Are foam earplugs OK for shooting?

“For louder firearms or indoor or covered shooting situations, Howard Leight’s Impact PRO electronic earmuff (NRR 30) or foam earplugs (up to NRR 33) are the smart choices.” Doubling up—the practice of wearing both foam earplugs along with earmuffs—is a viable option as well.

What is the highest decibel rating for earplugs?

around 33 decibels
The highest noise reduction rating (NRR) currently offered by an earplug is around 33 decibels. Decibel levels up to the earplug’s NRR rating will be blocked out entirely. Any noise over the earplug’s NRR may be heard.

How many decibels do foam earplugs block?

Just how many decibels do earplugs block though? That completely depends on your ear plugs, but typically the range is 22dB to 33dB. The decibel rating that you see on ear plugs is actually a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR).

Are there different sizes of foam ear plugs?

Yes, ear plugs do come in different sizes, and there is no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” ear plug. The results from thousands of fit tests we’ve conducted at work sites show that a minimum of four ear plug sizes and styles are required to accommodate the needs of a workforce.

Are earplugs good for shooting range?

The noise from shooting a firearm can cause permanent hearing loss, so it is crucial to protect your ears while at the shooting range. Make sure to use an earplug or earmuff (or both) with a high Noise Reduction Rating (NRR).

Is NRR 23 good for indoor shooting?

By law, all hearing protection products have to have a NRR rating. The highest NRR rating you can get is 33 NRR. A product with a 28 to 31 NRR is recommended for indoor shooting.

What does NRR 33 mean?

Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) is a measure of the effectiveness of a hearing protection device to reduce noise levels. Higher values indicate greater noise reduction. NRR values range up to approximately 30 dB. To the right is an example of the EPA label for a headset with an NRR of 33 dB.

How do I know what size ear plugs to buy?

Check the Size The first thing to consider is the size of your ears – you’re going to need earplugs that are air-tight in your ear canal, similar to how a cork fits in a bottle. Women’s ear canals are generally around 20mm smaller than men’s, and sizing tends to be based around men’s ears.

How do you size ear plugs?

Each ear should be sized individually. When working with two-sized E•A•R brand foam earplugs, persons with larger earcanals (L and XL) should wear the larger-sized products; those with smaller earcanals (S and XS) should wear the smaller-sized products.