Ear muffs: CENS

[Pete]

Is anyone using these? http://www.censdigital.com/pdf/Shooting ... Review.pdf

If so, are they any good?

Pete

[dromia]

The problem with plugs only of any sort is that hearing damage can still occur through the periphery of the ear canal as well, muffs give protection there, plugs do not. Plugs can work at lower noise levels that won't penetrate round the periphery of the ear like shotguns fired outside.

Personally I won't risk it and always wear muffs as well as plugs.

Also I wouldn't believe anything that particular reviewer writes, if it was in one of his gun rags then no doubt the company will have advertising for the product adjacent to the "review".

[JSC]

The problem with plugs only of any sort is that hearing damage can still occur through the periphery of the ear canal as well, muffs give protection there, plugs do not. Plugs can work at lower noise levels that won't penetrate round the periphery of the ear like shotguns fired outside.

Personally I won't risk it and always wear muffs as well as plugs.

Also I wouldn't believe anything that particular reviewer writes, if it was in one of his gun rags then no doubt the company will have advertising for the product adjacent to the "review".

Dromia, this is a myth which seems to carry on doing the rounds whenever the subject of hearing protection is brought up.

Yes, muffs and plugs will offer better protection than plugs alone, but it is not true to say that properly fitted plugs could lead to hearing damage. The studies have been done regarding bone conduction. The levels where it could have an effect are way above anything shooters will experience. There are some levels and frequencies of noise which will conduct more through the bones, but not the profile of pressure wave a gunshot produces.

The best plugs are also the cheapest - the yellow foam EAR classic ones. If the OP wants to try active plugs then there are several types and I've tried most of them so can offer some advice there if it's of interest.

The bottom line is badly fitting hearing protection of any sort is not good. If it fits in your ear canal or around your ear properly, the vast majority of plugs and muffs on the market will prevent hearing damage, but there are pros and cons with both methods.

[dromia]

Well my source of advice was a consultant ear doctor with whom I used to shoot. He always said good muffs were better than good plugs and good plugs and good muffs were best of all. He always plugged and muffed regardless of what and where we shot.

He is now unfortunately deceased so I cannot ask him to verify if that would still be his thinking on the subject nowadays.

So I will stay with his advice. and continue to pass it on.

You are correct about fit though poor fitting plugs or muffs are useless.

[JSC]

Everyone is entitled to follow whatever advice they feel is most appropriate. Personally, having done the research myself and having used earplugs of various types almost exclusively during the 30+ years I've been shooting, I am confident that properly fitting earplugs, active or passive, do not put my hearing at risk.

Your ear doctor friend probably had the best intentions but there are many studies in the public domain anyone can read if they feel so inclined and make their own mind up about it. The scientific evidence proves that bone conduction is not concern with the levels and frequencies of noise shooters experience.

To answer Pete's original question, the CENS active plugs work well as long as the plugs are fitted properly and new moulds are taken every 2 years or so (the ear canal changes over time which leads to the plugs 'leaking'). Battery life is poor and the electronics are a bit delicate and I had two of them go faulty just out of warranty, so cost of ownership was pretty high over the 4 years or so I used them.

These days I recommend the Peltor TEP-100.

[dromia]

Shame he is no longer with us, I would have enjoyed he and you "discussing" this. He had his own views on research in general.

Although I am in no position to personally challenge any "proof" I will continue to use muffs and muffs and plugs but never plugs alone.

[JSC]

The main reason we have forums is so people can have good 'discussions' and it's very healthy to challenge existing thinking, of course, so I welcome debates about this sort of subject.

It's important shooters do have an understanding of how hearing protection works as it can only take one gunshot to damage your hearing permanently and it doesn't really matter if you're young, old or have been shooing for many years. It can happen at any time if you don't take the right precautions.

[Pete]

My problem is that I wear glasses...............I've been using Peltor Pro-Tac ll muffs, which are very comfortable for the first hour or so.
Then I get pain around the back of my ear where the cups are pressing my ears against the arms of the specs.
To complicate things further, I find that to get comfortable cheek weld, the comb levers the cup slightly away from my ear............
This is a shape of head thing which I can't do anything about. I've tried various slim line muffs, but with no better results.
I have some industrial grade expanding plugs which give around 32 dB of attenuation at 800 Hz.
These reduce the report of a 308 4 or 5 metres away to a comfortable level while still allowing conversation, so that's the way I'll go for a while.

I've read a couple of articles that mention bone conduction, and judging by the bewildering number of electronic muffs on the market, the manufacturers have grabbed this theory and run with it, but I'm not qualified to say whether or not it's more than just a theory.

I've now been told (since my first post) that I have extremely narrow ear canals, so a bespoke silicone job isn't an option...........

The bells, the bells............

Pete

[JSC]

Yes, the ear muff manufacturers seem to be mainly responsible for spreading the FUD about bone conduction. Bone conduction is a valid theory. It's just that it doesn't apply to the pressure waves you get from guns. If you worked in an industry with some machinery which generated lower frequencies at high levels, it's a valid concern but not for shooting.

Some of the earplug manufacturers tend to be light with the facts as well it has to be said. They often fail to mention that you need to get new ear impressions every couple of years as I suspect that would put some people off moulded plugs.

You are a good candidate for earplugs though, especially if you know the earcups have been coming away from your ears.

So, check out the TEP-100 as they don't use silicon moulded inserts. They use a few different types of replaceable foam buds which seal the same way as the plugs you'll be using now.
As the foam bits are inexpensive and replaceable, if you happen to be at Bisley sometime when I'm there, I'd be happy for you to try mine out and see if you think you'd get on with them. Just let me know when you'll be there next.

[mag41uk]

I just checked the price of those Peltors...................eek!