hearing protection?

[dougster]

when im at the range or out practising i always wear ear plugs. but when im hunting im assuming i want to be able to hear everything around me, so how do you protect your hearing from the blast of the shot?

[Surrey Boy]

This is why most hunters don't use a muzzle brake. Waterfowlers sometimes do wear earplugs, but big gamers only need one, maybe two shots and consequently just suck it up. With all the joy of getting a shot made the audio stimulation actually helps you focus.

[digger dogger]

you won't hear the blast if you hit an animal!!! but you'll hear the bullet hit @100yds or so.

[sapper]

I've wondered this myself. I recently heard a guy on CBC radio talking about hearing loss and apparently he'd hunted a fair bit as a young guy. I've only hunted a few seasons now but the ringing ear after the animal down shot always freaks me out a little. Although I've yet to buy one, and maybe anyone who uses one can chime in here, I've heard of and am thinking of buying a "Walker's Game Ear".

[IronNoggin]

...so how do you protect your hearing from the blast of the shot?

Sixty-five percent hearing Loss in the right ear (high range), and 15 % in the left. Obviously I ain't been hunting quite long enough, as I can still hear a little on the Gun Side :mrgreen:

Actually, that Very much comes in handy when The Missuz decides to back seat drive from "her" side of the rig! :twisted: I simply can't heeeeeeaaar You! :wink:

Here's to eventual permanent loss! :mrgreen:

Cheers,
Nog

[Caveman]

Most hearing lost is caused by continuous noise exposure. A loud shot now and again will have little long term effect. Definitely wear it at the range. Using power tools, etc. I-pods and MP3 and loud stereos are a bigger issue than the occasional rifle shot

[dougster]

im thinking about wearing ear muffs, and just sliding them on before the shot.... is this realistic?

[elkdom]

when im at the range or out practising i always wear ear plugs. but when im hunting im assuming i want to be able to hear everything around me,

so how do you protect your hearing from the blast of the shot?



insert a finger firmly in each ear,,, :?

[dougster]

lol i need the fingers to hold the gun and pull the drigger..... i have custom ear plugs i could use, but im concerend about wasting time putting them in and letting the critter get away. i think slipping on ear muffs would be ok....

[Pete]

You can get sonic ear muff protection. They actually enhance your hearing but shut down when you fire a shot.

[MichelD]

I have shot way too much without protection over the past 43 years and now carry foam plugs in nearly every pocket and take the time to plug both ears before shooting anything, and wear muffs on top of that at the range.

I have chronic tinnitus and any unprotected shooting makes it worse. It even got worse after my last range visit when the guy at the next bench was shooting a cannon with a muzzle break.

Only takes a few seconds to slip plugs in and unless you surprise or are surprised by your game animal and have to shoot right then, it's okay that way.

I've only missed opportunities a couple times digging in my pocket for plugs when I could have shot immediately.

[Slinky Pickle]

im thinking about wearing ear muffs, and just sliding them on before the shot.... is this realistic?

I doubt it. They are bound to fall off or get hung up on something.

Hearing loss comes with maintained noise levels over time. You'll lose more hearing from a walk down a city street than you will from a single gun shot.

Having said that, if you are really worried about then I bet you'll flinch pretty hard when you finally do pull the trigger on something. To get past that I would suggest that you at least fire off a couple of shots at the range withoug ear protection. Then, put them right back on any time you're range shooting.

[elkdom]

lol i need the fingers to hold the gun and pull the drigger..... i have custom ear plugs i could use, but im concerend about wasting time putting them in and letting the critter get away. i think slipping on ear muffs would be ok....

YOU as the SHOOTER are well behind the muzzle of the rifle/shotgun when shooting at game,,,

only prolonged,repetitious shooting will damage your hearing:idea:, or as in "snap shooting" where a person may be near the other person when a shot is fired, can be damaging to ones hearing,

firing your own rifle when in the open country/bush is not as loud as say your shooting in a group of shooters using the shooting bench rests at gun range!

I have fired 10's of 1000's of rounds of big bore outside closed areas of shooting ranges, I still can hear yah!

what'yah say? huh? what? speak louder! :lol:

[elkdom]

and as a side note,,,! rather than close your jaw tight and grit your teeth when about to fire a shot with a high power firearm?? keep your mouth partially open, as if you were saying the word "who" or "ahh" your jaw mussels actually modify your ear canal and block the loud noise partially,,,and prevent concussion damage!:wink:

[dougster]

thanks guys, i will definatly try it, but if i cant get comfortable with it, i will try a few types of hearing protection.

