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

17 Upvotes

73% Upvoted

50 comments sorted by

View all comments

11

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

5

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

3

u/notanm1abrams Apr 03 '26

Then you didn’t use them properly.

2

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.