Hearing Protection for home defence.
 

I am interested in buying hearing protection for a home defense set up.
Obvioulsy, one would need to hear small sounds, but, would also might need to have gun sound hearing protection. What is the best brand?

Also, is it possible to wear a light helmet while wearing such hearing protection?

Be well.

Re: Hearing Protection for home defence.
 

If you were in a valid home defense shooting situation, finding and putting on (or in) hearing protection would rank pretty far down the list. Other things will occupy all of your attention.

In a somewhat calmer situation, say at a range, I like electronic amplified muffs. You can hear everything but they shut down for a couple of microseconds when something goes off.

Re: Hearing Protection for home defence.
 

Perhaps, but if you hear a bump in the night, downstairs, one might have time to put on hearing protection before going to investigate. If you decide to stay put, you might even have more time.

So, to rephrase the question, if you had time, and, had the protential of needing indoor hearing protection, which is the best brand? Any experience?

Re: Hearing Protection for home defence.
 

You MUST risk the hearing damage/temporary hearing loss in an emergency situation.

You may need to hear a mouse squeak if someone is inside your home, and with any sort of earmuffs or earplugs, you might not. If the SOB in your home gets a clue, and is hell-bent on harming you, your disabled hearing may be how he comes in behind you.

Re: Hearing Protection for home defence.
 

Do SWAT teams use hearing protection?
Does the US military infantry?
I will look it up.
(I read that the miltary is investigating this.)
Be well.

Re: Hearing Protection for home defence.
 

No intruders yet, but when feral animals are about I use a set of amplified earmuffs. I got a few Caldwell muffs last time they were on sale at Midway.

Re: Hearing Protection for home defence.
 

SWAT teams do, but then as I said in the other thread--SWAT teams have the luxury of being awake in a well-lit area, where they can prepare fully for an attack before they have to begin it.

Military training uses hearing protection now too (for the most part), at least in the US, and I'd guess most other first-world countries as well.

Combat use does now often (I am told). In the past they did not, and a lot of veterans have hearing loss now because of it.

------

The electronic ones work well but are rather bulky, too easy to get knocked off, I'd think.

You can get non-electronic earplugs that have a valve that blocks loud noises.
One example:
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/29914-1.html
These will only provide 7dB of attenuation (vs. 25dB or so for regular cheap foam plugs).... I would not recommend them for regular/practice shooting but that -7dB will spare your ears a lot of damage.

They still muffle normal sounds a bit however. The matter is if you think they are workable or not.


-end-

Re: Hearing Protection for home defence.
 

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...233&hasJS=true these work good i have a pair for hunting , dont see why they would not work , plus you could hear a pin drop an they cut off when you shot

Re: Hearing Protection for home defence.
 

Re: Hearing Protection for home defence.
 

You want and need clear hearing during a home invasion.

Silly idea.

Re: Hearing Protection for home defence.
 

Go with Peltor Comtac. If you have time and put those on you will be able to hear their footsteps in the other room. Don't underestimate having the ability to hear 5x better.

Re: Hearing Protection for home defence.
 

But not knowing which direction it comes from. I'll risk my hearing if an intruder is in my home.

Re: Hearing Protection for home defence.
 

Having been in a house where a firearm was discharged, .45 LC, I can say that it is an unpleasant experience. Ears rang for two days afterward. A shotgun would be worse. But, like Hoarder said, I would want to have the majority of my hearing during the early stages of any confrontation. Worth the risk.

If you are really determined to do this, it would be easy enough to buy an extra set of muffs and store them next to your home protection device.

Re: Hearing Protection for home defence.
 

What do SWAT teams use? It has to be helmet compatable.
What are combat infantry using?
(I saw a video of combat in Iraq. After the firefight started, one of the US soldiers got into cover, and, put something in is ears (not "earmuffs").
I don't know what it was, or, if it was standard issue.)

Re: Hearing Protection for home defence.
 

....or you could tax and license up for a decibel eliminator......

Re: Hearing Protection for home defence.
 

I've said it here many times.....try to avoid magnum load in a home/car defense situation. Try to use 38 spl in place of 357 mag. Out on the street....do what you want....but in the house....have enough...but too much of a good thing is a problem....I've shot in building before...you will have short/long term hearing loss with big loads in confined spaces....

I could not imagine the hearing impact of a 357 mag shot in a hallway or in a car....

Re: Hearing Protection for home defence.
 

