Hearing Bugles Until Your Last Hunt, By Weston Adkins

[Elk97]

I want to thank Weston for the help he has given me. I have severe hearing loss and tinnitus and I think I've hit the wall as far what hearing aids can do for me so I asked Weston where I should go from here. He has spent hours helping me: on the phone, emails, sending me info. etc. Long story short, he has hooked me up with a specialist in my area and I'm scheduled for an evaluation for cochlear implants at the local university. Not often that you find someone so willing to go out of their way and help someone they don't even know. I can't thank him enough, great guy and a real asset here on Rokslide.

 

[westonadkins]

No just ordered the SoundGear Instant Fit Shooters and my question was kind of an afterthought. I understand they should protect your ears even without batteries, but I guess my question more directly is could they somehow fail and amplify when there not supposed to.

Ah I get what you're saying now. I don't see that being a problem with those devices.


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[westonadkins]

I want to thank Weston for the help he has given me. I have severe hearing loss and tinnitus and I think I've hit the wall as far what hearing aids can do for me so I asked Weston where I should go from here. He has spent hours helping me: on the phone, emails, sending me info. etc. Long story short, he has hooked me up with a specialist in my area and I'm scheduled for an evaluation for cochlear implants at the local university. Not often that you find someone so willing to go out of their way and help someone they don't even know. I can't thank him enough, great guy and a real asset here on Rokslide.

I appreciate the kind words. Happy to help!


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[FlyFishStout_CO]

Weston,

Thanks for the article and taking time to respond. I grew up with a father who had severe hearing loss from his time in the Army and shooting sports. I know I’m not quite as bad as him and have worn ear muffs at the range but not during hunting.

I’m trying to understand the math you laid out for determining earplug effectiveness. It looks like some of the earplugs you linked have a nrr of 25 using the formula provided this reduces noise levels by 9, if I’m doing the math right and interpreting the article right. So with a 30-06 rifle, this wouldn’t be adequate protection?

Thanks again!

 

[westonadkins]

Weston,

Thanks for the article and taking time to respond. I grew up with a father who had severe hearing loss from his time in the Army and shooting sports. I know I’m not quite as bad as him and have worn ear muffs at the range but not during hunting.

I’m trying to understand the math you laid out for determining earplug effectiveness. It looks like some of the earplugs you linked have a nrr of 25 using the formula provided this reduces noise levels by 9, if I’m doing the math right and interpreting the article right. So with a 30-06 rifle, this wouldn’t be adequate protection?

Thanks again!

Thanks for the good question! The reason OSHA recommends the 50% derating factor is because of users not wearing ear plugs properly. I'm thinking of the guy I saw at the range this weekend with earplugs just barely sitting in his ears. Not much for protection going on there. Check out pages 83-86 of the pdf linked below for a review of some studies on the topic. Pretty eye opening.

You can achieve attenuation that more closely approximates the advertised NRR if devices are worn correctly as described in the article. However, what you're pointing out is a great reason to go with custom or muffs if you can swing it. I didn't get into it in the article, but NIOSH has a lower derating factor of 25% for muffs since they have a more consistent fit (page 82 of the pdf).

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/98-126/pdfs/98-126.pdf

Hope that helps!
Weston


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[FlyFishStout_CO]

Thanks for the good question! The reason OSHA recommends the 50% derating factor is because of users not wearing ear plugs properly. I'm thinking of the guy I saw at the range this weekend with earplugs just barely sitting in his ears. Not much for protection going on there. Check out pages 83-86 of the pdf linked below for a review of some studies on the topic. Pretty eye opening.

You can achieve attenuation that more closely approximates the advertised NRR if devices are worn correctly as described in the article. However, what you're pointing out is a great reason to go with custom or muffs if you can swing it. I didn't get into it in the article, but NIOSH has a lower derating factor of 25% for muffs since they have a more consistent fit (page 82 of the pdf).

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/98-126/pdfs/98-126.pdf

Hope that helps!
Weston


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Thanks, Weston. Besides ear muffs, what would you recommend for deer/elk hunting with a rifle that’s 30-06 decibel levels or greater to get below the necessary decibel range?

 

[Voyageur]

@FlyFishStout_CO
Here is what he recommended to me on page 2 of this thread:

For big game, I prefer standard hearing protection. I just don't like walking around with stuff in my ears if I'm not likely to shoot. It doesn't take much time to get an earplug in before a shot. Custom plugs with a lanyard might be what you're looking for. They're on you at all times and provide immediate protection once you get them in. Obviously up to you, but that's my personal preference.

 

[westonadkins]

Like Voyager mentioned, I would prefer custom plugs for these instances. If you go the custom route, the audiologist who makes your impressions can direct you on what they prefer, options including Westone, Sound Gear, Microsonic, etc.

