#HearingProtection

A little while back, I had the opportunity to test out some of AXIL’s electronic ear protection. The particular model I was able to review was the ultra-lightweight, ultra-low-profile, hearing-aid battery-powered GS Digital 1 earplugs. While I still enjoy and use these earplugs to this day for all the qualities I mentioned in the review, I think I have a new favorite pair of low-profile ear protection that isn’t a pair of earmuffs. While out at a TFB event in Southeast Texas, the TFB crew and I had a chance to test out the AXIL GS Extreme Ear Buds. Many of you were put off by the price and lack of a rechargeable battery for the GS Digital 1 earplugs and I think the GS Extreme Earbuds will offer you everything you were after with the GS Digital 1’s but with a slightly larger package and with more features.

If you’re a fan of Walker’s hearing protection products and like the connectivity that is provided to you through the LINK app, then you’ll be excited to hear that Walker’s has just rolled out a new version – LINK 3.0. LINK 3.0 takes all of the previous functionality of the LINK app and brings all of the company’s app-compatible ear protection products into one convenient app so you can control, customize and manage your hearing protection.

Over time both professional and recreational shooters are moving away from traditional earmuff designs in favor of sound management earbuds. These earbuds are not only more comfortable to wear for many shooters, but they also offer a much more lightweight option that doesn’t take up as much space in the range bag or get in the way of a solid cheek weld on a rifle. Walker’s has just announced the release of their new ATACS Sport Earbuds that deliver state-of-the-art performance for serious shooters and claim to excel in comfort and operational convenience.

Welcome to TFB Weekly Amazon Deals 9: Essential Gear Edition. This week I’ve gathered a handful of items that I consider to be “essential” when it comes to shooting or everyday carry duty. We’re lucky enough to have an absolutely staggering amount of high-quality products available to us in the gun industry but it’s always nice to have those things when we also get a bit of a discount (especially during these trying days). This week we’ve got a few lights, a knife, hearing protection, and even some sight-in targets. Are these the only things you’ll be needing at the range? No. However, I find myself using these items more often than not and every item on this list is something I more or less carry with me to the range every time,. Everything else just depends on what kind of shooting I plan on doing for the day.

Welcome to TFB Weekley Amazon Deals 5: National Coloring Book Day Edition. Coloring books can do a lot of things for both young and older minds alike. For one, coloring books teach children at an early age to develop fine motor skills with their hands as well as small objects. Research also suggests that coloring for adults can help reduce stress levels and encourage more restful sleep. The folks over at armourersbench.com have helped combine the powers of coloring books with fantastic illustrations of firearms from the Advanced Combat Rifle (ACR) program. The Armourer’s Bench coloring books are both highly researched and well put together by TFB Staff Writer Matthew Moss and by Lauren Mcinereny. While they aren’t on Amazon, they are only $10 shipped and they’d make a great gift for any gun lover in your life – just don’t forget the colored pencils. This week’s lineup for Amazon includes some pretty hefty discounts on everyday use range items as well as a budget suggestion from our very own James Reeves for kitting out an inexpensive tactical shotgun.

Following many requests by customers for Multicam Black camouflage wraps for many of their products, Safariland has just released a few limited availability editions of their 6304RDS and 6354RDS holsters as well as their Liberator HP 2.0 hearing protection. The Multicam Black hearing protection can now be picked as color options on their respective product pages (linked above). These wraps are made from Cordura nylon and not only look cool but are said to enhance durability.

I’m a huge fan of in-ear hearing protection as opposed to over-the-ear hearing protection. While ear muffs have much better sound mitigation capabilities, I just can’t stand the heat and sweat they generate on a hot day. Howard Leight has just introduced their very own offering of in-ear noise canceling hearing protection with the New Howard Leight Impact Sport In-Ear models.

With advances in technology over the years, we have developed a lot of improved safety equipment and practices. I doubt anyone 100 years ago would have considered using hearing protection for everyday shooting (heck seatbelts weren’t even standard till 1968). From lead-free ammunition, more durable eye protection, advances in backstop decontamination, and state-of-the-art air filtration equipment, shooting has become a much less health-hazardous endeavor. Keeping your ears protected is still one of the most important safety practices in my book which is why I’m a huge fan of widespread suppressor use and the proper application of hearing protection based on the situation. AXIL, a leader in state-of-the-art hearing protection sent me a pair of their “Ghost Stryke”  GS Digital 1 Earplugs for review and today we’ll see how they perform under a variety of shooting situations.

If you shoot unsuppressed, you’ve got to wear hearing protection. Even with a suppressor, sometimes depending on the specific can and host, it can still be needed. Other than using silencers to protect your hearing, there are two basic types of ear pro, each with its own pros and cons: in-ear and over-ear.  You might prefer the fit, feel, and function of over-ear muff-style options. Muffs can be great but do come with some challenges. One of these, particularly during long range sessions, and especially outdoors in warmer temperatures, is sweat/heat retention. Thankfully, Noisefighters has come up with a solution: the new Heatsync ear pro covers.

Hearing on the range around loud noises is extremely important. Traditional hearing protection isolates you not only from harmful noise – but also from helpful noise. ISOtunes has just introduced their DEFY hearing enhancing earmuffs for shooting sports. The lightweight hearing protection filters out harmful noise and amplifies non-harmful noises up to 8X.

Hearing protection is probably one of the most important pieces of kit you can have in your range bag whether you’re a military operator, law enforcement officer, competitor, or casual shooter. ISOtunes specializes in Bluetooth hearing protection products for shooters. The company has just released their Sport ADVANCE hearing protection specifically geared towards sport shooters.

The Pro Ears company recently launched their diminutive Stealth Elite electronic hearing protection, that can basically be used in any environment above water, and they can protect your hearing across all sorts of loud jobs.  Shooting was one of the driving factors to the creation of the Stealth Elite model in Pro Ears’ lineup, and they were happy to let TFB have a go with a pair to see how they hold up.  I got to spend some quality time with the Stealth Elite electronic buds of protection during my shooting sessions, as well as some yard work and projects around the house.

Welcome to The TFB Debate Club, where two writers pace out 10 steps a piece and draw down. Last time, Luke and Doug went blow for blow over the AR-15 being a suitable home defense weapon. This week we wade into the silencer argument: is shooting suppressed firearms really worth the time, money and effort? Or should you point your money in another direction?

Hearing protection: it’s a big deal in any kind of shooting endeavor. For many years it’s been well-known that too many dBs battering your eardrums can cause permanent damage, including hearing loss and tinnitus. Suppressors can help, but if you’re going to the range then quality ear pro is absolutely a must-have. While simple foam buds or basic over-the-ear muffs typically work fine, some shooters prefer the added benefits offered by electronic options. Some models include smart technology that will amplify quieter sounds like speech, while dampening loud noise like gunshots. Others can fold in bluetooth capabilities, for communication purposes or to pipe in some music. With a July 23rd press release, the Michigan-based hearing defenders at Pro Ears have announced pre-order availability for a new electronic in-ear option: the Stealth Elite earbuds. The release reads as follows.

Shooting is a loud endeavor. Unless you’re using an extremely low-decibel setup like a suppressed .22, ear pro is a must. The consequences for failing to guard your ears against a firearm’s report can include tinnitus or other permanent hearing damage. Walker’s has been in the hearing protection business for over 25 years, and produces some highly-regarded electronic solutions. With a July 14th press release, they have announced the next iteration of this endeavor: the Raptor bone conduction headset. The press release reads as follows.