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.

 

[Claxton]

I never considered the conductive effect. Probably explains a lot of my hearing impairment.

 

[RWT]

Both is the answer. Everything I do now is suppressed. Even working on a can for my pistol. I double ear pro on all handguns now. I’ve lost all hearing above 4k hertz or high frequency per the Dr. I have terrible tinnitus. I even wear ear pro running a drill, saw, around a compressor or my tractor. I now wear Decibels brand ear pro for Concerts when doing any of the above where I need some hearing pro but still need to hear. Then switch to their more protective higher rated version if I shoot. I am buying more Suppressors now that the tax stamp is removed.

Do everything you can to avoid my situation with hearing damage. I am always the loudest on conference calls. People have to turn their volume down when I speak as it sounds like I am yelling according to many. I am yelling as I am going deaf and hearing aids will not help per the Dr. Hearing damage occurs over time and is cumulative. Don’t be in my situation when the wife buys you wireless headphones for the TV because the entire house hears what you are watching and you have closed caption on. I am 55 and have had an “office” job my entire life. I am around guns, motorcycles, tractors or similar equipment and compressors constantly due to personal DIY objectives. Hope this gives you some perspective.

 

[DonV]

I have a 300 win mag and I am considering a suppressor. Is it possible to have a muzzle brake and a suppressor? I currently have a muzzle brake and I love the recoil reduction. I would want a supressor that reduces felt recoil as much (or close) to as much as my current muzzle brake.

 

[CMF]

For hunting, I'd say suppressed, because more often than not, I'm not going to put ear pro on. For big game that is, maybe different for dove shooting or something like that, then probably ear pro.

 

[String Bean]

New guy here but have some experience on this. I’ve had ringing in my ears due to military service for 20+ years. Started using a suppressor about 6 years ago. Will never hunt without one again I also use electronic muffs. Twice in the past 2 years I shot with the suppressor but did not get my hearing protection in. I noted a change to the ringing in my ears, as did the audiologist Once damaged it takes less to trigger. And even cause more damage. I highly recommend using both even for hunting.

Now searching for some good in the ear electronic hearing protection to use with my suppressor so it won’t happen again.

 

[Jimss]

Not in your options but there is no doubt in my mind that I would invest in a muzzlebreak plus ear protection vs a suppressor. Yes, muzzlebreaks are loud but most suppressors do nothing more than filter noise. Muzzlebreaks decrease recoil by 20 to 50%. I have no problem shooting my 300 win mag all day long with a quality muzzlebreak and ear protection. I likely would only last around 5 or 10 shots with the same 300 win mag and a suppressor.

I believe someone makes a suppressor that incorporates a muzzlebreak but I believe it is around $2,000.

 

[5MilesBack]

I shot my 7mag w/o suppressor and w/o ear pro while hunting for years. It never really bothered me. Then after bowhunting exclusively for several years, I was with my daughter on a late season elk meat hunt. We were watching a flock of 30 turkeys down in a bottom, and I saw a coyote trying to sneak in on them. I had my foamy ear plugs around my neck and never even thought about putting them in. I just instinctively shouldered the rifle and shot. I've never felt pain like that before from any noise until then. Now I'm only shooting my .243 and 6CM these days, and always suppressed. Huge difference.

 

[Bluefish]

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

From working in the hearing protection industry, the data says they are similar in protection. The best foam plug is about 30 db if worn correctly, customs are high 20’s. There are cans that can give 30 db of reduction. Now, for my personal impression. Plugs sound quieter to me.

Imho cans are the way to go. It’s easier to reduce the sound at the source than to try and quiet it after. Also once the sound is reduced, any protection by the user makes it even less.

 

[Bluefish]

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

You do realize that foam plugs might provide a similar 30 db protection, but probably provide less. The average users without training gets about 15 db of protection.