Whether serving in active combat or training on base, experiencing a gunfire's loud and sudden noise can cause permanent hearing damage or even complete loss of hearing. Therefore, proper ear protection is required.
Hearing loss can significantly impact a soldier's ability to perform essential duties, including communication and situational awareness. Therefore, equipping your military personnel with effective ear protection is vital to protecting their health and ensuring they achieve optimal performance—when it matters most.
Choosing the Right Ear Gear
From earplugs to earbuds, this guide will help you choose the right gear to protect your shooters' hearing during military training. At the end, we'll list our top 3 picks that provide superior protection, comfort, and reliability.
Types of Ear Protection
Before you can choose the best ear protection for the shooting range or training practice, consider that there are several types of ear protection available, each with benefits and drawbacks.
- Earplugs: Earplugs are small and portable, making them easy to carry and use, but they often provide less protection than other options, particularly in rapid fire scenarios or when heavy artillery is being fired.
- Earmuffs: On the other hand, earmuffs offer superior protection and often include the ability to connect to devices that allow you to communicate or give commands. However, these options can be bulky or uncomfortable to wear for long periods.
- Earbuds: Finally, earbuds remove the added bulk and weight of heavy earmuffs while providing noise-canceling technology and Bluetooth capability. However, most of these devices require charging.
It's essential to understand the differences between these types of ear protection so you can choose the one that best meets your department's needs.
Consider the Noise Reduction Rating (NRR)
The NRR measures how much the earplugs or earmuffs reduce the level of noise that reaches your ears. The higher the NRR, the more effective the ear protection will reduce noise.
Look for ear equipment with an NRR of at least 22 decibels (dB) for adequate protection during military training.
Look for Comfort & Fit
Uncomfortable ear protection can cause irritation or pain, distracting shooters from training and affecting their progress and accuracy. Therefore, look for ear protection made from soft materials with adjustable features, such as ear cups or ear tips that wearers can customize to fit their ears.
Consider Communication Needs
Be sure to select ear protection for clear communication if you need to give commands or coordinate drills with shooters during training. Look for ear protection that features built-in communication features, such as microphones or speakers, or that allow for easy Bluetooth connection.
Choose a Reputable Brand and Product
Look for products tested and approved by organizations such as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) or the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
These organizations have set standards for hearing protection and ensure that products meet those requirements. Additionally, choose a product that is specifically designed for military use and has been tested in military training environments.
Best Ear Protection for Shooting Range
Every U.S. Department of Defense deserves the best quality and performance when it comes to hearing protection. Below are a few of our top picks that pair safety, comfort, and noise reduction.
PM8010 Ear Protection
This affordable, low-profile design has an NRR rate of 26 dB and features soft foam ear cups to provide better fit and comfort. This set is easy to fold away and carry with you and exceeds ANSI S3.19 requirements.
Pro Ears: Stealth 28
The Stealth 28 provides state-of-the-art hearing protection and is ultra-lightweight for all-day comfort. It has an NRR of 28 dB, features a noise-reducing wind cover, and 5X amplification to let you hear quieter sounds from a distance while still protecting your hearing from loud shots happening near you.
Pro Ears: Silver 22 - Ear Protection
Featuring a slimmer design with a padded base, the Silver 22 has the same technologies as the top-of-the-line Pro Ears models with Dynamic Level Sound Compressions (DLSC™) military-grade circuit boards, 8-bit Micro-Processor, and an NRR of 22 dB.
It also fits comfortably around the ears thanks to its gel seals and is padded for extra comfort.
Shop the Best Ear Protection for Shooting Range
Protect your team's hearing during military training with the best ear protection available. In addition to the options listed above, we sell a wide selection of quality safety equipment for military training. Browse our selection online or contact us directly at 866-498-8228 for questions or to order yours today!
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