Good hearing protection for hunting and shooting has one important task: to reduce the impact of loud gunshots. But when hunting, it is also a clear advantage if you can still hear your surroundings.

You might need to hear the hunt leader's instructions, talk to the person next to you, pick up movement in the forest, or react to signals during a driven hunt. This is precisely where active hearing protection – also called electronic hearing protection – differs from traditional passive hearing protection.

They combine physical noise reduction with microphones and electronics that reproduce ordinary sounds around you. When a shot or other loud impulse noise occurs, the electronics react and limit the sound level.

The result is hearing protection that can stay on throughout the entire hunt or training session, instead of constantly being taken off to hear.

But how do active hearing protectors actually work? Why are they particularly relevant for hunting? What does a noise reduction rating of 23 dB mean? And what should you look for when choosing hearing protection for rifles and shotguns?

Here's a comprehensive guide.

Why is hearing protection important for hunting and shooting?

A gunshot creates very loud impulse noise.

The special thing about impulse noise is that the sound level rises very sharply in a very short time. This differs from, for example, constant machine noise, where the exposure is more even.

This makes hearing protection relevant for both hunters and sport shooters.

At the shooting range, the need is very clear. Many shots can be fired in a short time, often by several people simultaneously.

While hunting, you might only fire one or a few shots in an entire day, but that doesn't change the fact that each individual shot is a very strong sound impact.

Therefore, it makes good sense to consider hearing protection as standard equipment, just like binoculars, ammunition, and appropriate clothing.

What is active hearing protection?

Active hearing protection combines traditional hearing protection with electronic microphones.

The microphones are located on the outside of the earcups and pick up sounds around you. The electronics then reproduce the ordinary sounds inside the hearing protector.

This means you can still hear, for example:

• conversations
• instructions
• birds and other nature sounds
• movement around you
• signals from other hunters.

When the sound level suddenly becomes very loud, the electronics react.

HuntersMarket's active hearing protection for hunting and shooting range has a stated electronic reaction time of 0.02 seconds and a stated noise reduction rating of 23 dB.

This provides a completely different user experience than traditional passive hearing protection, which dampens all sounds all the time.

Active vs. passive hearing protection – what's the difference?

A regular passive hearing protector works without electronics.

Earcups, cushions, and materials around the ear physically reduce the sound level. It’s simple and effective, but all sounds are dampened.

If you use strong passive hearing protection while hunting, it can therefore become harder to have a normal conversation or hear what's happening around you.

This can tempt some to lift the earcup or take off the hearing protection.

And if a shooting opportunity suddenly arises, you are precisely without protection at the time it is most needed.

Active hearing protection solves much of this problem by allowing the microphones to reproduce normal surroundings.

Therefore, the hearing protection can remain on.

This is one of the biggest practical advantages of electronic hearing protection for hunting.

How does active hearing protection work when a shot is fired?

At normal sound levels, the microphones pick up the surroundings, and the electronics reproduce the sound in the earcups.

When a shot is fired, the system registers the loud sound and limits the electronic reproduction.

At the same time, the earcup itself continues its physical attenuation.

One can therefore think of the construction as two functions working together:

The passive part physically shields the ear.

The active part makes it possible to hear the surroundings at normal sound levels.

This is important because the active system does not mean that the hearing protection magically "removes the shot." The physical fit and seal around the ear are still a central part of the protection.

Active hearing protection for hunting

For hunting, active hearing protection makes particularly good sense because hearing plays a major role.

You use your ears all the time.

A branch breaks in the forest.

A dog gets closer.

A hunting companion says something.

The hunt leader gives a signal.

An animal moves in the vegetation out of your sight.

If traditional hearing protection heavily dampens all these sounds, you lose some of the information you normally use during the hunt.

With active hearing protection, ordinary sounds can still be reproduced while you wear the hearing protection.

HuntersMarket's active hearing protection can also amplify ambient sound up to 7 times.

This can make fainter sounds easier to pick up, depending on the surroundings and the chosen setting.

Up to 7x amplification of ambient sound

Sound amplification is an interesting feature of active hearing protection.

If the microphones merely reproduced the surroundings at precisely the same sound level, they would already be useful.

But with the possibility of electronic amplification, faint sounds can be made clearer.

This can be practical, for example, during a stand hunt, where much of the hunt takes place in complete silence.

You can more easily pick up a conversation or movement without taking off your hearing protection.

However, sound amplification should not be confused with improved natural hearing in all situations. Wind, vegetation, and other ambient sounds are also picked up by the microphones.

Therefore, the best setting is usually one where you can clearly hear your surroundings without making them unnaturally loud.

Active hearing protection for rifle hunting

When rifle shooting, the design of the earcups is important.

