Practicing safe shooting practices does not always pertain to strictly firing your weapon. This can include wearing adequate eye and ear protection to protect your vital body parts. When it comes to protecting your ears, you have two choices to choose from, earmuffs and earplugs. Today, we are going to look at both to give you a better idea of which is best for you.
What Are Earmuffs?
Earmuffs are the large, headphone-looking ear protection commonly seen in shooting ranges across the nation. Earmuffs are linked together and can vary from slim to bulky, depending on which design you choose to go with.
Pros
Easy/Quick To Use
More Comfortable For Some
Very Stable
Cons
Hard To Use Other Gear Such As Helmets Or Hats
Cheek Weld Can Be Compromised
What Are Earplugs?
Earplugs are the most commonly used ear protection at shooting ranges. Earplugs are small plugs that snugly fit inside your ear and are connected by a flexible wire that rests on your neck. Earplugs can also be found in individual plugs to allow for even more versatility as you will not have a wire connecting them together.
Pros
Superior Hearing Protection
Allows For A Great Cheek Weld
Takes Up Less Space
Can Be Easily Used With Other Gear
Cons
Takes More Time To Setup
Can Fall Out
Get Dirty Easier/Harder To Clean
Which Offers The Most Protection?
Earplugs are going to offer the best hearing protection possible. However, they are not for everyone. While earplugs may offer the best hearing protection, they may not be the most comfortable for your specific style of shooting. When choosing between earmuffs and earplugs, take into account what you will be wearing, how you will be shooting, and how much you want to deal with them. This will give you a better idea of which hearing protection is going to be best for you.