Thread: Dont take hearing protection lightly

Originally Posted by canross

For anyone looking for a good cost to value ratio on earmuffs take a look at the bunnings bluetooth/radio/mic tactix muffs https://www.bunnings.co.nz/tactix-bl...uffs_p05810828

I've been using them for a year now for everything - bluetooth is set to my phone so I don't miss calls, either the earmuff or phone mic pics up my voice so I don't have to take them off to answer a call in a noisy shop, I can listen to music from my phone or radio, and there's a push to activate mic so you can talk to someone without taking them off as well (new models may not have this). Heck... I've been known to wear them around the house when I want to listen to something without disturbing others.

Charge via android cable. Don't run them flat and don't leave them charging forever to keep the Li-Ion battery from degrading, but so far not a single complaint about them. I wear them up to 8 hrs/day and am thinking of mounting a second pair to the hard hat too (I don't think they're waterproof... that might be a problem for later )

I wear them for shooting at the range as well and don't find them terrible - any earmuff is a bit of a pain with cheek weld on some stocks, but it's ok. I sometimes throw some ear plugs in as well if someone's shooting something big with a brake nearby, but generally I find them pretty good. The mic doesn't cut out at high volumes so I generally keep the mic volume on low just in case someone fires off a round.

Edit - no I don't work for bunnings, or have shares in them Only thing to add is that I don't know the decibel reduction rating on them.... I figure it's probably not as high as other brands?

Thanks, I have been using Bluetooth headphones in a machine which isn't too noisy, mostly good for answering the phone, and they cost way more! I might try some.

Originally Posted by Rushy

On this subject has anyone used the moulded ear plugs made by Jaytod. I am thinking about getting some made so would like some commentary if you have used them.

They're allowed on their own at the nzda Auckland range. So are probably class 5. Although my disposable class 5 plugs are not. So I wear plugs and muffs

Originally Posted by bully

Thanks, I have been using Bluetooth headphones in a machine which isn't too noisy, mostly good for answering the phone, and they cost way more! I might try some.

I brought some today, they seem fine but there is no way to manual tune a radio station, unless you know something I don't.... In that case they are rubbish to me, they can only auto tune stations, that maybe ok in perfect reception, but I hardley ever have that. The idea and the other features seem ok, can't comment on sound quality as yet.

So ended up going to get a hearing test, my right ear is perfectly and my left ear is not as bad as i suspected. I have lost some hearing at 3khz but the rest is at normal levels which is lucky. The ringing (tinnitus) could take 6months to go away or never just depends on the individual apparently.

So all and all not too bad of an outcome and ill be a damn more careful in the future now.

Originally Posted by matto1234

So ended up going to get a hearing test, my right ear is perfectly and my left ear is not as bad as i suspected. I have lost some hearing at 3khz but the rest is at normal levels which is lucky. The ringing (tinnitus) could take 6months to go away or never just depends on the individual apparently.

So all and all not too bad of an outcome and ill be a damn more careful in the future now.

Coke zero, nicotine and probably other stuff makes the ringing louder. It just kind of creeped up on me, It's there all the time, but these things make it worse. I'm mostly used to it now.

I think hearing protection is necessary for all of us. The loud noise is harmful to our ear and may cause tinnitus, which is not curable. What is the difference between generic earplugs and electronic earplugs?

Found out I had hearing damage in my right ear at 18 years old when I joined the Army. Attributed to plenty of duck shooting and centrefire rifles with no ear pro on. Pretty big wake up call about the importance of hearing protection...

@jacksimonton
Ordinary (passive) ear muffs and plugs are simply a foam type material that deaden the sound - effectively too if you buy class 5 gear not budget gear

Electronic earmuffs (and some plugs) have microphones, with the ability to slightly amplify ordinary conversations so you can hear them with muffs on, and special circuitry that switches “off” any loud noises.

I’ve just switched from the usual passive to electronic. Very happy

Note the previous comments that a foam type plug inside electronic muffs is also possible for loud environmental noises

@jacksimonton
Ordinary (passive) ear muffs and plugs are simply a foam type material that deaden the sound - effectively too if you buy class 5 gear not budget gear

Electronic earmuffs (and some plugs) have microphones, with the ability to slightly amplify ordinary conversations so you can hear them with muffs on, and special circuitry that switches “off” any loud noises.

I’ve just switched from the usual passive to electronic. Very happy

Note the previous comments that a foam type plug inside electronic muffs is also possible for loud environmental noises

Anyone have first hand experience with using the electronic ear muffs with a unsuppressed rifle?

Originally Posted by Russian 22.

Anyone have first hand experience with using the electronic ear muffs with a unsuppressed rifle?

Yep use them with my 45/70s, they click out, just in time

Originally Posted by Maca49

Yep use them with my 45/70s, they click out, just in time

How much noise dampening do you feel?

Originally Posted by Russian 22.

Anyone have first hand experience with using the electronic ear muffs with a unsuppressed rifle?

Yep, I find they are not enough for my braked 260 and wear Grade 4 muffs, this is for range use. I've got the Peltor Sport Tac.

Originally Posted by Russian 22.

Anyone have first hand experience with using the electronic ear muffs with a unsuppressed rifle?

Yep, range use with 308s, 284s, 7mmSAUMs.

MSA Sordins. Wouldn't be happy to trust the cheapies. I already have substantial hearing loss from the days when only weaklings wore muffs.

On the odd occassion due to other shooters nearby have also used throwaway ear plugs under my electronic muffs.

Just got my first braked rifle (7mm wsm). First few shots with 3m plugs (usually have foam disposables) and my howard leight electronic muffs. No issues, lost the muffs and went just plugs for the next few and noticed a difference.

Havent used the electronic side other than at the range which they were great for.