If the hearing protection is very large and clunky at the bottom, the earcup can hit the rifle stock when you rest your cheek against the buttstock.

This can be both irritating and affect your natural shooting position.

HuntersMarket's model is therefore made with low-profile earcups, providing more space between the hearing protection and the rifle stock.

This is especially worth considering if the hearing protection is to be used for:

• rifle hunting
• sighting in
• training at the shooting range
• shooting from prone or sitting positions.

Hearing protection should ideally not cause you to alter an otherwise correct and practiced shooting position.

Hearing protection for shotguns and clay pigeon shooting

When shooting a shotgun, the stock quickly comes to the shoulder.

Here, a slim profile is also an advantage.

At the clay pigeon shooting range, many shots are also fired in a relatively short time. Therefore, it is ideal to keep the hearing protection on throughout the entire training session.

At the same time, you need to hear instructions and communicate with other shooters.

Electronic hearing protection is therefore very well suited for this type of use.

HuntersMarket's active hearing protection for hunting and shooting is designed for both rifles and shotguns and has a stated noise reduction rating of 23 dB.

Active hearing protection at the shooting range

At a shooting range, noise exposure is often greater than when hunting.

You might fire many shots yourself, while other shooters are firing around you.

This also means that the hearing protection often stays on for a long time.

Here, comfort, communication, and fit therefore become extra important.

With active hearing protection, you can still hear:

• the range officer
• safety instructions
• the other shooters
• general communication between series.

This eliminates the need to constantly take the hearing protection on and off.

It is both more practical and makes it easier to be consistent with hearing protection throughout your stay.

What does 23 dB attenuation mean?

Decibel – abbreviated dB – is used to describe sound levels.

When hearing protection has a stated attenuation value of 23 dB, the number describes the product's noise-reducing property.

However, it is important not to think of it as a simple mathematical calculation where you simply subtract 23 from any sound level and thus know precisely how much sound the ear is exposed to.

The practical protection depends, among other things, on:

• correct fit
• seal around the ear
• glasses
• headwear
• hair between cushion and head
• type of sound
• how the product's attenuation value is determined.

Therefore, correct use is just as important as the number on the specification list.

Ensure a good seal around the ear

Hearing protection works best when the ear cushions fit snugly around the head.

If something breaks the seal, sound can more easily pass through.

This can be, for example:

• very thick spectacle frames
• a hat or fabric under the earcup
• hair
• incorrectly adjusted headband.

Therefore, you should always adjust your hearing protection before shooting begins.

Both ears must be completely enclosed by the earcups, and the cushions should lie evenly against the head.

It only takes a few seconds but can make a big difference.

Hearing protection and glasses

At the shooting range, many also use safety glasses.

This can affect the seal of the hearing protection because the spectacle arm lies between the head and the ear cushion.

This does not mean that hearing protection and glasses cannot be used together – of course they can.

But it is worth checking the fit.

The thicker the spectacle arm, the more it can potentially affect the ear cushion's contact with the head.

If you use both glasses and hearing protection regularly, you should therefore try the combination together and check that it sits comfortably and as snugly as possible.

When might additional hearing protection be relevant?

In very noisy shooting environments, there may be situations where additional protection is desired.

This can be, for example, during longer shooting sessions or at shooting ranges where many powerful weapons are used close to each other.

In such cases, earplugs can sometimes be used in conjunction with earmuffs.

This is often called double hearing protection.

If you shoot at an organized shooting range, you should, of course, always follow the range's safety rules and recommendations regarding hearing protection.

Fast reaction time of 0.02 seconds

The electronics in HuntersMarket's active hearing protection have a stated reaction time of 0.02 seconds to loud impulse noise.

This is relevant because a gunshot occurs very quickly.

The electronics must therefore react quickly if the active system is to be able to handle the sudden jump in sound level.

At the same time, it is again important to remember that the electronic function works together with the physical earcups of the hearing protection.

So, the hearing protection does not only protect via electronics.

Communication during driven hunts

Driven hunts are one of the places where active hearing protection truly demonstrates its practical advantage.

You need to be both protected from gunshots and able to communicate.

Depending on the type of hunt, you might need to hear:

• the hunt leader
• the neighboring stand
• dog handlers
• signals
• dog barking
• movement in the terrain.

With traditional hearing protection, some of these sounds can become difficult to perceive.

With active hearing protection, ambient sound can still be reproduced.

This means you don't have to choose between being able to hear the hunt and wearing hearing protection.

AUX input for hunting radio and other audio sources

HuntersMarket's model also has an AUX input and comes with an AUX cable.

This allows for a wired connection to compatible audio sources.

This could be, for example, a hunting radio with a suitable output.

