Is this a good Hearing Protection Option?

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Is this a good Hearing Protection Option?

Post by TheFirearmEnthusiast » 18 Feb 2020, 3:37 pm

Hey Guys

I hope that everyone here is well

I have gone shooting centrefire rifles for the 1st time very recently and oh my gosh were they loud

It took me by surprise a bit

It was a bit of a wake up call for me and it got me thinking that I should probably look after my hearing better

I was thinking of purchasing these earmuffs from bunnings:
https://www.bunnings.com.au/unisafe-hig ... s_p5823110

What do you guys reckon?
Would that be good enough for me?

I plan to use it for shooting 22's mainly
I will also occasionally shoot centrefire rifles once a month for a few hours only as well

The things that I like about these ear muffs are:
- It's class 5
(Which from what I understand, it's the best class to get)
- It's got a noise reduction rating (nrr) of 29dba
(Which from what I understand, it's one of the highest you can get as well)
- It's only $23
(So they're very affordable, incredibly affordable, which is pleasant)

What do you guys reckon?

Would these ear muffs protect my hearing adequately and efficiently enough for what I wanna do?

Thanks guys

I look forward to hearing your feedback on this one
:)

:drinks:
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Re: Is this a good Hearing Protection Option?

Post by Oldbloke » 18 Feb 2020, 4:26 pm

Yes, class 5 best. Anything less than class 4 is pretty useless for shooting.
Get class 5s
At the range wear plugs as well. Further reducing exposure.
Dont buy bunnings muffs, they will not last the test of time. Go to your local safety shop and get a good pair.
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Re: Is this a good Hearing Protection Option?

Post by TheFirearmEnthusiast » 18 Feb 2020, 4:32 pm

OldBloke;
Awesome
Thank you buddy
:)
I thought I made the right decision choosing a class 5 with the noise reduction rating of 29dba (nrr)

Awesome
I'll Google "local safety shops" near me
And I'll see what they have
:)

Yes
I was thinking of wearing plugs on top of wearing ear muffs as well
(Double protection)

Its a good idea to look after your hearing as much as possible
I'm sure it will help in my old age haha
:)
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Re: Is this a good Hearing Protection Option?

Post by Blr243 » 18 Feb 2020, 4:48 pm

I used to buy those Fluoro lime green muffs for work and shooting from Bunnings approx 20 bucks. But now they sell a craft Wright brand for only ten bucks. Craftwighgt is normally a garbage brand at Bunnings but the latest ten dollar craftrite brand of muffs fits better and is more comfortable than anything I ever tried Beware some craft right ear muffs I have seen are different and useless. U will know just buy picking them up and feeling them
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Re: Is this a good Hearing Protection Option?

Post by Blr243 » 18 Feb 2020, 4:49 pm

They form a fantastic seal around my ears
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Re: Is this a good Hearing Protection Option?

Post by TheFirearmEnthusiast » 18 Feb 2020, 5:15 pm

I found this one Blr243 and OldBloke:
https://www.rsea.com.au/ppe/hearing-pro ... g-32db-cl5

That one looks good
+ It's class 5
+ It's got a NRR of 32dba
+ It's from an actual safety shop
+ It's foldable (so very compact)
+ It's only $25

I think I may have found the winner potentially with this one right here Lads
:)
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Re: Is this a good Hearing Protection Option?

Post by Oldbloke » 18 Feb 2020, 5:48 pm

From a previous thread.


http://www.howardleight.com/hearing-protection/articles
https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources ... ring-video.

Chronos is correct the 3 ratings are all different. I found this at the first web

HPD Classes.JPG
HPD Classes.JPG (28.49 KiB) Viewed 5687 times



If you had 3 sets of muffs and all were rated 33 dB attenuation then you would rate them likes this. 1 = best 3 = worst
1. SCL 80
2. NRR
3. SNR

Ratings explained.JPG
Ratings explained.JPG (88.66 KiB) Viewed 5687 times


So the muffs fpr $110 are SNR 33 dB are equal to about 26 dB they are a low end Class 5. Still good value but for serious target shooters probably not good enough. By wearing a pair of ear plugs under the muffs you will increase the protection by about 5 to 7 dB if worn correctly which few people do. Also generally speaking, due to the nature/physics of sound the higher the class/attenuation the bulkier they are the better. Hope this helps .
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Re: Is this a good Hearing Protection Option?

