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Happy Hoosier

(9,439 posts)
5. Firearm/aviation quality active hearing protection can help
Wed Jan 28, 2026, 08:50 AM
6 hrs ago

I use active hearing protection intended for use around firearms and jet aircraft. And AR-15 will emit 160 dB or more.... as much as these LRAD devices, but in short, sharp bangs, of course. Jet engines in close proximity can emit 140 db over a longer period. GOOD hearing protection can protect aginst those sound levels at least long enough to get to safety. If the hearing pro is ACTIVE, then you get the benefit of pass-through sound so you can hear clearly what's going on aound you, but if the sound level peaks over the safety level, it'll cut off fast enough to protect you.

For the science nerds, the hearing pro referred to as "active" isn't really active... that is it does not produce a negative sound wave to cancel noise. Rather it relies on the passive protection of the earplug/muff/both for the protection, but at lower sound levels passes through sound so you can hear.

Worth using if you are trying to protect what hearing you have left, like me.

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