Hearing protection

A5 Sweet 16 said:
Say what???? :ROFLMAO: I agree. I've tried at least 3 different types & neither allow me to hear what I want/need to hear sufficiently while pheasant hunting. Shooting clays? Sure. It's easy to shoot as much in an hour or two as you shoot all year hunting pheasants. In a duck blind with other guns nearby pounding away? Sure. But pheasant hunting? No. If a rooster flushes at 20 yards, whether I'm looking right at it, or if it's behind me, I need to hear it ASAP. I haven't found hearing protection that'll allow that. Among other things. If I'm not completely tuned in, I don't hunt/shoot as well, and I don't enjoy it 100%. That's unacceptable to me. It doesn't matter if it's hearing, thinking about work, having to worry about other hunters, or any other distraction. That said, if doctor's orders included hearing protection, maybe I'd change my tune.
Click to expand...
How about ruffed grouse hunters, that like to beat the thick brush? What do people recommend that will not get lost in the woods?
 
MN guy said:
How about ruffed grouse hunters, that like to beat the thick brush? What do people recommend that will not get lost in the woods?
Click to expand...
Thick bush, lulz. Like a5 said a guy has to wiegh the sound lessoning with being able to hear the environment sounds.
 
I've really wanted to try a non-electronic/damper style, I think they might be the way to go. No batteries, I think everything sounds natural, no problem with wind noise, etc. My understanding is that when you're wearing them you have a very slight reduction in all sound, but there's some kind of damper or baffle that kicks in at sounds over a certain decibel range. I will be trying some before next season starts. My hearing is ok, but I have tinnitus, and it I blast off a heavy game load with no ear pro my ears ring like crazy.
 
as previously mentioned in this thread. Out of the current market “ in the ear “ ear pro. The Otto noise barriers provide the best sound clarity. I use them for range applications but since getting them and really using them, I plan to use them in the field. They have 3 modes: 1. Complete noise block (like traditional ear plugs) 2. Passive (non amplified) while still blocking out gun fire. 3. Amplified, gives extremely good audio amplification while retaining your decibel protections. I was hesitant at forking out the $400.00 that I paid, but it was 100% worth the money.
 
gimruis said:
I found out recently that my left ear has some permanent damage from shooting firearms. My right ear is fine but that's because its covered up when I shoot. I always wear muffs at the range but I don't wear anything when I hunt because I need to hear a deer walking, a turkey gobbling, or a pheasant flushing. The ear specialist said that the damage is at high frequency sounds and my hearing test confirmed this. Apparently there are plugs you can wear while you're hunting that allow you to hear normal sounds but muffle the loud damaging noise the gun makes when it goes off. If I don't do something about this its only going to slowly just get worse. Thoughts?
Click to expand...
I don't think there's anything they can do. It will get worse no matter. I'm tired of not hearing stuff. Got an appointment at an audiologist in Aug. I'll let everyone know if I can get hearing aids that will cut off shots or not..
 
I could use high-end hearing aids, but not in a position to spend that kind of money.
My compromise is hearing enhancers, which just make everything louder, cost about $18 on ebay.

I live alone, so its not a big deal for me. I still have moderate hearing in left ear. That's fine.
 
Kismet said:
I could use high-end hearing aids, but not in a position to spend that kind of money.
My compromise is hearing enhancers, which just make everything louder, cost about $18 on ebay.

I live alone, so its not a big deal for me. I still have moderate hearing in left ear. That's fine.
Click to expand...
Eh. Wadda ya say?
 
Kismet said:
I could use high-end hearing aids, but not in a position to spend that kind of money.
My compromise is hearing enhancers, which just make everything louder, cost about $18 on ebay.

I live alone, so its not a big deal for me. I still have moderate hearing in left ear. That's fine.
Click to expand...
You might be fine with the eBay ones. I remember years ago when my mother’s $3000 hearing aids went on the blink. I took her my walkers game here. She said it was just as good as a regular hearing aids!
 
I broke down and bought some ESPs this year. After the sticker shock they are one of the best investments I have made. Can hear everything around you just like normal, or enhanced with a turn of the knob. Cuts out immediately when you shoot and you don't even notice. Nice and comfortable to wear too. As an added bonus you can use your flex spending account to buy them. Hearing is definitely something I don't want to lose and I want to hunt more so it was a no brainer to buy a set.
 