[gamehunter6o]

I've lost high pitch hearing more in my left ear than right, (right hand shooter. IronNoggin must be left hand shooter) Always carry foam plugs in your pocket, even going out to socialise. Try to keep barrel past a object like a tree or vehicle when shooting. No muzzle brakes and consider a secound rifle of less grunt 7mm08/243 when hunting deer.

[dougster]

when hunting deer i plan on carrying my lever action 30-30 and a 7mm rem mag

[elkdom]

I've lost high pitch hearing more in my left ear than right, (right hand shooter. IronNoggin must be left hand shooter) Always carry foam plugs in your pocket, even going out to socialise. Try to keep barrel past a object like a tree or vehicle when shooting. No muzzle brakes and consider a secound rifle of less grunt 7mm08/243 when hunting deer.

in my younger years in the CAF, when "plinking" with a 105MM Howitzer my ears did bleed a bit after 20 rounds,,,

but it sure as hell was FUN!:twisted:

[knighthunter]

What, what, what's that you say? I wish I woulda worn hearing protection back when I used to do alot of target shooting. Now I always use the foam plugs when sighting in one of my rifles. I would never wear them while hunting. It's only gonna be one shot.

[elkdom]

What, what, what's that you say? I wish I woulda worn hearing protection back when I used to do alot of target shooting. Now I always use the foam plugs when sighting in one of my rifles. I would never wear them while hunting. It's only gonna be one shot.

you not only seem to have a hearing loss problem,,,

I regret to inform you that you have a severe stutter!:mrgreen:

[mud-dog27]

pricey as **** but they work wonders

http://www.protectear.com/

prior to severely ****ing my ear up when i took some welding slag to the ear drum i didnt have much issues with noise but since having my ear drum rebuilt i cant handle much noise to my left ear, it still hears fine but if i go and shoot(even one or two shots) i wont be able to hear shit for a few days so i got these custom fit ones that allow you to hear a certain decibel range(i cant hear talking fine with em in) but blocks out the damaging range so when im out now hunting i just leave the one in my bad ear and it seems to do the job, if im out shooting off a few boxes i keep both in

i might only be 21yrs old but take it from me hearing loss ****ing sucks especially if your some where in a crowd trying to listen to someone

[knighthunter]

If those were my only problems,I'd have it made in the shade. LOL.

[dougster]

i got a set like that, they are custom ear plugs but they are old and arent as good with the normal noise levels anymore, i might try leaving one out next time i shoot

[mud-dog27]

i got a set like that, they are custom ear plugs but they are old and arent as good with the normal noise levels anymore, i might try leaving one out next time i shoot

yea my new set are less than a year as i got a great deal on them ($99) through a group buy at school, plus they have different kinds some block out all noise some have the filters like mine, hell you can even get ones that'll plug into a radio headset or MP3 player

[SR80]

your not going to even notice the bang or recoil of your gun if your shooting at a deer, it'll be like shooting a pellet gun.

[boxhitch]

Saving your hearing should be taken seriously
Muffs can be awkward, but are better than any plugs, and should be used whenever possible while shooting. The electronic muffs are the best, allowing sounds such as talking to be normal or slightly amplified, then shutting down any loud noises. Even the cheapos from Princess Auto work good.
In the field, plugs are better than nothing, but don't dwell on getting them in. do so if practical. Instead of digging in pockets try the type that have the plastic hoop to them, and keep them around your neck.
Rifle blast is a big part of perceived recoil effect, lots of guys would shoot better if the noise wasn't there.

Civilized countries in Europe mandate moderator use, to protect the shooters hearing and those near by.

[Pete]

Civilized countries in Europe mandate moderator use, to protect the shooters hearing and those near by.[/quote]

Now there is a novel thought. (Another word for moderator over here is silencer.) Having been and shot in England on several occasions I found their use of moderator was excellent. Yes you can still hear the rifle, especially with the big bore firearms but really does make a huge difference in the report.

[SR80]

why would you carry a 30-30 and a 7mm when hunting deer? That'll just be a pain in the ass packing two rifles around in the bush, unluess your road hunting i guess.

[gamehunter6o]

why would you carry a 30-30 and a 7mm when hunting deer? That'll just be a pain in the ass packing two rifles around in the bush, unluess your road hunting i guess.
Maybe he has no wife to follow him hunting and putting her fingers in his ears as required.:confused:

[dougster]

lol my wife isnt a big fan of being on the hunt, and i said those are the rifles i would hunt with, maybe with bith, one on my back. but probably with the 22 on ym pack.