What is your favorite type, brand, model of hearing protection

[KestrelBike]

Double up! I recently went to an audiologist to get fitted for some of the custom inner-ear protection that was just blanks and not the fancy digital stuff involved ( http://www.westone.com/defendear/ind...d=5&Itemid=108 ) so it only cost $120. I wanted an easy in-out alternative to disposable foam plugs. I haven't shot with them yet, and I may take them back to the audiologist to see if they can tinker with the fit, because it *feels* like they will not give a good seal/protection. Since they're flush with the ear anyways, I plan on putting muffs over them. I'm going to be pretty disappointed if they do not provide as much noise protection as $0.25 foam plugs.

I started with a pair of Peltor 6S ( http://www.amazon.com/3M-Peltor-Tact...ords=peltor+6s ) but one of the AAA batteries leaked and busted one ear, and it's a total PITA to change the batteries anyways (2 AAA's per ear-cup). However, they fit my head the best and had very little noise-intrusion.

I went to a pair of Howard Leights, and like how easy it is to access the batteries and change them out (2 AAA). However, I'm not alone in that it's tough to get a good seal and not have noise popping right in. I was at an indoor range and some guy in the next booth had his super-duper horizontal-cannon muzzle brake on and I had ringing in my ears despite both foam plugs and the howard leight's. I had to press the cups to my head to get a good seal and just waited until he'd finish his mindless blasting.

ETA: A week after that episode, I was at a small 3-gun competition and fiddled with the placement of them on my ears, and discovered that they sealed much better if I pushed them much lower on my ears and tilted them towards the back, low-rider style. So it's quite an improvement over wearing them as you'd normally think they should be worn.

If you really want to nerd out about it: http://www.westone.com/defendear/dow...hite_Paper.pdf

[Ramsker]

I've been using a pretty inexpensive pair of Winchester muffs that I got at Walmart years ago . . . and really, they have been pretty good. Bought some for all four of us in the family. But I bought a couple pairs of Howard Leight Impact Sports the other week and some Surefire 4 Sonic Defender ear plugs that I want to try. The Howard Leights came highly recommended on another board I spend a lot of time on. I haven't tried them yest--but will report.

[Griff79]

A good bang for your buck. I use the surefire ear plugs when shooting suppressed. The bottom line is how much you want to spend. I've looked at ear plugs like this, but the cost is way out of my wallet's range
http://www.proears.com/Pro-Fit-buy-now

Wow, these might be great but out of my price range

Griff

[spongejosh]

I think the Surefire plugs are more comfortable than the foam plugs. I bought a pair of the Howard Leight electronic muffs last year at $35 but I haven't used them yet.

[kwando]

I have a set of fitted ones from tanner... and i double up with Howard Leights

[ben4372]

I'm a big fan of the double up. Depending on what I'm shooting. More quiet shooting and hunting I use the Surefire in the ear type. I had a set of custom molded ones that were fantastic,but the ran off. Surefires work as good for a lot less money.

[Mick-Boy]

I use either the Sordins that Cop-fish uses or comparable Peltors. I started using them in conjunction with comms over seas and got spoiled fast. They're pretty spendy but they're also durable and effective. Buy once, cry once and all that.

[HoneyBadger]

I think the Surefire plugs are more comfortable than the foam plugs. I bought a pair of the Howard Leight electronic muffs last year at $35 but I haven't used them yet.

I use either of these, depending on the situation. I love the surefire silicone plugs.

[Big John]

Howard Leight Impact Sport electronic ear muffs. Being able to hear normal speaking volume and yet still protect hearing from the shots is awesome.

http://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-Impact-Electric-Earmuff/dp/B001T7QJ9O

I have custom molded plugs that quickly took a back seat to Howard Leight's. I really like being able to talk at normal tone and being able to clearly hear instruction (or even amplify it) at matches. Only downside is clearly hearing people with regular muffs screaming at youYou can also plug in your phone or ipod if you'd like. I was able to talk on the phone during a match while others were shooting by simply putting the phone up to the mic.

I went to a pair of Howard Leights, and like how easy it is to access the batteries and change them out (2 AAA). However, I'm not alone in that it's tough to get a good seal and not have noise popping right in. I was at an indoor range and some guy in the next booth had his super-duper horizontal-cannon muzzle brake on and I had ringing in my ears despite both foam plugs and the howard leight's. I had to press the cups to my head to get a good seal and just waited until he'd finish his mindless blasting.

ETA: A week after that episode, I was at a small 3-gun competition and fiddled with the placement of them on my ears, and discovered that they sealed much better if I pushed them much lower on my ears and tilted them towards the back, low-rider style. So it's quite an improvement over wearing them as you'd normally think they should be worn.

If you really want to nerd out about it: http://www.westone.com/defendear/dow...hite_Paper.pdf

I had read some discussion on this before purchasing mine. The consensus seemed to be to pull down (kinda hard) from the top while pressing in at the bottom. I use this method, even with a ball cap on and have zero problems with seal.

[Irving]

With the Leights you just need to extend the headband up enough that it's not even touching your head, then adjust the cups accordingly.