Choose the Best Ear Protection for Shooting to Protect Your Hearing

Image from Nan Palmero

Ask any long time shooter or hunter, and you'll find that hearing loss is one of the biggest and most under-rated health risks in the sport we all enjoy. For many years, hearing protection was not considered as important as it is today, and the results show with many life-long senior shooters and hunters. Too many people living with tinnitus and hearing aids today could have avoided or lessened their symptoms by proper use of ear protection.

No matter what you may hear, all firearms as a general rule have the potential to cause hearing damage from a single shot without hearing protection – including rimfire guns which are commonly shot without. It may be tempting to fire just a shot or two without hearing protection in a snap situation, especially in a hunting situation where the excitement of the moment might cause you not to notice the noise. Although you may not feel the impact of the loud noise through the adrenaline of a hunt – a phenomenon known as “auditory exclusion” – this doesn't stop the physical damage from occurring.

Adequate hearing protection is an absolute must for continued health and safety, and a little bit of knowledge goes a long way to selecting your best ear protection for shooting. An investment in proper hearing protection is investment for your health and enjoyment for the rest of your life.

Understanding the Basics​

Hearing protection comes in two basic forms: in-ear and over-ear.

In ear hearing protection is commonly considered to be more efficient and contribute to more noise reduction, although combining the two is recommended for the majority of shooting applications.

Ear Plugs​

Ear plugs are designed to fit inside your ear canal and fill it up with an expanding material, stopping sound-waves from advancing. They are generally small, light, and convenient. In general, ear plugs will be more efficient than ear muffs because of the seal created. Due to their small size, they can also often be worn under ear muffs.

Ear plugs range from cheap industrial foam plugs to custom molded pieces with electronic noise cancelling circuits. They have a much lower risk of falling out of place while moving through shooting positions, a potential downfall of earmuffs.

Ear Muffs​

Ear muffs are worn over the ears, using a soft material to create a seal around the ears. They are larger and bulkier, and effectiveness depends largely on the fitting and the seal created, which can be an issue while wearing glasses or in different shooting positions. Ear muffs are popular where quick removal and usage is desired, like when hunting or at a shooting range with multiple shooters taking turns.

They are also commonly used because of the electronic models available from a number of manufacturers. Ear muffs are usually best used over a set of ear plugs.

Noise Reduction Ratings​

Hearing protection is rated on a "noise reduction rating" by the noise reduction in decibels. Decibels measure the intensity of sound on an exponential scale.

Gunshots can range from 130 dB from a rimfire rifle to over 170 dB for large, high-pressure rifles (especially with short barrels and muzzle brakes). Every 10dB increase results in an impression of a noise about twice as loud, so a 12 gauge shotgun at over 160dB may sound 8 times as loud as a .22 rifle.

Noise reduction from most hearing protection equipment will usually rate between 20 to just over 30dB reduction, an amount which is significant but not entirely effective. Doubling two types of hearing protection (in-ear and over-ear) will not stack the noise reduction rating of the two items but will help reduce loud noises which can potentially be damaging even with ear protection if exposed for long periods of time (such as extended shooting sessions).

Understanding these basics will help you choose the best ear protection.

1. 3M 1100 Foam Ear Plugs​

Best Ear Plugs for Shooting!

NRR: 29

Like the oft repeated truism about personal protection guns, the beast ear plugs for shooting are those that you have with you. Other hearing protection is great and advancements have come a long way, but the foam industrial ear plug has been the safety standard for many years.

I personally keep a large box in the trunk of my car so it can go with me everywhere I go. It's a small price for the peace of mind to know that I can grab a set of hearing protection in every situation, covering me for every impromptu range trip. Keeping a large supply of ear plugs on hand covers you so you don't have to turn around after driving an hour to the range and forgetting your ear muffs, or risking the temptation of shooting without them “just this time”.

I have found that this is great for new shooters, kids, and range visitors/tag-alongs who may not have had the foresight to bring a pair of their own. For just over $10, this is a kit that can follow you everywhere. The best hearing protection for shooting is sometimes what you have with you, and the low cost of this kit allows you to always have something effective with you.

2. Walkers Game Ear Low Profile Folding Muff​

NRR: 31

A perfect compliment to your standard low cost ear plugs, these Walker shooting ear muffs are low cost and effective. They fold up for easy transport and slip easily in place over foam ear plugs for maximum low cost protection. Rated at 31 dB reduction, they are no slouch in the efficiency department despite their low cost. Perfect for the budget-conscious shooter who wants to enjoy their sport confident in protecting their valuable hearing.

With their low-cost and space-saving profile, it's a great idea to have a few of these ready to throw in the range bag at a moments' notice to loan to new shooters or keep around as a backup in the event your main equipment breaks.

3. Decibullz Custom Molded Earplugs​

NRR: 31

Great for high-volume shooters, these muffs are custom molded to fit the ear. They stay in place easily after being molded to the individual shooter. With a noise reduction rating of 31 decibels, they also rate very high on the range of available hearing protection.

If you enjoy the convenience and efficiency of ear plugs for shooting, but find standard options uncomfortable or not sized appropriately for you, you may enjoy the fit that comes with molding the plugs to your own ear. These also make a great gift for the enthusiastic shooter to have a pair of ear plugs that are uniquely theirs.

4. Howard Leight Impact Electronic Ear Muffs​

Best Electronic Ear Muffs for Shooting!

NRR: 22

These noise cancelling ear muffs offer electronic hearing protection at a price that's affordable to almost every shooter and sportsman. One of the most common excuses for not wearing shooting ear muffs is the inability to hear important details happening around you, such as range commands on a hot range or maybe a wild hog sneaking up on you in the brush. Electronic hearing protection solves this problem by amplifying quiet noises around you while actively cancelling noise above a certain level (82 dB for this set).

