Hearing protection for reenactors.

[PrivateBrooke]

So, the recent thread about soldiers and hearing loss has got me thinking, and seriously questioning my lack of protection. That and the fact that I already have chronic tinnitus and no doubt at least some level of hearing loss.

So I decided to make this thread. How many of you use earplugs? Which do you use?
I know it's not period correct, and that what has kept me resistant to wearing them, but I suppose earplugs are in my future.

I've seen some pricey ones that are not only nearly invisible, but also "supposedly" only filter out noises above a certain decibel, allowing me to hear things like orders and other verbal communications while still muffling rifle and artillery fire. Anyone have any experience with these "hi fidelity" plugs? Recommendations?

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

I use the regular shooting ear plugs, found in the Hunting Section at Wal Mart. They are cheaper and have a better decibel rating than the more expensive "Hearing Protection" plugs found at the Wal Mart pharmacy.
Which is more important to you: Being "Period Correct" or preserving the health of your hearing?

 

[PrivateBrooke]

I use the regular shooting ear plugs, found in the Hunting Section at Wal Mart. They are cheaper and have a better decibel rating than the more expensive "Hearing Protection" plugs found at the Wal Mart pharmacy.
Which is more important to you: Being "Period Correct" or preserving the health of your hearing?

Surely there's a way to do both. I've seen clear ones that don't stick out.

My biggest worry is not hearing orders because of my hearing being compromised. That can get someone hurt quick.

 

[thomas aagaard]

I've seen some pricey ones that are not only nearly invisible, but also "supposedly" only filter out noises above a certain decibel, allowing me to hear things like orders and other verbal communications while still muffling rifle and artillery fire. Anyone have any experience with these "hi fidelity" plugs? Recommendations?

When I left the danish army I keeped my issued Phonak earplugs and I used them at events.

When I then lost them maybe 5 years ago I used cheap foam earplugs for 2 events.

And then decided to spend the 265USD to get a new pair from Phonak.
(It is a good deal of money, but considering that I have spend on other items for this hobby... well that is really is not.)

I did this because they do work (mostly) as you describe.
When I had my new set made, I just got them to use the same filter standards used by the army so I got what I had been use to.
And Iam happy with them..
They do effect my hearing in regard to speech. Orders are not an issue, but if multiply people are talking at the same time, it is harder to focus on one voice. But using ½-1$ foam earplugs are still worse.

But I could likely have gotten some that was more suited to my use.
They can be made to only filter out loud individual noise. This is the norm for plugs made for hunting.
And/Or they can have a filter for dealing with continuing noises. like when sitting in an armored personal carrier for hours...

And I got the 2nd filter added. Again both because I just wanted to take the safe option of getting what I knew worked.
But also because I did fear that something like "fire by file" with sufficient number of people might not get filtered properly since that is a sort of continuing noise.

The company I got mine true where honest that like 98% of their sales are for hearing aids. And the rest are just standard earplugs for hunting. So they simply called Phonak got hold of the specific person who had handled the order by my regiment back in 2007 and asked him for the specifics.

I would think that finding a company with experience with sales to gunowners will be a lot easier in the US. So I would think they would better be able to judge if the "continuing noise filter" is needed or not.

 

[jepridgen]

I'm a tall guy so I'm always in the rear rank. For my two cents worth, just please don't buy a bright neon pink, blue, or orange set that you can see from a hundred yards. As shown above, there are good "hidden" options out there that are more effective. Nothing ruins a good action shot or unit photo than some guy with neon sticking out of his ears.

 

[redbob]

Wear hearing protection, you will be glad that you did.

 

[Andersonh1]

I use the regular shooting ear plugs, found in the Hunting Section at Wal Mart. They are cheaper and have a better decibel rating than the more expensive "Hearing Protection" plugs found at the Wal Mart pharmacy.
Which is more important to you: Being "Period Correct" or preserving the health of your hearing?

