Shooting with hearing aids

I apologize if this has been covered before. I did a search and didn’t find what I needed. I have, according to my audiologist, significant high frequency hearing loss in both ears. The Dr. will be fitting me with hearing aids. I know that many of you may have this issue and J was curious how you deal with the devices and also muffs. Do you wear hearing protection without the aids or is there a special type of muff you prefer?

You should be wearing earplugs and use electronic muffs and turn up the volume to hear the ranch commands. I’ve been wearing hearing aids for30 years now and do not wear them when I shoot. 
I just read this to myself and thought wow that makes me sound really old LOL. I’ve been wearing hearing aids since I was in my 20s.
Jon

I remove my hearing aids and wear both ear plugs and electronic muffs. The electronic muffs allow me to hear conversation while scoring. I turn the amplification on the muffs off when shooting and turn it on again between targets. If the range commands aren't loud enough I ask them to turn it louder. Hasn't been a problem for me. Hope this helps.

The only thing I'll add is that with the foam earplugs inserted as they're supposed to be I can't hear anything.... even with electronic muffs.  I don't push them in quite as far when using them with muffs.

Thanks so much for the very quick replies!  Is there any particular types of electronic muffs that would work best?  I still hear most conversation pretty well, unless there is alot of background noise.  Parties and large, busy rooms are difficult.  I have been using plugs and conventional muffs, but I thought I might give the electronic types a try.  I was concerned with feedback from the hearing aid.  Seems like the best plan is to not wear the aids.
Ralph

https://www.howardleightshootingsports.com/products/impact-sport-sound-amplification-electronic-shooting-earmuff-classic-green?variant=26629854167104&gclid=CjwKCAjwwab7BRBAEiwAapqpTGhE-NkmxcYv5P6b8J3Fk4AUdBkqM68scrjGAalvoe6Uh4eX0zvsVhoC-TYQAvD_BwE

Like you, I can hear conversation pretty well unless there's background noise. Even the hearing aids aren't great with that! Mine are Bluetooth so, you know, not all bad

Thanks Mike, Those look like what I need!
Ralph

Those are what I have also. I kept pulling the wires out of the cheaper ones. These are much more durable. They also shut off after a period of time in case you leave the switch on.
Put a small piece of duct tape on the battery cover, I almost lost mine a couple times.

I had a long talk with the tech people at Howrd Leight.  I was told the "best" ear muffs I can buy are their "Impact Pro" ear muffs, which used to be found reasonably priced at Amazon.  The NRR readings were as good, or better than anything else I looked into.  They're comfortable, they have built in speakers, and batteries actually last quite a long time (provided you turn them off when you're leaving the range).  

A month or so ago I went looking to see if there was anything I might want to update to.  I couldn't find anything. Maybe someone else here knows of something?

I have accidentally left my hearing aids on while shooting.  That didn't seem to cause any issues.  I asked my hearing aid specialists about this, and there is now way the loud shooting sounds can damage the hearing aids.  I can't see any reason to leave them on at the range, so I usually leave them home. 

If the range commands sound to quiet, or if it's difficult to talk to someone, I've fixed that every time by installing new batteries.


If someone knows of a better set of electric ear muffs, I'm still looking, but so far no success.

Oh, and they have an external sound input too, so you can plug in your phone or some other device....

I also have the Howard Leight Impact Pro muffs, and I like them.  For CF and 45 shooting I also add the foam plugs.  Late last year I learned the correct way to install the foam plugs, and now I can't carry on a conversation with both the plugs and muffs on, but I can hear the range commands.

I am going to replace the batteries, they are about a year old, and may be getting weak.  Thanks for reminding me to do that, Mike.

Plugs and muffs are definitely needed if you shoot indoors.  I have a pair of industrial heavy duty 3m muffs I use for indoor practice.

rburk you are spot on about indoor shooting.  It just rattles my mellon!

I shoot at a couple outdoor ranges in the summer and our small private indoor range in the winter that is mainly .22 and mild or medium reloads with center fire. I wear my aids while shooting as I can hear what people are saying much clearer. Without my aids on and my electronic muffs turned all the way up, I have issues understanding what is said.

You could try it but I think your scores will be higher if you shoot with a 1911.

I leave the HA in for 22 but turned off under muffs. I have to lift the left muff to hear commands. For cf, the ha are out and I use foam plugs and muffs. Have to pull the plug when not firing in order to hear.

I have a couple sets of noise cancelling ( cutout type) but find the NRR too low. Mine are Brownells brand. They're generally ok but take expensive n type batteries. The knob always gets bumped in transit and they're frequently  dead when needed. I won them at Cherry Ridge so I'm not complaining

I started shooting pistol competition in 1960 on the 2nd Army team at Ft. Jackson. I have extreme high frequency loss and constant loud tinnitus ever since my military service. I wear hearing aids. I would NEVER think of going on the pistol range without double protection of ear plugs and the highest noise suppression ear muffs I can buy. My ear plugs are VA supplied custom molds and my ear muffs are 33dB suppression. If I knew of higher I would buy them. In 1959 I was the small arms repairman for the 1st Cav. Div. and I had to test fire every automatic weapon I repaired. Being a tank division at the time,
they had tons of grease guns and 50 caliber machine guns. The Army did not understand hearing protection back then. They do understand it now.

Stu