These headphones are great for shooting competitions, where instant and clear understanding of range safety officers and others around you is essential for the safety of everybody involved, but high volume shooting dictates increased protection for the event.

Once you try electronic ear muffs for the first time, it's hard to go back to traditional ear muffs. The ability to hear everything around you, from birds singing and gravel crunching under foot to conversations of other people on a hot range, makes for a much more enjoyable experience.

With a relatively lower rating at 22, these shooting ear muffs should be worn with another form of hearing protection like foam ear plugs for most efficient protection. Background noises are still heard easily over foam ear plugs thanks to the amplification in the ear muffs, and for a modest price any shooter can experience the benefits of amplified hearing protection.

Based on comfort, value, and features, we consider this the best bang for your buck in electronic ear muffs for shooting. These are a great, low-risk investment for every shooter to add to the inventory.

5. Peltor Shotgunner Slim Ear Muffs​

NRR: 21

One of the most common complaints about over ear hearing protection is discomfort or interference with shooting positions. Many ear muffs, while designed to efficiently reduce noise, can result in bulky equipment that interferes with shooting a rifle or shotgun.

Poorly fitting ear muffs may not seal and actually provide the maximum noise reduction, making a high noise reduction rating meaningless in actual usage. Worse, forcing yourself into a position that doesn't work with bulky earmuffs can result in your hearing protection becoming unlodged at the worst time, exposing you to the noise of an unprotected gunshot.

Peltor's Shotgunner line of earmuffs was designed to address these issues. With a slim profile and gel filled cushions around the ear, they are designed to fit securely and comfortably to provide consistent protection. The slim taper profile is designed to slide around the comb line of a shotgun during skeet or trap shooting, solving the dilemma. With a noise reduction rating of 21, these ear muffs may not be sufficient on their own for extended shooting sessions but are a great addition to ear plugs for solid hearing protection.

6. Pro For Sho Industrial Earmuffs​

NRR: 34

Fancy features aside, sometimes the most important aspect is simply how much noise can be reduced. These earmuffs from Pro For Sho are basic, low feature ear muffs – passive noise reduction with no microphones, amplification, batteries or knobs.

What they lack in bells and whistles, they make up for in efficiency and cost effectiveness. For under $20, these earmuffs offer a noise reduction rating of 34dB, higher than even most ear plugs can offer. They are designed to be comfortably worn for long periods of time and with safety glasses, specifically for high volume activities such as shooting or woodworking with power tools.

They fold easily to be carried or stored with minimal fuss, and feature a healthy amount of padding to rest comfortably on the head. These shooting earmuffs can follow you everywhere with minimal trouble, and with a high noise reduction rating, they're suited even to extended shooting sessions with shotguns or high-powered rifles.

7. Otis Technology Shield Hearing Protection

NRR:31

The Otis Ear Shield provides in-ear protection that can be worn around the neck for comfort and security. They are designed to be comfortable, secure, and non-disruptive for shooting or wearing other protective equipment. Using foam plugs, they seal off the entrance to the ear canal to block out noise effectively.

Due to the unique ergonomics, shooters tend to either love or hate the design of these ear plugs. Some shooters find them to be low profile and comfortable to wear all day, while others find them difficult to use and uncomfortable or painful to keep in their ears. The Ear Shield would be a great piece of equipment to try if you can't stand bulky equipment hanging off of your head, or if you find traditional hearing protection uncomfortable and want to try a different style.

8. Decibel Defense Professional Safety Earmuffs​

The Overall Best Ear Protection for Shooting! Our #1 PICK

NRR:37

Decibel Defense's Professional Safety Earmuffs manage to boast a very impressive noise reduction rating of 37 decibels, higher than any other commercial product we managed to find. Being one of the more inexpensive items on the list, combined with the very high noise reduction capabilities, make these a perfect set for shooters concerned about the ultimate ear protection for shooting and not too worried about the other features.

The accessibility and effectiveness of these earmuffs earns our designation as the overall best ear protection for shooting of the items we've reviewed. Even for those who do prefer electronic hearing protection, it would be a great idea to have a pair of these around to pull out at the range when shooting around magnum rifles or muzzle brakes or other very loud guns that can pose problems even with standard hearing protection.

Bonus Option: Firearm Suppressors​

Image from Sveenys Armory

They may get a bad reputation from movies and video games as the tools of assassins and poachers, but firearm suppressors (or silencers, depending on who you ask) were originally designed as hearing safety tools much like car mufflers.

Although heavily restricted in the United States, they are available in most every state with some paperwork and 41 out of 50 states currently allow their use in hunting. In some countries outside of the United States, they can be easily bought over the counter and their use is widely considered polite or even mandated. There is even a bill currently in Congress that aims to de-regulate firearm suppressors to make them as easy to buy as any long gun with a background check over the counter, which would surely make the technology more available to avid sportsmen and hunters who could benefit from their use.

Although no silencer makes a gun truly “silent”, they can take even a very loud rifle and make it hearing safe for a small number of shots – such as a single shot taken while hunting – and have a number of other great benefits such as reducing felt recoil.

If you enjoy shooting regularly and want to take proactive steps to protect your hearing now, you may strongly consider looking into the current requirements to own a firearm silencer in your location. Sales of firearm silencers are growing quickly every year as advocacy and awareness campaigns gain ground and shooters have begun to recognize their usefulness in a variety of shooting activities.

In Summary

In the end, your hearing is yours to protect. Hearing loss is permanent and life changing. With today's advances in hearing protection technology and convenience, there is hardly ever a good reason to fire a single shot without proper hearing protection. With the help of this list and some experimentation, you'll be able to find your best hearing protection for shooting for any situation.