Suppressor VS Ear protection. Which is more effective?

[Bubba scrub]

I'm wondering what would give the most Db reduction at shooters ear.
In recent years, I've started to acknowledge the importance of hearing protection. Historically, I've always hunted without ear protection. I had been told in my younger years "You don't hear the shots when your adrenaline in pumping", well, It seemed that was the case for many years until this last hunting season, I heard the shots, and It gave me tinnitus for about a month. Thankfully, it's mostly subsided but I will not be hunting in the future without
A: suppressor
or,
B: Ear protection.

I have a bolt action 6.5CM with 22" barrel.

How effective are today's suppressors, and is the noise reduction at shooters ear greater than what you get from ear plugs alone?
I would go with whichever suppressor provided the absolute most Db reduction- price, weight, size and caliber versatility are non factors for me, I just want the highest Db reduction.

I've used push-in silicone plugs for target practice and they seemed fine for the noise level, and this is what I'd likely use for hunting as they are compact and quick to insert.
However, I haven't fired a suppressed rifle for a direct comparison.

It would be nice to not wear ear-pro while hunting and run the suppressor and just not think about it, but if the ear plugs are more effective I will sacrifice the little time it takes to insert after spotting game.

I'm aware utilizing BOTH would be the ideal combo, but if im spending $1k+ on the suppressor I'd like to be able to do without the ear plugs, as long as it's more effective.

Any input is appreciated!
Cheers

 

[rclouse79]

I am new to suppressors and would never shoot without one. I still wear ear protection when practicing, but it is nice knowing you don’t have to have it when hunting.

 

[Bubba scrub]

if im spending $1k+ on the suppressor I'd like to be able to do without the ear plugs, as long as it's more effective.

**While hunting** that is..
I'd likely still use ear-pro at the range even with a suppressor, unless they're just insanely quiet?
I am still a little novice with this stuff.

 

[def90]

Suppresors typically only reduce the sound level around 30db so you are still taking a big risk by shooting one without ear pro.

 

[Formidilosus]

I'm wondering what would give the most Db reduction at shooters ear.
In recent years, I've started to acknowledge the importance of hearing protection. Historically, I've always hunted without ear protection. I had been told in my younger years "You don't hear the shots when your adrenaline in pumping", well, It seemed that was the case for many years until this last hunting season, I heard the shots, and It gave me tinnitus for about a month. Thankfully, it's mostly subsided but I will not be hunting in the future without
A: suppressor
or,
B: Ear protection.

I have a bolt action 6.5CM with 22" barrel.

How effective are today's suppressors, and is the noise reduction at shooters ear greater than what you get from ear plugs alone?
I would go with whichever suppressor provided the absolute most Db reduction- price, weight, size and caliber versatility are non factors for me, I just want the highest Db reduction.

I've used push-in silicone plugs for target practice and they seemed fine for the noise level, and this is what I'd likely use for hunting as they are compact and quick to insert.
However, I haven't fired a suppressed rifle for a direct comparison.

It would be nice to not wear ear-pro while hunting and run the suppressor and just not think about it, but if the ear plugs are more effective I will sacrifice the little time it takes to insert after spotting game.

I'm aware utilizing BOTH would be the ideal combo, but if im spending $1k+ on the suppressor I'd like to be able to do without the ear plugs, as long as it's more effective.

Any input is appreciated!
Cheers

The best suppressors are significantly better overall and through time/environment than the best ear pro.

 

[BRTreedogs]

Ear pro is like a condom.
I’ll wear it if I have to but.

 

[Dioni A]

There's a good number of suppressors that I would feel absolutely comfortable with taking a handful of shots during hunting. I'm very cautious when it comes to my hearing. Like others have said no reason not to use your pro when you're practicing but you should absolutely be fine during hunts with a quality suppressor. It's much more enjoyable to shoot with one too and absolutely doesn't startle game anywhere near as much.

 

[jhm2023]

The only thing ear pro does is protect your hearing, even then, if you're using plugs and not muffs, the blast can still travel through the mastoid and facial bones. A quality suppressor has similar if not better decibel reduction than most ear pro and has many more benefits besides just hearing protection.

A few additional benefits I can think of are protecting all ears in your hunting party, especially when fast shot opportunities would otherwise be missed when time is taken to don ear pro. Not spooking game for follow up shots or taking secondary animals. Recoil and blast reduction to reduce flinch, especially in newer shooters.

 

[Bubba scrub]

There's a good number of suppressors that I would feel absolutely comfortable with taking a handful of shots during hunting. I'm very cautious when it comes to my hearing. Like others have said no reason not to use your pro when you're practicing but you should absolutely be fine during hunts with a quality suppressor. It's much more enjoyable to shoot with one too and absolutely doesn't startle game anywhere near as much.

Yeah, that seems to be the general consensus.
Although, I should add that I feel my hearing is more sensitive than most others (as of late) I feel like my tinnitus gets triggered very easily, so I need to be extremely cautious.

For example, on New Years Eve, I was in a loud environment with music around 93Db for about an hour (according to my Apple Watch) and that was enough to trigger my ringing for a few days. So I'm worried a single shot could really set me back if my ears aren't sufficiently protected.

I am a little OCD, though. So there's a good chance I'm overthinking it. Ha

 

[johnnycake]

Go with the suppressor and use whatever ear plugs you already have and you will be far better protected than whatever the top of the line ear pro money can buy you would provide.

Ear pro does nothing to prevent conductive hearing damage. Suppressors do. It took one shot once I got my suppressor to convince me that I have no desire to shoot unsuppressed ever again. It was an extra gut punch to learn about a month later that my 12 year old daughter was almost legally deaf due to conductive hearing loss and needed hearing aids.

I'm fully on the bandwagon and actively inviting folks to sit next to me.

 

[dieselchessy]

Id say a suppressor is more effective than ear pro for hunting.
1: suppressor helps everyone near the shooter.
2: suppressor seems to help more in big timber, or other situations that amplify (bounce back) the sound.
3: suppressors don’t tend to get forgotten to put on in the heat of the moment
4: suppressors seem to offer some advantage with follow up shots due to lower sound signature

Some drawbacks… folks tend toward short barrels and mount devices that are essentially muzzle brakes when using a can so that if the can isnt installed the gun is that much louder.