Athlon Outdoors Supersite
Tactical Life Website
Ballistic Website
Personal Defense World Website
Skillsetmag Website
  • Guns
    • Handguns
      • Semi-Automatic Handguns
      • Revolvers
    • AR Pistols
    • AR Rifles
    • Rifles
      • Semi-Automatic Rifles
      • Lever Action
      • Bolt Action
    • Shotguns
    • Airguns
    • Custom Guns
      • Handgun Build
      • Rifle Build
      • Shotgun Build
    • Specialty Guns
  • Parts
    • Handgun Parts
    • Rifle Parts
  • Accessories
    • Optics & Sights
      • Thermal Vision
    • Lasers & Lights
    • Suppressors
    • Holsters
    • Slings
    • Shooting Rests
    • Targets
    • Maintenance & Tools
  • Ammo
    • Handgun Ammo
      • 9mm
      • 10mm
    • Rifle Ammo
      • .223
    • Shotgun Ammo
      • 12 Gauge
    • Rimfire Ammo
    • Reloading
  • Gear
    • Apparel
    • Ears & Eyes
      • Ears
      • Eyes
        • Night Vision
    • Storage
    • Tactical Gear
      • Body Armor
    • Knives
      • Fixed Blade
      • Folding Knives
      • Tactical Knives
    • Less Lethal
    • Flashlights
    • Electronics
  • Lifestyle
    • Concealed Carry
    • Personal Defense
      • Self-Defense
      • Hand to Hand Combat
    • Home Defense
    • Sport Shooting
      • Hunting
      • Competition Shooting
    • Precision Shooting/Long Range Shooting
    • Training
      • Shooting 101
    • Survival
      • First Aid
    • Tactical & LE
    • Military Lifestyle
    • Pop Culture
      • People
      • Rides
      • History
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Gun Facts & Laws
    • Police News
    • Military News
    • Politics
  • VIDEOS
No Result
View All Result
Athlon Outdoors
  • Guns
    • Handguns
      • Semi-Automatic Handguns
      • Revolvers
    • AR Pistols
    • AR Rifles
    • Rifles
      • Semi-Automatic Rifles
      • Lever Action
      • Bolt Action
    • Shotguns
    • Airguns
    • Custom Guns
      • Handgun Build
      • Rifle Build
      • Shotgun Build
    • Specialty Guns
  • Parts
    • Handgun Parts
    • Rifle Parts
  • Accessories
    • Optics & Sights
      • Thermal Vision
    • Lasers & Lights
    • Suppressors
    • Holsters
    • Slings
    • Shooting Rests
    • Targets
    • Maintenance & Tools
  • Ammo
    • Handgun Ammo
      • 9mm
      • 10mm
    • Rifle Ammo
      • .223
    • Shotgun Ammo
      • 12 Gauge
    • Rimfire Ammo
    • Reloading
  • Gear
    • Apparel
    • Ears & Eyes
      • Ears
      • Eyes
        • Night Vision
    • Storage
    • Tactical Gear
      • Body Armor
    • Knives
      • Fixed Blade
      • Folding Knives
      • Tactical Knives
    • Less Lethal
    • Flashlights
    • Electronics
  • Lifestyle
    • Concealed Carry
    • Personal Defense
      • Self-Defense
      • Hand to Hand Combat
    • Home Defense
    • Sport Shooting
      • Hunting
      • Competition Shooting
    • Precision Shooting/Long Range Shooting
    • Training
      • Shooting 101
    • Survival
      • First Aid
    • Tactical & LE
    • Military Lifestyle
    • Pop Culture
      • People
      • Rides
      • History
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Gun Facts & Laws
    • Police News
    • Military News
    • Politics
  • VIDEOS
No Result
View All Result
Athlon Outdoors Super Site
No Result
View All Result
  • TL
  • PDW
  • BM
  • Skillset
 
ENTER TO WIN: Smith & Wesson's Free Gun Friday Package ft. Caldwell, Volcon, and Black Hills

