Active hearing protection

[43.6N]

My sordins are starting to have issues.
So looks like I’m in the market for some new ear pro.

What’s the best in class recommendation in 2026 for something that’s going to be worn 6-10hrs at a time, 2-5x per week.
Needs to be comfortable and handle moisture well.
Price doesn’t matter. Warranty does matter.

Thanks in advance.

 

[RockAndSage]

Over-ear or in-ear?

 

[43.6N]

Over-ear or in-ear?

Would prefer over the ear, so I can have option of adding foamies when I’m around muzzle breaks.

But if somebody is really impressed with a pair of in-ears, I’d be “all ears.”

 

[anonymous22]

Comtacs and ops core amp best performers.

Sordins and liberators with enhanced warranty for warranty.

That said, while I’ve damaged comtacs in the field, my few personal ones are still kicking just fine. I still got a pair of 3s that have only needed the wind sock and the gel cups replaced.

 

[43.6N]

Comtacs and ops core amp best performers.

Sordins and liberators with enhanced warranty for warranty.

That said, while I’ve damaged comtacs in the field, my few personal ones are still kicking just fine. I still got a pair of 3s that have only needed the wind sock and the gel cups replaced.

The liberators are relatively new to the market yeah? Any word on how they’ve been holding up?

 

[anonymous22]

The liberators are relatively new to the market yeah? Any word on how they’ve been holding up?

Probably better design for longevity. Better battery and plastics. Haven’t heard of any major failures besides the battery doors.

Worst tech then the comtac viii’s but about the same to maybe better than the Vs with a better standalone NRR. Since you mentioned doubling up, the Lib 2.0s are designed to be doubled up with a specific plug.

I forget what they are called but I’m sure it would be easy to find out.


I wear sunglasses/ ballistic clear glasses on all the time plus gel cups on comtacs so, I don’t really don’t pay attention to at the actual protection. I’m also a little deaf.

So I’d defer to the manufacturers on safety ratings, and not me.

 

[Nine Banger]

ESP Elite.

Hearing Protection | My Site

www.pmsfirearms.com

Do it the other way around and use these and then put the muffs on only if someone shows up with a brake and you don't want to leave.

Muffs change your cheek weld.

Have someone video you and you will see them tapping and moving on the stock every time you mount the gun. You're just used to it.

 

[43.6N]

Probably better design for longevity. Better battery and plastics. Haven’t heard of any major failures besides the battery doors.

Worst tech then the comtac viii’s but about the same to maybe better than the Vs with a better standalone NRR. Since you mentioned doubling up, the Lib 2.0s are designed to be doubled up with a specific plug.

I forget what they are called but I’m sure it would be easy to find out.


I wear sunglasses/ ballistic clear glasses on all the time plus gel cups on comtacs so, I don’t really don’t pay attention to at the actual protection. I’m also a little deaf.

So I’d defer to the manufacturers on safety ratings, and not me.

Really appreciate the recommendations @anonymous22

@Nine Banger
I’ll give those a look.

 

[pattimusprime22]

ESP Elite.

Hearing Protection | My Site

www.pmsfirearms.com

Do it the other way around and use these and then put the muffs on only if someone shows up with a brake and you don't want to leave.

Muffs change your cheek weld.

Have someone video you and you will see them tapping and moving on the stock every time you mount the gun. You're just used to it.

I wish I had this setup for a hunt in Hawaii this last weekend. I typically use howard leight or sordin over ears and a suppressor for all my shooting when at home, but HI doesn't allow suppressors, so I put a brake on my rifle for the hunt. I have low rings on my rokstok and my cheek weld for my shot on the buck ended up pushing my muffs up and ended up having ringing in my right ear for the day...

 

[anonymous22]

While I’ll be the first to say that not everyone uses over the ear type protection, I will say, 20,000 dudes shoot PRS nationally at various levels (regional, nationals, private events, etc)

Of that, it’s estimated that 8400 dudes use over the ear protection (42%)

Of that, the top 200 shooters, about 17% of them wear over the ear protection. That’s just sticking with the PRS example and not going into military data and so forth.

