For shooting ear protection, the safest setup is a foam earplug worn under a well-fitted earmuff. That is the advice of NIOSH, the federal agency that studies hearing loss at work. For your eyes, wear wraparound glasses marked Z87+.
This post explains why one layer is often not enough, what the numbers say, how to choose eye protection, and where a suppressor fits in. It is general information, not medical advice, and the figures are from the sources linked below.
How Loud a Gunshot Really Is
A gunshot is a very short, very loud sound, and the peak is what damages hearing in a single moment. NIOSH measured firearm peaks from 144 decibels (a .22 rifle) up to 172 decibels (a .357 revolver) (NIOSH, hearing protection for hunters and shooters). NIOSH’s guideline caps the peak sound of a short impulse like this at 140 decibels.
So even the quietest firearm in that study went over the guideline before any protection was worn. That is why shooters talk about hearing protection as a requirement, not an option. The NRA lists eye and ear protection among its basic gun safety rules (NRA).
Shooting Ear Protection: Why Plugs and Muffs Together
NIOSH recommends that hunters and shooters wear both earplugs and earmuffs whenever they fire a weapon. The numbers show why.
- Earplugs alone cut peak sound by 10 to 30 decibels.
- Standard earmuffs cut it by 20 to 38 decibels.
- An earmuff and an earplug together can cut it by up to 50 decibels.
NIOSH worked through an example with a 12 gauge shotgun. An earmuff alone gave 31 decibels of reduction. Adding a foam earplug added 21 more. By NIOSH’s calculation, that moved the number of shots a person could fire in a day within the guideline from about 5 to more than 1,200. NIOSH also notes that this formula is a conservative estimate.
The best pairing, according to NIOSH, is a deeply inserted foam earplug with a well-seated earmuff. The key words are “deeply inserted” and “well-seated.” A plug that sits half in the ear canal does less than the number on its package.
The Trade-Off: Hearing Each Other
Two plain, passive protectors worn together can make it hard to hear a range officer or a shooting partner. NIOSH says wearing two passive devices can seriously impair communication.
Its suggestion is an electronic, level-dependent earmuff worn over a foam earplug. These muffs pass normal sound through a small microphone and speaker, then shut down the loud sound when a shot goes off. NIOSH says the amplifier in such an earmuff can add about 20 decibels of gain to offset the plug. It also notes it has no data on level-dependent earplugs, and that it doubts an active earplug worn under a passive earmuff works as well.
If you are new, start with foam plugs and good passive muffs. If you want to hear range commands more clearly, ask about electronic muffs.
Getting a Good Fit
A few points make more difference than the brand.
Insert foam plugs deeply. NIOSH’s best pairing calls for a deeply inserted foam plug. Follow the directions on the package for how to roll and seat it.
Check the muff seal. NIOSH points out that when you wear safety glasses, the earmuff seal needs extra attention. Put your glasses on first, then the muffs, and check that nothing breaks the seal.
Bring spares. A spare pair of plugs costs little and saves the day when you lose one.
Eye Protection
Eye protection matters just as much. Shooters face brass thrown from neighboring lanes, bits of debris and steel splatter. ConcealedCarry.com’s guide to shooting glasses lists those hazards, and notes that many of them come from other people on the line, not just from your own gun.
The key points from that guide:
- Look for Z87+. Z87.1 is an impact standard. Basic Z87 is a drop-ball test, and Z87+ is the high-impact rating with high-velocity and high-mass tests. The guide calls Z87+ the floor for range use. The mark has to be on both the frame and the lens, so check the temple arm and the edge of the lens.
- “ANSI” alone is not enough. Some sunglasses carry an ANSI label without an impact rating.
- Pick wraparound lenses. Curved lenses leave fewer gaps where hot brass can get in and avoid the blind spots of flat lenses with side shields.
Federal workplace rules point to the same standard. OSHA’s rule on eye and face protection lists ANSI Z87.1 as an accepted standard for protective eyewear (29 CFR 1910.133).
If you wear prescription glasses, ask your eye doctor about shooting glasses made to your prescription, or check whether your own frames carry the Z87+ mark.
What a Suppressor Changes
A suppressor lowers the sound of a shot, and that can help your ears. It does not replace ear protection. A study of suppressors on AR-15 rifles found they cut mean peak sound by 18 to 22 decibels, and that they did not always bring peak levels below 120 to 140 decibels (peer-reviewed study on PubMed Central). Our post on whether a suppressor is worth it covers the cost, the wait and how Georgia treats them.
The short version: a suppressor plus ear protection is better than either alone, and a suppressor alone is not enough. Our suppressor page explains how buying one works at our shop in Cumming.
A Simple Setup to Start With
- Foam earplugs, deeply inserted.
- Earmuffs that seal around your glasses.
- Wraparound glasses marked Z87+ on frame and lens.
- A spare set of everything in your range bag. Our range bag checklist has the rest of the list.
Quick Answers
Are earplugs or earmuffs better? Together they are better than either alone. NIOSH puts the combined reduction at up to 50 decibels.
Do I need ear protection with a .22? The .22 rifle in NIOSH’s study peaked at 144 decibels, above the 140 decibel guideline. Yes.
Are sunglasses enough? No. Look for Z87+ on both frame and lens. Some sunglasses carry an ANSI label without an impact rating.
Do I need protection at an outdoor range? The NRA’s basic rules say to wear eye and ear protection. They do not make an exception for the setting.
Does a suppressor mean I can skip ear protection? No. The study cited above found peaks stayed high enough that protection still matters.
Questions to Ask at the Counter
- Which earmuffs seal well over my glasses?
- Are these glasses marked Z87+ on the frame and the lens?
- Would an electronic muff help me hear range commands?
- Does my gun need anything else to be comfortable to shoot?
What to Do Next at Lakeside
Bring your questions about eye and ear protection to the counter at our shop in Cumming. If you are thinking about a suppressor to go with it, start at the suppressor page or send a question through the contact page.
