Please share your experience with customised/molded ear plugs.

[udderlyoffroad]

Had 2 pairs, unimpressed. Maybe should've splashed out for CENs

However, Isotunes Sport at £150 or less with a voucher/sale is very good. Not moulded - though there has to be business opportunity there - but they do have over-ear hooks. They're on a cable physically connecting the two halves together, so you can't accidently drop or lose one. They have 2 volume selectors, one for Bluetooth audio, should you wish, and one for the volume of the ambient noise.

My only complaint is that wind noise tends to get over-amplified. Oh and I wish there was a way to interface them to our DIY syndicate's radios, but it's not a problem hearing them with the correct ambient setting.

 

[caorach]

I thought the nature of custom moulded is that they offer you better than the foam type plugs? Effectively like using full wax plugs?

The moulded plugs are much harder than foam and they need room to get in and out so they don't seal as well. Foam plugs expand a bit when you put them in and so "block up" all the voids creating a better seal. I think CENS are the only people who produce a certified SNR figure for their moulded plugs and from memory it is about 25dB whereas you can get to about 36dB with foam plugs. As always having something you actually use is better than having something with a great SNR figure that you don't use so there is a place for both.

I should also highlight that, as has been popular around here, 3M/Peltor make electronic hearing protection that can take various foam "ear tips" and I use these as electronic protection and find them very comfortable and effective as I think they combine the best of both worlds, they can give SNR numbers up to around 36dB. However, as previously stated, one size does not fit all and so getting an ear tip that works for you is the key. The 3M/Peltor EPP-100 plugs are available around £180ish or less - I have the older LEP version which is basically the same but has a more fancy box.

https://www.3m.co.uk/3M/en_GB/p/d/b5005044022/

 

[chriswjx]

The moulded plugs are much harder than foam and they need room to get in and out so they don't seal as well. Foam plugs expand a bit when you put them in and so "block up" all the voids creating a better seal. I think CENS are the only people who produce a certified SNR figure for their moulded plugs and from memory it is about 25dB whereas you can get to about 36dB with foam plugs. As always having something you actually use is better than having something with a great SNR figure that you don't use so there is a place for both.

I should also highlight that, as has been popular around here, 3M/Peltor make electronic hearing protection that can take various foam "ear tips" and I use these as electronic protection and find them very comfortable and effective as I think they combine the best of both worlds, they can give SNR numbers up to around 36dB. However, as previously stated, one size does not fit all and so getting an ear tip that works for you is the key. The 3M/Peltor EPP-100 plugs are available around £180ish or less - I have the older LEP version which is basically the same but has a more fancy box.

https://www.3m.co.uk/3M/en_GB/p/d/b5005044022/

I was under the impression that the medical grade silicon they use for moulded plugs meant you would get as good a seal. The SNR is believe is due to the filters being impulse rather than "solid".

The people who make mine advertise it as a passive 15dB reduction, which rises to 33dB when triggered by the shock impulse of a gunshot.

I have personally never found foam tips comfortable even with the ones I ultimately use for my piping which have about 5 different foam sizes to choose from to get the perfect fit. I also recall getting quite bogged down into reading the difference between SNR and NRR, and finally going sod it for trying to keep it straight. If you want to be anal about it, examine the data (which they should offer if they have tested for SNR/NRR) and focus on the specific frequencies you intend to be hearing (piping is around 440Hz and up mark). Otherwise, from memory, it is a broadly meaningless number for comparisons, as the value has to be averaged across the whole range tested.

 

[caorach]

I was under the impression that the medical grade silicon they use for moulded plugs meant you would get as good a seal. The SNR is believe is due to the filters being impulse rather than "solid".

The people who make mine advertise it as a passive 15dB reduction, which rises to 33dB when triggered by the shock impulse of a gunshot.