A good earplug that is well placed will do the job (remember to roll, pull, hold), but a custom product can get you immediate, reliable protection with a consistent fit.

 

[goathunter]

Any advice on fitment for the "instant fit" style plugs? I can't tell if I should use the small or large size. It's tough to tell with it being electronic and amplifying normal sounds

Instant Fit - Shooter | SoundGear

SoundGear Instant Fit (In-The-Canal) is perfect for the hunter or shooter looking for an edge and all-day comfort while delivering superior hearing protection.

www.soundgearhearing.com

 

[westonadkins]

Any advice on fitment for the "instant fit" style plugs? I can't tell if I should use the small or large size. It's tough to tell with it being electronic and amplifying normal sounds

Instant Fit - Shooter | SoundGear

SoundGear Instant Fit (In-The-Canal) is perfect for the hunter or shooter looking for an edge and all-day comfort while delivering superior hearing protection.

www.soundgearhearing.com

I would turn them off then check the fit between the two sizes.


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[goathunter]

I would turn them off then check the fit between the two sizes.


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Yes I did do that, it's just neither seem to really close off sound (there's a word for that) like a plain old ear plug. Maybe because there's a gap where the battery goes? The small is definitely more comfortable. I did call the mfr and they said I should go to an audiologist for a fitment test but that seems like overkill to me.

 

[westonadkins]

Yes I did do that, it's just neither seem to really close off sound (there's a word for that) like a plain old ear plug. Maybe because there's a gap where the battery goes? The small is definitely more comfortable. I did call the mfr and they said I should go to an audiologist for a fitment test but that seems like overkill to me.

Gotcha. I have never used those particular plugs myself, but if you think it's the battery, you could maybe wait a few days until the battery is dead then check fit to skip the amplification.

Do you do okay with similar style earplugs? Like they seal off okay?


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[goathunter]

Gotcha. I have never used those particular plugs myself, but if you think it's the battery, you could maybe wait a few days until the battery is dead then check fit to skip the amplification.

Do you do okay with similar style earplugs? Like they seal off okay?


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Not really, Foam ones I always have a hard time getting to stay in and not fall out. I had some other soft ones like these (non electric) that seemed to fit Ok but lost them last hunt. I wear muffs at the range but have honestly fired without hearing protection while hunting my whole life and know I've ruined my hearing but am trying to never again.

 

[westonadkins]

Not really, Foam ones I always have a hard time getting to stay in and not fall out. I had some other soft ones like these (non electric) that seemed to fit Ok but lost them last hunt. I wear muffs at the range but have honestly fired without hearing protection while hunting my whole life and know I've ruined my hearing but am trying to never again.

Sending you a pm


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[Bojo34]

Excellent article thanks so much for sharing the detailed information. Having grown up in a shooting household and watching my father's shooting buddies slowly lose their hearing to varying degrees as they aged I have taken precautions, but after reading this article realize I'm still border line. Have been hunting with the westone Defendear with and advertised NRR of 30db but my elk rifle of choice is a braked 300 win mag. Based on your data unless I have a perfect fit I might still be over 140db. Think I'll be getting fitted for some custom Westone plugs. Thanks again for all the great data!

 

[westonadkins]

Excellent article thanks so much for sharing the detailed information. Having grown up in a shooting household and watching my father's shooting buddies slowly lose their hearing to varying degrees as they aged I have taken precautions, but after reading this article realize I'm still border line. Have been hunting with the westone Defendear with and advertised NRR of 30db but my elk rifle of choice is a braked 300 win mag. Based on your data unless I have a perfect fit I might still be over 140db. Think I'll be getting fitted for some custom Westone plugs. Thanks again for all the great data!

Glad to hear it was helpful. You can't go wrong with custom!


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[Bojo34]

Agreed.

BTW, you mention the drawbacks of active hearing protection (noisy tall grass/wind/volume adjustments).....I have found that either a lightweight hood (I wear a hooded mid layer) or a buff type neck gaiter pulled over the earpieces gets rid of most of those issues. Obviously not always an option depending on climate but just a little tip in case you haven't tried it.

 

[westonadkins]

Agreed.

BTW, you mention the drawbacks of active hearing protection (noisy tall grass/wind/volume adjustments).....I have found that either a lightweight hood (I wear a hooded mid layer) or a buff type neck gaiter pulled over the earpieces gets rid of most of those issues. Obviously not always an option depending on climate but just a little tip in case you haven't tried it.

Exactly! The beanie/buff/etc acts as a wind screen.

Good reason to hunt when it's cool out. Plus the bird hunting is better with snow on the ground anyhow


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[PADave]

Welcome and great info

 

[Jswright]

I got plug made from an audio specialist custom made to my ear canal. I love them definitely worth it.