Hearing Protection: Protect your ears on the range and the hunt
Good hearing protection guards your ears against the bang while still letting you notice what is happening around you. Find ear defenders and in-ear models.
Hearing Protection: Quiet enough, loud enough
A gunshot is so loud that a single bang without protection can permanently damage your hearing. That is why hearing protection belongs on every visit to the range and on many driven hunts. Here you will find ear defenders and in-ear models from Kerbl and Peltor, from the simple basic version to electronic models with microphone, Bluetooth and radio.
Passive or level-dependent
Passive ear defenders such as the Kerbl Basic or the folding model with SNR 31 dB reduce all sounds evenly. They are simple, robust and ideal for the range. Level-dependent hearing protection has microphones on the outside: quiet sounds such as voices or footsteps pass through, while loud bangs are dampened instantly. On a driven hunt you can hear beaters, dogs and approaching game and still stay protected.
Comfort, Bluetooth and children's sizes
Models such as the Kerbl Connect or Kerbl Protect DAB+ also offer radio and Bluetooth. That is handy during long jobs in the woods or when cutting firewood, when chainsaws or brush cutters get loud alongside hunting. The Kerbl Works in-ear buds are a light alternative to ear defenders. For youngsters coming along to the range for the first time, there is children's hearing protection for ages 4 to 12.
Frequently asked questions
What does the SNR value on hearing protection mean?
The SNR value tells you by how many decibels the hearing protection reduces noise on average. Values of around 30 dB are common for the range, but a tight fit on your head matters just as much.
Can I still hear anything on a driven hunt with hearing protection?
With a level-dependent model, yes. It even amplifies quiet sounds a little and only cuts out for loud bangs. Passive protection dampens everything and tends to get in the way when hunting.
Do ear defenders work with glasses and a hat?
Yes, although thick glasses arms can lift the seal slightly and reduce protection. Slim arms and a well adjustable headband help improve the fit.
Hearing protection for hunting and the range
If you shoot regularly, you should protect your hearing consistently, because damage from noise trauma cannot be reversed. For the range, passive ear defenders with a high attenuation value are enough to reliably reduce loud noise. On a driven hunt, a level-dependent model is the better choice, because you can still hear conversation, the dogs giving tongue and approaching game. If you also work in the woods, you will appreciate models with Bluetooth and radio that serve you well around chainsaws and brush cutters too. Kerbl in-ear buds are a light alternative to ear defenders. And for children coming along to the range, there is dedicated hearing protection in the right size. Whatever the model, look for a tight and comfortable fit, so you are happy to wear it for hours.