Looking to get a pair of custom molded ear plugs for hunting. I would prefer the electronic kind that allow you to still hear conversations but cut out gunshots etc. Any recommendations? Really not sure how it works since I imagine it all has to be done in store. In Houston if that helps.

All I know is that I am young and don't want to ruin my hearing. My dad is 55 and has to use a hearing aid thanks to years of shooting without ear protection.

Look up Ear Inc online and they will give you a list of who can make the impression for you to be sent off and have the electronics put in the earplugs of your choice.

I bought some custom molded earplugs from Ear.inc

They are outstanding. They make a number of models, from standard silicone type molded one piece plugs to electronic plugs. I bought a mid-grade pair for a couple of hundred bucks (including the fitting and shipping) and I wish I had bought them 10 years ago. The model I bought are standard silicone type molded plugs but they have a "vent" or small channel that allows some ambient noise to pass through the plug (allows you to hear nearby voices for conversation), while blocking rifle, pistol, and shotgun noise. They are by no means electronic, but just as protective on your hearing as electronic with better ambient noise than the entry level plugs.

You can get them in a variety of colors, floatable, or even customized. While you might lean toward getting a camo pattern if you hunt a lot, I'd strongly recommend you not get camo. If you drop one in the field on anything but dirt, particularly if you duck hunt and don't get a floatable model - say goodbye. I got a clear model that they make slightly translucent. The color is great - blends in with your skin color b/c you can see you skin through the plug - but you can see them if you drop one. They also come with a small channel that you can put the end of a thin shoestring into so each plug can hang around your neck by the shoestring when not in use. This is really handy if you shoot clays or any sport where you sit around and visit a lot between stations. I live in B/CS and was able to get a fitting, my plugs ordered, and get them in the mail in under 3 weeks. The regional rep will contact you and set up a time to do the fitting. Would highly recommend them. Do the rep a favor and practice some good ear canal hygiene before your fitting!

Oh, one last thing, I like mine so much I use them when cutting the grass, running the string trimmer, or using other tools in the workshop. Very comfortable too. I wore them for 5 days straight in Argentina a few years ago and they didn't make my ears sore at all.

Hope that helps. PM me if you have any other questions.

Those sound great. Apparently electronic isn't necessary to let conversations through, so I was under the wrong impression. Unfortunately I'm not sure a couple hundred is in the budget right now. Looking to spend less than $100 if possible. Guess I just need to check out all the different models.

Sensaphonics is another company to check out. We use them in space.

mneisch - contact ear.inc and price them. They may have some that are just over a hundred. I think mine were between 100 and 200 and those were a mid-level custom plug.

I got mine from westone - ordered them through an audiologist. I felt more comfortable having stuff being poured in my ears by an audiologist, than by "some dude."

I really want some good ear plugs too. I wear ear plugs, buts it's rough not being able to talk to anybody. Which ever ones you decide to go with, be sure to let us know because I'm looking myself

Another compnay I would recommend is Alien Ears. I use their custom in ear monitors for music. They also offer several different types of earplugs for outdoors. Very reasonable in price.

I also have the EAR inc plugs. Mine are the same as above. They have a mechanical filter in them that allows you to hear conversations. They work great duck hunting or shooting skeet but when you spread out dove hunting I miss some things. They are super comfortable. I wear them like the above, trimmer mowing, wood shop,... You name it.

I had mine made in BCS. There was a guy that did them out of a wine shop out near the highway. He was an exskeet shooter and now just does plugs. I believe mine were right around $100. Simple process. He puts a tampon in your ear, fills it with goop, you walk around and look at wine to buy (spent more than the ear plugs that day), he pulls the out trims them up puts in the filter and off you go.

quote:

---

Would it be possible to get custom plugs with a prescription?

---

Just ask your Dr. to write a script for "shooting ear protection". Then you can turn in the script with your receipt to the HSA. It is easy!

RBoutdoors, that sounds like exactly what I am looking for. How did you find the guy (assuming there is someone similar in Houston)? Also, what plugs did you get? The Filtered Chameleon Ears are what I have looked at on Ear Incs site.

Mine were not heat cure as he did them right there and I was done in 15-25 minutes. He added the filter and said that over 82-87 db it would cut out.

i am not sure on the model, I just got what the maker told me to get.

quote:

---

I had mine made in BCS. There was a guy that did them out of a wine shop out near the highway.

---

Contact info please?

Call or email Ear.inc and they will have the local rep contact you to set up an appointment.

Must be the same rep - my fitting was at the wine shop also.

[This message has been edited by dr_boogs (edited 9/3/2012 1:26p).]

Buy surefire EP plugs, save $$$. Better yet, get some good over ear electronic muffs.

I got mine through an ENT doc awhile back bc my hearing sucks. Ill Try to find the brand later

quote:

---

Buy surefire EP plugs, save $$$. Better yet, get some good over ear electronic muffs.

---

I love my Sordins with gel cups, but even with electric muffs, you sometimes need plugs. Certain guns require me to double up with foam and muffs.

Muffs can be uncomfortable when shooting some rifles.

Actually been looking at the Surefire plugs, they seem like a good alternative until I can get custom ones. Which pair do you suggest? I see like 3 or 4 options.

quote:

---

I love my Sordins with gel cups, but even with electric muffs, you sometimes need plugs. Certain guns require me to double up with foam and muffs.

---

Sordins with gel cups + surefire plugs = about as good as it gets. I can hear things going on 30 yds away in the next bay, but SBR AR with brakes or larger caliber hunting rifles in enclosed concrete areas don't bother me.

Neisch - EP4 medium will work for most people.

I use EP4 and I like them better than any of my other baffle style plugs. Medium fits just about everyone. After several hours of wear, they do make my ears sore a little but nothing I find worth complaining over. I don't think they work terribly well for hearing ambient noise and conversation but again, it's better than full plugs and better than being deaf or spending 100 bucks on ear plugs.