I use Peltor and have for over 10 years. They are hot in summer!!!! If you shop around you can find them for about $60. They use a AAA battery.

Don

 

I looked at all 3 before choosing Tetra. I already have a hearing loss and needed a device that would compensate for my loss to be able to hear my squadmates, voices, etc., and still protect what hearing I have left when the gun fired. Tetra was founded by 2 audiologists, so hopefully they know what they are selling. With Tetra, you can take their online hearing test or better yet send in your recent hearing test results and they will tailor the devices for your hearing loss. Harris & Sons also offers this service, but at over 2X the price of the Tetras. Harris & Sons does include Bluetooth, but that was not worth the extra $$$ for me. Not sure if ESP offers a customized option?

I just put in my order for the Tetras and haven't gotten them yet, so I cannot comment on their actual performance. I have tried Walkers, Peltor, Axil, Etymotic Gunshot Pros, and Otto Noizebarriers. The Ottos were BY FAR the best of the rest, but even with their amplified setting they could not compensate for my hearing loss. If you have reasonable hearing, I would HIGHLY recommend the Otto Noizebarriers. They are very comfortable, last all day, have one of the highest NRR ratings, and are super easy to use. Also very reasonably priced for what you get if you can live without the Bluetooth.

 

Thank you for this. I actually have the Otto's right now and I was thinking about going to customs because I thought they would protect my ears a bit better than the ottos since they would be custom fit to my ear. The Otto's work great. Are you suggesting the otto protect more than all these custom options?

 

If protecting your hearing is your primary goal spend less money and wear BOTH plugs and ear muffs. Neither one alone will prevent hearing loss due to repeated exposure to a shotgun blast.

Long term exposure to should over 70 db will damage your hearing. Short term exposure to sound above around 120 db will damage your hearing. A shotgun blast can exceed 155 db and most hearing protection only cuts out about 30 db at most.

Here's a pretty good article on firearms and hearing protection. One part I found interesting was, "the amount of noise reduction for a 12-gauge shotgun using the David Clark Model 27 earmuff is 31 dB; the peak level was reduced from 161 dB (red line) to 130 dB SPL (blue line). With the earmuff alone, the number of shots recommended by NIOSH would be 5 per 24-hour period. The addition of a deeply-inserted foam earplug adds another 21 dB to the attenuation, increasing the allowed number of shots to more than 1,200 per day."

 

Best combo: disposable foam plugs and any active earmuffs

 

After a less-than-perfect Statkey purchased from my audiologist, I’m sold on ESP. On my 3rd set now… (due to washing machines, loss & abuse). Granny w/ PMS Firearms is their largest dealer and knows her stuff and provides unparalleled service.
PMS

With 15 years wearing them & 100K+ registered targets (and lots more uncounted practice rounds), I get tested annually and have zero hearing loss to shooting. They work well!

Demi

 

Which ESP? Thanks!

 

ESP, buy once and cry once. I am on my second set, they are customizable. Contact Jack Homa at ESP, hands down the best customer service I have ever received.

 

Not only are they customizable, they are also upgradeable if u should so desire in the future. I am a ESP user, got them from Granny at PMS..... she is the best!

 

3M Peltor eep 100.
Myself and two other guys are very happy with them. If you're patient, you can get them for just under $200.

 

3M Peltor eep 100.
Myself and two other guys are very happy with them. If you're patient, you can get them for just under $200.

I had some and didn't care for them-even on low setting way too much ambient sounds and my plugs did a better job blocking out the gun blasts.

 

Ive used ESP for years and loved them. I am currently using soundgear for last few years and just as happy with them. Ive been wanting to get a new set and waiting on ESP to catch up but might go ahead and make the leap with soundgear again. Their new ones offer bluetooth and are rechargeable. No more little batteries would be so nice! If ESP comes out with it soon I will go with them, otherwise soundgear.

 

I have used E.A.R.S digital's now for 4 or so years they are their lower end 1k a pop versions. I have sent them back in numerous times for the same issue, the volume craps out, normally on one side or the other. They do give you a year warranty on the repair but I am annoyed that I'm having to dick around and the lack of reliability. E>A>R>S is located in Boulder, Co. so you send them out to them just to have them sent to Casselberry, Fl. for the actual repair. I looked up the company doing the repairs and they sell the exact same products as EARS at about the same price point. I saw Tetra mentioned in this thread and looked up their digital custom models and found theyre the exact same as the E.A.R.S suppressors I currently have right down to the size 13 battery they use. I really cant recommend these due to the lack of reliability, right now my left ear has volume 40 to 50% of the time, the right ear has no volume what so ever. For 3 or so months only the right ear worked then one day it sh* the bed and the left started working, WTF? There is a bright spot though, you miss out on much of the BS ing that goes on around you when your in the stand which is a good thing. Just out of curiosity has anyone else had issues with custom digitals like whats in the picture below? LMK

 

I recommend Pro Ears and their new entries into the market. The Stealth HTBT 28 (NRR Scale that goes up to 30) is the Blue tooth version and costs, I think, about $180.00 on Amazon. The Stealth HT 28 is the non-blue tooth and sells for $80.00 on Amazon. These are both rechargeable with a USB port. I couldn't begin to list all the products I have tried. One things is for certain, the various models that use a tiny battery in a flimsy slide in and out tray are not for me.
I have both the Stealth versions and in fact I bought two of the non-blue tooth versions. I am of the "One is none, two is one" club. I have shot two major tournaments with them and a bunch of practice sessions. I'm thinking 300 hrs plus.

s/f Steve

 

My ESP’s are the model below their top-of-the line ones, purchased maybe 5 years ago. “Tried” both with Granny’s stethoscope and couldn’t justify the price difference for part-time use.
Happy with my choice, but be advised that models, features and/or prices may have changed in 5 years. Hope this helps.

Demi

 

Also worth checking out Westone DefendEar. I got the X3 Digital through my audiologist two years ago and they have been flawless - at about 2/3 the price of the comparable ESP model! Westone DefendEar - DefendEar Digital

 

A recent ESP story to share.

The battery door broke on one of my digital units. First issue in the 6 years I've had them, so no biggie.

I called ESP Monday afternoon and a gentleman picked up immediately and helped me. No automated menu or being placed on hold. I asked if he would send me 2 doors for each ear and he said he'd get them out right away. When I asked if I could pay for the parts and/or shipping, he declined and just suggested that I refer potential customers.

That evening, I received a shipping confirmation email from FedEx. Package arrived Wednesday. Inside the box were two pairs of battery doors. Also a care kit with brush and new batteries. And a brand new case which is much nicer than the original one. That's the kind of service that builds brand loyalty.

I can't imagine buying from a competitor and I look forward to buying my next set of ESPs. And I will definitely buy through Granny again!

 

What ever you choose to purchase - it's always best to make sure you've been to a certified Audiologist to have the fitting done and a hearing evaluation if applicable. We love to recommend the SoundGear Phantoms because they are the most updated circuitry on the market, and provide amplification and protection as well as being bluetooth capable.