Hearing protection for bushstalking? Excl. Suppressors

Hey all, this is my first post - (excl. introduction), so apologies in advance if I do it wrong.

Anyway, wondering if there’s any good recommendations out there for hearing protection that anyone has come across that they find works for them when bush-stalking?

I’ve carried blu-tac and foam earplugs for years and slip them into the ears prior to pulling the trigger if there’s any chance. Both work to a degree, but aren’t flash, are easy to loose, and quite often you know how it is, all of a sudden there’s a deer right there close, and one doesn’t exactly want to fluff around with plugs and blow the stalk.
I really don’t want to blow my hearing out either.

So:
-Are the electronic muffs good? If so which ones?

-There’s some fancy small ones that are electronic now too - anyone tried those?

-And there’s a few “passive” options on the market pretty cheap, do they work?

-Or do you know of any old simple foam ones that have a good leash or system which keeps them around the head / ears ready to slip in when needed?

FYI: Primarily I hunt in the Catlins Forests and Blue Mountains with an in-tact (with iron sights), quite tidy Sako 75 .243 + VX3 2.5-8, it’s a darling to handle, balances and comes up perfectly, so I don’t want to butcher all that key stuff to fit a suppressor on it.

Also using a Tikka T3x Superlite .270 VX3 3.5-10 which is has a full length barrel and Hardy Compact Suppressor, which is my choice for open country / alpine etc. It works fine in the bush if it has to, but I despise it’s length and balance for tight bush and off hand shooting.

I assume I’m not the only one who doesn’t want to suppress their current rifle, for whatever reason, so hoping there’s some experiences hands out there who’ve been down this path before and come out smiling.

If I had the resources and could justify it, I’d build a fully utilitarian, stainless, compact, “bush pig” type rifle and put a good suppressor on it, that would be ideal.

Sorry it’s become such a long post!

Cheers!

3M Peltor SportTac Hunting/Shooting Earmuffs. A bit spendy but they work. Good for hearing animals/birds etc moving around.There are also cheaper brands that work ok.

Bought a set of peltor tactical muffs over 20 yrs ago take 4x aaa bats still going strong but new foams would be nice amplify range commands as well not to bulky the good thing is you can hear the wind / coming / rising before it gets to you so you can hold back your shot also adjustable sensitivity so can hear faint sounds .well worth the 200 they cost me .

I have pair of peltor tactical amazing what they can amplify.

Sent from my SM-A226B using Tapatalk

I don't tend to bother with hearing protection bush stalking as rifles are suppressed but if you wear a cap with the normal adjustable strap type at the back hang the corded earplugs over it and tuck them down back of top until needed.

Passive impact type would probably be alright but wouldn't bother with separate plugs- undoubtedly lose one first trip.

Electronic are a step up but I find it amplifies your own movement too much for stalking personally. Be sweet if sitting over a scrape though. Admittedly I have not given them a really good try though.

Soundgear in ear electronic ear plugs. Don’t even know they are in after a few minutes.

So so good

I think there’s a reason suppressors are so popular.

Do you reload?
If you do, then dropping down to a minium load with a medium weight bullet will also help (75-90gr).

Problem with putting in ear plugs is time and you want to be able to hear the deer moving around.
I don't know anyone who has used those electronic ear plug sound amplifiers and blockers but if you have ruied out a suppressor then maybe they are your best option.

Ok, buy another rifle, little single shot in 35 Cal and fit a short can, or just run low power loads saving a couple of full power loads for when you have time and need to take a longer shot.
Z

Properly designed and executed custom in-the-ear electronic plugs are the way to go BUT they're very expensive. I have three sets which are converted high-end hearing aids but these aren't an option for the public. I can wear them all day without discomfort, can hear soft stuff at a distance but don't get blasted even with a mate shooting close to the side.

If you do get custom-moulded plugs, make sure person taking the impressions is highly experienced. The end product is only as good as the impressions. I'd suggest you get an audiologist to do this as they understand the big picture and will look down your canals with an otoscope to rule out an issues before taking the impressions.

Best to do something as soon as possible. Ear damage sneaks up on you. Being deaf is not fun.

I'll add another reccomend for electronic earmuffs. they almost feel like cheating they're so good at picking up sound

I'm close to forking out coin for set of electronic muffs BUT need them to be sterio and adjustable balance.set I have aren't sterio so I can hear really well but have no idea WHERE sound is coming from.eg duck shooting I hear parries KMs away but can't work out where they are,bare ears no issues picking direction.

