Hearing Protection While Hunting

[MG5150]

G'day Everyone

Just touching base to see what people recommend for hearing protection when hunting? (deer stalking)

I'm a musician by trade so I take hearing protection very seriously.

I missed a stag the other day because I fumbled to get my headphones on and missed an opportunity for a shot. I think going with either a set of cans or in-ear's that have noise reduction and blast cutout along with ambient amplification, would be ideal. That way I can hear, point and shoot.

Has anyone tried the AXIL GS Extreme plugs? I keep getting hammered by their ads on FB.

https://www.earjobs.com.au/products/gs- ... oBEALw_wcB

[Faedy]

Yep.
I've been running them for 18months now.
Good for all bar my .300winmag with muzzle brake.
I get good battery life and comfortable to use.

[No1_49er]

I use those and I think they are superb.
Another thing they don't tell you in the advert blurb - they seem to be water resistant.
I mistakenly left mine in a shirt pocket which got thrown into the wash. Came out nice and clean and fully functional, still. I'm not game to try it again on purpose.
There is no claim as to how long they function on a full charge but mine have stayed operational after a full day ( >8hr) on the range.

[GQshayne]

I have never used any hearing protection when hunting. Of course, when I started there were no options like now. I would not been able to hear the sounds around me.

Coincidentally, I have just read an article that mentions using hearing protection when hunting, and one person had been trying to get the attention of the other and was unable. They decided that it was not suitable in that situation. I would be concerned about the same.

[Billo]

I use Walkers muffs

half the price off Ebay compared to retails shops

always have spare batterys in ya kit and remember to turn them off

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/18653339193 ... 0d989acf7f

[MG5150]

I have never used any hearing protection when hunting. Of course, when I started there were no options like now. I would not been able to hear the sounds around me.

Coincidentally, I have just read an article that mentions using hearing protection when hunting, and one person had been trying to get the attention of the other and was unable. They decided that it was not suitable in that situation. I would be concerned about the same.

Grandpa tells me I don't need to use hearing protection because they never did back in the day...

Grandpa also has the TV volume on 95/100 which can be heard from the start of the driveway and makes the walls shake



- Thanks for the feedback regarding the usage!

[Fester]

All those old deaf range shooters must have thought gunshots didn't need hearing protection.
I was smart enough to click onto those big orange Protector class 5 muffs when shooting a .44 mag revolver in my 20s.
They helped with flinch, cutting noise down further.
With a range full of big rifles and half of them needing muzzle blasters. When the light goes red, I have class 5 Howards, and those skull plugs that near stop all noise, stuff hearing range orders.

I tried just about everything when deer hunting and the original model Axles were not much good.
I could wear Howard lights, but the amplification is a fair bit different to normal ears.
It amps up every footstep and the cockatoos, but didn't seem to catch a lot of bush noises that well.
I tried walking around with a plug in the left ear and, hopefully, inserting the other one before a shot, it often didn't happen.

Now I just wear the buds on the plastic piece frame thing sticking into my neck or head.

There is no real quick way with beanies hats, or a face cover, but I can get those buds in if I see a deer before it sees me and they are the ones I shoot most.

You do get more used to the odd unprotected shot but who's to say it's not because you have lost hearing in that range from gunshots.

[Oldbloke]

I use Walkers muffs

half the price off Ebay compared to retails shops

always have spare batterys in ya kit and remember to turn them off

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/18653339193 ... 0d989acf7f

They only provide a low level of protection.


You need to understand the ratings.

NRR a USA rating
SNR a EU rating
SLC80 a NZ/AU rating is the best.
If for use at a range SLC80 Class 5 would be recommended.


But I'm with GQshayne. When hunting I don't bother. Unless firing a lot of shots. Not ideal but works for me. I want to be able to hear when out hunting and muffs are a PITA.
1 or 2 shots when away for the weekend is a lot different to the range of firing a few if sighting in.

[Oldbloke]

These might be a good option for hunting. Low level protection but light and convenient.

Screenshot_20250616-085221_Samsung Internet.jpg (50.51 KiB) Viewed 970 times

As Fester said, muffs don't work well with head gear.

[Fester]

Those ones that Oldbloke posted are what I have been searching for but not finding.

The plug shape is the best for quickly slipping them in and still working well enough to protect against 1 shot from a non-magnum rifle with no ridiculous muzzle blaster fitted.

The ones I use most have a round-shaped yellow plug that is most likely less effective.

I suspect that if blokes can walk into a big gun range or the indoor muzzle break popular St Scarys place with a set of Howard Lights or the lesser reduction plugs, they have lost some hearing, as I can't do it.
The scull screws or whatever they are called were a game changer as testing all the stuff I have, they were the only thing that stopped me hearing the TV completely and it's only the class 5 amplifying muffs on top that let me hear a range order.
If turned off, I would not likely hear or make out anything much.
To have a conversation, I pull the plugs out and let the amp muffs do their thing.

