Hearing Protection for Hunting

[mdkelley]

I should have mentioned in my original post - When hunting from an enclosed blind or from the same couple stands/spots where you generally know which direction the game will come from, these work well and I do like them for that. In those situations regular earplugs or muffs also work for me though. For my use the directional (how far away, in front or behind, how far off to the left etc?) 360 degree feedback is lacking compared to natural hearing. These days, I primarily still hunt or scout and hunt fresh sign for one sit and then move on to a new spot.

If the OP consistently hunts from a permanent blind or a couple stands and knows where the game is generally moving from/to, any of these units will likely work great to protect hearing. If the OP has any need to determine where a noise came from and how far away it was without making any movement to look around to see what made the noise, the units I have tried will be a disappointment. I am by no means saying these things are junk or don't work, just sharing that for my hunting style they don't work as well as my natural hearing (what is left of it). Hopefully this helps someone out. I have spent several hundred $$ trying these out. They work great to protect your hearing but in certain specific situations they will be a disappointment.

 

[6.5x300 WBY]

I should have mentioned in my original post - When hunting from an enclosed blind or from the same couple stands/spots where you generally know which direction the game will come from, these work well and I do like them for that. In those situations regular earplugs or muffs also work for me though. For my use the directional (how far away, in front or behind, how far off to the left etc?) 360 degree feedback is lacking compared to natural hearing. These days, I primarily still hunt or scout and hunt fresh sign for one sit and then move on to a new spot.

If the OP consistently hunts from a permanent blind or a couple stands and knows where the game is generally moving from/to, any of these units will likely work great to protect hearing. If the OP has any need to determine where a noise came from and how far away it was without making any movement to look around to see what made the noise, the units I have tried will be a disappointment. I am by no means saying these things are junk or don't work, just sharing that for my hunting style they don't work as well as my natural hearing (what is left of it). Hopefully this helps someone out. I have spent several hundred $$ trying these out. They work great to protect your hearing but in certain specific situations they will be a disappointment.

My OTTO Noise barriers work amazing in that exact scenario. It just enhances my hearing that I am fully capable of telling what direction game is coming from. Right left behind infront etc.

 

[Laelkhunter]

I have had walkers in-ear units for close to 20 years, and a set of over the ear type i bought a couple years ago. They just don't work for me for most types of hunting. Waterfowl hunting they would be fine. I the units I have do not have any directional differentiation on sounds, everything seems like it is coming from the same direction (which it should since there is only one microphone and one output/speaker per side). I just use earplugs or muffs and put them on before I shoot. I would love to find something that will allow my normal hearing yet still protect from gunshot noise. Thinking about trying the earplugs with the valves in that close off when a loud pressure is encountered to see if those allow me to determine what direction the noise is coming from. For the shooting range or waterfowl hunting, they all work fine. For any type of hunting where you need to determine where a noise is coming from, the ones I have tried are lacking. Maybe if there are some that have multiple microphones and speakers like a surround sound they would be usable.

I have the Walker Razor quad ear muffs that I use at work. They provide directional noise attenuation (two mic/speakers in each muff). I just prefer the Otto Noizebarrier Micro when hunting. Years ago there was a product called Sonic ear valves that was supposed to close when the gun blast hit them, but I found they didn't work at all. I'm not even sure they are available anymore. I think you have to pay a little more for the electronic ear plugs to get decent ones that will allow normal level sound to be heard, but blocks loud noises. Otto offers First Responder and Military discount.

 

[mdkelley]

may have to go try those out. My muffs are just the regular walker razor, not the quads. I would love to find something that works in that scenario.

 

[Laelkhunter]

may have to go try those out. My muffs are just the regular walker razor, not the quads. I would love to find something that works in that scenario.

The Walker "Razor" Quads are thinner so they don't interfere with shouldering your rifle. I really like them for working the firing line, or short term shooting. For all day comfort (hunting), I prefer the in the ear Otto Noizebarrier.