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Originally Posted by Micky Duck

I'm close to forking out coin for set of electronic muffs BUT need them to be sterio and adjustable balance.set I have aren't sterio so I can hear really well but have no idea WHERE sound is coming from.eg duck shooting I hear parries KMs away but can't work out where they are,bare ears no issues picking direction.

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good point, are the pelator ones stereo ?

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Originally Posted by Micky Duck

I'm close to forking out coin for set of electronic muffs BUT need them to be sterio and adjustable balance.set I have aren't sterio so I can hear really well but have no idea WHERE sound is coming from.eg duck shooting I hear parries KMs away but can't work out where they are,bare ears no issues picking direction.

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Adjustable balance?

That's doable on some of the better in-ear electronic plus, but Ive never seen it on over ear earmuffs.

That being said, I've got a few pairs of the muffs as well and can still hear 'direction'. Which ones are you looking at/trying?

My first set of over the ear electronic muffs had balance control. They were made by a small Danish company set up by one of their top pistol shooters.
The muffs recently died and got binned.
Replaced with MSA

Haven't started looking yet but will need balance.i figure to go onto sports field.close eyes and point to sound with eyes closed and keep tweaking balance until have it "sighted in"

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Originally Posted by Micky Duck

Haven't started looking yet but will need balance.i figure to go onto sports field.close eyes and point to sound with eyes closed and keep tweaking balance until have it "sighted in"

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The closest you'll prob come with that is muffs that have separate mics/amps/vol control on each side. Doubt many are made these days. Actually, that's the reason many electronic muffs fail- the wire between each side ends up fatiguing through with constant handling.

I'm looking at electronic ear muffs as well. I'm a bit deaf these day's due to work and shooting. Hunting with the dog and my boy have highlighted just how much I can't hear. Thinking about these; https://www.safety.kiwi/shop/hearing...eproxcamo.html

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Originally Posted by 7mm tragic

I'm looking at electronic ear muffs as well. I'm a bit deaf these day's due to work and shooting. Hunting with the dog and my boy have highlighted just how much I can't hear. Thinking about these; https://www.safety.kiwi/shop/hearing...eproxcamo.html

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Yep, good option. I have some and they’re great!

Bought my Supreme Pro-X of that outfit several years ago. Been very happy with mine.
BTW - The LED works out $98.90 dearer. Is it worth the extra?

I don't need the LED but I'm picking that the Gel seals are desirable especially if wearing them for any length of time. Are they directional? as in you can pick what direction sound comes from?

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Originally Posted by 7mm tragic

I don't need the LED but I'm picking that the Gel seals are desirable especially if wearing them for any length of time. Are they directional? as in you can pick what direction sound comes from?

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Go to the website you supplied and download the specs for all models.
All are stereo. Difference between the Pro-X and the LED model in the NRR rating. And weight.
And the Gel rings are std on the LED models.
My old ones came with Gel rings and there was a time when you could buy replacements. Not sure if that's the case still or only via an outfit like Brownells.

Has anyone tried a pair from AliExpress?
We have had some good success with electronic gear from AliExpress and certainly considerably cheaper

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Originally Posted by zimmer

Go to the website you supplied and download the specs for all models.
All are stereo. Difference between the Pro-X and the LED model in the NRR rating. And weight.
And the Gel rings are std on the LED models.
My old ones came with Gel rings and there was a time when you could buy replacements. Not sure if that's the case still or only via an outfit like Brownells.

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Delta mike sell the replacements. I just swapped out mine after 6 years of very regular use. I'm shooting pretty much every weekend for several hours, they have been the best thing for it.

I've tried many things and unless you are willing to pay over 1000$ and more like 1500$ or more for high quality custom ear plugs you won't get the quality and comfort you want for deer stalking. Just get a compact suppressor. That's what I did. Hardy compact is my recommendation. For shotgunning I use Walker hunter ear with custom ear piece and for my teenage sons Peltor Sportac. I've tried several pairs of cheaper ones including from US but they don't last and sound quality is poor.

I've got a pair of these from when I was in UK: https://www.surefire.com/products/pr...efenders-plus/ super comfy, and even with the little caps closed I was pretty surprised how well you could hear with them in, compared to how much range noise they cut out. Never worn them in the bush, but if they're a reasonable price here, could be worth a look? If they are no good in the bush, then at least you have a bloody good ear defence for everything else.

That’s some very good info, cheers. On that advice I think it sound worth inquiring with the local audiologist / ear health clinic and see if they’ve helped hunters already, and get an idea of what costs are involved to go down that route properly. Hopefully they know their stuff or know who does around Dunedin.