I have personally never found foam tips comfortable even with the ones I ultimately use for my piping which have about 5 different foam sizes to choose from to get the perfect fit. I also recall getting quite bogged down into reading the difference between SNR and NRR, and finally going sod it for trying to keep it straight. If you want to be anal about it, examine the data (which they should offer if they have tested for SNR/NRR) and focus on the specific frequencies you intend to be hearing (piping is around 440Hz and up mark). Otherwise, from memory, it is a broadly meaningless number for comparisons, as the value has to be averaged across the whole range tested.

The SNR and NRR numbers are not exactly meaningless, they attempt to reflect the protection offered but do it in slightly different ways. However, as you say, they are probably best used to compare one item to another and in that case they can give a clear indication of which is the most effective.

Purely in terms of attenuation moulded plugs compare very unfavourably to foam plugs but, as previously stated, they may offer other value to some people so this isn't always as black and white as it seems.

 

[chriswjx]

I would argue that a 3dB difference between my moulded and a set of foams isn't "very" unfavourable but horses for courses and all that.

Will also agree to disagree over SNR/NRR, as my thoughts again they're only as useful when you know what range is important to look at.

 

[GBR66]

From my audioiologist - two types of hearing loss from noise, the sound and bone conduction.

Wear both. I use electronics over mouldies if not on a moderated rifle.

Had professional moulds - ok but not much different to the decibullz type. Stick in warm water, then in ear, leave to harden.

You need to get head neck into shooting position as this CAN change fit in ear from a normal seated position.

Rewarm in water to adjust fit.

I cant hear conversations over background music, this is down to noise damage (and mainly helicopter engine, not shooting). Its frustrating as in silence I can hear the full range. Also mild tinnitus and can be difficult to sleep without noise in background…

Protect your hearing. Its cheap to double duff !

I am heading the same way but probably not as bad as you - tinnitus and poor hearing in loud environments (mainly pubs!) in one ear. I would love to use earplugs but think the bone conductivity is a concern so use cans. Have always been careful but I think caused by firearms and other noise when not able to wear defenders. Now on range I wear my noise cancelling earbuds under cans and only shoot stalking with a good mod and no defenders one or two shots..

 

[spanj]

I use emtech noisebreakers. Very good

 

[Tris88]

Sorry to resurrect. I'll apologise again, for the essay you're about to read.

I have used a variety of plugs, over ear, electric and custom moulded filtered over the years. I do a mixture of stalking rough shooting and driven. Having been poor at using protection when shooting and riding motorcycles during my youth, I have pretty loud tinnitus, so I am keen to stop the worsening of this.

The electric peltors work fine on a driven day, as do the custom plugs (from CFG). However when rough shooting I use the Peltor electronic over ears. These are awful when warm and with directional noise. I can hear the bird lift, but haven't got a clue where from.

I have used apple AirPods Pro 2s, however these offer very limited, if any protection. They are exceptional though at directional noise, like wing beats.

I'm happy to invest in protecting my ears and if they work and can help with directional hearing I don't mind spending the money however, if they are the same as peltors I'm not really that interested in dropping £400+.

Any thoughts or experience welcome.

 

[sh1kar]

CENS
S

 

[Pelyma]

CENS used them for about 20 years, just changed to CENS 1 haven’t used them yet.

 

[Tris88]

Any particular models or experience with what I’ve asked about directional noise?

 

[Pelyma]

Never had a problem with where the noise is coming from. CENS Proflex DX1 is the entry electronic custom plug. Higher levels have more programs.

 

[rocketdogbert]

I have electronics CENS and gel cupped MSA Sordin Pro-X.
The CENS are OK, but eat batteries, and are rubbish at preventing bone-concussion. They are also terrible in noisy environments where they amplify far too much background noise.
The Sordin are excellent, comfy all day, and if you buy the version with the neck band, can be worn with wide-brimmed hats.

 

[bulric]

I had some passive ones made for me after the Game Fair this year; Custom Fit Guards

I'd say they're okay, but (as mentioned by others) you won't get a perfect seal. So, I use them for game shooting (few shots, less on an issue), but still wear defenders over them on clay days.

