Hearing protection technology
Common terms used to describe hearing protection features include:
NRR – Noise Reduction Rating. – This is the ability to prevent sound from reaching the eardrum. This rating is the protection provided by individual devices and applies to all devices whether passive or electronic. Cover your ear with your hand and you will get some level of NRR. Higher NRR means less sound reaches the inner ear. Most ratings fall in the range from 15 NRR to 33 NRR.
Amplification – This is a feature in most electronic hearing protection that amplifies ambient sounds to a level the individual may be able to hear. It is most useful to hear range commands or other conversations. Typical amplification will range from 2x to 4x, some models claim 5x.Amplification is very useful for hearing impaired to bring conversation and range commands up to a level they can hear.
In order to select the best ear protection for your needs it is important to evaluate your needs. First on the list would be whether you will be shooting on an indoor range or outdoors. An indoor range suggests a much higher level of hearing protection. In general a NRR of 28 or above is needed to protect hearing on an indoor range.
How often would you be shooting and would you be shooting by yourself or in a small group of two or three people.
Will you be shooting guns that produce higher levels of sound, such as big bore handguns and long guns? Or is your shooting limited to small caliber guns? Will you be shooting in an area where other people may be shooting big bore guns?
Comfort should be high on the list of criteria. I often see shooters removing their hearing protection during brief periods of quiet on the range because they are uncomfortable wearing them. Just one unexpected gunshot can cause damage to the sensitive unprotected inner ear. The biggest failing in comfort is usually they clamp down too tightly on the head, or are so loose they slip down and come off the ears.Properly adjusted hearing protection that is well designed for comfort should not need to be removed while the shooter is still on the range.
Current level of hearing ability should be considered. Hearing protection that amplifies ambient sound may be more desirable if an individual already has some minor level of hearing loss.
There are two basic types of hearing protection.
Passive
Electronic. Within electronic there are two types of technology.
Blocking - the electronics turn off for a few milliseconds when a sound above a threshold is detected.
Suppressionor attenuation- loud sounds are reduced to around 80 db but background sounds can still be heard.
Passive ear protection is a sophisticated set of ear plugs. They prevent sound waves from reaching the inner ear. This means all sound waves, so passive protection also blocks background noise such as conversation or range commands. If you shoot outdoors, alone or with one or two other people, and not very often, this may be adequate for your needs. Cost will be in the range of $10.00 to $50.00. Most are muff style or foam ear plugs that you insert into the ear canal. (ear plugs can be found for $1.00 or less). The only factor that is applicable is NRR. Minimum NRR should be around NRR 15. For indoor shooting minimum NRR should be NRR 28.
The next level of protection would involve electronics. If you shop with care you get about what you pay for in electronic ear protection. The difference is in how they work. The NRR for electronic hearing protection has the same meaning as for passive hearing protection. That is the measure of the sound that is blocked by the device whether the electronics is turned on or not. Electronics will overcome some of the limitations of passive protection. In particular the electronics are designed to accomplish two tasks. Electronics will amplify ambient sounds so conversations and range commands can be heard. Electronics will also detect sound levels above 80 db and prevent these loud sounds from reaching the inner ear
Electronic hearing protectionhas the ability to amplify sound. Not all electronic hearing protection has this feature, but when present this is how it works. The hearing protection has small speakers built into the device, and an amplifier that will listen to background noise and amplify by a factor of 2x up to 5x. Even though the hearing protection is blocking sound waves, the amplifier is bringing background sounds back up to a level inside the protective device where conversation and range commands can be heard. There will be a volume control on the device that allows the shooter to adjust the volume to a suitable level. Loud noises would be amplified along with background noise but an additional circuit prevents the amplification of loud noise. Currently, there are two types of technology used to stop loud noises from being amplified. While each is different in application, both offer protection to the shooter.
The first method, blocking, will turn off the amplification circuit when a sound is detected above a certain threshold, usually about 80 db. While shooting, or when an unsafe sound is detected, the unit shuts itself off for a brief period of time while the peak of the unsafe sound passes. The shooter is left with the NRR of the device which reverts the unit back to a passive level of protection for a split second until the noise passes and the unit turns amplification back on. Prices on these units range from approximately $50.00 - $150.00. Considerations include how sensitive your hearing is to the “off” “on” nature of this hearing protection. The interval of “off” mode varies from brand to brand. The sensitivity and tolerance of the shooter varies with the individual. These devices are better for outdoor use than indoor use, and better for casual shooters.
The other method, suppression, reduces the unsafe sound to a safe level, but amplification is not turned off. The electronics in the unit allow the user to hear conversation and range commands at all times. Many shooters prefer this type of electronics because it allows them to hear range commands as well as their shooting partners.Suppression technology can range from approximately $100.00 up, generally the higher the price the better the performance. I think in terms of $150 to $400 for suppression ear protection. If you go to the range often, are usually on an indoor range, frequently teach or attend classes, are a range officer or find the “off/on” nature of blocking technology disturbing, you should be looking at this type of technology.
Inside the ear protection. Inside the ear is considered to be the ultimate protection, as it offers higher NRR ratings and the latest suppression technology. Inside the ear protection provide long lasting comfort, peak performance and total convenience. The small “hearing aide” style unit simply slips into the ear and is forgotten. There is no possible way to bump the unit or dislodge it from the ear, it’s simply a case of “set it and forget it”. The down side is that this micro-technology is costly. The controversial part is that the area around the ear is not covered, as in muff style protection, and the bone structure will transmit sound to the inner ear.
When shopping you will find the information noted above may not always be spelled out in the description of the product. I like to call customer service to ask questions to clarify which technology is in the device. This will also tell you how easy it is, or not, to reach customer support. And how supportive they are. You usually cannot tell the difference between a great product, and one to avoid, until something goes wrong. If you cannot reach customer support, or they are not really helpful, keep looking for a better company to reward with your business.
Looking through customer feedback om Amazom.com, or Google search for product reviews, will provide valuable insight. I do not recommend products here because the words I publish are forever, but changes in management or ownership bring about changes in the product line. What I would have recommended last year may not be what I would purchase today. Feel free to call John at (503) 799-9534. I will share with you what I know about products available today.
Published by John Amond, (503) 799-9534,