Hearing protection for youth

[TheCougar]

I’m taking my son on his first hunting trip and trying to find hearing protection for him. I bought two sets of Walker Razor Over-the-ear headsets so that we could whisper to each other and I could coach him through the shot, but he can’t shoot the rifle with them on. When he gets on the rifle for a good cheek weld, it pushes the headset up and off his ear. The in-ear systems aren’t rated that well and I doubt they will fit his 11 year old ears anyway. Are there any other options out there that I’m missing? Any recommendation for easy to insert ear plugs that would fit a small ear? The rifle has a muzzle brake, so quality hearing protection is a must. Thanks for any help. Cheers




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jspradley]

There are foam earplugs designed for women that are a little smaller OD, also a pair of lower profile muffs might work too. With a braked gun Id recommend doubling up if possible anyway. Most electronic ear pro doesnt cut as many dBs as non electronic

 

[rtaylor]

I know it is a long, expensive process but a suppressor is what you are looking for. My kids don't like to shoot without it and it is amazing how much less they flinch without the overwhelming "boom". At the range we still use the orange foam earplugs.

 

[jspradley]

+1 on the can if you can swing it.

I still wear electronic earpro and sometimes double up when shooting canned but it's WAY less obnoxious

https://www.cabelas.com/product/HOW...VDfDACh30jQRfEAQYAiABEgJpf_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

These are the ones my wife likes, would probably be good for a kid too.

If it's for hunting I'd just carry a few pairs of them, they hardly weigh anything and most situations when rifle hunting will give you time for him to put them in before shooting

 

[TheCougar]

Thanks all

 

[Elk97]

Good for you for wanting to protect your sons hearing! I'm almost deaf from being around load machinery when I was young and it's a terrible disability. The trouble with the foam ear plugs is that kids can't really get them in their ears properly. Maybe the ones designed for women like suggested will work OK but make sure they fit almost all the way in the ear canal (and stay there). Pay attention to the number rating on the ear plugs too, some are rated in the low 20's but you can get ones that are 30-31 I think. If nothing else you can get some do it yourself custom ear mold kits that are the best for sound suppression I've tried.

 

[dtrkyman]

Would a raised cheek piece help with clearing the head set? May have to get a higher set of rings as well.

You can make a temporary one with some tape and a piece of foam to test it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TheCougar]

Would a raised cheek piece help with clearing the head set? May have to get a higher set of rings as well.

You can make a temporary one with some tape and a piece of foam to test it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This is with the raised cheek piece! I’ll try and put a photo of it.

 

[TheCougar]

Would a raised cheek piece help with clearing the head set? May have to get a higher set of rings as well.

You can make a temporary one with some tape and a piece of foam to test it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You can see where the headset is hitting the comb and keeping him from getting comfortable. If he really gets down on it, it pushes the ear muff back and up and the seal breaks, which nullifies the hearing protection. The first time it happened I didn’t notice, and he had ringing in the left ear for a couple of days. Those braked rifles are loud!

I’m getting some 3M earplugs that are the baffled on a stem variants, as those are easier to insert into kid ears. At a minimum, he can put those in under his headset. I really value being able to whisper to him and talk him through the shot.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Marble]

I've guided many many youth that try to use all types of electronic hearing protection and I haven't found one that allows for me to whisper to them. I understand the need and dont want to create a negative experience, so I offer a better solution and it usually works.

The simplest solution is is to have the ear plugs that are connected together around your neck, under your shirt. If the cord is long enough I will tie it to the tag on my shirt so I dont loose them. I use the plastic type because they are faster to insert.