I would like some of those high speed hearing protection ear plugs that allow for you to hear normal volume conversions but protect you from loud noises. I don't need hearing enhancement at all. I know some of them can be very pricy...like 1k. I'd be willing to spend a few hundo but 1k is pushing it.

My dad can't hear for chit and it's a result of shooting guns a lot in his younger days...I'd kind of like to be able to keep my hearing.

The only ones I've ever seen are the 7db NRR at any outdoors place. Do they make better ones? Because 7db is like not wearing earplugs at all!

The reason I use my electronic muffs is not so much for enhancement (although sometimes I probably turn them up too loud) but for the 29 db rating they have. I usually try to turn them up just enough to hear the guy next to me but not louder.

I would really like to have some of those electronic molded ear plugs, just cant bring my self to drop $1k on 'em.

you would think the constant ringing in my ear would be enough to make me spend the money

I tried this set last year and hated them, they were uncomfortable and the wind noise was enough to drive you insane. I sent them back for a refund less shipping, so it was worth a try and I noticed they have went up about $300 since last year.

http://www.sportear.com/hearing-aids/microshot/microshot-30

For that reason I pretty much wrote off the whole electronic deal, which is probably a bad decision because according to the audiologist I am already loosing some hearing in my left ear.

These are suppose to be the cream of the crop but, like you, dang I don't want to pay for them:

http://www.espamerica.com/p-21-elite-dig...s-ear-buds.aspx

I shoot clays in these and can tell you they are not sufficient enough to hunt from, you still can't hear birds like you would need to...in my opinion.

http://www.earinc.com/p1-filtered-afiltered.php

I know none of these are what you asked for but my experience and you can look around on the links and see what you think.

Digital is where you get into the $1K range. Look into Westone. Specifically Hunters Style 39. It's going to require a visit to an audiologist to test your hearing and then to make custom molds for the Style 39. Your insurance should cover the visit or most do. My doctor told me he'd make me a two sets. A mold with no shut off valuve for when I'm doing heavy shooting like at the skeet/SC range and then a set with the Style 39 for hunting. Said it should be a few hundred bucks. I just need to get off my butt and get it done.

http://www.westone.com/hearing-protection-products/custom-fit-hearing-protection-products

Dude get off your *** and get to it . If they work I want some, I haven't heard of any "valve" deal being clear enough for hunting. I know the valve deal I linked to won't work

Sometimes I think maybe spending 1k to be able to hear is a good trade off but damn it's hard to drop that kind of money.

I want to say my wife's hearing aids cost $5k. Priorities, man. Besides saving your hearing, you'll have an extra $4k for shells, and that's a lot of shells.

I always wear ear plugs. In the late 80’s I was shooting sporting clay (never wore ear protection back then), I was standing behind someone that shot, and it got me good, ear was ringing. This has happen before, but the ringing always went away. But this time it didn’t, my ear still rings today (just one). Been wearing ear protection ever since. My hearing is bad as well.

5 years ago or so, I talked to my ear doc, he said for $300, he can outfit me with custom hear plugs that are for shooting. It is open where you can hear everything, but once a shot is fired, the pressure activates the plug and shuts out all sound, then opens again. I been wanting to get this.

Yeah but then you would hear your wife...deafness has its advantages

Judd and Barney...thanks for the info...will look into that.

I like the way you think! Now, if only I can convince the wife of that....

Just got an appt for next Tuesday. The lady told me they would run about $280ish an ear. My buddy I hunt with in KS has a pair. He told me it's not 100% like your natural ear obviously with the valve in, but he said it's not that bad unless the wind in howling. We will see. I'm about to get a set unless the Dr. conviences me there's a better alternative than the Style 39.

I added this topic to my watch list... BarneyWho, try to keep us up to date on how they worked out for you! I like the electronic muffs ok but they're not so hot for rain or for when the wind is workin either.

Yeah I'm going to talk to the wife and tell her this is going to be my birthday present. There are a few places in my hometown that do the Westones so I'm going to get to calling.

Oh and Dave...you wear those big ear muff jobs while hunting? They seem like something you could wear at a range but not very ideal for hunting since they are bulky.

FYI, your insurance won't cover the cost of the ear plugs. However, if your company offers a flexible spending account where you can take the money out pre-tax for medical expenses you can use this money to pay for the plugs. This is what I did. The audiologist I'm going to basically gives you a free exam, and then you just pay for the plugs.

I'll let y'all know how it goes. I'm sure it will take a while for the molds to be sent off and plugs to be made.

It'll take a while for you to hunt in them and get the pros and cons too...

Marc I do use the muffs while hunting, they get in the way less than you'd think. They have never really interfered with shooting/mounting but they do things like, when you turn your head back and forth and they rub up on your jacket it's amplified.

Like this thread! Especially since can use you Ins Flex $=tax free. I used that for LASIK the other year. $300ish is not bad at all not including the tax savings

what!?

My wife has a flex medical savings account through her work but we have already spend everything for this year and I think you have to wait until the following year to make changes.

I use the custom molded plugs that have the small hole through them with the foam inside. they let you hear but knock the loud sounds out. I got them made at a sporting clays event a few years ago and they ran me about $80 or so. They were made by a outfit called Just-For-Ears out of Decatur. They work real well. She shows up at a lot of the larger shoots around the DFW and surrounding areas. She will be at the AADE shoot at the Dallas Gun Club next Thursday and Friday.

I have these:

http://www.gundogsonline.com/hearing-pro...dator-gold.html

They're awesome and Gundogsonline.com is a great vendor. Highly recommended,

I've got these custom molded plugs. They are passive filters. I only paid about $150 for them. They work very well and I would do it again.

How long ago? I was just quoted the $300ish by the receptionist making my appt, but I like your price much better.

I found this an interesting read:

http://www.michiganwalleye.com/forum/showthread.php?t=327472&page=3

I plan on asking the audiologist about this when I go in on Tuesday.

I bought a set of plugs last year using my insurance flex card. They work great! Can hear whispers, but the sliding plug closes off loud noises. Bought mine from an Audiologist in McKinney. They were only $100. Here is a link to their web site;http://www.hearinmckinney.com/
Planning on getting my wife some this year since she has picked up hunting, and she could use them for pistols as well.
When I bought mine, went in for a free hearing test, and she made the molds and got them back within a week best I remember. She can make the really expensive ones, and has made them for professional musicians. She makes them in several different colors as well. I got the hunters orange that way they wouldn't get lost if I lay them down somewhere.