Hutcho said:
I broke down and bought some ESPs this year. After the sticker shock they are one of the best investments I have made. Can hear everything around you just like normal, or enhanced with a turn of the knob. Cuts out immediately when you shoot and you don't even notice. Nice and comfortable to wear too. As an added bonus you can use your flex spending account to buy them. Hearing is definitely something I don't want to lose and I want to hunt more so it was a no brainer to buy a set.
Click to expand...
Which model did you purchase?
 
Glock said:
Which model did you purchase?
Click to expand...
I went with the analogs. I'm sure the digitals sound nicer but I just couldn't spend that much more right now. Maybe someday. Jack says they are like AM quality, then you move up to FM, CD, then MP3 at the highest. Give em a call, Jack is an awesome guy to talk to, really nice and helpful.
 
I've got a pair of custom molded sound gear and really like them. They do pick up a little wind noise and the sound of boots going through dry crp can be a bit loud but the sound suppression and amplification of voices is really nice! plus they fit amazing and I can hardly tell I am wearing them. They are spendy but I work in a very high noise industry and this is a cheap investment to save what hearing I have left.
 
I have zero affiliation or experience, just found it informative and interesting----

The woman that founded this company was on a MeatEater podcast a while back. I found their discussion with her very informative. She doesn't sell one product, a one size fits all solution, but rather reps lots of stuff depending on someones wants, needs, and budget.

Home | OtoPro Technologies

Our mission at Otopro Technologies is hearing conservation so you can continue to enjoy the things you love.
otoprotechnologies.com otoprotechnologies.com




THE MEATEATER PODCAST

EP. 344: THAT RINGING IN YOUR EARS THAT DRIVES YOU NUTS​

Steven Rinella talks with Grace Sturdivant, Janis Putelis, Sean Weaver, Garrett Long, Seth Morris, Chester Floyd, and Phil Taylor.
Topics discussed: Being an Elvis fan; from radio DJ to audiologist to OtoPro founder; creating a new hearing test with various nature sounds, animal calls, and turkey gobbles; Yellowstone's floods; Seth and Chester kick ass on the amateur walleye tournament scene; Grace as a former Miss America pageant Top 15; ducks flying incredibly long distances during their lifetime; the snow goose that traveled 870 miles in 24 hours; Polar Bear Pete's high ass, his dinger-hitting talent, and his message to all of you; MeatEater’s article about hearing loss; what happens when a gun goes bang by your head?; sound pressure; how to pronounce "tinnitus"; the link between hearing loss and dementia; sticking a caulk gun way up into your ear where it has no business being; how to properly insert those little foamies; Jani and Garrett’s poor hearing; and more.
 
UplandHntr said:
I just purchased the Axil Extreme GS 2.0.
will be here Saturday. Hope they help my issues. we'll see
Click to expand...
so far Im struggling to get them to fit properly and dialed in. Im sure I'll get better at it. There's a lot of different foam ear piece options so Ive been thru a lot of them trying to find the best fit. Getting close I think
 
I am the OP that started this thread. I had an audiology test about a year and a half ago and they diagnosed me with permanent hearing damage in my left ear.

I recently went in for another hearing test. Same results. Right ear is normal, left ear is damaged. This time I bought a hearing aid from Miracle Ear. It is on order and was custom fitted for my ear. I wore a display model they had when I was there outside for a few minutes and I could hear two people down the street at a strip mall having a normal conversation again. There is an obvious noticeable difference.

Holy smokes are they expensive. My health insurance covers about 65% of it. I asked the hearing professional what I could do to prevent more damage from shooting a firearm while hunting and he said a specific "game ear" would work, or to just put a foam plug in my left ear while I'm hunting. I'm not real enthusiastic about having to buy more instruments specifically suited for hunting, so I think I'll just put a noise plug in my left wear when I'm hunting this season.
 
I am the same way and I get my hearing checked yearly for work. I spoke to our safety rep who does the testing and he let me in on something that I never even thought of. But he asked me if I drive with my window down and I said yes, he said well there is your hearing loss. I guess I never thought of it but after speaking with him it makes total sense that this would cause it because my right ear is 100% normal no hearing loss and the only difference would be driving with the window down for the last 25 years.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top