What are your thoughts and recommendations? I've always used plugs, but want to try something different. I need to keep what hearing I have left. I'll be using these for handgun and rifle shooting, chainsaw work, etc.

http://ads.midwayusa.com/product/103666/peltor-tactical-6s-electronic-earmuffs-nrr-20db-gray?cm_mmc=pf_ci_google-_-pf_ci_google-_-pf_ci_google-_-pf_ci_google&gclid=CJ-bpqSJkMQCFcxj7Aoda2YAmg

I've had a pair of these for about 3 years. Noise cancellation works well, you can hear great with them, they are comfortable, look nice and you can't beat the price.

I'm a big fan of these. I've only used my plugs when cutting with the chainsaw, but I'd use them for that if need be.

Edit: Completely forgot the link

http://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-R-01526-Electronic-Earmuff/dp/B001T7QJ9O

Big fan of my Howard Leights

http://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-R-01526-Electronic-Earmuff/dp/B001T7QJ9O

Second on the Howard Leight Impact Sports. Affordable and effective.

Howard Leight R-01526 Impact Sport Electronic Earmuff

x 1,000,000,000

The wife and I both have a pair of the Howard Leights. We love 'em.

I understand your desire to try something new. But I think you should be careful when switching to the noise canceling hearing protection.

I understand that the noise reduction ratings (NRR) are provided by the folks that sell the hearing protection and that the number are not regulated by some governmental agency. But when I compare the NRR of the noise canceling muffs to that of the disposable MAX1 plugs (also provided by Howard Leight), the disposables are much more effective at reducing noise -- NRR of 33 versus 22. Of course, this assumes that the disposables are properly worn and that the numbers actually mean something.

I'll agree that the noise canceling muffs will have the advantage of being able to hear casual conversation, but I don't think that they will be better for protecting your hearing.

The wife and I both use the Peltor Tactical 6S. Great protection for ~$50

http://www.amazon.com/3M-Peltor-Tactical-Hearing-Protector/dp/B00009363P

A followup question about the electronic earmuffs...

If you are wearing safety glasses while wearing these muffs, does the loss of the seal around the ear (where the frame extends to the top of the ear) result in a loss of efficiency of the muff? This has been my experience with standard ear muffs, but perhaps the seals are more flexible on the electronic muffs.

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A followup question about the electronic earmuffs...

If you are wearing safety glasses while wearing these muffs, does the loss of the seal around the ear (where the frame extends to the top of the ear) result in a loss of efficiency of the muff? This has been my experience with standard ear muffs, but perhaps the seals are more flexible on the electronic muffs.

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My glasses don't interfere with the seal.

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Peltor tactical sport ear muffs

A followup question about the electronic earmuffs...

If you are wearing safety glasses while wearing these muffs, does the loss of the seal around the ear (where the frame extends to the top of the ear) result in a loss of efficiency of the muff? This has been my experience with standard ear muffs, but perhaps the seals are more flexible on the electronic muffs.

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The safety glasses can cause an issue sometimes with rifles (especially with muzzle brakes) or compensated race guns. I've taken to shooting suppressed with my rifle most of the time, partially for this reason.

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I understand your desire to try something new. But I think you should be careful when switching to the noise canceling hearing protection.

I understand that the noise reduction ratings (NRR) are provided by the folks that sell the hearing protection and that the number are not regulated by some governmental agency. But when I compare the NRR of the noise canceling muffs to that of the disposable MAX1 plugs (also provided by Howard Leight), the disposables are much more effective at reducing noise -- NRR of 33 versus 22. Of course, this assumes that the disposables are properly worn and that the numbers actually mean something.

I'll agree that the noise canceling muffs will have the advantage of being able to hear casual conversation, but I don't think that they will be better for protecting your hearing.

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ANd here are some things in rebuttal. First off I'm pretty sure MRR is regulated under ANSI S12.68-2007/2008.

Now there are some real issues with wearing the cheap throw away earplugs long term. They irritate the ear canal and cause excessive earwax buildup. There is also an element of negative pressure when the earplugs are removed that has been found to cause hearing issues with the eardrum. Earmuffs are actually preferred by most experts because of the extended use of plugs and the fallout from the side effects of shoving something in your ear canal in order to get a proper seal. The only plugs they actually recommend are the custom fitted ear plugs that have a pressure release valve that allow for the internal vacuum seal to be released when you pull them out.

The most harm done by sound to the hearing is the sustained decibel and harmonic, as suggested by machinery that runs at a consistent pitch for an extended period of time, lower threshold being 2 hrs. Gun shots are far less damaging as is a jet engine for instance, or say a racing engine held at high rpm for the length of a race.

SO don't let the sales pitch fool you, do your research, and buy what is most comfortable and what you can live with. But if you are sold on wearing plugs, don't go cheap, get at the minimum a valved earplug, and if you can afford it get some custom fitted.

I'm a big fan for using them when pistol shooting or around the range while others are firing. I don't care for them when shooting my bolt action rifles. Mine are low profile but still bump the stock of the gun.

They do NOT work worth a flip for riding in an air boat!

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A followup question about the electronic earmuffs...

If you are wearing safety glasses while wearing these muffs, does the loss of the seal around the ear (where the frame extends to the top of the ear) result in a loss of efficiency of the muff? This has been my experience with standard ear muffs, but perhaps the seals are more flexible on the electronic muffs.

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I have not had any issues wearing glasses or sunglasses with my Peltors.

Another advantage of the active ear muffs is you can wear plugs and muffs, but they amplify ambient sounds, so you can have a conversation without shouting.

Loved them when I was a range instructor. They allow you communicate with others around you at a normal speaking voice but then "shut off" when the guns go off. Loved mine.

Howard Leight

Another vote for the Howard Leight Impacts. I was able to find them on Amazon at the beginning of the year - $44.00 on sale and I would gladly pay full price for them now.

I really like them for shooting since you can adjust the volume and still carry on a conversation and hear what's going on around you. And I absolutely love them for hunting, you can have the volume up and hear EVERYTHING around you from animals walking up through the brush to the deer munching on corn.

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I'm a big fan of these. I've only used my plugs when cutting with the chainsaw, but I'd use them for that if need be.

Edit: Completely forgot the link

http://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-R-01526-Electronic-Earmuff/dp/B001T7QJ9O

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Ditto that. I have four sets of those that I use for me and my kids. I love them for the kids because they can have hearing protection and still be able to hear my instructions when I take them shooting.

It also depends where you are shooting. I have the Howard's Leights for outside are great! But indoor I would use them with ear plugs. Ears are sensitive and will easily be permanently damaged

Better safe than sorry

Howard Leight Impacts collapse nicely and I carry four in my range bag with very little footprint in the bag space. Always carry a extra box of AAA batteries. Great product, $50 great value.

Howard Leight with foam plugs.

Peltor Tac Sports

Another for Howard Leight. These are just an absolute essential now for me. Also I keep them next to my bed. Sometimes I use them to drown out the rib watching TV, but they're also there for hearing acuteness upon need. You know... for things that go bump in the night. I feel like a ninja wearing them. I can hear EVERYTHING....

Howard Leight Impacts and Oakley Ballistic M Frames 3.0 which have really thin temples for use with muffs.


Especially when paying for classes you want the electronic muffs. You pay to hear what the instructors have to say.

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Peltor Tac Sports

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+2 at the Dubi house

Another vote for Howard Leight.