Would I buy them again? Probably, they're good for rough shooting and smaller driven days, but not much else in my opinion.

 

[ebeckerlegge]

I have a pair of CENS Proflex DX3s and can’t really fault them. I do find they chew through batteries but excellent for hearing protection

 

[Rutland lad]

I have been involved for a very long time in professional motorcycle instruction involving very high speeds, and firearms.
I have various sets of custom moulded earplugs which are very comfy and some which aren’t. Steer away from the ‘full mould’ version for comfort is my first advice, don’t by earplugs from SONIC in Birmingham, as every set I’ve had have been less than comfy.
If I choose to wear my custom made ones on the range, the ‘human voice filter’ bit is quite useful as it allows me to hear instructions etc with the electronic PELTOR full protection on top. I also find them very comfy.
However, if I want to stop the noise completely the sponge plugs which you roll up then insert and which expand to fit are the best at sound reduction in my experience.
I would warn anyone that regular and prolonged wearing of any earplugs brings ear infections and a build up of ear wax.
Don’t re insert ones which have fallen onto the floor until you can clean them ! Carry spares. Don’t ask how I know this.

 

[enfieldspares]

Any insight very welcome. Thanks!

I'm too absent minded to use such as they are an expensive item to lose! There's a small Sheffield made sheath knife up on the ridge at Thrumpton that my boy David allowed to fall from its sheath while we were following the shoot last time we came.

So my 2p is that in ear bespoke made plugs may be excellent but they are too costly to lose as they are small and easily misplaced.

So as a constructive comment I'd ditch the hat and use cheap industrial workwear type foam ear plugs under a set of high end ear muffs. Lose the plugs? So what and the muffs should be too big to mislay. I use..when I need to...ex-Army electronic muffs. The owners of the clay ground I shoot at use Swat Com ear muffs.

There are, AFAIR, ear muffs that have a very thin connection between the two muffs so might fit under a hat? I have somewhere some Beretta, blue, with a thin connection. The muffs are shaped upside down so don't interfere with your gun's stock. Maybe the Beretta Gallery in St. James is worth a visit with your two boys as a Saturday "in town"?

And, of course, they'll have guns "in house" wearing such muffs to try out. So you can swing about one of their guns all you like if you take your hat with you?

 

[Tris88]

Thanks all. I've found a company, SNUGS, that do custom moulds taking the apple AirPods instead of a digital insert, going to try these for the 15ish days rough days I do and stick with the peltors and CFG's for on peg days.

 

[philkelly]

Hello everyone.

I've just finished my first season using Eley HP 3" steel loads, and whereas they've performed exactly as I wanted them to, that is to say stone dead ducks and no more wounded ones, these things are noticeably louder than my previous cartridges, and I need better ear protection. For the last few years I've worn standard electronic over ear protectors, but they don't fit all that well, I find that after waiting a while on a duck flight they start to press on my upper jaw muscles and be very uncomfortable, and worst of all, it's very hard to wear them under my wide-brimmed hat! So for next season I'm looking into the custom and molded types that perfectly fit into your ear. To that end, can any here please share their experience of these? In particular, is there much benefit to the electronic versions with active noise cancelling, given how much more expensive (and losable) they are? A quick bit of research has thrown these up:

Shooting Ear Protection | Custom Moulded Ear Plugs For Shooting (recommended by the late and greatly missed John Humphreys it seems)

George Digweed MBE - World No.1 Shooter - CENS digital (George Digweed prefers these ones)

Any insight very welcome. Thanks!

Ive got cens hunters and had them done about 7 years ago, still going fine , you just have to keep them dry after use

 

[mikmik]

I tried multiple fit at home in ear plugs and sadly none of them worked for me. I had either large discomfort after few minutes or they would just fall out.

What works best though is sordins with gel pads.

With glasses and a hat I can use them for extended period of time no problem.

Apparently there is a neckband version which should solve your problems.