Earplugs and some recently learned hearing information.

[Chris]

I've been recovering from a condition known as SSNHL since late March and as a result have been seeing an Audiologist.

SSNHL stands for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss. Roughly 4000 cases occur in the US every year. Mainly in people older than 40. In effect, I woke up one day and could not hear anything in my right ear. There are a bunch of potential causes - in my case they are pretty sure it was a viral infection. The key important thing to know is that the best chance of recovery is to start a steroid treatment ASAP. The longer the delay, the less likely to recover. Many PCPs do not realize this and will try to treat it like a normal ear infection as the feeling to the patient is very similar. In fact, when I saw my doctor, I thought for sure I had a massive ear infection. Just about everyone I've seen since being referred to a specialist has said how lucky I was that my doctor started me on Prednisone right away.

So, what does this have to do with ear plugs?

Well, my hearing is coming back. Slowly. However, in all the testing I've had done, it seems my ears are very sensitive to noise. I've always thought so, but it is now pretty much confirmed. So, to help in noisy environments I am having some custom ear plugs made that have replaceable filters to help deal with the noisy environments. The plugs are designed for Musicians and can be had with 9, 15, or 25 decibel replaceable filters which are designed to attenuate the level of sound, but preserve the quality. They also come with a 30db solid plug for really loud environments. The best part is that these do not require any form of battery, nor do they use an open 'hole' as some cheaper filter products, but rather a set of diaphragms to retransmit the sound, but at lower levels. The result is supposed to be very similar to your natural ear's sound reception.

The interesting things that I learned in the fitting process is that you have to have a fairly deep set plug to eliminate your own voice or wind instruments sounding 'boomy' - This is a condition I've experienced many times with all kinds of ear plugs and one of the reason I have always prefered muffs over plugs when instructing. The key is to have the plug deep enough to reach the bone structure and most of us do not insert them that far. The other thing is that when you do have a good deep plug, some people will develop a need to cough. I seem to not have this issue, but as shooters, I wanted to spread this information as the last thing you want to happen when you are lining up your shot is to have the need to cough. It is possible that some of you are having this happen and not aware that it is caused by a reaction to your ear plugs being set deep.

Hope this information was useful to someone. (^_^)

Some links:

Musician earplugs
Audiologist that molded my plugs in Littleton, MA
Mass Eye and Ear page on SSNHL

I know someone will ask - The Musician earplugs with all the filters are $360. Not cheap at all. Each set of filters is $80. Unless you need the filters, I'd recommend sticking with the simple custom plugs which can be had at roughly $100. (not sure of the actual cost as I did not go this route)

Will post my review once I have had the plugs a while. Really looking forward to getting back shooting again.

 

[EMTDAD]

my wife has this condition... scary as anything when it happens. thanks for the info.

 

[earthshine402]

I actually own a set of these plugs, I got many years ago in my teenage years for playing music. Me and my nerd friends had some kind of rock band going on, we got pretty decent by the time college came around. The only reason I got them was because my mother worked as a secretary for an audiologist and she got them at a good price.

Several years later, when I got into shooting, I initially used these plugs, but then I did not like the idea of possibly losing the filters. Occasionally, one would pop out.

I've been shooting with the surfire plugs http://www.surefire.com/ep3-sonic-defenders.html the past few years, and I don't have to worry about losing or damaging them. Indoors, I keep the plugs on and use a pair of electronic muffs.

I think for shooting, you are better off with a cheaper option. I don't think you need to worry about "preserving the quality of sound" when on the range, but that may be just me.

 

[Chris]

my wife has this condition... scary as anything when it happens. thanks for the info.

No kidding! When the doctor said I had no sign of an infection in the ear, I was more than a little concerned.

I've been shooting with the surfire plugs http://www.surefire.com/ep3-sonic-defenders.html the past few years, and I don't have to worry about losing or damaging them. Indoors, I keep the plugs on and use a pair of electronic muffs.

Been using the SureFire Sonic Defenders EP4 (has 3 sets of baffles rather than the 2 of the EP3 which seal better for me) as well as the version with the foam EP7-LPR for a couple years now. I find that the foam ones seal best of all, but take a few moments to seat, and are not as comfortable when it's warm out. I do NOT like the sound pass-through tube. Makes sounds even harder to understand for me. Also, neither of these go deep enough apparently to prevent the 'boomy' sound of my own voice. They do work well if I'm at the range by myself (i.e., no need to talk a lot) or when riding the motorcycle. The part I love is that the outer ring really holds the plugs tight in my ear and I've never had one come loose - very annoying when on the highway and you really didn't want to stop. I did have to go with the large size as the mediums did not hold well enough.