11 High-Tech Electronic Earmuffs, Earplugs and Behind-The-Ear Units

ShareTweetPin
ear, earmuffs, hearing protectors, earplug
Dr. Martin D. TopperbyDr. Martin D. Topper
June 8, 2015
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
ear, earmuffs, hearing protectors, earplugs, walkers game ultimate digital quad connect
Walker’s new Ultimate Digital Quad Connect ear protection device offers Bluetooth wireless, adjustable frequency tuning, up to nine times hearing enhancement, and sound-activated compression. Through the use of sound-dampening composite material, Walker’s new Ultimate series muffs reach a noise-reduction rating of 27 dB. With its Bluetooth sync capabilities, the unit allows users to connect mobile devices without sacrificing hearing protection while in the field or at the range. The integrated communication microphone provides clear voice transmission to mobile devices while the four Hi Gain Omni Directional mics pick up distant sounds of animal movements or range activity. The Ultimate Digital Quad Connect is low noise/frequency tuned for natural sound clarity with independent volume control and adjustable frequency tuning. Its compact folding design allows for easy transportation and storage. Other features include a soft padded headband, a metal wire frame and low-profile ear cups. The muffs are powered by two AAA batteries. The MSRP is $300. (http://www.gsmoutdoors.com; 877-269-8490)
ear, earmuffs, hearing protectors, earplugs, 3m pelter tactical 6S and Tactical 100
The 3M Peltor Tactical 6S has an NRR of 19 and amplifies low sounds up to 19 dB. Its compression threshold is 79 dB with an attack time of 5 milliseconds. The Peltor Tactical 6S also has an amplifier, receiver, volume control and microphone in each cup for stereophonic sound and improved directionality. Run time is 200 hours on four AAA batteries. The MSRP is $100. (http://www.peltortactical.org)
ear, earmuffs, hearing protectors, earplugs, caldwell e-max mossy oak
This Caldwell Mossy Oak earmuff-style hearing protector has an NRR of 23. Its low-profile design and Mossy Oak Break Up finish make it especially useful for hunters shooting long guns who need a firm cheekweld. The noise compression threshold is 84 dB. Its dual microphones provide stereophonic hearing and it also amplifies low-volume sounds made by approaching game animals. The unit is powered by two AAA batteries. The MSRP is $50. (http://www.caldwellshooting.com; 877-509-9160)

ear, earmuffs, hearing protectors, earplugs, champion electronic earmuffs
Champion Electronic Earmuffs offer an NRR of 25 and also have the ability to amplify low-level sounds. Champion’s hearing protector is also collapsible for easy storage. The company’s electronic earmuffs are powered by four easy-to-find AAA batteries. MSRP is $41. (http://www.championtarget.com; 800-379-1732)
ear, earmuffs, hearing protectors, earplugs, esp stealth digital
The Electronic Shooters Protection Stealth Digital unit fits in the ear canal and has two channels of audio, each of which has 12 bands, allowing it to be custom tuned to the user’s hearing. It also has advanced feedback reduction circuitry. The noise compression attack threshold is 90 dB and it magnifies low-volume sounds up to 20 dB. The unit features an NRR rating of 25. Power is supplied via one zinc-air battery. MSRP is $2,100. (http://www.espamerica.com; 303-659-8844)
ear, earmuffs, hearing protectors, earplugs, howard leight impact sport
Howard Leight’s dual-microphone Impact Sport has an NRR of 22. Its loud noise compression threshold is 82 dB, and it also amplifies low-volume sounds. The unit is powered by two AAA batteries. MSRP is $73. (http://www.howardleight.com; 800-430-5490)