[Oldbloke]

Here is similar. Abt $10 I guess. Just be aware this design is nearly always only class 2. Definitely not suitable for range work. Your local OHS shop should be able to source same/similar. Plenty out there. If you keep the foam clean (or even just wash them) you can reuse them.

I've noticed quality electronic muffs are coming down in price. (Cl 5)
My range trips have been increasing so I'll be buying a pair.



https://www.ajsafety.com.au/product/pro ... ss-2-14db/

[Oldbloke]

Safetyquip sell a couple scroll down.


https://www.safetyquip.com.au/product-c ... gs/page/2/

Bunnings.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/3m-banded-r ... b_p3370300

[Fester]

I will look at all the links, but gave up last time and the local work safety shop had nothing.
Bummings had less than that but they are just de-stocking whatever doesn't sell well, it seems, now that they have the market sewn up.

I found a big rural Mitre 10 and now go there first but forgot about the plugs on a stick searching.

[GQshayne]

I wear them when sighting in etc. Very good for this. Just not in the bush.

[Biscuits]

It's completely ridiculous that suppressors are not permited for HSE reasons.

[MG5150]

It's completely ridiculous that suppressors are not permited for HSE reasons.

100%

I saw (on Facebook) SSAA pushing for it in Vic on the back of new revisions to suppressor laws in the UK announced yesterday. Hopefully some momentum can build up behind it.

[No1_49er]

Per good H&S practice, PPE comes into the means of control. Control the source - if there's still a problem, use adequate hearing protection, in addition to the moderator.
Here's the latest from SSAA Vic. https://ssaavic.com.au/shh-we-really-ne ... ppressors/
Interesting that they congratulate the BASC on their good sense, but where is the commentary on the fact that our NZ neighbours have NEVER had restrictions on suppressors/moderators, nor do I believe they even keep records of criminal misuse of them because it just doesn't happen.
Perhaps our colleagues over the ditch are a bit more mature in their thinking?

[Oldbloke]

Bit off topic.
I'm hopeful that the SSAA's new CEO will make the SSAA more politically active.


https://www.ssaa.org.au/?ss_news=associ ... ve-officer

[Bello]

Hi all

I always use my Peltor class 5 electronic earmuffs, whether I am at the range plinking or in the field hunting.
They shut off when a firearm is discharged and will permit me to talk to someone on the firing line or in the field without a problem.
When hunting, they are a little bulky. And in winter they are an issue in the field if you have a head/face covering.
In summer your ears and surrounds can sweat a bit.
But I value my hearing, so I bought the best I could afford at the time from a safety shop and use them.
They have adjustable volume control.
My advice: Use hearing protection, your hearings worth the investment.
m2c

[SomeoneElse]

Gday MG5150,

I’m also a musician and sound guy who wants to protect my hearing. I did a write up on my ISOtunes electronic earplugs here: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=19215#p332344

If you’re in reasonably still/mild wind conditions, I highly rate them. The windier it gets, the more you’ll want to turn down the ambient amplification due to mic/limiter saturation, making them more like plain -30dB earplugs. Maybe I should try with a beanie pulled down over them….

Since that write-up, I’ve tried a few phone calls through them. Sounds fine on my end, but not so good for the listener on the other end when I’m walking next to two lanes of traffic.

Someone Else

[MG5150]

Gday MG5150,

I’m also a musician and sound guy who wants to protect my hearing. I did a write up on my ISOtunes electronic earplugs here: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=19215#p332344

If you’re in reasonably still/mild wind conditions, I highly rate them. The windier it gets, the more you’ll want to turn down the ambient amplification due to mic/limiter saturation, making them more like plain -30dB earplugs. Maybe I should try with a beanie pulled down over them….

Since that write-up, I’ve tried a few phone calls through them. Sounds fine on my end, but not so good for the listener on the other end when I’m walking next to two lanes of traffic.

Someone Else

Nice! Thanks for the write up.
I bit the bullet and got the Axil GS extreme (managed to get them from Amazon for $180AUD including shipping from the USA) and took them out for a fox hunt with the 223 and htey worked great.

Will let you know later in the week how they go with deer stalking.

[Fester]

The first Axil plugs were pretty crap really and I was lucky to return the first set and then get a refund on the replacement set.
I think you would need to spend the big bucks to get decent amp-type plugs unless it's just for an odd hunting shot.

I haven't read the review above, but will do later.

I use class 5 plugs under the Howard class 5s at any range now as I don't think any less will save you from the worst muzzle breaks that have no place next to other shooters at a bench range and that will come out in time, like the concussion in footy players.
We knew the boxers went brain-dead many years ago and no one will study or care about shooters.
If they are safe for the concussion, the hearing damage is a certainty.

If you want a basic plug that will protect against all noise try the Scull screws as they will silence just about any noise.
The hard plastic center stick bit also makes it easy to insert them properly as well as get them out.