EtymoticGunSport Pro - High-Def Electronic Earplugs with Active Hearing Protection - Blast Noise Protection, Noise Suppression & 5X Sound Amplification - IPX7 Water Resistant

I am a long-time shooter, instructor, and range officer and I was looking for hearing protection that would not interfere while using a rifle. I have used 3M/Peltor Tactical/Sport electronic muffs for several years. They are a very good product, but they, like all of my headsets, would get pushed off my ear by the rifle stock and I would have no hearing protection for that ear. I could, and did, put in foam ear plugs, but then, when not firing, I could barely hear in the ear with the ear plugs and headset muff. In addition, when wearing muffs over Oakley frames (which have larger diameter bows), the bows would sometimes push the muffs just far enough off my ears to let loud noise in. Not to mention sweaty ears in the summer heat. Enough finally got to be enough, and I went looking for an alternative that cost less than $500.I have had the Etymotic GunSport for about a month, and the product functions just as advertised. The hearing protection is at least as good as several of the headset ear muffs I've had over the years. The caveat, though, is that I get that level of protection only when using the foam eartips properly inserted in my ear canal. That means rolling the foam between your fingers to compress the foam before the stem is being inserted, and getting the angle of insertion right to actually be in the ear canal. (I have large hands, and it is a bit harder to do than you might think. There's not a lot of room to work in when inserting the stem.) The 3 flange eartips do not seem to provide the same level of muzzle blast protection.The earplugs are comfortable to wear for several hours at a time. I have frequently forgotten I had them on, and have gone to lunch while still wearing them. (The upside to that is those hideous screaming children at the next table are nicely muffled when in Lo mode.)I'm at the end of my first month, and on the same set of batteries, so I have no information about how long they will last. I have talked with some friends who wear hearing aids, and they say the duration varies a bit by battery manufacturer, with some being a little better than others, but that I can expect about 4 weeks or so of use on a battery. YMMV.The only negative so far is size (see "hands", above). Sometimes it takes me 20 to 40 seconds to find that little tiny switch to go into the 5x (Hi)mode. It might be better if I had longer fingernails, but it is a problem. I generally do not use the 5x mode, although I probably will when I go hunting this Fall. It does work pretty well. There is a different size problem, but it is not a negative in the sense that it comes with the territory for a small device. Putting in those small batteries with large hands and fingers is an experience. I would suggest the first few times you do it over a towel, or something similar, to catch those little puppies when they fall out of your fingers or fail (because of hand size) to be properly positioned to go into the battery holder. Otherwise you're going to be looking for them in the gravel somewhere after they've bounced a couple of times.The summary is that I've used them outdoors with handguns, rifles and shotguns, and they work fine. They significantly reduce noise and muzzle blast, and I can still hear conversation and range commands. They are simple to use (hand and finger size notwithstanding), but get them inserted properly. I would, and have, recommended them to other people.I have not encountered a serious enough "con" yet to warrant removing a star. I'll look at this review again after I have another few months of wear time on these ear plugs.

I was sure these would work great at outdoor ranges. I was not so sure they would work at indoor ranges.There was no need for concern, however.I used these during a 2 day rifle class at an indoor range with 10 other shooters and had zero complaints.(Granted, it was a large indoor range but still indoors.)Other than some static/feedback after the blast they cut down the noise quite well and were much more comfortable and unobtrusive than my over the ear muffs.I could have normal conversations with the instructors and other students without removing them.They come with a variety of different tips to customize the fit.The batteries are inexpensive and easy to replace. I got 5 days out of the first set before they stopped working.There's no doubt that they're pricey but I'm very happy with my purchase.If you're looking for something that works well and is comfortable at the same time, this is it.———I left my original review because when they work, they’re incredible.I’m now on my second pair. They seem to last about a year before they stop working. My first pair lasted almost a full 12 months before I got a high pitched noise in the earpiece. Etymotic replaced it under warranty. Now almost a year to the day I’m getting the same problem but I’m out of warranty.I am not overly hard on these plugs. They’ve not been used in the rain and get used maybe 15-20 days a year.Something that costs this much should last a lot longer than a year.

I've used the plugs while shooting trap outdoors and pistols inside and find they are effective. I can hear others speaking, which is very handy on the trap range, but the noise from gunshots is well attenuated even indoors. I have not yet tried them next to someone shooting a high power rifle. I still like to add a pair of electronic earmuffs for the extra protection when indoors and next to someone shooting a loud pistol. It's tolerable with the plugs alone but I prefer the extra protection and also find it's less distracting while I'm shooting.When I'm instructing or the RSO it's very useful to clearly understand what others on the firing line are saying. When the range is safe I can flip the switch to 5x amplification instead of removing the plugs and clearly hear everything being said.I found the large, extended flange ear tips fit me best and I can wear them comfortably for hours. The supplied batteries last about a week to 10 days, which is how that design works and not a fault of the earplugs. I bought some other brands to see if any last longer. Some people have complained about the thin plastic line connecting the plugs but I don't find it a problem. It just takes a little care to arrange in the case and while handling to avoid tangles.Overall I'm very happy with the product.

Excellent product. Good protection around firearms. It amplifies well enough but for people who have hearing loss like me, it's just short of what is perfect. Battery life is very good. I highly recommend this product. I've tried 2 other high end electronic ear plugs and these are the best by far.

The images of the product clearly shows the ear plugs are supplied with a hard case. The image is untrue as the product was supplied with a cheaper soft pouch. Not worth returning as it doesn't effect the ear plugs effectiveness but never the less disappointing.

I like the product overall, only thing I hate is that I cannot get custom molds for them in my area. The nearest place is in Montana. Would like it if it was possible to have custom molds done to it by any audiologist.Edit:Had to take down one star. During extreme cold weather, the hunting mode stops amplifying sounds. It still blocks out sounds though.However, I notice the hunting mode does start working again once the GSP 15 is warmed up.

It's light and totally effective. Installed with the sponge, the hearing protection is perfect at the same time very comfortable to wear for long periods.I shoot three days a week and the product cuts out gun fire noise while allowing me the ability to converse with others.

Une fois ajusté les adapteurs, coupé 3 jupes à 2 jupes, le confort étant au rendez vous.L'appareil comme tel est fabuleux, très bonne sonorité, bloc très bien les coup de feu!Manipulation facile et introduction dans l'oreille adéquate. Piton pas accrochant, pas de volume à gèrer!Décupleur de son(x5) très efficace, 60 heures de fait sans changer de batteries, bravo!Léger bémol, boitier trop grand (gros)et porte de batterie semble fragile, aurais préféré un interrupteurs on/off.