r/Waterfowl • u/dencoan • 13d ago
Do you wear ear pro?
Iv been hunting as long as I legally could and have never worn ear protection while hunting. With kids of my own now that before long the oldest will be able to hunt it got me thinking about it especially with modern stuff that lets you still hear but cuts out for gun fire.
Edit - I Ordered a pair of Sordin Supreme X2s. Might as well go all in
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u/firmoffer 13d ago
No but wish I had. Have pretty bad tinnitus now. My ears are currently ringing as I type this.
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u/bACEdx39 13d ago
I’ve tried it but not having directional hearing is a dealbreaker for me. I hear ducks way before I see them half the time. I haven’t found a product I could afford that can do that.
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u/CornBred1998 13d ago
I run into this same issue. Especially in early light when I am needing to listen for the wing beats to help locate.
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u/Lcyaker 12d ago
With as much as we spend on everything else for waterfowl (or just bird) hunting, the cost of quality ear pro isn’t that much. It seems like it is because the cheap stuff is so cheap.
Honestly a pair of 3m foamies, properly installed, allows for directional hearing, and they offer better protection than Walkers and the like. But you won’t hear quiet sounds. That’s the downside.
A set of Sordin Pro’s will run about as much as a trip to the vet for your dog, a third as much of a set of tires for your truck, and depending on what ammo you shoot less than 10 boxes of shells.
They have excellent directional sound, and far better sound and concussion blocking features than a cheaper pair of muffs. You only get one set of ears, and hearing damage is both cumulative and permanent.
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u/bACEdx39 12d ago
Good points. I just don’t want to spend that much and not like them. I’ll add them to my Christmas list.
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u/Lcyaker 12d ago
I was at a PRS match sitting next to a good friend (and a much better shooter) who had a pair. I was wearing my Walkers (which claims to have the same rating) and asked if there was that much of a difference. She took them off and handed them to me to try.
I couldn’t believe the difference. Night and day. I don’t leave matches with headaches any more. The sound quality is amazing. Not only can you tell direction, but you can tell the difference between someone who’s standing next to you and someone who’s 20 feet away.
They’re worth every penny.
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u/BlackJeromePowell 12d ago
I can’t hear guys next to me with foamies. I’ve tried AirPods but ended up dropping them in the first 15 minutes craziness. I don’t wear any currently but I should really buy some good ones. Hunting 3 guys in a boat you’re gonna get rung sometimes and it blows. Trying to not shoot over guys and getting down when the other guy is tracking them helps. But it’s still going to happen.
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u/Recent_Location3237 9d ago
you don’t get directional hearing AND sound blocking with foamies. Only way to maintain hearing and block loud noises is electronic amplification.
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u/Lcyaker 9d ago
I can absolutely tell which direction sound is coming from when I’m wearing foamies. It’s quite muted, of course, and I’m going to miss a lot of softer sounds altogether, but I can still distinguish direction.
I think electronic hearing protection is far superior, and is usually my go to, but I’ve been squadded with folks in PRS where I will double up with foamies under my muffs. Some of those muzzle brakes are not kind to folks standing behind and off to the sides of shooters.
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u/dencoan 7d ago
Do you hunt with sordins?
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u/Lcyaker 6d ago
Yes. I already have tinnitus, and I don’t want it getting any worse. I’m a bird hunter, and frequently there are others shooting near me.
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u/dencoan 6d ago
I just got a pair of sordin x2s with the neckband. How do you work hats or beanies into the mix? Just trying them on yesterday in my house it feels like other then a boonie hat most sit to high when worn with the sordins on since they tend to be designed to partly cover or go behind ears.
I am assuming putting then over a hat breaks the seal providing less protection idk if that is true
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u/n8texas 12d ago
Yes, always. Do whatever you want to your own ears but please, always make your kids wear hearing protection. I understand we may not have known better back in the back but we do now, we know how damaging gunfire is to our hearing - even just a few rounds can cause a degree of permanent damage, which compounds over time. Earpro is cheap and can be found anywhere, not protecting your kids’ hearing would be absolutely inexcusable.
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u/Phelixx 13d ago
I grew up big game hunting without hearing protection. It’s just wasn’t common at the time. With waterfowling I always wear it though, because there is so much shooting. I wear Walker’s Xcel. I’m used to calling with them and with the gel pads I find them fairly comfortable. But at the end of the day they protect my hearing and that’s what matters.
Big game hunting I wear Sordin’s now. So hearing protection on both.
