The Most Effective Ear Protection for a Gun Range: A Comprehensive Guide

For those who frequently visit the gun range, protecting your hearing is of paramount importance. The high-decibel sounds of gunfire can cause significant damage to your ears if proper precautions are not taken. In this article, we will explore the most effective ear protection options for different types of firearms and scenarios at the gun range or at home.

Introduction to Ear Protection for the Gun Range

The choice of ear protection depends on the type of firearm being used. For smaller caliber, less powerful firearms, simple foam earplugs can work well. However, for louder firearms like magnum caliber rifles, shorter barreled rifles, or shotguns with muzzle brakes, as well as large bore magnum handguns, over-the-ear protection such as muffs or a combination of both earplugs and muffs is recommended.

Types of Ear Protection

1. Foam Earplugs

Simple foam earplugs can be sufficient for outdoor shooting with smaller firearms. For indoor shooting or for louder firearms such as magnum caliber rifles and shotguns, consider using over-the-ear protection such as muffs. Adding both earplugs and muffs is also highly effective for loud sounds.

Note: 31 dB foam earplugs are adequate for outdoor use, but indoor use may require better protection.

2. Muffs

Muffs provide better noise reduction, especially in indoor settings. For example, red and black muffs at a big box home store can offer over 30 dB of noise reduction, but they are bulky and may make it difficult to rest your cheek on a rifle stock. Typical passive muffs reduce noise by about 26–28 dB.

3. Electronic Hearing Protection

Electronic hearing protection amplifies ambient noise, allowing you to hear conversations even from a distance. This is particularly useful for hunting as you can be more aware of your surroundings. These devices become passive for gunshots and cut out loud noises.

Cost-Effective Options

Inexpensive Foam Plugs

Inexpensive foam ear plugs can provide remarkably high reduction levels. A bag of 10 foam ear plugs can cost around $10. Some users reuse their foam plugs, extending their lifespan. Custom fitted plugs with noise reduction are available but can be pricey.

Custom Fitted Plugs

Custom fitted plugs provide excellent noise reduction, but they can be expensive. For really big bore firearms, it is highly recommended to use both earplugs and muffs or other over-the-ear protection.

Effective Protection Combos

To ensure maximum protection, consider a combination of both earplugs and muffs. For example, a bottle of 25 pairs of Radians Resistor 32 plugs provides 32 dB of protection, and over those, a pair of Walker passive muffs provides another 26 dB of protection, giving a total of 58 dB of protection.

Total Cost: The bottle of Radians Resistor 32 plugs costs $10, and a pair of Walker passive muffs costs $25.

Hunting-Specific Recommendations

When hunting, it is especially important to have electronic hearing protection. Devices like the Walker Silencer series or the Axil GS Extreme allow you to hear what is happening around you while providing 24 dB of protection for gunshots.

Cost-Effectiveness: While electronic hearing protection is not cheap, your hearing is priceless. Passive protection, however, is both cheap and highly effective.

Conclusion

Always prioritize your hearing health, especially if you frequently visit the gun range. By using suitable ear protection, you can prevent permanent hearing damage and enjoy your shooting activities without worrying about the sounds of gunfire.