Hunting, Shotgun and Rifle Noise, Is Dual Hearing Protection Enough?

A friend has been trying to make me take up hunting as a hobby and join him. I would like to.

But aren't shotguns and rifles so loud that not even dual hearing protection (plugs + muffs) might be enough to protect from hearing damage?

Are there any hunters here? How do you deal with the gun noise?

 

No guarantees that's for sure but IMO good strong plugs (custom or foam inserted properly and deep) AND muffs with an NRR of at least 30 will protect you fine. But, the rub is that for hunting you need to hear stuff around you so most people use digital hearing protection which has an NRR of low 20's. People say that the digital protection is fine and obviously not every hunter has T but you would need to use lower protection than I feel is optimal to hunt. I just shoot pistols and shotguns for target/range use so I muff/plug up without concern. I even have custom Westone molded ear plugs. I guess the bottom line is that it's a risk but tons of people do it, just be sure to get some very high quality ear protection.

Here is a link to Westone Hunter custom digital plugs: https://www.westone.com/defendear/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&layout=item&id=6&Itemid=109

Way less expensive digital muffs: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NAG4WX2/

For comparison, the Westone Solid custom plugs I use for range shooting: https://www.westone.com/defendear/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&layout=item&id=16&Itemid=132

And muffs I use for range shooting: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NKSMPZW/

 

Guns, especially hunting rifles, are probably loud enough to do some damage through double protection.

Have you considered bowhunting?

 

I hunt in the supermarket, it's quieter there. Plus, it's target rich for women. };-)