However, the SureFire plugs are too much attenuation in many other situations. The issue I have which I have been assured the Musician plugs will help is other loud environments like crowded restaurants and concerts. I'll most likely stick with muffs at the range when instructing or with groups until I use the new ones enough to be sure they work well. Here is hoping!

I initially used these plugs, but then I did not like the idea of possibly losing the filters. Occasionally, one would pop out.

I was worried about this too, but I guess they changed the design a few years ago and the filters are harder now to seat into the plug, but hold a lot better. At least that's the answer I got when I asked about having a $40 filter drop out. Guess I'll see.

Thanks for the personal experience. I'll keep an eye on the filters.

 

[MAGG]

as someone who works in the music biz I have been molded prob 6 times thru the years for what we call In Ear Monitors (IEM) but these babies are expensive(upwards of a thousand bucks or more a pair) because they have drivers and subs in them for sound quality etc....Luckily I have never paid for a pair and the bands have picked up the costs. But I always try to protect my hearing and do have sensitive ears. I always wear foamies if I go to a show and at times have brought old pairs with out the cables to use as hearing protection.


curious when you were getting molded did they have you bite anything to keep your jaw slightly ajar? they do that with us. your ear canals do slightly change over time and grow so an old pair may not seal as tight. or if you lose/gain weight etc...best of luck to you in this

 

[EMTDAD]

No hearing ever came back in her ear. Went to local hospital when it happened and they gave her Valium for the vertigo. Next day she still felt funny and we rushed up to ME&E where they confirmed SSNHL. I was shocked when they couldn't pinpoint "why" and just basically said.. "oh well, can't help ya".

The dizzyness and nausea from not having the equilibrium knocked her out for at least 2 months.. it was awful.

I still have a hard time comprehending how in 3 hrs time, one can lose hearing completely. Although I once battled optic neuritis, which is somewhat similar, but I got most of my eyesight back.

 

[Claybreaker!]

This was a good post with some good info. Between this hobby and my years working in rock 'n roll both with live bands and in studio I should be more aware of my ear plugs. Thanks.

 

[Chris]

curious when you were getting molded did they have you bite anything to keep your jaw slightly ajar? they do that with us. your ear canals do slightly change over time and grow so an old pair may not seal as tight. or if you lose/gain weight etc...best of luck to you in this

Not bite down. In fact she told me not to bite. While she was filling my ear with the mold material I was told to move my jaw and then hold with my mouth open while it set (about 8-10 minutes).

Those monitors are cool. Best 'ear buds' you could ever want, but as you noted - EXPENSIVE! That is why I was really happy to learn there was a non-electronic solution. My understanding is that the product I'm getting was designed more for big-band\orchestra type musicians rather than rock bands. The IEM's are better for amplified performers so they don't need blaring monitor speakers in their face just to hear the rest of the performers (or themselves in many cases).

I have a pair of the "mold-in-ear" style plugs that I had made by a guy at the Hopkington Club about 10 years ago. Those still fit OK, so hopefully I'll get some years out of these new ones. The issue I have with the "mold-in-ear" style is I don't think they go deep enough as the 'boomy' effect happens with those too.

 

[rep308]

I am amazed at the number of gun owners that own fancy hearing protection, mow their lawn, use the chain saw and snow blower without any protection

 

[Spanz]

I used to play in a rock band when a teenager. and back in the 60's hearing protectors were not common at the range.

Now, when I hear loud noise, my ears buzz like a torn loudspeaker cone! So....protect those ears all you can...you are gonna need them for a while

 

[Cap]

I am amazed at the number of gun owners that own fancy hearing protection, mow their lawn, use the chain saw and snow blower without any protection

Good point.

 

[Chris]

OK, I've had my earplugs now for about a month.

Quick review - FANTASTIC. Wish I'd had these years ago.

Long Review:

I had the plugs made at HearSmart Audiology in Littleton. Dr. Ford was extremely helpful in making sure I had the right product and making sure they fit. ( website )

I use them all the time. I use the 9db filter for company meetings where the general noise of the room makes for difficulty in following conversations. I've worn them in noisy restaurants. The result is I can hear much better overall. I wear 25db filters on the motorcycle and under electronic shooting muffs when on the range. Again, I can hear fine, but the noise is gone. (I still prefer muffs even though the plugs alone do a fantastic job. Many people would likely be fine with the plugs alone, but the whole reason I got these was due to having sensitive hearing in the first place.) I've worn the 25db at concerts to great effect. Music was perfectly clear - just not as loud.

