What sort of recommendations are there for hearing protection that preserves some degree of situational awareness? I'm looking for something that works indoors as well as outdoors, and that provides sufficient sound suppression for both a 9x19mm handgun and 7.62x39 rifle. The headset that I have used in the past at an indoor range is rated at NRR 30 dB, which provides more than adequate noise protection for a couple of hours of shooting but winds up being a "cone of silence".
I've seen the Peltor TAC300 on Amazon for under $100, but it's NRR 24 dB and I'm not sure that is enough. Any experience with that one or similar ones? Are there any valved or electronic in-ear plugs that might make sense for this?
Thanks.
Re: Hearing protection & situational awareness
2I use the Peltor Sport Tac 300 with 31 NRR plugs underneath. I can still have a conversation with a student. If I want to hear a little better, I'll back the plugs out a bit. The audio electronics are really good, better than any at this price range and many well above.joemac wrote:What sort of recommendations are there for hearing protection that preserves some degree of situational awareness? I'm looking for something that works indoors as well as outdoors, and that provides sufficient sound suppression for both a 9x19mm handgun and 7.62x39 rifle. The headset that I have used in the past at an indoor range is rated at NRR 30 dB, which provides more than adequate noise protection for a couple of hours of shooting but winds up being a "cone of silence".
I've seen the Peltor TAC300 on Amazon for under $100, but it's NRR 24 dB and I'm not sure that is enough. Any experience with that one or similar ones? Are there any valved or electronic in-ear plugs that might make sense for this?
Thanks.
Re: Hearing protection & situational awareness
3Thanks for the reply. Are the 31 NRR plugs the expanding foam type?p0lyhuman wrote:I use the Peltor Sport Tac 300 with 31 NRR plugs underneath. I can still have a conversation with a student. If I want to hear a little better, I'll back the plugs out a bit. The audio electronics are really good, better than any at this price range and many well above.joemac wrote:What sort of recommendations are there for hearing protection that preserves some degree of situational awareness? I'm looking for something that works indoors as well as outdoors, and that provides sufficient sound suppression for both a 9x19mm handgun and 7.62x39 rifle. The headset that I have used in the past at an indoor range is rated at NRR 30 dB, which provides more than adequate noise protection for a couple of hours of shooting but winds up being a "cone of silence".
I've seen the Peltor TAC300 on Amazon for under $100, but it's NRR 24 dB and I'm not sure that is enough. Any experience with that one or similar ones? Are there any valved or electronic in-ear plugs that might make sense for this?
Thanks.
Re: Hearing protection & situational awareness
4A pair of cheap foamies and Howard Leight Impact Sports gave served me well at the loudest of indoor ranges.
http://www.howardleight.com/ear-muffs/impact-sport--2
http://www.howardleight.com/ear-muffs/impact-sport--2
LGC Texas - Vice President
Re: Hearing protection & situational awareness
5I wear a pair of Surefire EP4 plugs with the caps out, doubled by a pair of Howard Leight Impact Pro earmuffs (NRR 30). With the volume cranked up a little, I can have conversations just fine without sacrificing protection.
Glad that federal government is boring again.
Re: Hearing protection & situational awareness
7Yes they are simply expanding foam, not silicone tri-flange or anything like that.joemac wrote:Thanks for the reply. Are the 31 NRR plugs the expanding foam type?p0lyhuman wrote:I use the Peltor Sport Tac 300 with 31 NRR plugs underneath. I can still have a conversation with a student. If I want to hear a little better, I'll back the plugs out a bit. The audio electronics are really good, better than any at this price range and many well above.joemac wrote:What sort of recommendations are there for hearing protection that preserves some degree of situational awareness? I'm looking for something that works indoors as well as outdoors, and that provides sufficient sound suppression for both a 9x19mm handgun and 7.62x39 rifle. The headset that I have used in the past at an indoor range is rated at NRR 30 dB, which provides more than adequate noise protection for a couple of hours of shooting but winds up being a "cone of silence".
I've seen the Peltor TAC300 on Amazon for under $100, but it's NRR 24 dB and I'm not sure that is enough. Any experience with that one or similar ones? Are there any valved or electronic in-ear plugs that might make sense for this?
Thanks.
Re: Hearing protection & situational awareness
8In a past life I was a sound designer for theater. One particular performance had VERY LOUD sound cues. After an early preview show, an elderly woman approached us and said “Some of those sounds and music are much too loud!”Marlene wrote:What?
My assistant and and I looked at each other, then at her, and replied “WHAT?”
Re: Hearing protection & situational awareness
9Marlene wrote:What?
I'd be remiss if I didn't post:
LGC Texas - Vice President
Re: Hearing protection & situational awareness
10Does Lana shoot a Desert Eagle. Sploosh.atxgunguy wrote:Marlene wrote:What?
I'd be remiss if I didn't post:
I recently picked up those in-ear orange things that Hickock45 uses. So far, I really like them. The less-muffling sound decrease of itty bitty in-ear plugs with the convenience of over-ear earmuffs.
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Re: Hearing protection & situational awareness
11At indoor ranges, I use surefire earplugs under Howard Leight impact earmuffs. At outdoor ranges, I just use Surefire earplugs unless someone is firing a cartridge in the eargesplitten loudenboomer family or anything at the next bench with a muzzle brake.
That said, I want get better hearing protection in the next year or two as the technology has improved.
That said, I want get better hearing protection in the next year or two as the technology has improved.