Product Spotlight: SureFire Hearing Protection

Your hearing cannot be replaced. Once it's diminished, a hearing aid may help you make the most of what you have left, but it's not the same as your "factory original" hearing capacity. Andrew Wright from SureFire joins Caleb to tell us about SureFire's Sonic Defenders EP series of highly effective AND very affordable ear plugs. They're made of soft polymer that easily molds to the "concha bowl" of your ear - the part of the outer ear where you put ear plugs. This produces a tight seal to keep those harmful gunshot decibels from turning you into that guy/gal who constantly says, "Eh, what did ya say?"

 

With SureFire's EP4 plugs, you can choose between two levels of noise reduction: 24 dB with the filter cap closed and 12 dB with the filter cap open. The 12 dB setting is handy when you're a good distance away from the firing line and want to hear conversation but still want some hearing protection. EP5 plugs delete the filter cap, making them solid to provide a straight 26 dB of noise reduction. Like the EP4s, they have soft polymer cups, so they're easy to insert into and remove from the ear while still producing a tight seal.

 

EP7 plugs have the filter caps like the EP4s, but they also have soft memory foam Canal Comply Tips that expand to fit tightly in the ear. Roll and squeeze the tip, then pop it into your ear and hold it while it inflates to produce a super tight seal. This adds up to a 28 dB NRR (noise reduction rating) with the filter cap in. EP7 plugs are extremely comfortable - great for all-day wear. For maximum protection, EP10 plugs are solid like the EP5s and have the EP7 expanding Comply foam tips. They are SureFire's most quieting plugs of all, with a 30 dB NRR.

 

Sonic Defender EP plugs fit comfortably UNDER muff protectors, making them great for times when you're dealing with really loud gunfire and want to double up on your hearing protection.

 

These SureFire plugs are also very affordable, between $15 and $25, depending on model. At these prices, there's no excuse for NOT having good hearing protection!