Are foam ear plugs good enough for shooting?

“For louder firearms or indoor or covered shooting situations, Howard Leight’s Impact PRO electronic earmuff (NRR 30) or foam earplugs (up to NRR 33) are the smart choices.” Doubling up—the practice of wearing both foam earplugs along with earmuffs—is a viable option as well.

Can you use ear plugs at a gun range?

The noise from shooting a firearm can cause permanent hearing loss, so it is crucial to protect your ears while at the shooting range. Make sure to use an earplug or earmuff (or both) with a high Noise Reduction Rating (NRR). The higher the range, the more noise is canceled out by the device.

Why ear plugs are not sufficient hearing protection on an indoor shooting range?

Foam plugs do not fit every ear. Some ears are small or curvier or larger than the standard ear. This means they are not sealing off the ear canal and loud sound can damage your hearing.

Why should you not use earplugs to protect your hearing while on an indoor shooting range?

In extremely loud environments, this can still lead to damage to your hearing. Another problem is that ear plugs are often worn incorrectly. When users do not insert them deeply enough into the ear canal (which can be difficult for people with small ears), they do not provide the advertised level of protection.

Why do people wear headphones in shooting ranges?

Earmuffs are used to muffle and block out noise by completely covering the outer ear. Electronic headsets are wired to block out impulsive noises, making it easy to hear the person speaking next to you, but at the same time blocking out the loud noise of a shot gun.

How many decibels do foam ear plugs block?

The highest noise reduction rating (NRR) currently offered by an earplug is around 33 decibels. Decibel levels up to the earplug’s NRR rating will be blocked out entirely. Any noise over the earplug’s NRR may be heard.

What is the highest decibel rating for hearing protection?

The highest NRR rating for earplugs is 33, and the highest available NRR rating for earmuffs is 31. These values reflect the level of noise protection available for each device when worn alone. Combining earplugs with earmuffs can offer a NRR protection level of 36.

What kind of headphones are used in shooting range?

6 Best Hearing Protection for Shooting

What level of hearing protection do I need?

OSHA requires employers to implement a hearing conservation program when noise exposure is at or above 85 decibels averaged over 8 working hours, or an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA).