Active hearing protection

[85_Ranger4x4]

but, i like this topic because i have wondered about those types of things for a long time but just didn't want to spend the money to see what they sound like.

Same, I am really not a earplug fan anyway.

Muffs sure do get hot though, especially on the lawn mower.

 

[superj]

yup. and they don't let your hat stay on well in the wind. i have the top band behind my head and the hat held on with the string tied under my chin so i still have hearing protection and sun protection.

skin cancer sucks

 

[Shran]

Hearing loss really annoys me because I have an office job, not around loud noise that much at work, and I have always worn hearing protection at least 60% of the time when I'm in the shop or using equipment. Sometimes it's unavoidable or don't have it with me but I at least try fairly hard to wear it. And I still have stupid tinnitus and some frequencies are just hard to hear. Yet I have some buddies in the construction industry that are my age or a little older that NEVER wear ear plugs and are around grinders, saws, etc all day every day and they can hear better than I can. I guess it'll catch up and everyone's different, but it's annoying nonetheless.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Yeah, tinnitus sucks, I didn't always use protection but all the dyno hours at work I think caught up to me over the last few years... I like the silicone christmas tree type in ear plugs, they seem to work the best for me, gotta be careful putting them in though and twist or they pressurize your ear canal, and don't just yank them out!

Having the 3M work tunes for outdoor duties (lawn mower and tractor) works fine for me, I just wear a ball cap so use them over my hat... I have some cool 3M ones that are designed to have the strap low in the back but they don't have radio so I don't use them as much, they do work better with hats though.

As for shooting, haven't done that as much lately and have been curious as well... I have some Howard Leight active muffs but they have like an hour timer which is annoying, that and they don't seem to be working as well as they used to...

 

[JoshT]

I just bought some Axil GS Extreme 3.0 wired earbuds and I did some testing with them last night.

I ordered a set of those through their website on New Years day, but haven't got shipping notice yet. Through various sites I got enough good first hand experiences about Axil to go with their curated reviews, that I was willing to give them a shot. Was going to buy a set of the SIG branded GS Extreme 2.0 from PSA cause I had an AD listing for ~$60. When I got to the site and went to check out it was showing $70, then about $90 with shipping and tax. IIRC, the GS Extreme 3.0 was $120 delivered through their website (still are I think). Seemed to make sense to spend the extra $30 for the newer version.

 

[Shran]

I ordered a set of those through their website on New Years day, but haven't got shipping notice yet. Through various sites I got enough good first hand experiences about Axil to go with their curated reviews, that I was willing to give them a shot. Was going to buy a set of the SIG branded GS Extreme 2.0 from PSA cause I had an AD listing for ~$60. When I got to the site and went to check out it was showing $70, then about $90 with shipping and tax. IIRC, the GS Extreme 3.0 was $120 delivered through their website (still are I think). Seemed to make sense to spend the extra $30 for the newer version.

Yup, that was the same sale I saw. Mine were $126 after tax. Keep us posted with how you like them. They are supposed to have better battery life than the 2.0's, that was my main attraction.

 

[Shran]

I tried out the new Axil earbuds last weekend when we were out hunting and honestly am not real impressed. I may send them back - I'll give it one more try but the wind noise was awful (and it really was not windy! Just a light breeze...) My 3M ones are WAY better in that aspect. The whole point is to be able to talk & hear but block gunshots... but 50% of what I could hear was just wind.

 

[JoshT]

I tried out the new Axil earbuds last weekend when we were out hunting and honestly am not real impressed. I may send them back - I'll give it one more try but the wind noise was awful (and it really was not windy! Just a light breeze...) My 3M ones are WAY better in that aspect. The whole point is to be able to talk & hear but block gunshots... but 50% of what I could hear was just wind.

I can't say my opinion is any more favorable at this point. I haven't been in an environment yet to test out the active sound dampening. Using the right tips they do function as earplugs, but no better than the disposables that I typically use. Didn;t notice any wind issues, but I wasn;t outside either. Didn;t have anyone around to try a conversation.

My major disapointment was fitment. Compressing the foams and getting them inserted to get a good seal is going to take some geting used to. Ignoring that, I'm wondering if they could have made the leads any shorter. I've got other earbuds of similar style, though they aren;t even noise canceling. They've got long enough wires to actually let the thing rest around my neck rather than hanging from my ears. I can live with the short wires, as long as I can get used to inserting them and they work well for me. I do think I migh have been happier with the buds, but so far the experience hasn't left me wanting to give them even more money. If I were happy with the performance, I wouldn't have a problem passing these to a friend and family member, and buying the wireless buds.

I also bought a set of the fancy earplugs that they offer. Even less impressed by those. With the included ear tips they might as well not even be earplugs. The silicon tips don't block enough sound to be worth using. The foam tips are too short to even bother with. Based on the earbuds, I would need the long large tips, but they only include the standard short in medium and small. No listing for other options on their site, not that I'd be enthused about having to spend more to make them work. Might send a message to see if they offer tham and can send me some.

Not going to rule either out completely yet, unfortunately by the time I do it'll probably be too late to send back.

 

[Shran]

I don’t care for the short leads either. The fit is fine… I think the plugs compress easily and I can get them in even with thin gloves on, but the sound quality is really my major complaint.

 

[RobbieD]

WE USED TO JUST STICK CIGARETTE FILTERS IN OUR EARS.


SAY WHAT? CAN YOU REPEAT THAT?