r/canadaguns • u/macmuaythai • Apr 03 '26

Misc New to shooting, fearful of ear damage

Interested and excited to start this hobby/pastime. But am fearful of the damage to ears, I already purchased some walker xcel 500 headphones for outdoor shooting and was going to double up. Wondering if there is anything else I can do or if I should just not worry

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10

u/notanm1abrams Apr 03 '26

Simple ear protection is enough. I’d only double up if you’re going to an indoor range, even then it’s not needed. I recommend any electronic noise canceling. My headphones have high power microphones so I can hear lower DB sounds very well. I can hear bees buzzing at 75 yds but gunshots are low

6

u/1baby2cats Apr 03 '26

Just personal experience, I used electronic noise cancelling headphones in an indoor range and had ringing in my ears for months after. I use ear plugs now and shoot at an outdoor range

5

u/Fine-Tie2651 Apr 03 '26

Do you mean that you used Apple AirPods?

Or walkers razors muffs? because neither of these are really sufficient for ear pro indoors and the AirPods aren’t even ear pro to begin with.

-4

u/ProfessorOfPain Apr 03 '26

Well, yes and no. Apple says they’re not good for gunshots but they are hearing protection:

https://support.apple.com/en-ca/120850

4

u/Fine-Tie2651 Apr 03 '26

As someone who got debilitating tinnitus after being advised to use “noise cancelling headphones”, Apple AirPods should never be conflated with actual passive ear protection. Few people know the difference between electronic ear protection and noise cancelling headphones and conflating the two can be absolutely catastrophic. Do not ever recommend AirPods as hearing protection even if Apple says they are as it is not sufficient for noise exposure that actually risks your hearing instantaneously.

3

u/notanm1abrams Apr 03 '26

Then you didn’t use them properly.

3

u/Reasonable_Hall2346 Apr 03 '26

Are you sure you guys are talking about the same type of headphones? The over the ear Walkers are decent, although i like to double up indoors to reduce flinching when someone is shooting a big caliber next to me.

Meanwhile I think the other commenter is referring to those inear noise canceling headphones, which i dont think are suitable for indoors.

Sorry if my assumptions are wrong.

3

u/notanm1abrams Apr 03 '26

You may be right. But, typically “headphones” refers to one solid piece that covers both ears fully and has a band that goes over your head. Earphones or ear buds are in ears. In ears alone, whether the foam ones or electronic, I would never ever recommend for use on their own.