Hearing protection while hunting.

[Albertajeff]

I use hearing protection (plugs/muffs)when at the range or shooting targets at home but when hunting I don’t use because I can’t hear what’s going on around me. Do you stop and install heating protection? Wear hearing protection all the time? I’m looking for a solution where I can walk and hear the surroundings clearly and simple solution for hearing protection.

[Desert Eagle]

I use the corded rubber type plugs, just have them around my neck and pop them in before shooting. 99% of the time there is time to do it.

[elkhunter11]

I wear ear plugs in a goose blind , but otherwise, I don't bother, but I don't own braked rifles.

[graybeard]

I have often thought about this as well.

My question is to the people who are prescribed hearing aids. I am told that in a room of people if you turn up the volume to hear, actually only increases the grey noise in the room and makes hearing more difficult.

Having said that, and you are in a hunting situation (not a goose blind) by turning up your hearing aids does that make your surroundings more acute to you....i.e. twigs cracking birds chirping etc?

Does it enhance the noises you wouldn't normally hear?

Thanks

[jcrayford]

Originally Posted by Albertajeff

I use hearing protection (plugs/muffs)when at the range or shooting targets at home but when hunting I don’t use because I can’t hear what’s going on around me. Do you stop and install heating protection? Wear hearing protection all the time? I’m looking for a solution where I can walk and hear the surroundings clearly and simple solution for hearing protection.

^ I've thought about this as well. I own 2 pairs of electronic muffs that have the ability to amplify surrounding noises (better hearing while walking/sitting) but then shut down when a sharp noise (clap/gun shot) is present. Plus they would also act like an extra set of ear muffs in colder weather (cause I'm whimpy like that )

But I always seem to forget them when running out the door to hunt. Maybe my second pair should reside in my hunting pack?

J.

[Curtsyneil]

Walkers game ears. Not sure if they protect but know they help hearing while hunting.

[obsessed1]

I hate muffs as they always interfere with proper cheevk weld. I do have electronic in ear plugs that work great for hunting but i often dont remember to bring them. I do keep a set of plugs on a neck band hangung on my truck mirror which i can wear around my neck then pop in just before the shot... lots of ways to skin that cat!

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by Curtsyneil

Walkers game ears. Not sure if they protect but know they help hearing while hunting.

I actually tried a set while doing a course at the range, but it was windy, and it was very annoying.

[waldedw]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I actually tried a set while doing a course at the range, but it was windy, and it was very annoying.

Yes the wind is annoying with walkers on, I usually only wear mine in the goose blind or when we're at the bench doing long range, I just turn the volume down a bit if it's windy, they are great for hearing when others are talking at least I can hear what they are saying.

[Albertajeff]

Originally Posted by waldedw

Yes the wind is annoying with walkers on, I usually only wear mine in the goose blind or when we're at the bench doing long range, I just turn the volume down a bit if it's windy, they are great for hearing when others are talking at least I can hear what they are saying.

Also another thing about most of the muffs is the band goes overtop your head so if you wear a hat or Touque it never fits properly. There are behind the neck bands but hard to find with electronic muffs.

The wind noise is very annoying with any kind of electronic muffs for sure.

I have tried the ear plugs that come with the firm plastic neck band but man if you turn your head or rub clothing on that band it just amplifies in the plugs and makes things worse.

[6.5 shooter]

Originally Posted by Curtsyneil

Walkers game ears. Not sure if they protect but know they help hearing while hunting.

I use these at the range if shooting in a league so I can hear range commands as well as in the gopher patch. If I am shooting at the range by myself I use both solid foam plugs and the heavier industrial style ear muffs which have a higher Db rating then the Walkers.

[sakogreywolf]

I have tinnitus. I also used to wear hearing protection at the range, but not while hunting. In addition, I was not smart enough to wear hearing protection while working around loud equipment for many years.

One day while hunting antelope, I shot one and once the gun went off, my ears literally hurt. For about 2-3 months afterward, my ears became hypersensitive to higher pitched noises and would literally make jump.

I now use ear plugs when running any kind of equipment (lawnmower included) and I also use electronic ear muffs when rifle hunting. They work awesome, and I wish I had been proactive enough to wear them long beforehand.

[TheBigShooter]

I started using hearing protection when hunting.

I use these and they're great! I can turn up/down the noise around me and they block out shot noises every time. Also, if you are using them for working in the garage they can connect to bluetooth so you can listen to music or make calls when wearing them.

https://goaxil.com/collections/ear-b...cts/gx-extreme

They go on sale quite often.

[tullfan]

Originally Posted by jcrayford

^ I've thought about this as well. I own 2 pairs of electronic muffs that have the ability to amplify surrounding noises (better hearing while walking/sitting) but then shut down when a sharp noise (clap/gun shot) is present. Plus they would also act like an extra set of ear muffs in colder weather (cause I'm whimpy like that )

But I always seem to forget them when running out the door to hunt. Maybe my second pair should reside in my hunting pack?

J.

Same here, except they’re always in my pack. Pack comes to range and pack goes hunting.
Tullfan

[MRLEE2uall]

I never wear any earplugs while hunting, and most times there is never any time to put any in or on. My touque does take out a few decibles of sound, so much so that they changed the design of it with different material over the ears now. Ears may be ringing but if you did our job, it is well worth it.