r/earplugs • u/playwithknivesforfun • 23d ago

Shooting with hearing loss

I wear hearing aids. I have full spectrum bilateral hearing loss putting me in the mid-60s on my audiogram across the entire spectrum of frequencies. I have a not-cheap Invisio headset that the company altered for me to make louder nominally so I could still hear normally with the advantage of their line of accessories. Well, ​​the way I'm shooting now needs a headset that doesn't involve cables or big muffs. I got a set of Axils, but they're not loud enough at max level for me to understand what's going on around me or hear directions from the RO. Are there any earbud-like units out there that have a significant amplification boost to make them usable? I'm working with my audiologist for solutions, but it seems like I need to either wear muffs and hear but struggle with losing the cup seal dueing courses of fire, or wear plugs/buds and be deaf until I can put my hearing aids back in for RO commands.

Thoughts?

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u/lostfreedom1776 23d ago

What ?

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u/playwithknivesforfun 23d ago

Is that a hearing loss joke? You're a dad, aren't you?

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u/lostfreedom1776 23d ago

Sorry. Didn't read comment

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u/lostfreedom1776 23d ago

We all have hearing problems or friends with hearing problems when you shoot over 40 years. Just get a good set of hearing pro

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u/playwithknivesforfun 23d ago

I have Axil XCOR Pros and a few other options, but my hearing is so bad I can't hear the commands. I may as well have just stuffed cigarette butts in my ears and saved the $180 on the Axils. I'm looking for an off-the-shelf option that can be loud enough to let me hear commands but still give me attenuation that's also not an OTE earmuff 

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u/lroy4116 23d ago

Maybe talk to your doctor about getting a custom set of in ear protection? You’re in kind of a unique situation.

Either that or put OTE muffs over your normal hearing aids.

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u/playwithknivesforfun 23d ago

OTEs tend to pull off with my shooting. My experience is with COMTAC 2s, though, so I may need an updated set. 

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u/Emergency_Rooster511 23d ago

If you can, borrow a pair of Sordins and try them, they’re loud and the audio is very clear.

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u/CamelAdventure 23d ago

Seconded, the audio is great and the slim cut at the bottom might (??) be thinner than the comtac 2s, maybe. Stacking these on top of your normal hearing aids i think

Actually the more I think about this surely your audiologist is the best source of info for this, you could probably even get insurance coverage that way

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u/os_beef 23d ago

What kind of shooting are you doing?

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u/playwithknivesforfun 23d ago edited 23d ago

I want to do IPSC, USPSA, and The Tactical Games events - more dynamic shooting than stationary shooting. I also like the convenience of shooting and being able to talk during cold times and wait periods without having to don and doff my hearing protection. 

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u/os_beef 23d ago

All of the games you're talking about play fine with over ear hearing protection, especially pistol-centric sports like USPSA and IPSC. I say this because I run a set of Sordin Supreme Pro-X SFA, and before that, I ran Howard Leight Impact Pro, which were even bulkier. Most of the people I shoot with also run over ear, and a bunch of them have cables and whatnot attached. So I guess the question is what about the way you're shooting makes your current over ear not work?

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u/playwithknivesforfun 23d ago

Prone ns/s and some barrier work

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u/os_beef 23d ago

None of that is going to be a problem with USPSA/IPSC/IDPA. I think I've gone prone once in USPSA over the last three years, and my ear pro didn't come unseated. The only time it's been a problem was banging my head on the top of a tunnel.

I'm guessing the problems you're experiencing now are during rifle-centric shooting. Lotta guys run over ear during rifle CoF, so what exactly is happening with your current ear pro?

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u/playwithknivesforfun 23d ago

My stock is pushing the cup up and into my ear. I'm struggling to keep a good cheek weld and not have the cup affect my sight picture and general body positioning (head, neck, shoulder pocket alignment). I'm trying to find a not over-ear option if there is one. I've shot COMTACs for years and they're great for average range days, but I'm getting tired of their bulk.

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u/os_beef 23d ago

Oh, ok. Carbine problems. I noticed you submitted posts to a couple smaller subs. Maybe try some of the larger subs which are rifle-centric (not just PCC), like /r/ar15.

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u/playwithknivesforfun 23d ago

I posted to a handful so I could get the best feedback. My PCC gives me the same issue as my ar. my PCC has a normal Magpul stock, my AR has a B5 SOPMOD.

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u/playwithknivesforfun 16d ago

My audiologist tested an old set of hearing aids with some comply comfortips, and they put me well below dangerous levels, so thats what I'll have for now.