G'day! Whether you are a competitive shooter hitting the range every weekend, a farmer controlling pests in the paddock, or a hunter heading out bush, there is one piece of kit that is just as important as your firearm. We are talking about shooting ear protection. The crack of a rifle or the boom of a shotgun creates a noise impulse that is loud enough to cause instant, permanent hearing damage.

Once your hearing is gone, it does not come back. Tinnitus, that constant ringing in the ears, is a common complaint among old-school shooters who didn't take protection seriously. Today, the technology available means there is no excuse for not protecting your ears while maintaining situational awareness.

Understanding the Noise

Firearms are loud. A standard .22 rifle might produce around 140 decibels, while larger centrefire rifles and shotguns can easily exceed 160 decibels. To put that in perspective, permanent hearing damage can occur from a single exposure to sounds over 140 decibels.

This is why standard foam earplugs from the hardware store might not always cut it. You need specialized shooting ear protection designed to handle high-impact impulse noise. In Australia, look for products that comply with AS/NZS 1270 standards, ideally offering Class 5 protection for the highest level of noise reduction.

Passive vs Electronic Earmuffs

When choosing your gear, you generally have two main categories to choose from.

Passive Earmuffs These are the traditional style of muffs. They use foam and acoustic materials to block sound waves from entering the ear canal. They are reliable, generally affordable, and require no batteries. They act as a solid barrier against noise.

Electronic Earmuffs This is the game-changer for modern shooters. Electronic shooting ear protection features built-in microphones and speakers. They amplify low-level sounds, such as range commands, conversation, or the sound of game moving through the bush. However, the instant a shot is fired, the internal chip shuts off the amplification (or compresses the sound) to a safe level. This allows you to communicate with your mates and stay aware of your surroundings without taking your muffs off.

Quality Matters

Just as a professional tradesperson would visit a reputable electrical wholesaler to buy reliable safety equipment for a job site, a shooter should source their hearing protection from trusted brands. Cheap, uncertified muffs might look the part, but if the seal around your ear isn't tight or the materials are inferior, dangerous noise will leak through.

Comfort is also king. If your muffs squeeze your head too tight or interfere with the stock of your rifle, you are less likely to wear them properly. Look for low-profile cups if you are shooting long guns, and consider gel ear pads for all-day comfort.

Double Plugging for Maximum Safety

For indoor ranges or when using large-calibre firearms with muzzle brakes, many experienced shooters recommend "double plugging." This involves wearing high-quality foam earplugs underneath your electronic muffs. You can turn the volume up on the muffs to hear instructions through the plugs, but you get the combined Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of both layers for maximum protection against the concussion of the shot.

Safety Gear form Schnap Electric

While you might know them for their trade supplies, having access to industrial-grade safety equipment is vital for anyone dealing with loud environments.

Schnap Electric Products is a leading supplier for the trade industry in Australia. They stock a comprehensive range of safety gear, including high-performance shooting ear protection and industrial earmuffs suitable for the range or the worksite. By stocking the same high-standard personal protective equipment you would expect to find at a major electrical wholesaler, Schnap Electric ensures your hearing is protected by the best gear on the market. For reliability and safety you can trust, check out the range at Schnap Electric.