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Alan Nyhus · 05-11-2009, 06:08 AM

The Peltor Shotgunner model works great. It gives a 21db reduction, is lightweight enough for kids to wear for extended periods of time, isn't as bulky as many and is adjustable enough for even really young kids to wear. If you use these with some decent silicone/foam ear canal plugs, it's a good combo of decibel reduction while still being able to hear.....w/o the hassles of electronics. They fold down to a compact size.

Sound levels above 85db is where hearing damage starts to occur, either from repetitive lower end noises or single events. Ear plugs alone DO NOT do a good enough job. The best foam plugs will not give you full-value db reduction, despite their ratings. A good rule of thumb for foam plugs is that you'll get a real-world reduction of 1/2 of the rating. That's because up to 40% of the db levels that are transmitted to the internal auditory canals (where the acoustic nerves live) are transfered by attenuation through the bones of the skull...more specifically the mastoid bones (the 'bumps' you feel right behind your ears). These bones are not solid...they're a matrix of bone and air cells and are a big part of how the acoustic nerves 'hear' sounds. Bottom line: you need to have some coverage of this part by a decent pair of muffs.

If your ears 'ring' after an exposure to high db levels...you've injured the acoustic nerves.

Here's a link to the Peltor Shotgunner model..almost any decently stocked shooting supply store will have these.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=719119

05-11-2009, 06:08 AM	#7
Alan Nyhus VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Lower Dakota territory Posts: 1,180 Likes: 1,074 Liked 799 Times in 236 Posts	Re: Kids ear muffs ? The Peltor Shotgunner model works great. It gives a 21db reduction, is lightweight enough for kids to wear for extended periods of time, isn't as bulky as many and is adjustable enough for even really young kids to wear. If you use these with some decent silicone/foam ear canal plugs, it's a good combo of decibel reduction while still being able to hear.....w/o the hassles of electronics. They fold down to a compact size. Sound levels above 85db is where hearing damage starts to occur, either from repetitive lower end noises or single events. Ear plugs alone DO NOT do a good enough job. The best foam plugs will not give you full-value db reduction, despite their ratings. A good rule of thumb for foam plugs is that you'll get a real-world reduction of 1/2 of the rating. That's because up to 40% of the db levels that are transmitted to the internal auditory canals (where the acoustic nerves live) are transfered by attenuation through the bones of the skull...more specifically the mastoid bones (the 'bumps' you feel right behind your ears). These bones are not solid...they're a matrix of bone and air cells and are a big part of how the acoustic nerves 'hear' sounds. Bottom line: you need to have some coverage of this part by a decent pair of muffs. If your ears 'ring' after an exposure to high db levels...you've injured the acoustic nerves. Here's a link to the Peltor Shotgunner model..almost any decently stocked shooting supply store will have these. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=719119 Last edited by Alan Nyhus; 05-11-2009 at 06:10 AM.