Plugs or Muffs?

[Big Frank]

I wear disposable earplugs. I tried wearing earmuffs at work but it felt like my XXL head was in a vise. I don't know if they make earmuffs for fatheads. The earplugs are cheap enough to use a new pair every time, and have a pretty high NRR - better than some earmuffs.

[philw]

i use what ever..  not fussed   



better than nothing   or my fingers   ( can not shoot when putting fingers in your ears )

[PegLeg45]

Usually both.
I'm looking at a set of Howard-Leight electronic muffs at Cabela's.. a lot of the guys at the range use and like them. They are around $70 or so.

[bjtraz]

I use both, actually. Depending on the situation, I have molded ear plugs for rifle/shotgun shooting, and electronic muffs for general use/pistols. And have, on occasion used both together at busy ranges.

[texcaliber]

both during competition and situations when zen like calm is needed.

[Sponsor]

[m25operator]

I use electronic muffs mostly, Hot in the summer!!, I do prefer plugs for shotgun, so you can cheek the gun tightly, without the muffs hitting the stock.

I really like electronic muffs for hunting, especially in the Cold, they keep your ears warm, you can hear better, due to the amplification.

In competition, I use the electronics, and as a range officer, if someone comes to the line with very hot loaded bottleneck, cartridges with a 7 port comp, I use both, and turn the muffs off.

If all you use are plugs, the inner ear still gets damage from the mastoid bone, they are definitely better than nothing, but not the best. I do like the molded plugs, but the foam expandable, work well, are cheap enough, you can put 10 pair in your shooting bag, and 10 more in your vehicle, so A your never without hearing protection, and if someone else needs protection, whether at the range or at work, your covered.

[Timothy]

One thing on foam type plugs that was brought up this week in our companies weekly safety meeting.  Most people don't use them correctly because they don't know how to insert them into the ear.  The proper technique is to roll them into a thin shape, reach over your head and grab the top of the opposite ear to open the canal.  Insert the plug and hold it there while it warms and expands into the ear canal, sometimes for a minute or so, more if it's cold.

You'll know when you've done it correctly because a good plug of NRR 33 will do a very good job.

[PegLeg45]

One thing on foam type plugs that was brought up this week in our companies weekly safety meeting.  Most people don't use them correctly because they don't know how to insert them into the ear.  The proper technique is to roll them into a thin shape, reach over your head and grab the top of the opposite ear to open the canal.  Insert the plug and hold it there while it warms and expands into the ear canal, sometimes for a minute or so, more if it's cold.

You'll know when you've done it correctly because a good plug of NRR 33 will do a very good job.

+1

I remember those safety meetings...  

[scott.ballard]

Plugs?  Muffs? 

How about a suppressor

[PegLeg45]

Plugs?  Muffs? 

How about a suppressor

Now you're on to something ........