Can we share some experience (pro and con) of different ear pro?
Ear pro Recommendations
Pro Ears Gold has been the standard by which others should be judged, regarding the sound quality. They have the best compression algorithms compared to the others. I have a pair that I wear for range use and for hunting as they amplify beyond my own ability and then cut above 80 decibles. The biggest downsides: 1) Bozo the clown size. 2) Sound reduction isn't supper good. Recommend Ear plugs under them when at the range.
In a car (confined area), double up on ear pro...lol. I found out at Coach's event in 2018.. Ear Pro popped of my ears due to the concussion of the 5.56. Not as bad compared to when my crap issued ear pro walked out when firing a Ma Duece a few bursts...
I have spent the money on MSD sordin pro"s, and have the cheap caldwell & Howard leight all about 24 NRR. and need to double up when shooting indoors or in a car or confined space. What I'm really looking for is " In the Ear"
They would be great when doing security work, construction job site and at church.
I've got a set of the Walker's electric in the ear ($120 ish) I know Peltor has something similar, but at $300+ it was out of my price range.
The sound (speech) on them is alright, not as good the Howard Leight muffs I also use. Time will tell how they hold up to sweat and rain, but so far so good.
They use hearing aid type batteries, so once exposed to air, they start dieing....even if the plugs are off, you are going to get 48-72 hours of use before needing new batteries. You can buy 60 Batts for like $18 off of eBay, so I keep a couple of packs in my shooting bag.
Since they fit in your ear, your options for using in ear commo are limited/non existent that I'm aware of. If you want to run comms, probably be better to use over the ear.
Keep in mind there are 2 basic ways we hear.
The first is sound waves through the air (consider this our "normal" hearing) aka "air conduction" or AC, so anything that prevents the sound waves from getting to the TM (tympanic membrane, aka ear drum) will help. Think ear plugs or muffs.
The second is sound waves conducted through the bone, aka "bone conduction" or BC. This is essentially through the mastoid process, that bony prominence (knot) you can feel behind and just below each ear. This is how you hear underwater while wearing a wetsuit hoodie or how you "hear" concussive forces. Plugs won't help here, only muffs that cover the mastoid process will help.
So, plugs help limit AC and muffs help limit both AC and BC. "Double protection" or wearing plugs AND muffs help by further limiting the AC (air conduction).
The type of hearing protection needed/desired will depend on several things - environment (outside v inside), comfort, fit, ancillary capabilities (electronic input for radios), and price.
Following is only my experience, your's may vary.
Outside - foam plugs are sufficient for handguns
Inside - plugs AND electronic muffs
If I'm doing training all day, outside, I wear MSA Sordin Supreme X with the neckband (allows me to wear a boonie hat over without problems) https://www.amazon.com/MSA-Sordin-Supreme-green-cups/dp/B010E12YNK/ref=sr_1_9?crid=1C02U9O4X8CPX&dchild=1&keywords=msa+sordin+supreme+prox&qid=1588780955&sprefix=MSA+Sordin%2Caps%2C160&sr=8-9
I used HL (Howard Leights) for years doing NRA classes but they always gave me a headache after a couple of hours from pushing on my eyeglasses arms. Simple fix - buy the gel-earcups (instead of air/foam), MUCH more comfortable though still give me headaches after ~ 4 hours constant use.