This can be practical for types of hunting where the radio is used for communication between participants.

Instead of having to hold a separate speaker close to the ear, audio from a compatible device can be fed into the hearing protection via the AUX connection.

Exact compatibility naturally depends on the device you want to connect.

Comfort matters more the longer you use the hearing protection

Hearing protection can have good technical specifications and still end up at the bottom of the hunting bag if it's uncomfortable to wear.

Therefore, fit matters a lot.

The headband must be adjustable so that the earcups sit securely without unnecessary pressure.

HuntersMarket's active hearing protection has an adjustable headband and can be used with most common hunting caps.

This is particularly relevant on long hunting days, where the hearing protection might be worn for several hours.

Foldable hearing protection is easier to transport

Hunting gear quickly takes up space.

Binoculars.

Ammunition.

Gloves.

Headlamp.

Rangefinder.

Thermos.

And then the hearing protection.

Therefore, a foldable design is practical.

HuntersMarket's model can be folded when not in use, taking up less space in your hunting bag or backpack.

A case is also included, so the hearing protection can be protected during transport and storage.

Active hearing protection for the new hunter

Good hearing protection is one piece of equipment that a new hunter can advantageously prioritize early on.

It's not a product that only becomes relevant after several years of hunting.

On the contrary.

Already during training and at the shooting range, many shots will be fired.

Therefore, it makes good sense to buy hearing protection from the beginning and get used to using it consistently.

Active hearing protection also has the advantage that it can follow the new hunter from the shooting range to actual hunting.

The same model can be used for example for:

• rifle shooting
• shotgun shooting
• sighting in
• hunting test
• stand hunting
• driven hunts
• general shooting practice.

This makes hearing protection one of the most versatile pieces of safety equipment in the hunting bag.

What to look for when buying active hearing protection?

There are several things worth comparing.

Attenuation tells you something about the noise-reducing properties of the hearing protection.

Reaction time is relevant for the electronics' handling of sudden loud sounds.

Sound amplification tells you how much ordinary ambient sounds can be amplified.

The profile of the earcups is important if the hearing protection is to be used with a rifle or shotgun.

Adjustable fit matters a lot for prolonged use.

Foldable design makes transport easier.

And features like AUX input can be relevant if you use a hunting radio or other compatible audio sources.

HuntersMarket's model combines:

• 23 dB stated attenuation value
• up to 7x amplification of ambient sound
• 0.02 seconds stated electronic reaction time
• low-profile earcups
• AUX input
• adjustable headband
• foldable design.

You can see the active hearing protection at HuntersMarket here.

Frequently asked questions about active hearing protection

What is active hearing protection?

Active hearing protection is electronic hearing protection with built-in microphones. They allow you to hear normal sounds around you while the hearing protection limits loud noise like gunshots.

Is active hearing protection good for hunting?

Yes. They are particularly suitable for hunting because you can still hear conversations, signals, and sounds in the terrain without constantly taking off your hearing protection.

What is the difference between active and passive hearing protection?

Passive hearing protection dampens sounds without electronics. Active hearing protection combines physical attenuation with microphones that reproduce normal surroundings electronically.

Can active hearing protection be used for rifle shooting?

Yes. HuntersMarket's active hearing protection has low-profile earcups, providing more space between the earcup and the rifle stock.

Can active hearing protection be used for shotguns?

Yes. The slim profile makes the model suitable for both rifles and shotguns.

How much does HuntersMarket's hearing protection attenuate?

The model has a stated attenuation value of 23 dB. The practical protection depends, among other things, on correct fit and seal around the ear.

Can they amplify sounds from nature?

Yes. The microphones can amplify ordinary ambient sounds up to 7 times.

How quickly does the hearing protection react to gunfire?

The stated electronic reaction time is 0.02 seconds for loud impulse noise.

Can the hearing protection be connected to a hunting radio?

The model has an AUX input and comes with an AUX cable. It can therefore be connected to compatible devices that have a suitable audio output.

Can the hearing protection be folded?

Yes. It has a foldable design, so it takes up less space during transport and storage.

Hearing protection should be on before the shot

One of the biggest advantages of active hearing protection is ultimately very simple:

You have less reason to take them off.

You can talk to your hunting companions.

You can hear instructions.

You can follow the sounds around you.

And when the shot suddenly comes, the hearing protection is already correctly in place.

This makes active hearing protection particularly relevant for both hunting and the shooting range, where communication and situational awareness must function alongside protection against gunshot noise.

If you are looking for a model for rifle, shotgun, shooting range and hunting, you can see HuntersMarket's model with 23 dB stated attenuation value, 7x sound amplification, 0.02 second reaction time and low-profile ear cups here: