you know the NRR of your molded plugs by chance?

[Big Lou]

I purchased the Walkers electronic plugs a few months ago and I love them. Had electronic muffs for a long time and liked them too but waterfowling, gopher patch or range was the limit of usage. I really wanted something for when calling coyotes and they are outstanding. Quite liking them at the range too.

[Scottmisfits]

26db reduction, if done properly. I have two sets, one was done very well, the others aren’t quite there but still very good.

https://www.radians.com/radsite/inde...olded-earplugs

I got mine at Wholesale, not sure where to buy in person now.

[Viking Caliber]

If I had my choice, I would have doubled it up.

I spent many years around guns and rifles.
I always used ear muffs on the range and plugs in the city when doing 21 gun salute. Plugs are good till a certain point. Now I am in my late 30's and have a hearing loss at a higher range. I try to wear muffs while at the range however now I find shooting rifles as big as 7.62 x 54r doesn't bother me as much anymore.
I do take the steps to protect what hearing I have left. I make a point to ensure I have either plugs or muffs with me and try to wear them as much as possible.

[sns2]

I always wear both.

[elkhunter11]

Plugs for shotgun and rimfire, muffs or both for centerfire.

[tikka250]

i used to wear either plugs or muffs depending on what was had on hand at any given day but found myself taking one plug out to chat in between shooting at the range to have someone shoot unknowingly behind me or taking off my muffs while coyote hunting to hear my surroundings only to have a dog rush in and not get time to put the earpro back on.
so after realizing i was setting myself up to have to buy hearing aids later on in life i purchased a set of custom molded electronic plugs.

https://www.espamerica.com/elite-classic/

[Mulehahn]

I shopped around and years ago I found a pair of Browning HDR ear muffs on sale (still pretty expensive but not bad) and they have a claimed NRR of 37. I have never found anything higher. As the video says, you have to have a good seal but man, when they are on it is quiet.

[260 Rem]

The research I recall says the tiny bones in the ear are affected by concussive forces impacting them from both within and outside of the ear channel. Bottom line is that only muffs provide protection from the transfer of concussive waves through bone (skull) on the outside of the ear channel. If one accepts that premise, muffs must be included. Obviously, doubling up is the best advice.

[Homesteader]

Originally Posted by 260 Rem

The research I recall says the tiny bones in the ear are affected by concussive forces impacting them from both within and outside of the ear channel. Bottom line is that only muffs provide protection from the transfer of concussive waves through bone (skull) on the outside of the ear channel. If one accepts that premise, muffs must be included. Obviously, doubling up is the best advice.

This follows what our safety guru at work told me as well. You can suffer hearing loss due to vibration conducting thru bone. He referenced behind the ear, so if decibel ratings are equal muffs should be better, but both have their place. Also I think a lot of earplugs aren’t always used correctly, and may not seal correctly. Ear muffs are more user friendly, just not as friendly for shooting.

[260 Rem]

I think some research has also been done (related to muzzle brakes) ... suggesting that concussion waves can do damage after entering the nasal cavity.

[STY181]

I forgot to add that my molded plugs are vented DB blockers and that I can hear conversations reasonably well with them in so I find that I'm not taking them out until I leave the range. There NRR rating is 24

[Carriertxv]

Have to use both and then some when the two on either side of me are shooting short barreled muzzle braked AR’s at indoor range

[obsessed1]

I use electronic muffs with all C.F. rifles and shotguns. Except when shooting my braked 300wm then both are used. While hunting though I don't wear anything as I find muffs jyst get in the way/ knocked off ECT.... I have been toying with the idea of getting electronic buds for hunting but haven't found any reasonably priced as of yet.

[DLab]

Originally Posted by 260 Rem

The research I recall says the tiny bones in the ear are affected by concussive forces impacting them from both within and outside of the ear channel. Bottom line is that only muffs provide protection from the transfer of concussive waves through bone (skull) on the outside of the ear channel. If one accepts that premise, muffs must be included. Obviously, doubling up is the best advice.

Exactly what the Ear, Nose and Throat specialist told me when I asked.

Originally Posted by 260 Rem

I think some research has also been done (related to muzzle brakes) ... suggesting that concussion waves can do damage after entering the nasal cavity.

With brakes compounding the noise and concussion values to double or triple ,this would make sense.
Sit on a bench beside some one shooting any braked magnum ,under a roofed range with or without partially enclosed walls for 20-30 rounds with a Radial style brake, never mind a Gill or Clamshell type,I doubt you'll argue this point.

[.257Weatherby]

I do not know where the guy has been shopping, but a place like Acklands can get you a set of Peltors with double and triple the rating he is demoing.
Ear plugs are disposable One Time use only so the ratings he speaks of are moot (My opinion pnly)
I used a set of Peltor Muffs with a 105db rating (https://www.3mcanada.ca/3M/en_CA/com...3805468&rt=rud) and I wear them 40 hours a month when working on the deck.
They work perfect for the shooting range and I can still hear enough on the range commands, but I aint playing a tacticool gun guy.
Buy the best you can afford cause your hearing has to last a lifetime.
Rob

[graybeard]

Originally Posted by .257Weatherby

I ain't playing a tacti-cool gun guy.
Buy the best you can afford cause your hearing has to last a lifetime.
Rob

No cool for me either...

I use the muffs on the range and with all my equipment such as chainsaw, lawn mower, snow blower etc....bless the Princess Auto door crasher sales...

I will use the orange disposable plugs when I am out shooting my rims fires for gophers.....low disciple but still some protection.

[covey ridge]

For sighting rifles I use plugs and muffs. For shooting clay I can only use plugs because the muffs get in the way of my gun mount. I don't use anything for hunting because I always thought I can get away with the odd loud shot. A couple years ago I used WSM with a brake to kill a moose. My plan was to put in plugs before the shot. Well, when my shot suddenly presented itself, putting in plugs was the last thing on my mind. I am now a bit more deaf than I was before.

[Big Sky]

As for a rule of thumb for estimating the effects of dual protection, OSHA recommends adding 5 dB to the NRR of the higher rated device.

https://www.audiologyonline.com/rele...n-hearing-4302

Lots of info online regarding doubling up. As was mentioned in previous posts, the transfer of sound through bone is a reality that limits the effectiveness of hearing protection.
Proper fit is critical if you want maximum protection. I tried several types of plugs before I found one that worked for me. Some types tended to work their way loose.
The plugs that I use have an NRR or 26 and my muffs have an NRR of 30.

FWIW
-at the range I always double up.
-shooting gophers with rimfire, I wear plugs.
-shooting gophers with centerfire, I double up.

[ganderblaster]

I use plugs then muffs. Very little ear ringing after waterfowl hunting if I double up. At times we do 12 boxes in a confined willow blind.

[hilt134]

Originally Posted by markg

I have traditionally used muffs. I thought I would do some research and see if one type of ear protection is better than another. I came across this video and thought i would share it. Please share your experiences with what you use and why.

Application will be target shooting at a range.

Thanks in advance for your comments.

https://youtu.be/cDoaFFb9qx0

I know from work the plugs seem to actually take more noise away even on the package it says that. If your outdoor the muffs are warmer. The best is both however.