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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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

6

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.

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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

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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.