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Originally Posted by 6x47

Properly designed and executed custom in-the-ear electronic plugs are the way to go BUT they're very expensive. I have three sets which are converted high-end hearing aids but these aren't an option for the public. I can wear them all day without discomfort, can hear soft stuff at a distance but don't get blasted even with a mate shooting close to the side.

If you do get custom-moulded plugs, make sure person taking the impressions is highly experienced. The end product is only as good as the impressions. I'd suggest you get an audiologist to do this as they understand the big picture and will look down your canals with an otoscope to rule out an issues before taking the impressions.

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That’s some very good info, cheers. On that advice I think it sound worth inquiring with the local audiologist / ear health clinic and see if they’ve helped hunters already, and get an idea of what costs are involved to go down that route properly. Hopefully they know their stuff or know who does around Dunedin.

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Originally Posted by ZQLewis

Do you reload?
If you do, then dropping down to a minium load with a medium weight bullet will also help (75-90gr).

Problem with putting in ear plugs is time and you want to be able to hear the deer moving around.
I don't know anyone who has used those electronic ear plug sound amplifiers and blockers but if you have ruied out a suppressor then maybe they are your best option.

Ok, buy another rifle, little single shot in 35 Cal and fit a short can, or just run low power loads saving a couple of full power loads for when you have time and need to take a longer shot.
Z

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That’s Interesting - Does a reduced load and smaller projectile reduce the shot volume that significantly!?
Quite keen to get into reloading, but have been hesitant as sounds like the LR primers and some other components seeming so hard to get atm?

How a rifle looks at the end of the day won't really matter when you can't hear the next deer snap a twig next to you. End of the day in my opinion rifles are tools and hearing is sense you can't get back and you'll kick yourself later when for the sake of 500 bucks you could of chopped and suppressed a rifle. You can't put value on your body, you only get one chance.

I was on the fence in my youth about suppressing my rifle, I too liked my tools mint. Chopping mine back was one of the best things I've ever done in my outdoor career, wouldn't change it for the life of me. Handles so much better, quieter and easier on the recoil.

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Originally Posted by Proudkiwi

Soundgear in ear electronic ear plugs. Don’t even know they are in after a few minutes.

So so good

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Did you go these ones https://soundgear.com/collections/re...product-silver

Or these?
https://soundgear.com/collections/re...product-silver

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Originally Posted by Archie

Did you go these ones https://soundgear.com/collections/re...product-silver

Or these?
https://soundgear.com/collections/re...product-silver

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That’s the same link but I assume you mean the silver or platinum? In which case, I have the platinums.

I wanted the phantoms but they weren’t available in NZ when I got them. If they are now, they would probably be my pick. I could have got them out of the states but I wanted my audiologist to do the fitting and any running around if they weren’t perfect.

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Originally Posted by Southerner223

How a rifle looks at the end of the day won't really matter when you can't hear the next deer snap a twig next to you. End of the day in my opinion rifles are tools and hearing is sense you can't get back and you'll kick yourself later when for the sake of 500 bucks you could of chopped and suppressed a rifle. You can't put value on your body, you only get one chance.

I was on the fence in my youth about suppressing my rifle, I too liked my tools mint. Chopping mine back was one of the best things I've ever done in my outdoor career, wouldn't change it for the life of me. Handles so much better, quieter and easier on the recoil.

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Or you could overbarrel suppress without chopping. Get some extra fps and less recoil and muzzle lift to boot.

Identify your target beyond all doubt because you never miss (right?) and I'll be missed.

Rising 69 and wearing dual hearing aids.a Few pointers from my very clued up audiologist .never wear hearing aids when actaully using a firearm.Mine come out into their case and into my shirt pocket .Ive got a set of H&Fmaffs that do the job for me ..finish shooting muffs round neck H/As reinstalled. do not mention shooting if going near ACC for H/A funding. Arseholes refused mine even though an ENT specialist showed the extreme levels of explosive sounds I was exposed to during my TF career were pertinent .they use a checklist for spotty herbert to decline your claim.typical fucking insurers. Please avail yourselves of hearing protection when shooting -you owe it to yourselfand family as lost hearing does NOT repair itself.

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Originally Posted by Archie

That’s Interesting - Does a reduced load and smaller projectile reduce the shot volume that significantly!?
Quite keen to get into reloading, but have been hesitant as sounds like the LR primers and some other components seeming so hard to get atm?

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yes AND no...... its still loud enough to damage hearing....and killing power will be less,your in effect downsizing your cartridge eg turning 22-250 into 222 or .300wsm into 308 or 308 into 30/30 or 7.62x39mm subsonic is the extreme end of doing it but killing power sucks if aim is off.