10 of the best hearing protection for shooting and the workplace 2021.

Jack Pyke Passive Shooting Ear Defenders

Everyone needs to wear ear protection (PPE) when shooting, and lots of jobs require ear protection too. Noise-induced hearing loss is irreversible damage to the ears caused by exposure to high levels of noise.

Shotguns, pistols, and rifles can produce peak sound levels of 155 dB(C) - 165 dB(C) alongside the shooter’s head. These levels can cause permanent hearing damage, known as “acoustic trauma”, even if only one or two rounds are fired. Effective hearing protection is absolutely essential.

If you don’t wear earplugs while using a gun or even being at the shooting range you are putting yourself at high risk of permanent hearing loss and tinnitus. Tinnitus is when you experience ringing or other noises in one or both of your ears. Tinnitus sufferers hear a noise that isn’t caused by an external sound and other people can’t hear it. It is a common problem, especially with shooters, machinists, construction, and woodworkers.

There’s a great range of protection available depending on your discipline/requirements and you need to decide whether you need ear defenders, earplugs, or both. There are advantages and disadvantages to all three

Ear Defenders are easy to fit and can be put directly over the head, great for stop and go, suitable for shooting, airsoft, paintball, construction, and perfect for kids who aren’t able to fit earplugs properly.

Bisley Electronic Ear Defenders

They don’t always offer the same level of defense that in-ear protection does as they are sitting over the ears rather than in the ear canal. If you are using ear defenders alongside other PPE for example safety glasses you need to ensure that you wear them properly to ensure full protection.

Ear Plugs generally offer a higher level of protection but you need to ensure that they are fitted in the ear canal properly to reap their benefits.

Auritech Ear Plugs Re-Usable

If at all possible whilst shooting pop in a pair of earplugs and wear ear defenders over the top – this way you are protecting your hearing to the max and lots of people are using this option.

It’s not just traditional shooters that need protection, airsoft/skirmishers and paintballers need to be protected too, especially if using pyrotechnics and paint grenades which have a peak sound level of around 120 dB

Nuprol Tactical Comms Headset

Whatever setup you choose, an important factor is the level of noise reduction provided. All good hearing protection will have a dB rating.

There are two main types of ear protection Passive and Electronic:

Passive Hearing Protection - is protection that does not have any electronic components. Passive earmuffs often use cupped foam coated in tough plastic. This will effectively dampen any outside noise, including gunshots. These are great for indoor shooting.

Electronic Hearing Protection is Electronic, or active, and has more capabilities than passive protection. These use electronic component/s. which have selective amplification/dampening enabling gunshots and other loud noises to be filtered out, whilst still allowing the user to hear the voices of anyone nearby allowing you to retain situational awareness. Great for shooting outdoors. There are also versions available with communication/comms facilities which are great for keeping in touch with your party, a lot can be paired with your radio or mobile device allowing you to go hands-free.

Our top picks are

1. 3M™ Peltor EEP-100 Electronic Ear Plug Kit - Green helps protect your hearing and can help improve situational awareness and communications in challenging environments. This kit includes a protective charging case and an assortment of ear tips.

2. 3M™ Peltor ProTac Shooter Electronic Ear Muffs - Green there are two versions available. This version is the ProTac Shooter electronic Ear Muffs - SNR = 32dB. You can connect a hunting two-way radio or mobile phone to the 3.5mm jack on the headset and receive phone signals and calls right to your ears. You can expect intuitive adaptation to every hunting or shooting situation, thanks to smart technology and easy controls.

3. Bisley Active Electronic Shooting Ear Defenders features include independent volume controls, no external wires & slimline fully folding cups. Uses 2 x AAA batteries (included). SNR 24dB. Can be used with behind-the-ear style digital hearing aids.

4. Napier Pro 10 MAX 3 Hearing Protection - Green this works exactly in the same way as the Pro9 and weighs just 52 Grams yet it provides 3 TIMES more protection from damaging noise and is aimed at full bore rifle and range shooters in the UK and for Indoor Range shooters in other countries. The Pro 10 s COMFORT HEADBAND is a fully adjustable band and can be pre-set for a perfect fit and has a ratchet adjustment.

5. Jack Pyke Electronic Ear Defenders lightweight, strong, compact and comfortable. Adjustable headband. Foldable. Reduces harmful gunfire noise and any noise above 82dB NRR 25dB. Takes two 1.5v AAA batteries (batteries not included)

6. Silverline Electronic Ear Defenders SNR 30dB Solid-state circuitry allows normal speech and sounds to be heard but automatically deadens noise above 85dB. Conforms to EN352-1. Protection levels: H=30 M=28 L=22 SNR=30dB. - Lifetime Guarantee.

7. Caldwell Low Profile Passive Range Ear Muffs Ear Defenders The Caldwell Range Muffs are designed for comfort and maximum hearing protection. They feature foam-filled ear cups with padded ear cushions to be extremely comfortable for all-day use. The adjustable padded headband allows for a customized fit. The pivoting ear cups fold compactly so they can be conveniently stored.

8. Jack Pyke Passive Ear Defenders Padded ear cups and headband for optimum fit and comfort. Fully adjustable, slimline, and lightweight. Tested and approved This product complies with European Directive 89/686/EEC Annex VI by means of European Standard EN352-1:2002 "Hearing Protector Safety requirement and testing - Part 1:Earmuff"

9. 3M™ Peltor Kid Junior Ear Muffs - Neon Green / 3M™ Peltor Kid Junior Ear Muffs - Pink The 3M PELTOR™ Kid range Passive Ear Muffs are attractive vibrant colour hearing protectors available in headband version only. These products are specially designed for younger wearers, including children, to protect against moderate levels of noise in everyday situations such as social and leisure activities.

10. Pluggerz Shoot Earplugs (Reusable 100+ Times) - 2 Pairs Pluggerz Shoot is a durable alternative for disposable earplugs. Made of durable, flexible, hypo-allergenic silicone material. Pluggerz are reusable hearing protectors and can be used over 100 times. They offer a universal fit. CE approved and stamped. SNR = 26dB.

These are just a few of what we have in our collection to view the full range click here

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