It's easy to spot a group of gunwriters at a social event. They're the ones talking extra-loud, but not because they're inconsiderate—it's because they're all half-deaf. Years and years of shooting, even with moderate protection, can leave one's hearing challenged to say the least.
That's why safety equipment is so important. Quality hearing protection is mandatory if you want to maintain some semblance of hearing, but it often comes with a cost: shutting out the world around you. Whether you're instructing a new shooter on the line and need to make sure they understand your instruction, or if you're simply alone on a range and want to maintain situational awareness, having a set of ear muffs that only stop the loud noises is critical.
That's where gear like the Walker's Ultimate Power Muff comes in. Offering a 27 dB noise reduction rating, four microphones, a claimed 9x hearing enhancement, 2 independent volume controls and sound activated compression, these muffs will keep out harmful noises while still permitting normal conversation.
MSRP: $199.95. Available in black, Mossy Oak and RealTree.