Custom Electronic Ear Plugs

willidru

WKR
Joined
Jan 12, 2017
Messages
589
Location
California
Does anyone use and what brand do you like? I'm interested in a pair for the field that are custom fit with the digital technology. They are expensive, but if it saves my hearing well worth it. What pair has the most real sound. Not only for big game, but for waterfowl, I want to be able to clearly hear animals and my calling.
 
I'd think WF would be the easier to master hearing incomings of the two - I've tried I think 4 electronic muffs just to see and I liked none of them for hunting, like still hunting in timber - If stand hunting I could see that maybe working - I've tried a few plugs in at shows over time but I never really could stand something in my ear (too many wet willy's in my life I guess)
 
So you want hearing aids then instead of hearing blockers? Phonak V90 are what I use and they work well but these are full blown hearing aids and run 4500 for the pair. You have a hard time hearing the elk too?? That's what got me into getting testing done and hearing aids going for myself. Buddy could hear them calling but I had nothing. Id recommend going in and getting tested. This same topic came up a few weeks ago also as it was stated then nothing is going to cure your hearing loss but these thing sure help a bunch.


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Ill try and remember when im at work tomorrow but everyone had a custom set made that we use and I have taken them shooting and they work great. I didn't pay for them so no idea on the cost to have them made.
 
My wife and I each got pairs of ESP electronic plugs in about 2000. We used to have a great bird dog and hunt birds 50 or more days per year. I used the ESPs for all field shooting for about a decade while the dog was alive. Had to get the body redone as the molded plastic failed on one after tons of use. It was covered on warranty. I still have the plugs, they still fit and work fine. I'd recommend them and they do amplify sounds like hearing aids if turned up. I'll list the issues with electronic hearing in the field:

1). Wind is a bugger.....I would leave the plugs in and just turn them off, otherwise they roar
2). It was hard to wear ear flappers for cold over them.......rubbed and made noise
3). You have to take the batteries out when storing for a longer period or they went dead, even if turned off. By removing the battery life seems to be great
4). The ESP units did not provide the protection of a good muff, so I quit using them at the range and just use regular muffs. This was especially noted when shooting trap next to a ported shotgun. Don't know the dB reduction they provide, but they seem adequate for shotgun use in the field where limited shots are fired versus sporting clays, etc.
5). I sold two O/U shotguns to fund the two pairs of ESPs. Good investment!

I don't even know if they are still in business....Broomfield, CO was their old location. Bet if they are the units are changed a bunch in 15 or so years. Anyway, mine still work.
 
Generally speaking if you are at a range I would recommend "double protection"...foam ear plugs in w/ ear muffs over. Sound is transmitted through both air conduction as well as bone conduction. The foam ear plugs such as Skilcraft foam earplugs are nice to block out air conduction. Ear muff use on top of that will help with reducing bone conduction.

If you are looking for a pair of electronic ear plugs for field use, do pay attention to their passive noise reduction level in dB and the delay time between the noise and when the noise gets shut down.

Regards,
 
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