Post by Sergeant Hartman » 18 Feb 2020, 6:25 pm

I think i have the green ones from RSEA, they work pretty good. Rsea sell a 100 pack of orange ear plugs that are 24dba on their own... so as OB mentioned will raise the 33 up higher.

If you can spend a bit extra, goto your local lgs, and get the Howard Leigh (the slim ones you will definitely need the ear plug type as well) or done better. These allow you to listen to people without taking of the muffs
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Re: Is this a good Hearing Protection Option?

Post by Wombat » 18 Feb 2020, 6:33 pm

You can improve the performance of earmuffs by adding a couple of layers of stick on sound deadening, one heavy, one light under the soft foam. I cannot give you numbers, but do one side first and you will (or rather wont) hear the results for yourself. Obviously modifying any safety equipment is a no no OH&S wise as the results cannot be quantified or guaranteed. I can only pass on what I've done personally in the distant past, due to a tightarse boss and a 130db noise, that worked for me.
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Re: Is this a good Hearing Protection Option?

Post by Blr243 » 18 Feb 2020, 6:40 pm

I heard a winge from a bloke once who reckons his boss was a tight arse and would not supply dust masks. He used to cut up treated pine all day long. And he did it for twelve months. And he did not even buy his own mask to protect himself in that time. Pretty stupid
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Re: Is this a good Hearing Protection Option?

Post by GQshayne » 18 Feb 2020, 7:04 pm

I suggest you buy some specialist firearm earmuffs such as the Howard Leight etc. The electronic ones are good for sure, as you can still speak while shooting, but that is handy rather than essential.

But the big difference for me is that I cannot use normal earmuffs with two of my rifles. I have tried, and they just get in the way and are hopeless. The shape of them does not fit with my stocks that have roll-over cheek pieces. The made for purpose shooting earmuffs fit though, as they are shaped differently. Given how many years they will last, they are worth the extra minimal cost in my experience.
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Re: Is this a good Hearing Protection Option?

Post by sungazer » 18 Feb 2020, 7:05 pm

Be warned a way they can make muffs into class 5 is by making them fit tighter around your ears. squishing your head the more expensive ones have even more expensive options like gel pads. (my next purchase one day). I have taken cheaper electronic ones apart and put a layer of liquid nails on the inside of the plastic case it does help.
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Re: Is this a good Hearing Protection Option?

Post by Die Judicii » 18 Feb 2020, 7:09 pm

It's quite simple mathematically,,,,, You Get What You Pay For.
Buy Sh!t stuff from Cunnings,, and that is what you get, Sh!t.

Personally from my own experience,, I bought top shelf (at the time) Electronic Noise Reduction earmuffs,,, that are fantastic, but I can't
ever get comfortable wearing them when shooting, because they hit/rub on the stock.
So they gather dust and I wear ear plugs.

If you are keen and still want good protection, look into what's available nowadays in the line of Electronic Noise Reduction Ear Plugs.
They are expensive but seems like you end up getting the best of both worlds, without muffs that clunk on the stock.
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Re: Is this a good Hearing Protection Option?

Post by pomemax » 18 Feb 2020, 11:27 pm

If your worried about your ears ( I only have two so I try to look after them )

Look up MOLDED earplugs mine cost about $ 85.00 saves trying to fit foam plugs most people do not used them correctly , have alook when your at the range.
I wear the molded Plugs when i am shooting Rim - fire and Pistol(Also good on a plane if people snoring wakes you or if your other half snores) anything over say .223 I will also wear ear muff.

latley i have been trying 3m Bluetooth worktunes headphones cost about $100 and yes i do listen to pod casts or music at the range

My mrs says im lost in my own thoughts I have been know to answer call at the range and forget they will hear the shooting too so be carefull

Dont skimp on YOUR ears its not now your thinking about it when your 70 .

