In a previous article, we wrote about the importance of having earmuffs if you participate in any shooting sport such as hunting or skeet shooting. Now we are going to look at the viable alternative, the best earplugs. We want to inform you about everything there is to know about earplugs for shooting and help you consider the best options available. As always, we will let you know about the different varying factors that make a good earplug for your purposes – and we’ll explore what qualifies as the best earplugs for shooting.
Want it now? Skip reading and check out our top choice!
Who needs Earplugs for Shooting?
Anyone who enjoys the sport of shooting will most definitely need earplugs if they want to remain in good health and continue to be able to have good hearing. Hearing loss is a serious issue for people who participate in shooting as the loud gunfire causes major damage to your eardrums.
In modern times we have the benefit of having access to the best earplugs at our fingertips and so whether you are at a shooting range or skeet station there really is no excuse as to why you shouldn’t have the best hearing protection available.
Back in the day, many hunters and other regular users of firearms had suffered from the inevitable loss of hearing due to the lack of protection. Whether it’d be a slow but steady and sustained barrage of damage or a singular instance that caused hearing loss, many were left struggling to hold conversations without asking for words to be repeated as their ears were damaged.
What we’re trying to say is that earplugs are a must for everyone who shoots. Earplugs were created for the sole purpose of protecting your ears from loud noises that cause harm to your hearing. Of course, earplugs should not be confused with earmuffs and so be sure to check out that article if you prefer that style of hearing protection.
We feel that it is so important that you find the right set of earplugs for shooting and so we have explained some buying criteria that we consider to be important when making your selection.
What are the buying criteria for Earplugs used for Shooting?
There are certain factors and criteria that you should consider when buying earplugs for shooting. To begin with, you want earplugs that are going to be comfortable when fitted inside of your ear. In addition to this, it is important that the earplugs are moldable so that it can be adjusted to fit precisely inside your ear canal. This will maximize your hearing protection and make sure that the earplugs do not fall out when you’re using them. Getting the right fit will be key to preventing hearing loss.
Like earmuffs, the most important factor when considering earplugs is the ‘Noise Reduction Rating’. The NRR is critical in deciding which earplug is suitable for shooting. The higher the rating, the greater the noise reduction. In practice, the situation in which you are firing the gun will decide which NRR rating you will need. For example, if you are using a smaller caliber gun outside, you can use an earplug with a lower NRR rating compared to if you’re using a bigger gun inside.
Another important criterion you may want to consider is whether you purchase earplugs that are reusable or disposable. The former is likely to be electronic and so comes with additional features and is more suited towards those who regularly partake in shooting. The latter will often come with multiple pairs that can be thrown away after one use. Disposable earplugs also tend to be a lot cheaper than reusable earplugs.
With that being considered, you surely must be wondering what the best earplugs for shooting are?
Decibullz – Custom Molded Earplugs
This unique set of earplugs is currently one of the most popular around, with over a thousand reviews on Amazon. If you want a tried and tested product then this earplug is the right one for you.
This earplug has a wide variety of features that sets it apart from its competition. The noise reduction rating (NRR) is 31dB which virtually guarantees your ears to be protected when shooting. Not only that, these earplugs have an easy shape system which allows you to mold them to fit perfectly inside your ear, further boosting your hearing protection and diminishing the chance of allowing them to fall out when you’re in action. In addition to this, Decibullz are the only custom earplugs that are re-moldable which means that if you fail to get the perfect fit the first time, you can always try again. This is a cool feature that we particularly like and believe helps set this earplug for shooting apart.
What we also appreciate about this product is that it includes multiple extras in the package to ensure the durability and sustainability of the earplugs. Two thermoplastic custom molds, three sets of triple flange tips, one set of foam tips and an earplug carrying pouch are all included in the package which makes this earplug great for those who regularly take part in shooting.
With this in consideration, we really do believe that this earplug is one of the best for shooting and we really do recommend it.
Vibes High Fidelity Earplugs – Invisible Ear Plugs
Once again, we have widely renowned earplugs that are popular amongst customers. This product has thousands of reviews on Amazon and is highly rated which shows the reliability and credibility of the earplugs.
To begin with, this reusable earplug uses cutting-edge attenuating filters that lower volume without affecting sound fidelity. What this means is that whilst ensuring your ears are protected from the loud gunfire, you will still be able to have conversations and listen to music as if you didn’t have any earplugs in. The sound will be clear due to the filtering of specific frequencies. This product is also one of the most comfortable earplugs on the market. The hypoallergenic design and snug fit allow the user to wear these earplugs for hours at a time. Better yet, a hand-pocket-sized portable case is included which can be very convenient.
What we like most about this product is the virtually invisible design. The earplug has a glass-clear outer shell and sleek low profile making them practically invisible. I suppose this can be useful if you want a natural look and don’t want to be seen wearing earplugs. This is definitely the best discreet earplugs on the market.
Decibullz – Custom Molded Percussive Filters
We are back with Decibullz, but this time we are presenting their high-end, top of the range earplugs. These earplugs are for those who are looking to have the latest technology and the very best that there is to offer.
Thermo-fit molded earplugs combined with percussive filter technology protects the user from the peak sound pressure of gunshots and explosions. This is because it suppresses the sound to safe levels and so protects users from sustaining damage to their ears. As this earplug was developed for shooting and military use, the percussive filters are ANSI IPIL certified up to 166 dB. The filters provide a low attenuation which allows for ambient noise to be heard when there is no gunfire. This is perfect for those who are avid shooters or hunters who may like to partake in this sport with friends and other people as conversations can be sustained.
Our favorite thing about this earplug is that it requires no batteries for it to work. The percussive filters use a physical impulse filter to allow for hearing protection without the need for batteries. With all of the features that this product has we really do consider it to be one of the best earplugs for shooting.
Oh, and before we forget, be sure to get the custom earplug lanyard so that you can conveniently wear the product around your neck.
Black Noise Premium Ear Plugs (Best Value)
Finally, we have the value pick. These earplugs are versatile and suitable for multiple purposes, whilst also being effective despite being low cost.
These earplugs are made from eco-friendly polyurethane material to ensure that your ears and hearing are protected. With an impressive noise reduction rating of 33 dB, these earplugs are for those who simply want to protect their ears for a low cost. As a value pick these earplugs naturally do not have many extra features that some of the aforementioned earplugs may have but it still provides users with a comfortable and reliable set of hearing protection.
The best thing about this earplug is that it comes with 25 pairs which really does make it a bang for your buck.
Conclusion
We think that the best choice out of all the earplugs for shooting are the ‘Decibullz – Custom Molded Earplugs’. Not only do they have a high noise reduction rating that will protect your ears from hearing loss, we particularly like the way that the earplugs are moldable and can be used in a wide variety of situations. At a relatively cheap price, we believe this is the best earplug for shooting and that can be substantiated by the great reviews left by many happy customers.
