Hearing Pro: Need Help on sub $200 Hunting Hearing Pro

[General RE LEE]

I am seeing very mixed to poor reviews on Walkers digital ear buds in the $150 range. Are there any good hearing protection with sound enhancement under $200 or am I asking too much?

 

[xsn10s]

I used Pro Ears muffs about 25 years ago when I worked at a LEO range. I always thought they provided the best sound and they only blocked the damaging noise. Was weird at first. They have in ear buds but I don't know the quality.

 

[wyosteve]

If you're looking for 'in ear' style, your not going to find much under $400. I've tried Soundgear and Otto Noizebarrier and am going to stick with my Howard Leight muffs.

 

[cohunt]

I have the in ear from etmyotic, got em on ebay for right around your budget iirc ..love em for hunting.

At the range I wear my gold pro ears over plugs and they work great too

 

[Blackdirt Cowboy]

I use the walker ear muffs. I can't stand ear buds in my ears. I like hunting with the muffs, especially at night for hogs. They amplify the quiet sounds and you can hear the wildlife feeding and moving from way off. They allow me to keep my light and/or thermal off and just sneak up pretty close and know they aren't disturbed or on alert.

 

[jebel]

For hunting I've been pleased with the SoundGear Instant Fit electronic ear plugs, but they're $400. They're comfortable to wear all day. I got the industrial version (8 dB amplification rather than 15 dB amplification for the "Shooter" model).

At the range I use the Walker ear muffs over simple foam plugs.

 

[jebel]

FYI, I just checked SoundGear's website. They're running a promotion this month for $125 off a pair of the Instant Fit electronic ear plugs (promo code PROTECT21), so $275 for a pair.

Instant Fit Electronic Hearing Protection | SoundGear

SoundGear Instant Fit electronic hearing protection and enhancement devices are small, light and ready to wear right out of the box.

soundgear.com

 

[xsn10s]

I used Peltors muffs for a decade until I finally broke them. They served me well too.

 

[P7M13]

I have Walker Razor XV3 ($~150), Peltor EP100 in-ear buds (~$200), Peltor muffs (~$45) and had Howard Leight muffs.

• The Peltor muffs are the best for ambient sound amplification, and I use them doubled up with plugs when at the range with magnum rifles. They get in the way of a cheek weld on my hunting rifles.
• The EP100 are my favorites. Work great for everything but crowded, busy rifle ranges. Sometimes, instead of doubling with plugs, I'll use the EP100's under my Peltor muffs instead of ear plugs.
• The Walker Razor XV3's are OK. They work with cell phones via bluetooth. But my over-all experience with them is meh.
• The Howard Leights were mediocre at best. Accidentally left them at the range, hopefully someone else appreciates them.

Edit to add, at my age, I have pretty bothersome tinnitus, 24/7. Sounds like a dentist drilling on a tooth. People suffering from tinnitus are also known to exhibit hypersensitivity to loud noise, i.e. they become more irritated than when they didn't have tinnitus. Hence, I prefer to be as quiet as possible, so often just turn off my EP100s. They are effective as stand-alone ear plugs.

 

[General RE LEE]

I'm starting to lean towards a cheap pair of plugs around my neck that I can pop in. I don't use muzzle brakes but a 7mm STW is still loud.

 

[xsn10s]

I'm starting to lean towards a cheap pair of plugs around my neck that I can pop in. I don't use muzzle brakes but a 7mm STW is still loud.

If that's the case I'd go with Peltor muffs. Faster to put on than plugs.

 

[SkyFreek60]

Save up and buy a can for hunting ..... i use peltors on the range. Have seen quite a few issues with digitals so it's just easier that way.

 

[jdavistx]

It really boils down to something as simple as insulating your home. Mass reduces heat transfer, just like it does sound. I never let my kid in the field without good hearing protection. Good times.

 

[jdavistx]

View attachment 304426It really boils down to something as simple as insulating your home. Mass reduces heat transfer, just like it does sound. I never let my kid in the field without good hearing protection. Good times.

There's no free lunch.