I have a few Electronic Noise Reduction earmuffsfew different brands problem with them is you cant realy test them till after you have bought them
https://www.earmold.com.au/cens-digital ... c-earplugs
Last edited by pomemax on 19 Feb 2020, 12:52 am, edited 3 times in total.
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Re: Is this a good Hearing Protection Option?

Post by Die Judicii » 19 Feb 2020, 12:36 am

pomemax wrote:If your worried about your ears ( I only have two so I try to look after them )

most people do not used them correctly ,


:lol: :lol: Your dead right in what you say about earplugs not being worn or used correctly.

My partner and I went to the clay shooting at the Commonwealth Games.
You would not believe the amount of people that were sitting and watching with ear plugs carefully positioned within the folds
of the ear and across the entrance to the ear canal,,,,, but not actually placed in the canal like they are supposed to be.

Dumb f@cks.
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Re: Is this a good Hearing Protection Option?

Post by Oldbloke » 20 Feb 2020, 3:51 pm

OK. I wrote this a couple of years ago. The above was an attempt at a quick fix that did not go well, so decided I needed to do better. Hope the links still work.

As it happens I know a little about this subject & it has come up in the past so I have taken the time to explain in some detail. I hope my comments are of assistance. I apologize for it being long winded but it is difficult to reduce it much further & still include al the info. Many people ignore hearing protection and regret it during their retirement. (particularly young men) Ignoring it will effect the quality of life during your later years.

NOISE FACTS
According to the current Australian OHS/WHS regulations exposing employees to noise levels over a peak of 140db or to noise at or above an average of 85dB(A)leq for the period of an 8hr shift.
It is the “peak” of 140db that applies to shooters. Just one exposure to 140db will damage your hearing to some degree.

Some examples for shooters of noise levels are: (I did not take these measurements but the source is fairly reliable)
22Lr 140 dB peak
12g 165 dB peak
3006 170 dB peak

So every time you fire a rifle (without hearing protection) you are doing a little damage to your hearing and the damage compounds throughout your life. The loss of hearing will not become noticeable until later in life and by then it will be too late. So hearing protection is about being able to hear later in life.

And when measuring noise you must remember that an increase of 3dB is double the sound power. So an increase of just 2 dB is very significant. Immediate irreversible damage is likely to occur at 140dB.

HEARING PROTECTION
In Australia hearing protection is sold in 5 classes that are laid down in Australian Standard 1270. Class 1 being the lowest level of protection class 5 the best. Below is the minimum reduction (the technical term is attenuation) in dB required of each class of hearing protection, Muff or plug at the ear.
1. = 10 - 13dB
2. = 14 - 17dB
3. = 18 – 21dB
4. = 22 - 25dB
5. = 26dB or greater

Muffs & ear plugs perform differently at various frequencies further complicating which muffs to purchase. The above is essentially an average at various frequencies. Some muffs perform best at low or high frequencies.

So if the noise level of a 3006 is 170dB you can expect a class 5 muff to reduce the exposure to the ear down to at least 144dB, (170-26=144) but perhaps not all frequencies. So the wearing of anything less than a Class 5 would be fairly useless to shooters. Even the class 5 may not completely prevent hearing loss. However it will certainly go a long way in reducing hearing loss. Continued and regular exposure to gun fire of say 130db will still damage hearing over time.

Many retailers such as Bunnings sell ear muffs but you get what you pay for and often it is not clear what “class” they are on the packaging. As mentioned above, this is important. In addition cheaper muffs generally wear out very quickly, significantly reducing the level of protection provided and the wearer is usually unaware that they now have reduced hearing protection. So you start off with say a class 3 and a yr later it is a class 1 muff for example.

WHAT SHOULD I BUY?
Ear muffs, both standard and electronic provide the best protection and I would recommend class 5 for shooting. The down side of standard ear muffs is the effect they will have on communication and possibly not being able to hear other hazards nearby, e.g a truck heading in your direction.
Ear plugs, I cannot recommend the use of off the shelf ear plugs I rarely see them worn correctly. However if worn correctly and they fine, very effective and convenient to wear in the field. Personally fitted plugs should be a better option for most users if you prefer plugs check what the expected attenuation will be before purchasing.

