How to choose shooting headphones?

Shots from firearms are accompanied by a strong sound from the sharp spread of the shock wave. Hearing impairment from exposure to loud sounds is, unfortunately, an irreversible process. Otolaryngologists state that sound hearing lesions cannot be restored 100% even with the help of the most modern methods of treatment and hearing aids. To protect the hearing organs during hunting and at training shooting ranges, protective accessories are used - headphones. Let's take a closer look at how to choose headphones for shooting.

There are 2 main types of headphones.

• Passive headphones drown out absolutely all sounds, regardless of their strength. They block the access of sound waves through the ear canal to the hearing organs, and the person does not hear anything at all. They are indispensable in the shooting range, where there is a lot of shooting, and due to the reflection of sound waves from the walls of the room, acoustic loads are amplified. Manufacturing technologies are simple, so the cost of passive headphones is low.
• Active (tactical) modern headphone models have built-in auto sound control and have excellent sound insulation, are able to “sort” sounds: built-in stereo microphones pick up the sound and, if the sound is sharp and loud, muffle it, and if it is quiet, amplify and the sounds are leveled to a level that is safe for the organs to perceive hearing. Many models are equipped with volume controls for adjusting the sound parameters after headphone processing. In terms of cost, they are much more expensive than passive models, since they are more complex devices.

Shooting headphone models must meet the following criteria when choosing:

• high-quality sound without voice distortion;
• fast, almost instantaneous transmission of an audio signal;
• snug fit of the worn headphones for maximum effect;
• high sensitivity, up to capturing thin rustles and light crunching of branches underfoot;
• reliability and durability;
• convenience and comfort, the ability to spend a long time wearing headphones without any problems with well-being (fatigue, headache).

The modern market offers many models of protective accessories for hunting and sport shooting in a wide range of prices, from very expensive to quite affordable.

Here are some examples of popular headphone models.

Active headphones PMX-55 Tactikal PRO from the Russian brand PMX have the following features:

• suppress the volume of impulse sounds, at the same time perceive weak sounds (quiet voices, sounds of footsteps, rustles);
• equipped with separate volume controls on each earphone, which allows you to set the optimal level if the hearing acuity of the ears is different;
• operate in the audio range of 26–85 decibels;
• designed to work up to 1000 hours from 4 batteries;
• suitable for any type of butt;
• can be used with helmets, helmets, hats;
• have a connector for connecting walkie-talkies and other gadgets;
• easily stowed away in the case (included).

GSSH-01 Ratnik (Russia) has the following characteristics:

• designed for use in military conditions;
• able to extinguish sounds up to 115 dB;
• permissible temperature range is from -30 to + 55 ° С;
• has specially designed ear cups that reduce the formation of condensation;
• AAA batteries provide 72 hours of operation without replacement;
• average service life between failures is 7000 hours;
• can be worn with headwear.

Howard Leight Impact Sport Olive (USA) has such features as:

• folding design;
• comfortable headband;
• amplifies weak sounds up to 22 dB and suppresses loud sounds above 82 dB;
• has 2 stereo loudspeakers with a clear direction, which provides high-quality realistic sound;
• the most simple control;
• there is a connector for connecting external gadgets;
• AAA battery cells are designed for approximately 200 hours;
• automatic shutdown after 2 hours of inactivity;
• equipped with moisture protection against rain and snow.

The Peltor Sport Tactical 100 has the following characteristics:

• used in open areas and indoors;
• has a mode of optimizing the clarity of the voice for negotiations in group work;
• 500 hours of operation from AAA batteries, external compartment, replacement on the fly is possible;
• moisture protection;
• connection of external devices.

MSA Sordin Supreme Pro-X has such features as:

• suitable for hunting and training shooting ranges;
• the system picks up sounds up to 27 dB and muffles from 82 dB;
• moisture protection of the battery compartment;
• anti-condensation design of the ear pads;
• comfortable control regardless of the dominant hand (left-handed or right-handed);
• fast processing of sound signals, which allows you to really represent the environment;
• folding design;
• operating time without replacing batteries - 600 hours;
• there is an outlet for connecting external gadgets.

In the Russian markets, popular brands for the production of hearing protection equipment are the following:

• MSA Sordin (Sweden) - manufacturer of hearing protective equipment; he makes active military-style headphones;
• Peltor (USA) - a proven brand, its products have been on the market for over 50 years; the most popular Tactical line; the company produces headphones for the professional military, as well as for hunting, sports shooting, construction work, and supplies domestically and to European countries;
• Howard (USA);
• Russian brand RMX;
• Chinese company Ztactical produces replica headphones of good quality at affordable prices.

The products of these manufacturers are a worthy choice. But the correct choice of the model depends on the type of shooting in which the accessory is planned to be used: on the hunt, during training in the shooting range, during trap shooting (at moving targets) or somewhere else.

An overview of the MSA Sordin Supreme Pro X active headphones in the video below.