I used the 15db filters several times for various things and while effective, I think I could live with the 9db and 25db filters only. The difference between the 9 and 15 is quite noticeable, but places that need more than the 9db, but 25db is overkill just don't seem to occur all that often I've found.

I have also found that I prefer to drive in the car with the 9db filters in for anything but local outings. It cuts the road and wind noise so that all I really hear is the conversation, music, and traffic. Much less fatiguing. I tend to carry the plugs with the 9's in them unless I know that I'm going into a very loud situation (getting on the bike, attending a concert, or such) For the issues I was having with discomfort and inability to follow conversations in louder environments, these really did the trick.

I find I lose nothing with the plugs in. The sound quality is virtually identical. it is just quieter. Like your eyes can adjust between bright light and low light, my ears are adjusting just fine. It is like having really good sunglasses where nothing is lost but the intensity and glare.

The filters snap into the plug with a very positive hold. Even with a tight full face helmet, I've not had any issues.

Not saying they are for everyone, but I'm having great results and wanted to let everyone know about the option.

I find I use these so much that they are now an everyday carry item.

 

[TBalls]

I've been using the musician's earplugs for about 15 years (for playing music) and I absolutely love them. The '15' filters are just about perfect for me. A quick note to keep in mind: my experience with the solid plugs was not impressive. Even with a supposed '30' rating I felt they were substantially less effective than the disposable foam plugs with a similar rating. YMMV.

 

[Chris]

I am amazed at the number of gun owners that own fancy hearing protection, mow their lawn, use the chain saw and snow blower without any protection

I'm thinking that this might be the very reason I still have great hearing. My dad was a stickler for using eye and ear protection when mowing or using power tools. In fact, I use a full face shield over the glasses many times without even thinking about it. Just done it like that forever. My kids have had muffs of their own since they were a year old. Like wearing a helmet when on the bike, they see dad always wearing his gear, so they wear theirs. Its one of the few things I've never really had to remind them of.

 

[Chris]

I've been using the musician's earplugs for about 15 years (for playing music) and I absolutely love them. The '15' filters are just about perfect for me. A quick note to keep in mind: my experience with the solid plugs was not impressive. Even with a supposed '30' rating I felt they were substantially less effective than the disposable foam plugs with a similar rating. YMMV.

I hated the sound with the solid plugs. I've not put them in since. The quality of the sound with the filters is so good that the solid plug just felt wrong. Maybe that is the issue. In any case, 25db is better than a lot of the plugs/muffs on the market. So using the 25s and having great sound has been just the ticket so far for everything but shooting. I still found the plugs alone were not enough. It might be that you hear via the bones around your ear as well as your ear drum. The muffs just cover that as well.

For yard work I still stick with the Howard Leight muffs. I don't need all that dust getting into the expensive filters and frankly I don't really need to hear much while concentrating on the work at hand. (^_^)

 

[upcountry]

Question:
I've heard (no pun intended) from a fellow shooter with 2 hearing aids that a good deal of hearing damage is caused by vibration/pulses via the mastoid bone, as well as through the canal that plugs fit into. Some say muffs are better as they cover the mastoid as well as the canal. Best is probably a combination of both?
Thoughts?

 

[Kevin_NH]

More ammunition for taking suppressors off the NFA list.

I use a combo off both at indoor ranges.

 

[CWulf]

Question:
I've heard (no pun intended) from a fellow shooter with 2 hearing aids that a good deal of hearing damage is caused by vibration/pulses via the mastoid bone, as well as through the canal that plugs fit into. Some say muffs are better as they cover the mastoid as well as the canal. Best is probably a combination of both?
Thoughts?

I use muffs and soft plugs when at the range... even when I'm shooting outdoors, why take a chance. I use muffs at a minimum when mowing and using power tools. My older brother has the kind of tinnitus that other people can hear if you put your ear to his. I asked him if he knew how he got it (not a gun person, uber lib), he said he was doing a large home improvement project and was using a circular saw and grinders in a closed garage, with zero ear protection. Not too smart.

 

[bfm]

I do use earpro with the louder power tools. When taking people to the range I normally give them in ear disposables and make sure they get them all the way in. If for some reason they just cannot get one all the way in after a couple tries I give them the muffs.