ear, earmuffs, hearing protectors, earplugs, motorola solutions MHP81
This earmuff-style protector has an NRR of 21 dB. Noises above 85 dB are compressed with a very fast attack time. Low-volume sounds are amplified by up to 20 dB, which allows for excellent situational awareness. Each ear cup has its own circuit that runs on two “N” batteries and also has its own microphone and volume control. In addition, the MHP81 can also be plugged into Motorola Talkabout two-way radios and other electronic devices. I tested the MHP81 for several weeks and it worked very well in the field. The MSRP is $120. (http://www.motorolasolutions.com; 847-576-5000)
ear, earmuffs, hearing protectors, earplugs, pro ears pro mag gold
The Pro Mag Gold from Pro Ears has a very high NRR of 30 and an ultra-fast noise compression attack time of 1.5 milliseconds. This unit is especially effective for protection on covered shooting positions and indoor shooting ranges where there may be multiple shooters. Features include a 3.5mm mini jack for other devices, dual mil-spec circuit boards and an 82 dB threshold for noise compression. Pro Mag Gold units run on four “N” batteries. The MSRP is $339. (http://www.proears.com; 800-891-3660)
ear, earmuffs, hearing protectors, earplugs, sound gear behind the ear
The SoundGear Behind-The-Ear hearing protectors extend from behind the ear to a silicone plug that fits into the ear canal. These units have an NRR rating of 26 and a noise reduction attack threshold of 95 dB. Low sounds are magnified up to 30 dB. Each unit comes standard with a multi-memory button and two listening modes—mute and normal. Power is supplied by one size 13 zinc-air battery. MSRP is $299/pair. (http://www.soundgearhearing.com; 800-769-8605)

ear, earmuffs, hearing protectors, earplugs, sound gear in the canal
The SoundGear In-The-Canal units inserts directly in the ear canal by means of a silicone protective sleeve. This device has an NRR rating of 25 and a noise compression attack threshold of 93 dB. Low-volume sounds are magnified up to 15 dB. Each protector set comes with large-ear and small-ear silicone sleeves in both black and orange. MSRP is $399. (http://www.soundgearhearing.com; 800-769-8605)
ear, earmuffs, hearing protectors, earplugs, walker's elite power muff quad
The Walker’s Elite Power Muff Quad features two microphones on each cup. The volume on each muff is independently adjustable. The NRR is 24, and the unit’s loud noise compression threshold is 85 dB. The unit runs on two AAA batteries. The MSRP is $200. (http://www.gsmoutdoors.com; 877-269-8490)

Sixty years ago, hearing protection often amounted to placing a cotton ball or a fired .38 case in each ear. Today’s shooters have much better hearing protection. Many use high-tech electronic muffs, earplugs and behind-the-ear units that do an excellent job of blocking harmful noise and amplifying speech and other low-volume sounds.

RELATED STORY: 4 Great Electronic Ears

Gunshots increase the pressure of air on eardrums and cause the bones in the middle ear to vibrate. This generates increased pressure in the liquid-filled inner ear, and if the sound level is over 85 decibels (dB), small cells in the inner ear can be damaged. Most centerfire calibers produce noise/pressure levels between 130 and 150 dB. When several guns are fired simultaneously on an indoor range, the noise level can rise far above 150 dB. The dB scale is logarithmic, so 150 dB is actually many times greater than 85 dB. Because of this, a single gunshot often produces temporary damage to unprotected ears, and repeated exposure without hearing protection can cause permanent hearing loss.

High-tech electronic hearing protection has automatic dynamic range compression that uses amplifiers to almost instantly reduce sounds when they reach a pre-set threshold level (usually 82 to 95 dB), and many also increase the volume of faint sounds by as much as 30 dB, making range commands easy to hear. They all have a noise reduction rating (NRR) of at least 19 dB, and some reduce loud noises by up to 33 dB. When high-tech electronic earmuffs are worn with foam earplugs, the total NRR often exceeds 30 dB by a significant amount without significantly reducing the ability to hear low-volume sounds.

RELATED STORY: Walker’s New Ultimate Digital Quad Connect

There’s a variety of high-tech hearing devices on the market. Prices vary according to the number of features, the sophistication of the electronics, the level of noise suppression and the length of the warranty. The following is a sample of some of the latest electronic protectors.

For More Information

Walker’s Game Ear
http://www.gsmoutdoors.com/walkers

Peltor Tactical
http://www.peltortactical.org

Caldwell
http://www.btibrands.com/brands/caldwell

Champion Target
http://www.championtarget.com

Electronic Shooters Protection
http://www.espamerica.com

Howard Leight
http://www.howardleight.com

Motorola Solutions
http://www.motorolasolutions.com

Pro Ears
http://www.proears.com

SoundGear
http://www.soundgearhearing.com

Didn't find what you were looking for?