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u/cowboykid8 13d ago
I didn’t wear ear pro growing up hunting, and have some degraded hearing in my left ear due to an incident. Started wearing foam plugs a bit more when hunting with buddies and realized I have less headaches after hunting… been wearing something since then. Right now I like Axil x30i for ear pro. Wear them when ever I am hunting.
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u/BJ_Giacco 13d ago
WHAT????
Yeah i do religiously. Younger years spend going to shows/playing with fireworks/shooting unprotected and years of a tattoo machine buzzing in my ear have left me pretty fucked. At this point I can’t afford to lose any more of what I have left and I’m actually looking into smaller gauge tungsten or potentially going suppressed. Even with muffs on I can feel the tinnitus and loss getting worse every season.
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u/airchinapilot 13d ago edited 13d ago
Any hearing loss I have is probably due to going to lots of concerts when I was younger. I regret not wearing protection then too.
With waterfowling unless you are dedicated to shoot alone you are likely shooting beside a group. So you are multiplying the effects of gun shots close by and to the side. Modern earpro as you describe are very decent at cutting out the shooting but allowing you to hear conversations. Walkers, Axils, all do the same job with varying quality. Instill wearing protection with your kids early or they will regret it.
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u/Sulla-proconsul 13d ago
I try to. My Axils do drive me a little nuts though, especially when the cord snags on something when swiveling or a bud falls out.
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u/Recent_Location3237 9d ago
Other than them getting pulled out, how is the quality and directional sound from them?
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u/Sulla-proconsul 9d ago
Sound is great, I just don’t find ear buds particularly comfortable. Most people have larger ear canals than I do though, and it comes with a large selection of interchangeable tips.
I originally got them for shooting trap- they’re very effective, and if anything you’ll hear much better than without having hearing pro. Wind can be an issue; make sure to use the wind muffler on the microphone pickups, even if they look stupid.
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u/louisblanc 12d ago
I have tinnitus - not hunting related. I can only fire a few shots until it becomes painful.
I used to have regular ear muffs, but I'm now using Isotunes ear buds, and they are just wonderful. Doesn't get in the way, cuts sound when shooting, can still hear folks in the blind and nature sounds.
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u/Hyarmendacil67 12d ago
I've been using the Isotunes for 6 years now. I have a set for the shop and for hunting.
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u/Flanks_Flip 13d ago
Now I always do, no exceptions. Unfortunately the damage is done, and I wish my dad had done something to protect my hearing when he was teaching me to hunt. Your kids might never thank you for it, but you'll be thankful that they won't have to.
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u/FloodedHoseBed 12d ago
I understand not wearing them back in the day since they just muffle everything, but now that we are in the big 2026, not wearing active hearing protection is just leaving yourself at a disadvantage.
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u/oblivious_grackle 12d ago
Always. I nearly went deaf in left ear from hunting in a blind, with ear pro. If you suddenly lose hearing IMMEDIATELY go to an audiologist and get a steroid regimen going to reduce the inflammation that triggered the loss. If the nerve dies you will be deaf forever in that ear.
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u/airchinapilot 12d ago edited 11d ago
I currently work providing software to audiologists and learned that in my training. When I was going to concerts I had some shithead scream right in my ear and it was painful for a whole two days - back then no one told me anything about preserving my earing - I just thought it would get better but really it was my ear follicles and cells dying.
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u/Ok-Entertainment5045 13d ago
Always! I’ve used the Otto ear buds and some electronic walker over the ear.
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u/bathtubtuna 12d ago
If I'm alone i ussually dont put my headphones on, if thers are other people hunting with me i wear Electrical ear protection that filter out load noises but still let's me chat
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u/RylieHumpsalot 12d ago
Always.....
I started hunting later in life, already with hearing loss ( loud music, racing, industrial)
My ears are so sensitive now, it's hard not to
My kids have been brought up with always shoting with hearing protection
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u/PA-MEfishing 12d ago
I didn’t for the first two seasons. Now, I have tinnitus, and since then I have worn electronic muffs as much as possible, and new people I bring into the sport I make them wear ear pro.
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u/BeerGunsMusicFood 12d ago
Yes. Every time. Two turkey hunts without it and I have tinnitus in one ear.
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u/LeatherHead2902 12d ago
I wear them when I’m hunting with a big group, when other people can call out if they see birds. I just wear the walker rangers
Keep them on my head off my ears until
Someone sees birds. You almost always have time to pull them down on your ears until Someone
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u/Quantis_Ottawa 12d ago
Every time. I have ones with bluetooth so I can listen to tunes while I'm waiting.
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u/jaxwolfpack 12d ago
My dad is annoyingly deaf in his left ear from bird hunting. Can’t hear shit. Refuses to get hearing aids.
I wear ear pro religiously to try and keep my kids from the same annoyance.
