For those who enjoy going to the range for target practice or is an avid game hunter, you already know how jarring the sound of a gunshot can be. To give you an idea of the risk you are putting your hearing in whenever firing your gun you must have some basic knowledge about decibels.
Our ears are designed to handle sound that is less than 75 decibels. Normal conversation with a person usually clocks in at 60 decibels. Anything higher than 75 decibels can lead to hearing damage in the long run. 85 decibels are the threshold for our ears and being exposed to sound around that level for an extended period will inevitably damage our hearing.
A gunshot noise level can easily surpass 150 decibels. Firing a gun for the first time can leave your ears ringing(vibration). That is already a clear sign that you need to take the necessary safety precautions in the future.
That is where ear protection muffs come into the fold. If you plan on making a hobby of going to your local gun range for target practice, it is best to invest in a quality shooting ear protection earmuff. This should help prevent any hearing loss problems that can, and will, develop over time if you often hang around extremely loud noise in traffic environments.
1. Premium Pick (In-Ear): Otto NoizeBarrier HD Electronic Earplugs
For those who feel that earmuffs are too bulky, an excellent alternative design to pick is the earplug. The Otto NoizeBarrier Earplug is a lightweight & sturdy hearing protection plug. The NoizeBarrier earplug will enable wearers to choose between the standard foam tip or a flanged tip. There is a slight difference in NRR between the two with the foam tip offering 26-decibel NRR while the flange variant comes with a 25-decibel NRR.
The Otto NoizeBarrier also allows users to adjust the level of sound amplification by up to 5x. The impulse noise reduction remains consistent no matter the level of sound amplification is in use.
As for other noteworthy features of the NoizeBarrier, its battery life currently clocks in at 16 hours. Read more about the headphones for knowing more information about this.
Key Features:
• NRR 26 decibels (foam tip), 25 decibels (flange tip).
• Adjustable (up to 5x) hearing enhancement mode.
• IP67 waterproof rating.
Our Rating:
• Build Quality: 9/10
• Comfort: 9.5/10
• Noise Reduction: 9.5/10
• Battery Life: 9/10
Pros:
• Comfortable earplugs.
• Great hearing enhancement-mode feature.
• Waterproof design.
• Rechargeable batteries.
Cons:
• None to mention.
2. Runner Up Pick (In-Ear): 3M Peltor TEP-100 Earplugs
Another top mark in the best hearing protection in-ear list comes from 3M Peltor once again. Their TEP-100 earplug model might not offer the same level of NRR as other top-tier earplugs in this list, but they do make up for it in terms of additional features.
The Peltor TEP-100 has an NRR of 23 decibels which is enough to protect your hearing from gunshots. However, as this is an electronic earplug, you can expect it to come with a variety of features. The earplug comes with low-level noise amplifying technology which allows you to still hear what’s happening around you while suppressing loud impulse noises.
The excellent low-level noise amplifier technology is a great feature to have when hunting outdoors as it can help improve your hearing exponentially. The intuitive technology used by the TEP-100 can also adapt to the noise traffic in any given location. You won’t need to tinker with adjustments to accommodate the varying noise traffic.
Additional features included in the TEP-100 are interchangeable ear tips, a detachable cord, and rechargeable batteries. Expect the battery life of the TEP-100 to last for at least 16 hours.
Key Features:
• Adaptive noise suppression and amplification technology.
• Waterproof design.
• Rechargeable battery.
Our Rating:
• Build Quality: 9/10
• Comfort: 9/10
• Noise Reduction: 8/10
• Battery Life: 9/10
Pros:
• It adapts quite well to fluctuating sound in the environment.
• The earplug is entirely waterproof.
• Comes with a host of additional accessories.
Cons:
• It is quite expensive compared to its competitors.
3. Overall Value Pick: Howard Leight by Honeywell Electronic Shooting Earmuff
The Howard Leight Earmuff might be one of the more affordable options in the market, but that does not reflect its quality. With an NRR of 22 decibels, it is certainly one that offers decent protection from harmful loud noises at a budget-friendly price.
It uses electronic active noise-suppressing technology and can effectively compress impulse sounds that surpass 82 decibels. Put, the Howard Leight can dampen down that ear-shattering gunshot noise down to a whisper.
It also manages to provide sound amplification functionality thanks to the built-in directional microphone. This allows low-level noise to be as crystal clear as possible without allowing harmful loud noises inside. Reviewed Everything is providing the best headphones for hearing protection. If you want to know you get more information from there.
This electronic earmuff utilizes two AAA batteries and manages to squeeze every second of use out of it. The power-saving feature can help maximize batteries to their fullest which allows Howard Leight’s battery life to reach up to 350 hours. An additional feature here is the 3.5mm input jack for those who would like to listen to some tunes along the way.
Key Features:
• Low-profile ear cups and adjustable headbands.
• NRR of 22 decibels.
• The built-in directional microphone that amplifies low-level sound.
• AUX 3.5mm input for music streaming.
Our Rating:
• Build Quality: 8.5/10
• Comfort: 9.5/10
• Noise Reduction: 8/10
• Battery Life: 9.5/10
Pros:
• Top-quality noise suppression and low-level sound amplification technology.
• Comfortable fit.
• Comes with an audio jack for those who want to listen to some music.
Cons:
• It has a rather bulky design which might increase discomfort for some.
