hearing protction/enhancements...

[webejonesin2]

I will strt by appoligizing in case this has already been asked, but i couldnt find in my search efforts. my question is - out of all the differant hearing protection/ enhancements on the market what if any, would be the best choice? The problem is this dam ringing in ears that wont go away, and i figured at 32 yrs old i better strt now to at least keep it from getting worse. A friend of mine had a pair that he let me try but can not remember name or brand , I've seen many differant ones in Cabela's and in Bass Pro, any input would/will be greatly helpfull. Thnks in advance, again srry if already been through this subject.

[kevin1]

The constant ringing in your ears is called tinnitus , a form of ear damage caused by exposure to loud noise(s) , I have it too . I've worked in factories for over 20 years , and worked on an aircraft carrier flightdeck , so I took a pretty substantial hit . I've reluctantly experimented with several hearing enhancement devices , and found that they really didn't help me . Granted , I haven't had the funds to try a high end device , but just increasing the volume hasn't helped me at all . The increase in wind and background noise was also distracting . I've found that by sitting as still as possible and focusing on various sounds I can gradually improve my ability to analyze and recognize key sounds that could indicate the approach of game . Learning to filter out the "trash" sounds such as squirrels and birds feeding among the leaves on the ground has been the hardest part .

[Highpower]

I recently picked up several pairs of electronic muffs on sale from Midway for $30 a pair. They really work great. I'm not sure if that's what you were looking for or not.

[Ifly]

I have the ringing in my ears..have had it for about 30yrs. and am almost devoid of high frequency hearing. I use Walker's Game Ears and have been for about 10yrs. or more. They work good for me especially spring gobbler hunting.
I've heard two reports on the new Radians inner ear amplifiers sold by Cabela's..one report said they loved them the other hated them and sent them back. They are about half the cost of The Walkers I use and was hoping they worked good..but don't know.
I also don't know why my post is purple and underlined.

[RedAllison]

wbj2 I bought a pair of Walkers' Game Ear IIs (AFT) in 2001 after hunting one season with a large rifle that has a muzzle brake on it. WOW, I wish I would've gotten something like them 20 years ago when I was a kid and began hunting alot. I too have tinnitus, especially in my right ear (I shoot left handed most of the time so thats the ear that got the most damage). The GEIIs are quality pieces of equipment that is designed and built by a healthcare professional. The service with Walkers is exemplary as well, I had one quit working (I bought one for each ear) and for some reason one quit working right before last fall. I boxed it up, emailed them it was on the way and a couple weeks later I had a properly working unit (with a new foam earpiece) in the mail and ready to go in time for a mulie/antelope hunt in WY that I was sweatin about.

The season prior (00) I hunted with with a simple pair of shooting muffs over my hat would simply pull them down when deer appeared, not very practical and certainly not warm in cold conditions. With the Walkers you can turn them down low enough to hear normally but they don't interfere with hats/caps and also work great when dove and duck hunting as you can carry on conversation and still hear what is going on as well as protect your hearing. As was said, for turkey hunting they are AMAZING. You will need to be on a LARGE tract of land to chase every single bird you can hear with them. I bought two to aid in "stereo sound" and it works ok unless the noise is directly in front or directly behind you. Then it's a lil hard to tell exactly without some looking around. You can also adjust each one to each ear to "balance" you hearing.

But in all honesty for most hunting you will do fine with only one Game Ear. I would put the regular foam plug in whatever ear is your weakest to further protect it (Typically the opposite ear from the shoulder you shoot from). The newer "inner ear" pieces are even better from what I have been around them. After I got my Game Ear's my brother and 2 other hunting buddies got custom made inner ear pieces that still work like Game Ear's and they say they are more comfortable. But they are more expensive than even the Walkers units.

As far as the Radians, I know there are plenty of cheap Chinese copies on the market. Some for as little as $20. But IMHO you hearing protection is worth MUCH more than $20! It's not something to save money with or take lightly. A cheap scope or boots you can work with (tho I recommend against it!) but I would NEVER jeopardize my hearing to save a few bucks. The buddies I mentioned also tried the "Power Muff" type aids and hated them. To big, clunky, uncomfortable and they didnt allow you to keep your head warm in cold weather.

Good luck,
RA

[webejonesin2]

Thnks for the help. i figure that after having (already ) a hard time hearing certain tones and pitches, that i better do whatever i have to to atleast help slow the loss down wherever/however i can. i'll check into walkers geII . I know there is no miricle for hearing loss, Ijust want something that wont hinder hearing game but yet will help protect from loud bark from my 7mm mag. Thnks again.