I’ve seen it happen numerous times on the shooting range. An instructor stops the shooting line to explain the next drill or take advantage of a teachable moment. Several students either miss the entire conversation by not removing their hearing protection or those that remove it forget to put it back in. Either way, it’s not the best situation. You have to hear instruction on the range for both safety and to further your shooting skills, and you don’t want to be caught listening to live fire sans protection when the instruction is finished. I’ve found wearing electronic hearing protection solves these problems.
Sponsored by Howard Leight by Honeywell
I wear electronic hearing protection while competing and teaching. During live fire, I can easily have a conversation with people around me, or hear range commands when shooting.
Recently I had the opportunity to try the new Howard Leight by Honeywell Impact Sport Bolt Electronic Earmuffs. The new digital compression circuitry offers lightning fast attack time of .5 milliseconds and 5X sound amplification. That means they dampen the noise super-fast.
Now I have to admit, I sweat, and muffs tend to get hot in the summer. However, in the early mornings and in cooler weather, they make a great choice.
Michelle wore her Impact Sport Bolt earmuffs while shooting sporting clays with no problems.
Consider the benefits of hunting with electronic earmuffs. Deer hunting in Ohio tends to be rather chilly. Once I put on a hat or pull up my hood to keep my ears warm and block the wind I diminish my hearing quite a bit. With electronic earmuffs, I not only keep my ears warm by cutting the wind, but also with the amplification of the built-in directional microphones, I have enhanced hearing. Plus, the low-profile ear cups allow clearance for my shotgun or rifle stock.
Impact Sport Bold earmuffs work great for shooting shooting.
Have you ever considered keeping hearing protection near your home protection firearm? Consider this, you hear a bump in the night and decide to retrieve your firearm. Should this scenario end in a gun fight, wouldn’t it help to have hearing protection? If you’ve ever had the misfortune to hear a round go off indoors, when you’re not wearing hearing protection, you’ll know what ringing in your ears means. Also, with electronic hearing protection, regardless of how the scenario progresses, with enhanced hearing you have a better chance of identifying just where those noises are coming from. Also, if you know someone hard of hearing who wears hearing aids, an electronic earmuff may help after they remove them to sleep. Hearing amplification could make the difference when trying to identify a noise in your house.
Getting ready for muzzleloader season with the Impact Sport Bolt earmuffs.
• Actively listens and automatically shuts off amplification with a lightning fast attack time of .5ms, when ambient sound reaches 82 dB.
• Slim earmuff design for firearm stock clearance; adjustable headband for secure fit; compact folding design for convenient storage.
• Equipped with an Auxiliary Cable with in-line microphone, Extra Ear Cup Cushions, 2 AAA Batteries & Belt Clip
• Noise Reduction Rating (NRR): 22
• Size: One Size Fits Most
• [MSRP: $120.00]
For instructors out there, you should keep a few extra sets in your range bag for those students who seem confused on the range. Perhaps they’re not hearing your commands.
Michelle Cerino, aka Princess Gunslinger, first entered the firearms industry in 2011 as co-owner, president and trainer at a national training company. She immediately began competing in both 3-Gun and NRA Action Pistol, becoming a sponsored shooter. Michelle is currently a columnist and Managing Editor of Women’s Outdoor News, as well as owner of Pervenio LLC. She also manages social media for Vera Koo and FASTER Saves Lives. Michelle encourages others to step out of the comforts of home and explore. View all posts by Michelle Cerino