As mentioned earlier electronic muffs are great and fitted with a microphone and amplifiers that automatically switches off at 85dB. This allows you to hear normal sounds and your ears are protected from loud sounds. However quality ones are expensive & you get what you pay for.

If you are shopping around for a pair of muffs I suggest you visit a safety specialist retailer such as protector alsafe or safety equip. In my experience the staff generally know about the products they sell and will steer you in the right direction. And they also sell muffs of the less expensive brands. Stick to well known brands is always good advice.

Another trick is to wear plugs under miffs increasing the level of protection.

Avoid overseas purchases on ebay etc as you may not get the level of protection you need.



ARE ALL RATINGS EQUAL.

In an answer NO.
If you had 3 sets of muffs and all were rated 33 dB attenuation then you would rate them likes this. 1 = best 3 = worst
1. SCL 80 (the Australian/NZ system)
2. NRR
3. SNR

So the muffs for $110 are SNR 33 dB are equal to about 26 dB they are a low end Class 5. Still good value but for serious target shooters probably not good enough. By wearing a pair of ear plugs under the muffs you will increase the protection by about 5 to 7 dB if worn correctly which few people do. Also generally speaking, due to the nature/physics of sound the higher the class/attenuation the bulkier they are the better. The reason they are not the same is the testing and measurement requirements vary. Hope this helps .



EDUCATION
Here is a couple of links for two very good videos. If links do not work copy & past the line below into your browser address bar.

Here is a link to a good general video about sound and hearing protection that all shooters should watch, about 17 minutes. The hearing video

https://youtu.be/mbwElB6uVuU

Here is a link to a 70 second video showing how to fit ear plugs correctly
Fitting video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghNFKsxJuvY

I hope this helps people to better understand the importance of looking after their hearing and how to do just that.
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Re: Is this a good Hearing Protection Option?

Post by Stix » 20 Feb 2020, 6:45 pm

I havent read everything here...but id like to add this...

I once had a pair of those green ones from bunnings...they fell apart...

I replaced them with a pair of those orange ones from bunnings...worn with a pair of ear plugs they were great...

One day last year, i realised i had left my earmuffs at home (they normally live in the car, but the car was in the shop so i had emptied it, & so was a little forgetful as to what i needed to double check i had with me, & obviously forgi=ot the muffs).

So i swung past the nearest bunnings & decided to take a gamble on the cheapest & nastiest pair they had--afterall i could take them back...

Well they were black ones,...cost about $12...and they are a heap better than all the good ones ive ever had as a tradesman...!!!
I can actually get away with shooting them without plugs in--not ideal--but ive done it through forgetting to push the plugs in & it didnt hurt my ears like the "good ones" would have..

Unbelievable...!!...they are my go to's now :thumbsup: , & the other "good ones" have been shoved aside as the crappy back-ups...
The man who knows everything, doesnt really know everything...he's just stopped learning...
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Re: Is this a good Hearing Protection Option?

Post by Blr243 » 20 Feb 2020, 7:07 pm

Those new ones u got I think are the same as mine. Cheap as hell. Super comfy and I can’t hear jack all around me
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Re: Is this a good Hearing Protection Option?

Post by TheFirearmEnthusiast » 22 Feb 2020, 4:57 pm

Oldbloke;
Thank you for posting what you did brother
That’s so extremely helpful!
:)

Stix;
Are you talking about these ear muffs right here?
https://www.bunnings.com.au/tactix-clas ... s_p0090804

Blr243;
Which ones exactly are they?
Did you buy them from bunnings too?

I probably will need to buy ear muffs over the next week or so!
:)
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Re: Is this a good Hearing Protection Option?

Post by poid » 22 Feb 2020, 6:31 pm

at the farm i use a pair of ghost stryke essential which provide enough protection out in the open, at the range i also use these Peltors over the top that you can get from Bunnings:

https://www.bunnings.com.au/3m-peltor-x ... s_p5820855

works well.
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