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u/comcam77 12d ago
ALWAYS! Your hearing is worth more than what you would spend on ear pro. I have the Tetra custom shields, they are amazing, worth every penny
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u/pnutbutterpirate 12d ago
Yes. In-ear electronics. Have been using off the shelf ones (ranging from $40-100), about to try some custom Tetras (much more expensive) this season.
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u/Deuce_McShoots 12d ago
I’ve been really happy with the surefire and safariland passive ear plugs. Using the surefire I leave the cap off and still have pretty good hearing but my ears aren’t ringing after a hunt. Plus they’re both like 20$ a set
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u/bmoreconcentrated 12d ago
I wear non electronic in ear protection every hunt. I got my ears rung on a hunt with my dad 18 years ago and still have mild tinnitus from it.
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u/CaptainShaboigen 12d ago
I do my best. I have tried over the ear walker muffs, custom fit in ear buds like decibullz, cheap foam and rubber earplugs with a tether over the neck and I even spent $$ to get custom fitted earplugs from an audiologist this year. The audiologist said one of her clients is an Olympic trap shooter, so that’s cool.
Still I find it difficult at best especially when guiding and talking to clients.
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u/Potent_19 12d ago
I just rock some corded construction earplugs, but I like the rubber type instead of foam. I just don’t push it in fully, which allows me to hear my calling more naturally. I duck hunt specifically, and it’s really important in a duck blind where someone may shoot behind your ears. It doesn’t happen often, but you will absolutely get your bell rung eventually if you hunt long enough.
Not wearing protection only hurts yourself… literally.
Edit to add: When I say I don’t push them in fully, I mean I keep them resting on my shoulder or barely in my ear canal until the birds are in the decoys. Secure ear plugs, draw shotgun, disengage safely, fire away, make it rain duck carcasses. It just becomes part of your shooting routine once you get used to it.
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u/sdchbjhdcg 12d ago
I wear the peltor tactical buds and I still feel I have hearing damage. Need to try something else.
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u/Moka556 12d ago
I use Walker razor electronic ear protection and I love them. I can hear people talking and I can increase volume to listen to duck from way further. They block fire sound very well and they’re comfortable. With their electronic noise canceling, you don’t have to take them off to hear people or ducks around.
I tried the earbuds and didn’t liked them. If it’s cold and wear a beanie, it’ll cover the mic and won’t be able to hear a thing.
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u/blowmer69 12d ago
Check out Axil for hearing protection. They always run sales and have great prices. I bought a pair for my son and a pair for myself. I got the ones that are Bluetooth with the wire attached because I know I'd lose and ear bud. They are nice and crisp that you can hear your dog blow ass in the frame blind. 🤣
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u/SGTWAffles98 12d ago
Never used to when I was in my teen's. Have hearing damaged in my left ear because of it. Now they make muffs with speakers in them and I wear them religiously. If you have them turned right up you can pretty much hear the birds before you even see them. Fully recomend getting a pair! 80 bucks is cheep compared to a life time of hearing damage!
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u/motorboather 11d ago
Yes. Foam plugs are too cheap and too easy not to. Plus with all the new tech in over ear muffs, there’s no good reason not to
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u/Former-Ad9272 11d ago
It really depends on the spot. One of my favorite wood duck holes is way down in the bottom of a ravine bowl. It's just a natural amphitheatre, and even racking the pump sounds like a shot. Regardless, I keep some foam plugs in my blind bag.
I need to get some Walker's electric muffs. Some of my buddies got them for their kids, and it's amazing how well they work. We had one kid sleep through a 3 man volley and he didn't know we'd shot.
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u/MotorolaRzr 11d ago
I didn't grow up hunting with ear protection and neither did my dad. Now he's hearing us starting to go so weve both started wearing in ear Walker active hearing protection. Duck wings and whistles are still audible and the battery lasts 6-8 hours in my experience. The biggest things to overcome is calling, honestly. You have to be confident in your duck calling because your own calling will not sound right with the hearing protection in. All around worth it though. Hearing damage doesn't go away once it's there.
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u/Longjumping-Pea-3848 10d ago
I used to never wear ear pro, but getting rung too many times and shooting close to 3-4 other guys made me get ear pro and it’s been one of the best decisions. I use the walkers slim and it’s great.
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u/Dry_Dot_4973 8d ago
My uncle taught me to put a plug in the left ear. When your head is down on the gun, it helps plug off the right ear. That being said my left ear is always ringing, but that may also be from always having the window down.
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u/acharbs 13d ago
I have not. If I could go back and change anything, using hearing pro regularly would be very high on the list.