hearing protection while hunting?

Twice I've shot a 44 magnum handgun w/out muffs while practicing. NEVER AGAIN! Thought my ears were going to bleed. I'm just over 40 and the most loss I think I've occured has been the past 3 summers on the Highpower line. Even with muffs those 308's and the 16" AR's guys shoot beside me really dig into the head.
Growing up on the farm I got into the habit of wearing protection while driving the tractor. Unfortunetly, my walkman earphones were blaring underneath them. Youth and Heavy Metal are a stubborn combination. Anytime I handle a gun (except that one shot in the hunting field), chainsaw, tractor, lawnmower, etc... I have ear protection on. A walker game ear would be a good investment, too.
 
I tried a set of Radian Electronic muffs and was not happy with their performance. .308, 22-250, .223 were way too loud, even after I put in foam ear plugs and turned the volume all the way down. no way I could use them at all while firing my Ruger Alaskan in .454 Casull. ended up using my regular non-electronic muffs and foam ear plugs. I have a profound hearing loss and need to protect what little hearing I have remaining. am I being unrealistic in what to expect from the electronic hearing muffs, or should I try another brand? the Radians I used were a higher end model with four mics.
 
I use a foam ear plug in my left ear while hunting because that is the one that gets the most damage (and is ringing for the rest of my life) for a right handed shooter. Also, I want to be able to hear what is behind me while hunting or calling.
 
If you're a right-handed shooter like myself, I'm curious how one's left ear is affected more from a muzzle blast than the right? If someone is standing next to me on my left and shoots, I notice it more in my left ear. But if you're doing the shooting, the right ear is closer to the action and would feel more of the impact from the blast.

KP
 
I am new to yote hunting, but not to deer hunting and squirrel hunting. I use the baffle plugs you get from walmart for around ten bucks. I have used these for the past five years and do not hear any less with them in. I have heard a good many deer walking behind me. When you shoot the eardrum closes up and the baffles create a buffer. I have never used electronic hearing aids. Rick
 
I always wear them when I'm at the range or when hunting birds, multiple shooting, but never wear them when deer or coyote hunting. I have always wanted to try the walker game ears though.
 
Quote:
If you're a right-handed shooter like myself, I'm curious how one's left ear is affected more from a muzzle blast than the right? If someone is standing next to me on my left and shoots, I notice it more in my left ear. But if you're doing the shooting, the right ear is closer to the action and would feel more of the impact from the blast.


If you're a right handed shooter, than obviously your right ear is near the stock on the gun and is the farthest away from the muzzle of the gun, and your left ear is pointed toward and closer to the muzzle of the gun, therefore the left ear is less protected from the muzzle blast. The blast at the muzzle is what is going to effect your hearing loss, not whats going on inside the rifle at the action.
 
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