Same here. Those foam earplugs that you compress, insert into your ears and then allow to expand are better than the more expensive ones, and I've tried both. I've got some tinnitus in my ears as well, so I'm not concerned about whether someone sees me out there on the field with purple foam earplugs. I want to be able to still hear in 20 years!

 

[poorjack]

I always wore plugs when reenacting. The foam roll ups are pretty effective and I used the ones that were a "off white" color. Take a black Sharpie to the end on the outside of your ear, and nobody can tell the difference.

 

[MAPMFF]

I've never worn them when I participated in infantry units in the Rev War or Civil War Period, never did bother me much. However as I prepare to purchase a cannon and hopefully get a unit together around it I will definitely make hearing protection a thing. They have some decent custom molded ones you can typically get at local gun shows that can be made skin color.

 

[drezac]

We do artillery, so we always have ear plugs. Our rule is that there will always be a supply of the foam ones in the limber chests. and yes, we do yell a lot on the artillery line - to make sure commands are heard. I have used a couple of different kinds of plugs, and don't really notice that much difference in the ability to hear others with them in. I'm mainly concerned with the noise suppression ( especially if I'm on the front of one of the 12-pdrs).

 

[Pollaco]

Long hair styles that were common back then can do some pretty good hiding. I hear some Rock Stars do it.

 

[PrivateBrooke]

Same here. Those foam earplugs that you compress, insert into your ears and then allow to expand are better than the more expensive ones, and I've tried both. I've got some tinnitus in my ears as well, so I'm not concerned about whether someone sees me out there on the field with purple foam earplugs. I want to be able to still hear in 20 years!

I actually despise those earplugs. They never conform to my ear correctly and fall out a lot. Maybe I have a weird shaped canal or something. The "fit" in that they FILL my ear, but just don't stay in.

Also like I said before I don't want to LOOK like I'm wearing earplugs. Even though I am.

 

[PrivateBrooke]

When I left the danish army I keeped my issued Phonak earplugs and I used them at events.

When I then lost them maybe 5 years ago I used cheap foam earplugs for 2 events.

And then decided to spend the 265USD to get a new pair from Phonak.
(It is a good deal of money, but considering that I have spend on other items for this hobby... well that is really is not.)

I did this because they do work (mostly) as you describe.
When I had my new set made, I just got them to use the same filter standards used by the army so I got what I had been use to.
And Iam happy with them..
They do effect my hearing in regard to speech. Orders are not an issue, but if multiply people are talking at the same time, it is harder to focus on one voice. But using ½-1$ foam earplugs are still worse.

But I could likely have gotten some that was more suited to my use.
They can be made to only filter out loud individual noise. This is the norm for plugs made for hunting.
And/Or they can have a filter for dealing with continuing noises. like when sitting in an armored personal carrier for hours...

And I got the 2nd filter added. Again both because I just wanted to take the safe option of getting what I knew worked.
But also because I did fear that something like "fire by file" with sufficient number of people might not get filtered properly since that is a sort of continuing noise.

The company I got mine true where honest that like 98% of their sales are for hearing aids. And the rest are just standard earplugs for hunting. So they simply called Phonak got hold of the specific person who had handled the order by my regiment back in 2007 and asked him for the specifics.

I would think that finding a company with experience with sales to gunowners will be a lot easier in the US. So I would think they would better be able to judge if the "continuing noise filter" is needed or not.


View attachment 431421

That's the kind of thing I'm looking for!

 

[Seduzal]

Thanks for sharing this awesome article. Enjoyed reading it.

 

[Don Dixon]

So, the recent thread about soldiers and hearing loss has got me thinking, and seriously questioning my lack of protection. That and the fact that I already have chronic tinnitus and no doubt at least some level of hearing loss.

If you have any level of tinnitus you already have fairly significant hearing loss.

 

[PrivateBrooke]

If you have any level of tinnitus you already have fairly significant hearing loss.

I haven't noticed anything, but I also haven't had my hearing checked in years either...

 

[grognard]

Never used them.

I'm sorry - what did you say?

 

[major bill]

Ear horns must have been a booming business after the Civil War.