I just want to add that because I’ve seen these threads get wild on the antidote mogging, and it’s simply not a universal issue or problem, and I just want to set that reminder.

At the very least it’s a preference. In PRS, sponsors are an issue. Lastly, when I see dudes IRL, a lot of times they are doing crazy things with their head position, that a formally trained person might not do.

All things to consider when it comes to cheek weld and ears.

 

[RockAndSage]

While I’ll be the first to say that not everyone uses over the ear type protection, I will say, 20,000 dudes shoot PRS nationally at various levels (regional, nationals, private events, etc)

Of that, it’s estimated that 8400 dudes use over the ear protection (42%)

Of that, the top 200 shooters, about 17% of them wear over the ear protection. That’s just sticking with the PRS example and not going into military data and so forth.

I just want to add that because I’ve seen these threads get wild on the antidote mogging, and it’s simply not a universal issue or problem, and I just want to set that reminder.

At the very least it’s a preference. In PRS, sponsors are an issue. Lastly, when I see dudes IRL, a lot of times they are doing crazy things with their head position, that a formally trained person might not do.

All things to consider when it comes to cheek weld and ears.

A bit separate but related, @Formidilosus shared some pretty eye-opening data in a different thread awhile back about long-term studies of hearing loss differences for shooters using just muffs, vs plugs + muffs together, and it 100% changed what I do.

Can't remember the details, but it was a very notable and significant difference in hearing loss over time. For the daily shooting I do by myself, it's silicone plugs with muffs over the top. And it definitely makes a difference, just anecdotally, compared to wearing just muffs. Best way to put it is that it wasn't like my ears were ringing before when just doing muffs, but with the plugs+muffs my hearing does feel sharper when I take all that off. It would be a bit dulled before.

 

[anonymous22]

A bit separate but related, @Formidilosus shared some pretty eye-opening data in a different thread awhile back about long-term studies of hearing loss differences for shooters using just muffs, vs plugs + muffs together, and it 100% changed what I do.

Can't remember the details, but it was a very notable and significant difference in hearing loss over time. For the daily shooting I do by myself, it's silicone plugs with muffs over the top. And it definitely makes a difference, just anecdotally, compared to wearing just muffs. Best way to put it is that it wasn't like my ears were ringing before when just doing muffs, but with the plugs+muffs my hearing does feel sharper when I take all that off. It would be a bit dulled before.

We got the same spiel in the military about 20 years ago. It’s been known.

The issue depending on a the end user is always more nuisance and a trade off. Such is life.

For instance, many people across the country while largely dont shoot in any large volume, that volume varies. Sun glasses and gel pads reduce rating for over the ear protection. A big factor is the peak decibel exposure and frequency.

The other issue is what some of these ear pros were actually made for besides larping. Shoot move and communicate, becomes harder to hear when you have doubled protection. That’s why, despite being well informed, most of us don’t wear doubled up protection. While I don’t expect the regular guys to care about the coms aspect, plenty of people want or even need to hear what’s going on around them which is pretty much the point of these digital ears.

 

[43.6N]

We got the same spiel in the military about 20 years ago. It’s been known.

The issue depending on a the end user is always more nuisance and a trade off. Such is life.

For instance, many people across the country while largely dont shoot in any large volume, that volume varies. Sun glasses and gel pads reduce rating for over the ear protection. A big factor is the peak decibel exposure and frequency.

The other issue is what some of these ear pros were actually made for besides larping. Shoot move and communicate, becomes harder to hear when you have doubled protection. That’s why, despite being well informed, most of us don’t wear doubled up protection. While I don’t expect the regular guys to care about the coms aspect, plenty of people want or even need to hear what’s going on around them which is pretty much the point of these digital ears.

Agree 100%
When I shoot I need to be 100% aware of people around me.

We had sheep herders last month that led the herd right down the draw I had my steel set up in. I heard the sheep bleats 600yds away before I saw them. Thankfully was able to call the line cold until we figured out what was going on.

Other times I’ve had kids on motorcycles, or a lost jeep drive across my course of fire without any warning. Hearing and being aware keeps me and them safer.

Not to mention the more competition focused need to hear range commands, timer call outs, wind calls from behind the firing line. These things do so much more than just protect hearing.