Cut Noise, Not Sound
November 28, 2006|
Submitted by Seth Mills
The ear valve provides noise abatement without shutting off sound. Using these on a range during training allowed me to more easily hear instructions from the tower. Using under combat conditions let me hear what was going on around me, including radio transmissions. These sonic filters give less of a "plugged" sensation, too.
While those wearing normal plugs were chanting, "Say again," under fire, I could hear everything while still giving myself a decent measure of noise protection.
My platoon used these in a recent deployment to Iraq. The platoon was hit by over 80 IED's and had countless firefights. No one has hearing loss and everyone was able to communicate while wearing them.
Posted by: JParillo | November 28, 2006 at 03:01 PM
Our company had these issued semi-RFI, I found them aBig noise reducer under my CVC helmet(Bradley Pilot)and could clearly hear the commands from my BC,left,left,Left,LEft,LEFT!!
Aco 1/120(M)
Posted by: Red4Delta | November 28, 2006 at 07:45 PM
Ok, I've never been in the military but my wife and I used these at a Survival Research Labs performance in San Jose. We were able to converse in the midst of fire cannons, pulse jets and sonic boom generators while people around us were diving for cover.
I swear by these.
Posted by: Jim | November 29, 2006 at 08:39 PM
These are a issued item to the troops, dont waste your money on buying them!
Posted by: Sgt. Casey Elliott | December 01, 2006 at 03:20 PM
I saw a chart yesterday that depicted VA claims for hearing loss for the Army and Marine Corps. Both started climbing in 2002, but the Marine Corps' numbers in particular skyrocketed. I know I've suffered combat-related hearing damage, and so have many of my colleagues. These things are great, but I found that I had to cut them in half and only use the yellow end. The green end sticking out made it difficult to use radio handsets.
Posted by: Lightning | December 08, 2006 at 03:35 AM
I don't go anywhere without a whole bag of them. The ones the military issues are nice, but you can't always depend on them being supplied at the rate you lose them. Just like anything else, they get dirty and un-useable. If you are working around helicopters and you get JP-4 on your hands and then on them (by accident), throw them away. That stuff will ulcerate your outer ear.
Posted by: Charlie | December 08, 2006 at 05:24 AM
Oh... and another thing. Wear them IN ADDITION to your SPH-4B, HGU 56, or DH132 Helmet (for aircrew and tankers). Even though those helmets are designed with cups for hearing protection. You don't want hearing loss in you later years. You may think that you won't be able to hear the ICS traffic, but you can. Try it.
Posted by: Charlie | December 08, 2006 at 05:28 AM
Does anybody have an address, email, online, or otherwise, so an old, already losing his hearing, retired SMSgt can find these? TIA
Roy
Posted by: Roy | January 01, 2007 at 01:49 AM
Roy:
Just click on the "Shop for Sonic Filters" link at the bottom of the entry above.
Posted by: Ward at Kit Up! | January 01, 2007 at 08:36 AM
really fellas, we've been talking hearing protection forever in the army. maybe it's the marines and reserves who are finally starting to listen, what did he just say?? 80 IED strikes means you should slow down, improve sit awareness and us binos during movement. don't get mad, get trained.
Posted by: Dougherty | January 11, 2007 at 01:08 AM
Eh, company should design shorter ends so no one has to cut one half off. Wouldn't that harm it's effect anyways?
looks like a nice product thou.
Posted by: Joseph | January 26, 2007 at 01:22 PM
How many come in a container?
Posted by: Josh | February 13, 2007 at 04:57 PM