Something every shooter needs throughout their pastime and recreation of shooting is solid hearing protection. Long gone are the days where it is “socially acceptable” to go shooting with friends without hearing protection. We all understand the compounding ramifications of not using hearing protection and the technology has come such a long way that it is truly ignorant to not be using ear pro (ear protection) anymore. Also, if you are a tech junkie and love new technology the hearing protection market is burgeoning with new, cool tech to try out.
Starting with the basics are standard earplugs. These you simply roll tightly with your thumb and index finger and insert into the entry of your ear canal. They then will passively block out all noise from coming in and protect your hearing. While this type is not very sophisticated it does a tremendous job at an extremely affordable price.
In a progression, your next option would be earmuffs whether they are also passive or something newer like an electronic pair that is also Bluetooth compatible. Passive earmuffs do exactly what their name implies: they passively block out noise when placed over the top of your ears. An electronic set that is Bluetooth compatible is even cooler yet. They will utilize batteries in which you can turn them On and Off plus they have the ability to cut out noise at a specific damaging level or higher. Because of this, you can have a conversation with friends at the range yet the loud noise of gunfire is blocked out. Secondly, with their Bluetooth capabilities, you can sync your earmuffs to your cell phone and receive phone calls or listen to music! This is peak tech for all the tech junkies who love their firearms.
A thirds style or option for shooters is earbuds. These sort of bring the best of both worlds together from earplugs and earmuffs. Earbuds are more customizable to your specific ear for a more comfortable fit during long days at the range. They are available in either a passive type (so simply more comfortable than a passive earplug) or you can even get electronic/Bluetooth earbuds for the ultimate, customized experience while shooting. This means you can receive phone calls, block out damaging noise, talk to your friends, listen to music, and it is more comfortable than an earmuff or earplug. With this bevy of benefits, electronic/Bluetooth earbuds typically cost the most (sometimes tipping the scale at $500 or higher), but it is authentically the best hearing protection you can get. If you are “scared to bite the bullet” it is one of those “buy once, cry once” scenarios. Once you are done crying about the money leaving your wallet you will likely be glad you made the financial investment in the best hearing protection possible. Until next time, continually check out our blog, join our newsletter, and watch the website for new and exciting updates! As always, let us know all of your thoughts in the comments below. We love it when you participate in our articles and keep the conversation going!