And if the bad guy is wearing a ballistic vest, or,
does not go down w 38 spl...?

Re: Hearing Protection for home defence.
 

I lay a pair of non electronic muffs next to my rifle. You can still hear sounds with them on, I will be going by sight. I have a light attachment to easier spot the intruders. Having muffs will make it easier to repeat fire without flinching. I could use ear plugs instead, but figure it will be quicker to put on the muffs.

Re: Hearing Protection for home defence.
 

You defend your home w a rifle?
What kind.
Be well.

Re: Hearing Protection for home defence.
 

ar15 carbine. Less over-penetration issues than a 9mm.

Re: Hearing Protection for home defence.
 

+1. A room is not clear unless you see that it is. Hearing doesn't count as room clearing. Nice choice on the carbine too. With home invasions these days you are most likely going up against more then one attacker and they could possibly have bullet proof vests on.

Electronic muffs do give you amplified hearing which to me is a benefit. The directional hearing arguement would hold up if you were not swiveling your head looking for targets. Some electronic muffs do have multiple speakers in the muff that will give you a direction to start from. Think surround sound but amplified until the rounds start flying.

In conclusion, I would say do what you are most confident with.

Re: Hearing Protection for home defence.
 

Those little foam "roll between your fingers" ones... and yes they are standard issue now. They come in a green plastic case with a dog-tag chain on it so you can hook it on your vest.

Re: Hearing Protection for home defence.
 

A 38 spl is plenty enough. 357 will also have a vest issue. Try a few shots to the head + torso + groin....

This is where a high capacity pistol beats the revolver....lots of shots.....like having 2 or 3 revolvers.

We also have a 38 revolver as a house gun.

357 will take away 2 very important things....hearing and night vision.....357 = way too much muzzle flash.

Re: Hearing Protection for home defence.
 

Re: Hearing Protection for home defence.
 

Is this common where you live?

It is extremely uncommon in the USA for home invaders to have any sort of preparation aside from a primary weapon.

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The only people who regularly wear armor and invade homes would be police--but as far as that goes,,,, -being able to shoot through the vests of the first couple police that come through your door isn't going to help your situation. If you stay in one location you are surrounded and will be overpowered by greater numbers and more-powerful weapons.

The wisest plan for that scenario would be to do something which will cause some delay amongst the opposition (such as firing a couple shots overhead) and then to have an hidden escape route, and get away entirely.

You cannot stay in one place and out-shoot an organized police or military force. There's no point in trying.

-end-

Re: Hearing Protection for home defence.
 

[QUOTE=Bill843;1572136]Is this common where you live?

It is extremely uncommon in the USA for home invaders to have any sort of preparation aside from a primary weapon.

- - - - - -- -- -
I did an internet search. Lots of anecdotes about criminals wearing body armor, but, real numbers on how common, are not printed.
(I believe that it is "more" illegal to wear a such a vest while commiting a crime...)

I don't even know how common it is for home theives to be armed.

Does anybody know?

Be well.

Re: Hearing Protection for home defence.
 

S and W has an 8 shot 357. I wonder if is as realiable as 6 shot.
Be well.

Re: Hearing Protection for home defence.
 

Yes...and an alternative -

http://www.brennekeusa.com

Re: Hearing Protection for home defence.
 

Re: Hearing Protection for home defence.
 

Guy could be wearing armor plating, too. Better use a Barrett .50 cal just in case.

:)

Re: Hearing Protection for home defence.
 

I second this. A home invasion situation may very well require you to rely upon senses OTHER than sight, especially after dark. It's all well and good to protect your ears, but not at the expense of not being able to hear an intruder creeping up behind you with a knife.

Permanent hearing damage requires consistent, numerous, cases of exposure to heavy sounds over a sustained period of time, so a few instances of discharging your weapon without hearing protection is very unlikely to cause a problem. Save the ear protection for the range.

Re: Hearing Protection for home defence.
 

if you every go to a bass pro store try this out you can hear a pin drop http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st..._SearchResults

Re: Hearing Protection for home defence.
 

Pretty cool gadget, and I would definitely consider a pair for the range or even hunting but I think I would still rely on my own hearing in a life or death situation for a couple of reasons: 1) I am skeptical about how well you could pinpoint the direction of a sound with those things, and 2) batteries - guaranteed to die precisely when you need them.

Re: Hearing Protection for home defence.
 

The reviews at cabelas.com aren't so good.