Upland hunting hearing protection

[Matthew57]

What are you upland hunters using for hearing protection? After developing tinnitus a few years ago, my days of hunting without hearing protection are over. I’ve used Walkers ear muffs last year and this season but looking to upgrade. Willing to spend the money to get something of good quality. I was looking at the Otto Noizebarrier, anyone tried that?

 

[Kaitum]

My audiologist took a custom mold of my ears and ordered these for me. Not cheap ($200ish) but they're worth it. I can have a normal conversation with them in.

For Professionals - Serenity Choice Earplugs | Phonak

Serenity Choice earplugs information for professionals: models, evidence library and more.

www.phonak.com

 

[Scott85]

These are amazing. You wear foamies with them but you can hear everything. https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/1...M_sF5ApQ_51UJr4SL1aTaPYRkus-ey7RoCTnsQAvD_BwE

 

[crock239]

My audiologist took a custom mold of my ears and ordered these for me. Not cheap ($200ish) but they're worth it. I can have a normal conversation with them in.

For Professionals - Serenity Choice Earplugs | Phonak

Serenity Choice earplugs information for professionals: models, evidence library and more.

www.phonak.com

I listened to a meateater podcast recently with an audiologist discussing similar customs with filters...I think that's the route I want to go.

Ep. 344: That Ringing In Your Ears That Drives You Nuts | MeatEater Podcasts

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...

www.themeateater.com

How long have you had yours from phonak? What happens if you lose one...can they remake only one from existing mold?

 

[fleabagmatt]

I've been using some Orvis branded ear plugs that appear to be the same or similar to the Comfort model of those Phonak plugs.

Orvis Adaptive Hearing Protection

They seem to work well enough for me, I haven't tried any electronic protection yet. I can still hear quail scurrying around in the brush and taking flight, so they do allow a reasonable amount of sound through when not shooting.

 

[Kaitum]

I listened to a meateater podcast recently with an audiologist discussing similar customs with filters...I think that's the route I want to go.

Ep. 344: That Ringing In Your Ears That Drives You Nuts | MeatEater Podcasts

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...

www.themeateater.com

How long have you had yours from phonak? What happens if you lose one...can they remake only one from existing mold?

I think if you lose one you're starting over from scratch. I doubt Phonak keeps the impression of your ear canal on file but I didn't ask. I'm almost 2 years in with mine, they seem to be holding up well. I use them mostly for skeet and trap shooting. When rifle shooting at the range I do double up and put ear muffs over the top just for added protection.

Interestingly, when the audiologist takes an impression of your ear canal they squirt an expanding foam / puddy in that sets up in a minute. If you want to experience absolute silence, that one minute is it. Amazing how well that foam blocks out all sound.

 

[Gravelyctry]

Interestingly, when the audiologist takes an impression of your ear canal they squirt an expanding foam / puddy in that sets up in a minute. If you want to experience absolute silence, that one minute is it. Amazing how well that foam blocks out all sound.

No such thing as absolute silence for me due to severe tinnitus. Audiologist said shooting a lot of 22lr when I was a kid is the likely cause. No ear pro, dad said the 22 was quiet enough you didn’t need it.
I didn’t even realize it wasn’t normal until quite a few years ago, during a time when it was really bad, I asked my wife what she hears when there’s no noise. She looked at me like that was the dumbest question she ever heard. I swear the ringing in my ears is so loud at times it gives me headaches.

I’d like to find some hearing protection that I can wear regularly so I can have regular conversations. Basically hearing aids that are also ear pro.

 

[BrentD]

My upland ear protection. Twenty five dollars from Orvis.com

 

[Kaitum]

No such thing as absolute silence for me due to severe tinnitus. Audiologist said shooting a lot of 22lr when I was a kid is the likely cause. No ear pro, dad said the 22 was quiet enough you didn’t need it.
I didn’t even realize it wasn’t normal until quite a few years ago, during a time when it was really bad, I asked my wife what she hears when there’s no noise. She looked at me like that was the dumbest question she ever heard. I swear the ringing in my ears is so loud at times it gives me headaches.

I’d like to find some hearing protection that I can wear regularly so I can have regular conversations. Basically hearing aids that are also ear pro.

I've had tinnitus for several decades. I know what you mean, it's such a constant I don't notice it most times.

I do wear hearing aids but due to their design they're not a physical barrier to sound waves so I can't turn them off as a method to block out sound.

 

[Irrelevant]

I've been using some Orvis branded ear plugs that appear to be the same or similar to the Comfort model of those Phonak plugs.

Orvis Adaptive Hearing Protection

They seem to work well enough for me, I haven't tried any electronic protection yet. I can still hear quail scurrying around in the brush and taking flight, so they do allow a reasonable amount of sound through when not shooting.

