Protect Your Ears! Find The Best Ear Protection For Shooting
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Never risk your hearing when shooting!
Find the best ear protection for shooting. We’ve reviewed ear plugs, hearing protection and headphones in our guide.
Without the right ear protection for shooting, it can quickly take a toll on your health so far as hearing goes.
A gunshot produces concussive energy that rattles the delicate mechanisms inside your ear, the ear drum, the bones and the cochlea. This can cause serious, permanent damage.
Gunfire at indoor ranges produces peak noise levels above the 140 dB occupational limit, and NIOSH advises range workers to wear double protection: earplugs and earmuffs together.
That’s where having the right equipment comes in.
To help you find the best shooting ear protection, here’s a guide to some of the best ear protection for shooting.
Best Ear Protection for Shooting
| Image | Model | Colors | Features | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SureFire EP10 Sonic Defenders Ear Plugs | Black | High-level, full-block hearing protection | $$$ | ||
| ClearArmor 141001 Safety Ear Muffs | Black | Highest NRR – Compact folding design | $$ | ||
| Homitt Sound Ear Muffs Hearing Protection Muff | Black | Noise cancelling ear muffs with 34dB NRR Compact size and light weight design | $ | ||
| MSA Sordin Supreme Pro X | Green | Slim design, AUX input and AUX-cable for connection to external radios, mp3, phone etc., | $$$$$ | ||
| Jelly Comb Noise Cancelling Safety Ear Muffs | Black | Padded Head Band provides non-stop comfort for hours around your head and ears. | $$ |
SureFire EP10 Sonic Defenders Ear Plugs
These shooting ear plugs might be just what you’re looking for in your hearing protection.
Unlike traditional earmuffs, these ear buds aren’t as bulky and cumbersome, but just as effective.
They’re designed to stay comfortable during long, all-day use.
They work for indoor and outdoor shooting, stay in well, and work surprisingly well.
Even though they don’t cover the whole ear like traditional muffs, they still reduce loud gunfire when fitted correctly. For the most protection, wear them under earmuffs.
ClearArmor 141001 Safety Ear Muffs
These shooting headphones are effective and even have high noise reduction ratings.
They’re ANSI S3.19 and CE EN521 certified, meaning they have been tested to those hearing-protector standards.
They’re engineered to fit snugly on your head to fully block out the sound of the gun and are made comfortable by a padded headband.
Since they’re adjustable, they fit all sizes and fold up for easy storage.
These are high quality and made for industrial use too, making them durable, so you won’t have to buy new ones again anytime soon.
Homitt Sound Ear Muffs Hearing Protection Muff
With a carefully engineered design, these earmuffs could be one of the best available devices regarding hearing protection for shooting.
The layered design in the cup that covers the ear provides ample noise cancellation as well as comfort from the memory foam that covers your ear.
Since they’re adjustable as well, they’re perfect for any size, from child to adult.
These are lightweight, making them more comfortable, and fold up for easy storage.
MSA Sordin Supreme Pro X
Made for military-level use, these earmuffs are built to handle demanding conditions.
The design is slim, as they’re made to fit under a combat helmet, so they offer more comfort than their bulkier counterparts.
These earmuffs also selectively block out harmful sounds and amplifies sound at a safe level up to four times.
This allows you to shoot safely and still hear conversation around you. In addition, an AUX port allows you to listen to music while you wear these.
Due to the use they were made for, they’re also a perfect candidate for durability.
Jelly Comb Noise Cancelling Safety Ear Muffs
These Jelly Comb earmuffs are excellent ear protection when shooting.
These earmuffs block a good share of loud noise.
The headband on this model is adjustable and the ear cups themselves swivel to offer the perfect fit for whoever wears them.
They’re lightweight and fold up easily, offering easy storage as well as ample comfort.
These earmuffs are comfortable for long-term use. For heavy calibers or indoor ranges, pair them with earplugs.
Conclusion
When shooting, protecting your hearing is just as important as every other safety precaution involved.
It comes down to the easy decision of if you want your hearing or not.
Ear protection for shooting is important and choosing the right pair of earmuffs or earbuds for the job is critical, but it doesn’t have to be difficult.
Noise-induced hearing loss is permanent, so wear protection every time you shoot. If your ears ring or sound muffled afterward, that is a warning sign; the NIDCD notes that loud noise can also cause tinnitus, so get your hearing checked.
Sources
- Take Aim at Protecting Yourself: Preventing Lead Poisoning and Hearing Loss at Indoor Firing Ranges, CDC NIOSH
- Noise-Induced Hearing Loss, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
