08-30-2013, 04:22 AM
What Nukes says is true, however, it is not the whole truth. I'm a hearing instrument specialist and I also make hearing protection. In my in-office tests as well as data from other sources I have found that generally speaking muffs are superior to even custom plugs. It is also true that sound travels to the cochlea (inner ear) through the bone. But your entire skull is bone and muffs only cover a very small portion. When considering hearing protection/loss associated with shooting it is important to understand a few things. 1- Hearing loss caused by gunshot generally occurs between 4000hz and 6000hz. And 2- NRR ratings don't tell the full story. I have seen hearing protection with an NRR rating of around 22db reduce sound levels between 4000hz and 6000hz by up to 45db while other hearing protection with higher NRR ratings struggle to reduce sound levels at those same frequencies by 35db.
Ear muffs are great and I recommend their use when possible but many shooters find it difficult to maintain a good seal while wearing eye protection. Ear muffs also make it difficult to maintain a good cheek weld on your rifle.
As materials improve I am seeing greater benefit coming from custom hearing protection and it is my belief that we will be seeing more and more of its application in the shooting sports weather it be electronic custom hearing protection for hunting or solid custom plugs for practice and target shooting.
Ear muffs are great and I recommend their use when possible but many shooters find it difficult to maintain a good seal while wearing eye protection. Ear muffs also make it difficult to maintain a good cheek weld on your rifle.
As materials improve I am seeing greater benefit coming from custom hearing protection and it is my belief that we will be seeing more and more of its application in the shooting sports weather it be electronic custom hearing protection for hunting or solid custom plugs for practice and target shooting.