Range Headsets That Will Actually Protect Your Hearing

[bertrand]

If you still want to use your hearing in later life, ear protection is a must. That said, I am consistently finding poor quality headsets available at my local ranges and am looking to buy my own pair. If anyone has any thoughts on this, please share.

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[TJ82525]

Personally, I like the Axil Tracker Bluetooth earmuffs. I also have the Axil "in ear" earbuds. Definitely happy with each of them.

 

[Starslinger]

The best hearing protection I have is a set from Clear Armor. They are not electronic and they are bulky and can get in the way when trying to get a cheek rest on a rifle or a shotgun.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=clear+armor+hearing+protection&crid=2PTVDBQ78PD3E&sprefix=clear+armor+he%2Caps%2C187&ref=nb_sb_ss_p13n-expert-pd-ops-ranker_1_14

You can also get a little more protection by using inside the ear plugs in combination with over the ear muffs.

 

[P7M13]

If you still want to use your hearing in later life, ear protection is a must. That said, I am consistently finding poor quality headsets available at my local ranges and am looking to buy my own pair. If anyone has any thoughts on this, please share.

There's your problem. Relying on others for protecting you in your hobby? WTH man?! Do you expect them to give out ear plugs when you go to a concert?

 

[TTSX]

Plugs under electronic muffs is the way to go. Nothing else compares

 

[Nutty4Guns]

Plugs under electronic muffs is the way to go. Nothing else compares

Second this. Ears will be well protected, and you are able to hear normal conversations around you without removing them.

 

[Oxygen Mask]

I was a licensed pyrotechnician for a while, like 4th of July fireworks at the fairgrounds type of stuff.
We did foam earplugs under big earmuffs. All you heard was pmmpff, but the concussion in your chest let you know the forces you dealing with. It is utterly AWESOME to have the vantage point of hand lighting the mortars!!! What a rush! Later we changed to foamies under electronic muffs so we could talk to each other. Worked just as well.

One time the lead fired off a FTF after the show, after we had all unsuited. My first show so I didn't realize the call to Fire meant eyes and ears on. We were a good 50 ft away. I HAD NO IDEA how loud those mortars actually were! Impressed the hell out me!

Now I hate it when someone in the neighborhood is firing the bigger illegal stuff, not that I don't enjoy the show, but I've seen what can happen if it goes sideways.... It really is dangerous.

 

[petehammer]

I do earplugs under muffs. I stupidly bought the Axil earbuds from Costco and while they might work for 22s, even that I have my doubts. So it's double up for me.

 

[arakboss]

I wear plugs under muffs. Plugs go on before I get out of the car. Muffs go on before I enter the shelter if range is hot.

 

[arthurclarke]

Too late for me. Tinnitus drives me crazy now. Hard to focus on anything with that constant distraction. Hard to sleep also.

To protect what I got left I have 2 pairs of Sordin Supreme Pro X electronic. The gel pads really make them nice. They are expensive but at the time I got them I think they were the only good ones available. But I still double up with ear plugs.

The part of the glasses frame that hooks over the ears are called temples. These temples can push the hearing protection away from the ear and break the seal creating a gap and pathway for noise. Is the gel pad still the best solution for closing this gap?

 

[banmor]

Savior Apollo.

I think price has increased since tariffs but I would still consider them best in active market in that range. They have a good active (amplified) circuit and, more importantly, gel ear cups that are thick, soft, and deep. This means a good seal.

Compared to Howard Leigh's or Walkers, the deeper gel cups provide a much better seal, especially around the back-bottom of ear/neck. At least for me.

 

[zevia]

I wear over ear protection only at local gun range with earplugs in as your in a confined area with someone right next you constanly shooting. Normally when I am outside I only use ear plugs or the walker in ear ones. I find it harder to to use my rifles that I train with they are constantly coming off or in the way.

 

[WAYNO]

In the trades, the company provided any and all ear protection, at our personal choice.
In the store room, many earmuffs were available, but none of them were as effective as the original yellow ear plugs.
So... in the worst conditions, I would wear the yellow ear plugs with ear muffs over the top.

And at the range now, I still wear foam ear plugs, and if I am shooting with other folks, I wear the noise-cancelling amplified ear muffs over the top, so I can hear folks talking while simultaneously being well protected from shooting decibels.

 

[jcg5352]

Savior Apollo.

I think price has increased since tariffs but I would still consider them best in active market in that range. They have a good active (amplified) circuit and, more importantly, gel ear cups that are thick, soft, and deep. This means a good seal.

Compared to Howard Leigh's or Walkers, the deeper gel cups provide a much better seal, especially around the back-bottom of ear/neck. At least for me.

I've seen a few deals for the Apollos at around $35-40, I'm planning to pick up a set because my ears are a bit big for the Peltor Rangeguards I picked up. Glad to hear they're good and will probably fit better for me.