MOST POPULAR

Vote & Win: 2023 Ballistic’s Best Readers’ Choice for Best Guns

Suicide by Cop

WINCHESTER’s SXP ‘Defender’ Pump Shotgun

Holiday Safety Pat McNamara lead Christmas

The ‘No Snowflake’ Guide to Holiday Safety

Gun-Filled Christmas Movies A Christmas Story Ralphie

10 Black Friday Tactical Gear Deals [2023]

TRENDING

The Rock River Preadator2L features unique paw print handguards, marking its predator rifle status.

New Rock River Light Predator2L Rifle Features Paw Print Handguards

Best AR-15s

Springfield SOCOM II 7.62x51mm

Robar OR-2F .308

Mark Robinson, Second Amendment Speech

Why Mark Robinson Ended Up Giving His Epic 2nd Amendment Speech

BROWSE BY BRAND

Skillset-Logo_yellow-153x47png
Ballistic_LOGO-217x47
CH-Logo_blue-153x47
T-L-SS-stack life-47x140
PDW_CCH_LOGO-300x101
PDW-2022-Sidebyside-logo 160x30-blk
GOW LOGO x101
AF_LOGO-184x47

SPOTLIGHT

Barrett MRADELR rifle.

Barrett MRADELR: The Extreme Long-Range MRAD is Here!

Barrett Firearms recently announced is long-awaited follow-up to the MRAD platform. The new Barrett MRADELR expands on the martial design...

RELATED POSTS

The Taurus TS9 was developed for the military and police market and was adopted by the Philippine National Police.

The Taurus TS9 9mm Pistol Excels in Concealed Carry: Review

...

Viridian Package.

The Springfield Hellcat Pro is Now Available with Veridian Package

...

The Standard Manufacturing Damascus 1911.

Damn Sweet: Standard Manufacturing Damascus 1911 Review

...

Load More

TRENDING

TYR Tactical Panoramic Ground Night Vision Goggle Pouch

TYR Tactical’s Panoramic Ground Night Vision Goggle Pouch

The TYR Tactical Panoramic Ground Night Vision Goggle Pouch is made from Pluma Vires hybrid 500D Cordura nylon/200D Kevlar.

Suicide by Cop

WINCHESTER’s SXP ‘Defender’ Pump Shotgun

Tactical-Life.com brings you the newest products live from the NASGW ‘08 show!

18 new gun safes

The 18 Best Gun Safes & Storage Solutions [2023]

As gun owners, we are each responsible for gun safety, and a large part of that includes safe storage. Of...

Best Glock Pistols of All-Time, Glock 19, Glock 17, Glock 43, Glock 18, Glock 26

Best Glock Pistols of All-Time | Ranked by Ballistic Magazine

There are several opinions in the firearms world that can be contentious. A classic example is the fight over .45...

MOST POPULAR

The Mossberg MC2sc semi-auto pistol.

12 Best Micro-Compact Handguns for Concealed Carry [2022]

A thick veil of fog stood forever in front of me as I cruised down the highway at 6:30 in...

Police Sidearms, police duty pistols, Handguns, America's Largest Police Departments 2018

Police Sidearms: Handguns of America’s 10 Largest Departments

Law enforcement in the United States is in constant evolution and that includes various police sidearms. These days, law enforcement...

Vote & Win: 2023 Ballistic’s Best Readers’ Choice for Best Guns

One of our most anticipated magazines each year, the 2023 edition of Ballistic's Best, hits the press soon. But first,...

U.S. Secret Service adopts Glock G47

FIRST LOOK: Glock Just Very Quietly Unveiled the New Glock 47 Pistol

Tuesday afternoon we broke news that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection selected three Glock 9mm pistols as its new standard...

VIDEO SERIES: AT THE READY | SEASON 2

MORE VIDEOS

Barrett MRADELR rifle.

