How do electronic ear muffs work?

[boolia]

Ears on, eyes forward.

They need to put that on a sign in big red letters at all ranges I reckon.

Too subtle still.

Needs to be painted on the far end of the range in huge letters...

"SHUT UP AND SHOOT!"

[Oldbloke]

As it happens I know a little about this subject. I hope my comments are not too late.
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.

Some example for shooters of noise levels are:
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.

And when measuring noise you must remember that an increase of 3dB is double the sound power. So an increase of just 1 or 2 is very significant. Immediate irreversible damage will occur at 140dB.
In Australia Hearing protection is sold in 5 classes. 1 being the lowest level of protection 5 the best. Below is the reduction ( attenuation) in dB required of each class of hearing protection, Muff or plug at the ear.
1. 10 - 13
2. 14 - 17
3. 18 – 21
4. 22 - 25
5. 26 or greater

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. So the wearing of anything less than a Class 5 would be fairly useless. Even the class 5 has difficulty preventing hearing loss. Also muffs & plugs perform differently at various frequencies further complicating which muffs to purchase.

Many retailers such as Bunnings sell muffs but you get what you pay for and often it is not clear what class they are. 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 a 5 and a yr later it is a 3 for example.

Plugs, I cannot recommend the use of off the shelf ear plugs I rarely see them worn correctly. Personally fitted plugs should be a better option for most users if you prefer plugs but check what the expected attenuation will be before purchasing.

As mentioned earlier electronic muffs are fitted with a microphone and amplifiers that automatically switches off at 85dB. Again 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 in general know about the products they sell and will steer you in the right direction. And they also sell muffs of the less expensive brands.
In this case avoid overseas purchases as you may not get the level of protection you need.
I hope this helps people with their choice of hearing protection.

[Ken]

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.

And when measuring noise you must remember that an increase of 3dB is double the sound power. So an increase of just 1 or 2 is very significant. Immediate irreversible damage will occur at 140dB.

"The loss of hearing will not become noticeable until later in life and by then it will be too late."

That's the kind of stuff that worries me.

The 22 info is a surprise. I never normally bother with earmuffs if only around 22's as there is no discomfort to me at that level. As you say though, damage little by little...

Going to have to change that in future...

[Warrigul]

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.

And when measuring noise you must remember that an increase of 3dB is double the sound power. So an increase of just 1 or 2 is very significant. Immediate irreversible damage will occur at 140dB.

"The loss of hearing will not become noticeable until later in life and by then it will be too late."

That's the kind of stuff that worries me.

The 22 info is a surprise. I never normally bother with earmuffs if only around 22's as there is no discomfort to me at that level. As you say though, damage little by little...

Going to have to change that in future...

I have worked in excessively noisy areas all my life and constantly worn quality earmuffs, I have perfect hearing(for age) even after 25 years. I have mates who have worked in comfortable workshops where there is constant seemingly low grade noise and most of them are industrially deaf. I can't wear earplugs due to recurrent ear infections-even muffs are detrimental.

Any noise has an accumulative effect, listen to OLDBLOKE.

FWIW most of the low profile electronic earmuffs do NOT fit well. The OZITO ones do fit well and SEEM to be as good as my Black and Red Peltor non electronic.

[Guliver]

Warrigul on your advice I popped into a large Bunnings to check out their stock, no one pair of electronic ear muffs to be found

[Norton]

Warrigul on your advice I popped into a large Bunnings to check out their stock, no one pair of electronic ear muffs to be found

Nothing but "lawn moving" ear muffs.

A bit of foam in a plastic cup...

[Warrigul]

Nothing but "lawn moving" ear muffs.

A bit of foam in a plastic cup...

Norton,

They were on the shelf in Launceston Thursday when I was up that way(near the arc welders). I have bought about fifteen pairs for others over the past four years and they sometimes run out of stock but not very often. I am not sure about other branches.

You may need to look in the tool section not just the chainsaw/lawnmower aisle.

[SendIt]

I have bought about fifteen pairs for others over the past four years...

So uh, how's the quality if you're going through 3 pairs a year?

[Warrigul]

I have bought about fifteen pairs for others over the past four years...

So uh, how's the quality if you're going through 3 pairs a year?

I have bought them for OTHERS while I have been up that way (I live over an hour from the nearest Bunnings).

One failure in over 15 pairs, they were definately given a hard time by the user and were still replaced under warranty. The cushions in mine are starting to crack but they have worn as well as my Peltors at work.

No, I do not have shares in Ozito.

[Oldbloke]

A few comments to the above.

If you purchase electronic muffs you still need to check if they offer class 5 protection.
Once the cushion is damaged such as the cracking mentioned they will need to be replaced. It takes very little damage to down grade the muffs due to noise "leakage".

Yes, it is surprising that a 22lr is 140db. But that because it is very difficult to judge the noise level by listening alone. Measuring it accurately with a quality meter is the only way to sure what the level is. But even if it was 130db we should still be wearing the best class 5 muffs or plugs.

Hearing loss is a major problem in our sport. This because the hearing loss is very subtle and goes un-noticed for many years and also it is convenient to wear hearing protection when at the range but the reverse when out in the field, and therefore it is less likely to be warn in the field. So all we can do in reality is minimise the damage to our ears at every opportunity.

Personally I wear plugs in the field when I can and muffs for all other occasions, even mowing the lawn. But the correct fitting/wearing of plugs is critical if they are to be effective. I have about 6% hearing loss (primarily from an explosion when I was very young, and less wise) and it is now a regular battle with my wife about how loud the TV should be.

I also have difficulty hearing conversations in noisy rooms and hearing the lyrics of songs. These are typical problems associated with early/minor industrial hearing loss. I trust this will be of assistance.

[Blackened]

Not that I see it happening, but I'd like us to take a page from New Zealand's shooting book and see suppressor's at the range.

Not holding my breath...

[creet]

Thanks for all the replies guys.

Appreciate it...