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We’ve talked a little about the forms of safety equipment at a range (and even worked speedloaders in there somehow!) This time we need to focus on ear protection, and how, if you leave it at home, you should never shoot without it. Here are the types you’ll always need to have with you.
Earplugs: You can get custom-fitted earplugs that are specially-made for you ear canals, and these will provide the most comprehensive protection. The problem is that they are small and easy to lose, so if you lose them you might just head back to the regular orange plugs that you can buy in bulk (and that you can throw away when they start looking too gross). Don’t use them alone, though, as they can fall out and don’t offer enough protection for most calibers. Double-up with…
Earmuffs: Earmuffs are an excellent, cheap way to protect your ears, whether you’re hunting or on the range. Use them in conjunction with the earplugs and you can protect your ears cheaply and effectively.
Electronic Earmuffs: The other night I was watching a TV show where two cops were at a shooting range. They were both wearing ear protection (thank you Hollywood for actually showing at least one thing accurately!) and they were talking to each other in normal voices. A friend said “there’s a mistake, their ears are covered but they’re talking to each other normally..” Of course I was quick to point out that they were electronic earmuffs, which can amplify speech but shut down at every shot, becoming effective ear protection. The great thing is that these really aren’t too expensive, and are nice so that you can hear range commands or emergency messages while still getting great ear protection.
It’s best to always use your earplugs and then supplement them with either standard or electronic earmuffs. Remember, once you’re hearing is damaged, it doesn’t come back, so make sure to protect it as much as you can!
