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Rocky’s Reloading Room |
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Ear and Eye Protection
You may already know that I used to sell first-class ear and eye protection. I’m retired from that, but I learned a lot about hearing and shooting. So I’ll use this space to describe some of the products I believe in.
The basic product of premium ear protection is the custom molded silicone earplug. I was a dealer for the E.A.R. Insta-Mold Company of Boulder Colorado. They manufacture the moldable, medical grade silicone used in the process, and provide the training for a worldwide system of providers like myself. There are 2,500 such providers in more than a dozen countries. For the provider nearest you, just contact the main office at 1-800-525-2690 or info@earinc.com via email.
The pair of custom-fitted molds at left are a general idea of what the product looks like, and the drawing at right shows how a custom plug fills an ear. Because no two ears are shaped alike, no two humans on earth have identical ears. That’s why no machine-made plug can truly fit anyone. A machine-made earplug fits a machine!
Insta-Mold plugs fit YOU—and nobody but you. The combination of perfect fit and the sound absorptive qualities of the material make these the most comfortable, quietest plugs you can buy. Most wearers say they are at least as quiet, or quieter, than compressible foam plugs and muffs worn together. Depending on exact fit and style, the tested NRR of Insta-Mold plugs falls between 28 and 31 decibels. They are approved for industrial use, mining use and are the preferred plug of the US Olympic Shooting Team. Simply put, there’s none better.
Some custom plugs are also an excellent swimming plug, can be made to be floatable, and can be had with or without a handy neck cord. They can be fitted for wear under any style of helmet. They also can be made as sleeping plugs for travelers, shift workers or to drown out that other guy in deer camp! Made on the spot, custom molds are $50-$60 per pair.
Perhaps the smartest use for Insta-Mold fitted plugs is in industry. Not only do they provide better fit, they are more hygienic, need no inventory and generate no trash. Usable for a year or more even in everyday wear, they can save a company as much as a hundred dollars per worker per year over the cost of disposable foam plugs! Smart!
Laboratory Molds
Other products can be made with hard or soft polyvinyl or other materials for specialty earplugs. Earplugs vented with acoustic filters allow some sound to pass through the plug. These are great for airline travel or light-duty environments such as offices, machine shops, dentistry or for work with home power tools. High-fidelity filters for onstage musicians are also available in several decibel levels. Lab molds can also be fitted with commercial speaker buds for cell phone use, stereo or CD players. Fitted earpieces for stethoscopes or other devices are a snap.
The plugs above show Challenger Ear. Instead of a standard speaker, Challenger Ear uses a high-fidelity transducer to reproduce sound. Unlike a speaker, a transducer can be sealed within the earplug and does not require venting. Thus, Challenger Ear is waterproof, very windproof and as quiet as a molded earplug but with the addition of very high fidelity sound or music. Many shooters are now using Challenger Ear while competing. They listen to soothing music or positive motivational tapes during a shooting event, and have the benefit of excellent hearing protection at the same time. Challenger Ear is also wildly popular with motorcycle riders for either music, CB radio or on-bike intercom use. Extra-long 48” heavy duty cords and gold-plated connectors make the units durable as well as reliable. Challenger Ear is available in full custom mold, semi-custom mold or with generic rubber tips, as seen at right, above. Full custom molds require impressions of your ears from a professional provider. Challenger Ears are approximately $175 per pair for full custom molds.
Electronic Protection
The crème de la crème of hearing protection uses high technology electronics. E.A.R is proud to provide an entire range of electronic hearing products for hunters, shooters and law enforcement.—Magnum Ears (above, left).
Electronics allow the wearer to enjoy enhanced hearing –better than with no plugs at all– but at the same time be fully protected from the effects of gunshots. In effect, you can hear a butterfly belch but a gunshot is merely a dull thud. It truly is almost voodoo. Offered in several styles in either analog and digital circuits, Magnum Ears can be worn for target use, hunting use, some industrial applications and are very well known in law enforcement circles for special tactics groups. They can even be fitted with connected or wireless sound inputs for music or communication radios! For fuller descriptions of the various models and options, please go to the EAR website or phone them at 1-800-525-2690 for a brochure. Another recent product is the Mini-Canal multiple-use electronic plug (above, right). Made to be self-fitted using replaceable soft tips, the Mini-Canal is an assisted listening device with uses beyond outdoor sports. For those who have some difficulty hearing, but who do not need or want a professionally provided hearing aid, the E.A.R. Mini-canal provides a sensible and affordable option. Like all E.A.R electronic products, the Mini-Canal comes with a 30-day test drive and an unconditional 1-year warranty. Mini-canal units are now available in both analog or digital.
Eye Protection
Not all E.A.R. providers carry eye protection, but I carried two different lines of sport glasses. I recommend both the world-famous Decot line as well as the very new and hot NYX glasses. Decot Hy-Wyd glasses were specifically designed a half-century ago by Bud Decot, a shooter and eyecare professional. Worn by Olympic champs, trapshooting greats and many, many others, Decot Hy-Wyds are the apex of design for shooters. And they’re good enough for daily wear, too! Available in prescription and no prescription, they feature instantly changeable lenses in almost a hundred unique colors and shades for any target or lighting condition. Contact them for a brochure or details. Decot Website or at 1-800-528-1901.
NYX set with nylon frame, polycarbonate lens. NYX set with optional prescription insert.
I also use the hot new NYX Sport Glass (above). The NYX system comes with a featherweight frame and three interchangeable lenses in a deluxe padded case and come with a Micro-Cloth carry bag/cleaning cloth. Additional lenses in almost a dozen shades, including two polarized shades, are available. For prescription wearers, an optional lens insert can be ordered to replace the standard nosepiece. The insert allows the wearer to have prescription benefits in any color lens without buying extra prescription lenses. NYX glasses were originally designed for the PGA golf circuit, and a number of golf pros wear them. They do not slip down even in hot weather, and they are completely distortion free.
For an independent review of the NYX system click here!
Online Eye and Hearing Tests!
For an interesting online hearing test, and link to a vision test, visit the sites below. The sites cross-link to each other and also to E.A.R. Inc.
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