Product Review Product Review: Walker's Silencer Electronic Ear Plugs, $50 at Midway

[Bobster]

Product Review: Walker's Silencer Electronic Ear Plugs, $50 at Midway LINK

My Silencers were $61 to my door in less than a week including MLK day. I got the Midway "exclusive" FDE (vs black)--maybe they'll be cooler in the summertime? I was initially looking at a "nicer" pair of electronic muffs with BlueTooth and these caught my eye. Ratings are mixed but I think a lot of user error/not RTFOM! comes into play.



They come with the items shown, a swell carrying case, 6 sizing "fins", 6 foam tips, lanyard, little brush/magnet tool, #10 hearing aid batteries (4) and literature. The fins/tips are S, M, L with M installed.



I haven't worn them at the range yet nor put in batteries but I DID test them around the shop with various equipment like the sander and air compressor and they cut the sound quite well. The medium size of fins/tips seems to fit fine so I'm going to leave them on and probably install the lanyard. They sit about 1/8"-1/4" proud of the plane of my ear but basic 3M ear muffs I have in the shop fit over them comfortably.



I only intend on using these with the .22 guns and most of the time they will not have batteries in them. I wanted a pair of "custom fit" ear plugs and these might fit that role well with ability to listen better when at a match or event.

NOTE: These are ear plugs that can enhance sound but require hearing aid batteries to do so. Not ever knowing anyone with a hearing aid, this is a new concept to me. The batteries are "activated" by peeling off a seal before being installed. Once this is done, they will only last about a week or less if the plugs are on constantly. Four batteries are included and each plug takes one. I'm assuming the magnet on the brush is for installing them because they are quite tiny! Looks like I'm going to have to buy more batteries soon...

NOTE: I think it would be a good idea to clean the mud out of and/or trim the shrubs in your ears to get the best sealing/noise protection of the foam tips.



I'll update after I try them at the range...

 

[Racer88]

I'll update after I try them at the range...

"Sounds good!"

I got a pair of blue tooth ear buds for my phone - for listening to music or books while on the treadmill... assuming I get ON the treadmill. They are the Bose Quiet Comfort model, and like most Bose products... not cheap. Similar in that they come with different sized fins / tips.

They are NOT for shooting. The only reason I mention them is that in using them, I discovered that my anatomy does NOT like in-the-ear devices. I can and do comfortably wear the disposable foam ear plugs at the range (in addition to muffs). I like to "double up." But rigid in-the-ear devices? They're fine for a little while... and then the pain starts. They get VERY uncomfortable.

I've wanted to get some good in-the-ear ear pro for shooting. Especially for long guns, as standard size ear muffs often conflict with a good cheek weld. A proper cheek weld breaks the seal of the big ear muffs. Which is one of the reasons I double up. Nevertheless... the foam insert ear pro isn't really enough.

But the "good" "customizable" in-the-ear ear pro is pricey. And I don't want to spend the money only to find out, it's uncomfortable.... AND that it doesn't work nearly as well as muffs.

Meanwhile.... as I type, my ears are constantly going, "Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" (Tinnitus)

If thought about getting some of the "slim line" muffs that SUPPOSEDLY work with long guns, but again I'm hesitant to spend the money only to find out they don't work very well.

 

[Bobster]

Especially for long guns, as standard size ear muffs often conflict with a good cheek weld. A proper cheek weld breaks the seal of the big ear muffs.

This is why I got these. I don't want to have to get a riser for the optic. The closer sighting to bore, the better. I don't understand the skyscrapers some people use under their RDS'.

Meanwhile.... as I type, my ears are constantly going, "Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" (Tinnitus)

Sorry about that. I suppose I have it too--if I concentrate I can hear it over the din of the voices in my head...

 

[Bobster]

Range Report #1:
I tried the Silencers at the range today without batteries. Initially, I had the range to myself. They worked OK with the S&W M&P 15-22 now sporting a linear compensator. Then someone showed up and started shooting 9mm and I had to put my regular over-ear muffs on (also Walker's). This particular range has a tin roof overhead and it just directs the noise straight down. I'm going to try the large tips and maybe the large fins although the medium fins fit my ears well. The ear canal could be sealed a little better so maybe the large tips will do the trick.

Especially for long guns, as standard size ear muffs often conflict with a good cheek weld. A proper cheek weld breaks the seal of the big ear muffs.

This is why I got these. I don't want to have to get a riser for the optic. The closer sighting to bore, the better.

The Silencers worked well in this regard allowing quick acquisition of the optic.

 

[Racer88]

The ear canal could be sealed a little better so maybe the large tips will do the trick.

 

[Bongo Lewi]

I wear Peltor Comtac muffs. I double down with Radian custom molded plugs. You put them in hot water then stick them in your ears to get a custom fit.

The very best "in the ear" protection I've used was made by Axil. Expensive as hell. And being so expensive of course I lost one of them.