As an experienced hunter, I cannot overstate the importance of hearing protection. After discussing with Bob Walker, a prominent figure in the hearing health sector and the brains behind Walker’s Game Ear—a brand that forever changed hearing protection for hunters—I can affirm that not all hearing protection devices for hunters are designed equally.

The Top Three Hearing Protection Devices for Hunters

Typically, hunters and shooters lean towards three key types of hearing protection:

  1. Ear inserts (both foam and mechanical)
  2. Over-the-ear muffs
  3. Behind-the-ear designs

Each of these offers its unique advantages, with some focusing solely on hearing protection, while others balance protection with sound amplification.

Foam inserts, according to Walker, deliver the highest level of protection against noise-related hearing loss. Once correctly inserted, they expand to fill the entire canal, thereby lowering and filtering sound. However, their usefulness diminishes when the user requires hearing and protection simultaneously—hence the need for other device types.

Devices offering amplification elevate the detection of subtle sounds, such as the rustle of leaves from a deer walking or a turkey drumming. But when faced with loud, potentially damaging noises—like a gunshot—the amplification is automatically deactivated to safeguard your ears.

Understanding Noise Reduction Rating (NRR)

Every hearing protection device comes with a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR), a standard formulated by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Despite ongoing debates concerning the NRR’s validity in the hearing health sector, it remains the sole rating system within the U.S.

The NRR doesn’t denote a percentage reduction in noise but a numerical reduction in decibels. For instance, a product with an NRR of 25 will reduce a 150 dB sound to 125 dB. Most hearing protection devices for shooters have an NRR between 15 and 25.

How Physiology and Fit Influence Hearing Protection Performance

Notably, Walker cautions that not all devices will provide the NRR level of protection displayed on their packaging. The NRR is based on an ideal fit—a standard that doesn’t necessarily apply to all users due to anatomical differences. For example, a smaller ear canal or thicker eardrum can provide better protection than its larger or thinner counterparts.

This stance aligns with data from NRRUpdate.com, revealing that NRR often overestimates protection levels. Accordingly, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the National Institute for Occupation Safety and Health (NIOSH), and device manufacturers propose reducing the NRR by at least 50 percent to forecast protection levels more accurately.

Efforts are underway by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to revise device testing and NRR labeling. However, no new system has been announced as of March 2009, making NRR the current standard.

Protection Is Not Cumulative

A word of caution for hunters who, in their worry about potential hearing loss, employ more than one device simultaneously. Although combining two protective devices can enhance protection, the effect isn’t cumulative.

Therefore, using two products each with a 25 rating doesn’t translate to 50 dB protection. Nonetheless, employing multiple devices does give more protection than using just one.

Always Have Backup Hearing Protection

Walker stresses the importance of always having backup hearing protection. He recommends having a few pairs of foam-insert protectors stashed in your shooting vest, backpack, and gun or ammo box. This practice ensures that your ears remain protected, even if you forget your primary protective device at home or if the device’s batteries are drained.

Hearing protection is an indispensable part of hunting. Not only does it prevent potential hearing loss, but it also enhances your hunting experience. So remember, invest in a good device, always have a backup, and protect your ears at all times.