Adjust Fit – (ALL Models) A PROPER FIT IS CRITICAL TO GOOD SOUND ATTENUATION. The headband may be adjusted to ensure the cups fit correctly around the ears by sliding the headband apart. With the slider arms fully closed place the headband directly in the middle of the head. Slowly adjust one slider arm at a time as needed to ensure each cup is fully covering your ear. The ear lobe should not interfere with the seal between the cup ear seal and the skull. The two slider arms should be equidistant from the headband to ensure the best fit. Be sure the headband is resting snuggly against the top of your head. The special, replaceable ProForm Leather™ Sealing Rings are made for maximum comfort and noise protection. There should be no gaps between the ear seal and your head. For best fit ensure your hair, hat, glasses or earrings are not under the ear seal. To test for a good seal, run your index finger around the area between the ear seal and your skull and ensure there are no gaps. Pay particular attention to the space at the lower back portion of the ear as this area is most susceptible to improper fit. REMEMBER, HEARING PROTECTORS COME N DIFFERENT SHAPES AND SIZES AND NOT ALL HEARING PROTECTORS FIT ALL HEADS. BE SURE YOU HAVE A PROPER FIT BEFORE NOISE EXPOSURE.
Mayo Clinic cochlear implant audiologist here. We localize sound using interaural (between ear) time differences (below 1 kHz) and interaural level differences (above 1 kHz). So being able to tell where sound is coming from is a two ear task. A lot of the electronic muffs use one microphone two speakers since that's cheaper to manufacture. You will not get any localization from this set up. Some of them use two totally independent microphone/circuitry/speakers. This is better but not perfect because the microphone placement isn't correct. In the ear options are always independent circuitry and the microphones are close to the natural place (preserving pinna effects), so as long as you get your level set equivocally between your ears, you'll be mostly good for localization. Determining distance is going to be a level cue which again comes back to getting your volume set correctly.
Science aside, I've had good luck with my custom SoundGear and recommend them. I believe they are the most cost effective option, though that may have changed since I got mine a few years ago. Know that the non-custom options may or may not work for you depending on your ear canals.
My biggest complaint is that getting the volume set correctly can be a chore, and they have a "tinny" sound quality. Walking through grass is more noisy than it is to me naturally, for example. I have used mine on pheasant and goose hunts without a problem.
Good on you for wanting to protect your hearing. I have patients come though all the time who have significant hearing loss from shooting with ears unprotected "only a couple times a year while hunting." You're smart to prevent hearing loss in the first place. If you can swing it, get custom. You'll get a better fit and better sound attenuation, though I understand it can be quite pricey.
Hopefully that helps! Let me know if you have more questions.
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