Barrett MRADELR: The Extreme Long-Range MRAD is Here!

Walther PDP Match Steel Frame and Polymer pistols.

Walther PDP Match: Steel & Polymer-Framed Competition Blasters

HANDGUNS

The Taurus TS9 was developed for the military and police market and was adopted by the Philippine National Police.

The Taurus TS9 9mm Pistol Excels in Concealed Carry: Review

SIG P320-XTEN ENDURE in 10mm.

SIG P320-XTEN ENDURE: 10mm Pistol Built for the Outdoors

Walther PDP Match Steel Frame and Polymer pistols.

Walther PDP Match: Steel & Polymer-Framed Competition Blasters

The Standard Manufacturing Damascus 1911.

Damn Sweet: Standard Manufacturing Damascus 1911 Review

Viridian Package.

The Springfield Hellcat Pro is Now Available with Veridian Package

The Smith & Wesson Performance Center Metal M&P9 M2.0 Spec Series.

The Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P9 Metal M2.0

RIFLES - click to see all

Barrett MRADELR rifle.

Barrett MRADELR: The Extreme Long-Range MRAD is Here!

Savage Arms KLYM Series rifles.

Savage Arms KLYM Series Rifles Include PROOF, FBT Components

The MDC VOLK-S AK-47.

The MDC VOLK-S Changes the Game with 100% US-Made AK-47

The 21st Tec TEC-GIII Rifle.

The 21st Tec TEC-GIII AR-10 Rifle – in .308 or 6.5 Creedmoor

AMMO - click to see all

X-DEF Line from Freedom Munitions Expands with the Addition of .357 Sig.

Freedom Munitions X-DEF Line Adds .357 Sig Self-Defense Ammo

HEVI-Shot HEVI-Bismuth Upland loads.

HEVI-Shot HEVI-Bismuth Upland Expands Hunting Lineup

Ammo Storage, Survival Ammo, long term ammo storage, Prepper

Best Methods for Long-Term Ammo Storage

6 .410 Ammo Options for Home and Personal Defense.

.410 Ammo for Home Defense [2023]

410 bore revolvers for self defense

6 Best .410 Bore Revolvers

.44 Magnum dirty harry

Your Guide to the .44 Magnum Cartridge

No Result
View All Result
  • Guns
    • Handguns
      • Semi-Automatic Handguns
      • Revolvers
    • AR Pistols
    • AR Rifles
    • Rifles
      • Semi-Automatic Rifles
      • Lever Action
      • Bolt Action
    • Shotguns
    • Airguns
    • Custom Guns
      • Handgun Build
      • Rifle Build
      • Shotgun Build
    • Specialty Guns
  • Parts
    • Handgun Parts
    • Rifle Parts
  • Accessories
    • Optics & Sights
      • Thermal Vision
    • Lasers & Lights
    • Suppressors
    • Holsters
    • Slings
    • Shooting Rests
    • Targets
    • Maintenance & Tools
  • Ammo
    • Handgun Ammo
      • 9mm
      • 10mm
    • Rifle Ammo
      • .223
    • Shotgun Ammo
      • 12 Gauge
    • Rimfire Ammo
    • Reloading
  • Gear
    • Apparel
    • Ears & Eyes
      • Ears
      • Eyes
    • Storage
    • Tactical Gear
      • Body Armor
    • Knives
      • Fixed Blade
      • Folding Knives
      • Tactical Knives
    • Less Lethal
    • Flashlights
    • Electronics
  • Lifestyle
    • Concealed Carry
    • Personal Defense
      • Self-Defense
      • Hand to Hand Combat
    • Home Defense
    • Sport Shooting
      • Hunting
      • Competition Shooting
    • Precision Shooting/Long Range Shooting
    • Training
      • Shooting 101
    • Survival
      • First Aid
    • Tactical & LE
    • Military Lifestyle
    • Pop Culture
      • People
      • Rides
      • History
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Gun Facts & Laws
    • Police News
    • Military News
    • Politics
  • VIDEOS

© 2023 Athlon Outdoors - Premium Firearm product and industry news, reviews and magazines" .