Brent turned me onto these too. Not perfect, but better than nothing, and better than electronic muffs.

 

[Jbotto]

Been shooting more upland this year and it’s one place I am not good at wearing hearing protection. Some of those 2-3 shot volleys let you know you’re not shooting trap loads. I have a set of Axil plugs from a crowd-fund they did a while back that have a small toggle switch on them. I should really find them. Thanks for the informative thread folks!

 

[SD_Prairie_Goat]

These are amazing. You wear foamies with them but you can hear everything. https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/1022561586?pid=385868&utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=[ADL]_[PMAX]_[Category]_Shooting&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD-kRFQxlMsKK_w_KydWwQafYKzGl&gclid=CjwKCAiAxKy5BhBbEiwAYiW--81Nu1LFIBji77rOkfRUM-M_sF5ApQ_51UJr4SL1aTaPYRkus-ey7RoCTnsQAvD_BwE

Seem like really mixed reviews from what I've seen. Must work well for you?

I've tried the mechanical ones others suggested, but stopped using them cause they block too much conversation and pheasants taking off.

I really need to find a good electronic option but seems like they are always very poorly rated

 

[WinkB]

I have had really good luck with the impulse and the custom molded with the filters from Otopro
https://otoprotechnologies.com/collections/hunting-and-shooting-hearing-protection

 

[Scott85]

Seem like really mixed reviews from what I've seen. Must work well for you?

I've tried the mechanical ones others suggested, but stopped using them cause they block too much conversation and pheasants taking off.

I really need to find a good electronic option but seems like they are always very poorly rated

I’ve used them a work on the firing range. Used them duck hunting and at the range myself. I wouldn’t recommend them if they weren’t 100% worth it

 

[shannerdrake]

Surefire EP4. Amazing for under $20. You can still hear and I’ve had a couple of two box days limiting on doves and no ear ringing.

On hunts where I really need to hear but need good protection (mostly waterfowl), I use Walker’s Game Ear Razor Pro Digital. The digital does a really good job of filtering out wind noise. I can still hear and locate birds and most importantly still hear the shot calls.

 

[crock239]

I have had really good luck with the impulse and the custom molded with the filters from Otopro
https://otoprotechnologies.com/collections/hunting-and-shooting-hearing-protection

How long have you had your otopro?

I'm looking at otopro and phonak for custom-molded w impulse filters.

Likely a Christmas present to myself.

To the other tinnitus sufferers...it sucks. Mine got worse for no apparent reason several years ago.

 

[Robert N]

I got a set of these for most of my hunting and they’ve been great:

GS Extreme 2.0

AXIL GS Extreme 2.0: 3-in-1 earbuds for shooting, featuring Bluetooth, noise isolation, and electronic protection. Comfortable, long-lasting, 25hr runtime.

goaxil.com

The only problem with a lot of the earbud style electronic hearing protection is that they pick up the wind in the microphones. So yeah, if you are out on a windy plane, that might not work so well.

I’ve used mine on several safari’s and deer hunts - I just don’t leave home without them…although I do have to admit, I ran a silencer this year on my rifle and I am simply astounded by how wonderful that is.

 

[Mountain Man]

I’ve had success with this option for rifle hunting. They help a tremendous amount.

That said, I am not having conversations or trying to hear flushing birds. They do restrict sound some, but I think it is worth it.

Also, I haven’t tried any other options so don’t know how these compare. Just wanted to throw out another suggestion.

Custom Molded Percussive Shooting Filter Earplugs

Custom Molded Percussive Shooting Filters for unparalleled hearing protection. Tailored for shooting, hunting, and tactical use. The earplugs combine advanced heat and shape Thermofit technology for a perfect fit with percussive filter technology to block harmful gunfire noise while preserving...

decibullz.com

 

[SD_Prairie_Goat]

I got a set of these for most of my hunting and they’ve been great:

GS Extreme 2.0

AXIL GS Extreme 2.0: 3-in-1 earbuds for shooting, featuring Bluetooth, noise isolation, and electronic protection. Comfortable, long-lasting, 25hr runtime.

goaxil.com

The only problem with a lot of the earbud style electronic hearing protection is that they pick up the wind in the microphones. So yeah, if you are out on a windy plane, that might not work so well.

I’ve used mine on several safari’s and deer hunts - I just don’t leave home without them…although I do have to admit, I ran a silencer this year on my rifle and I am simply astounded by how wonderful that is.

That's been my aversion to all electronic ones, wind noise.

I spend all my hunting out on the prairie, so wind noise is a top concern always. Tried some cheap muffs once and they were useless with the wind

 

[dcreiss]

I use decibullz as well, you are still able to hear flushing birds if you get the higher cost version with passive filters.