What Hearing Protection Do Police Use in Gel Blaster Training?

Gel blasters have become an incredibly popular training tool for police and military units around the world. However, the loud “pop” produced by these toy guns can damage hearing over time. Protecting your officers’ hearing during gel blaster exercises is crucial. So what’s the best form of protection?

The ideal hearing protection balances protection, comfort, and situational awareness. For gel blaster training, police need to hear commands and instructions from their colleagues. So which options allow optimal hearing protection while still permitting ambient sounds?

Should Police Opt for Earplugs or Earmuffs During Gel Blaster Training?

Earplugs and earmuffs each have their pros and cons. Earplugs sit inside the ear canal, using foam or rubber to block noise transmission. When properly inserted, they can reduce noise by 22 to 33 decibels. However, they can be uncomfortable with long-term wear and difficult to insert and remove quickly.

Earmuffs completely cover the external ear and are held in place by a headband. Top noise reduction ratings exceed 30 decibels. Some models feature a boom mic and built-in radio connectivity. The main downside is earmuffs can get hot and uncomfortable during extended training.

For gel blaster training, earmuffs with electronic audio transmission allow officers to communicate while protecting their hearing from loud blasts. Most police favor active hearing protection earmuffs for their balance of protection and practicality.

How Do Electronic Earmuffs Work to Shield Hearing?

Electronic or “active” earmuffs use external and internal microphones to amplify and reproduce ambient sounds at safe levels. This allows face-to-face verbal communication. But when decibel levels reach dangerous thresholds, the muff circuits automatically compress sound output to protect ears.

Electronic muff technology falls into three main categories:

• Level-dependent earmuffs uniformly compress all sounds over 85 decibels. Officers maintain situational awareness but sacrifice some speech intelligibility.
• Impulse earmuffs use ultrafast circuitry to specifically attenuate sudden loud bursts like gunfire or explosions while maintaining ambient noise amplification. This makes them ideal for unpredictable training scenarios.
• Active noise cancellation samples incoming sound waves and generates inverse waves to cancel out noise. These provide the most natural hearing of surroundings but are costly.

Look for electronic earmuffs with noise reduction ratings (NRR) of 22 or higher to adequately protect hearing from gel blaster sounds. Then ensure proper and consistent use so protection isn’t compromised.

What Specific Electronic Earmuff Models Do Police Favor?

When considering your department’s gel blaster training needs, look for durable, high-quality tactical earmuffs designed for law enforcement. Popular models include:

• Peltor Sport Tactical 100 – With a 26 NRR, these balance hearing protection and amplification for voice reproduction. The headband reduces pressure for all-day wear.
• 3M PELTOR X5A – With Bluetooth connectivity and a 22 NRR, officers can link to radios and receive clear, encrypted communications during training.
• MSA Supreme Pro X – A dual-layer headband and 30 NRR provides excellent comfort and maximum protection from impulses.
• Walkers Razor Slim – Ultra-low profile cups and Bluetooth allow a comfortable, streamlined fit under a helmet with wireless communication.
• Motorola Command One – Integrated bone conduction microphones eliminate boom mics for unencumbered movement and enhanced detection capabilities.

The best approach is to test several highly-rated models with a focus on comfort and communications quality. Proper fit is also critical for expected noise reduction. Work with your officers to select the right tactical hearing protection for your specific gel blaster training needs and environment.

Why Is Consistent Use So Important?

The peak sound pressure from gel blaster muzzle blasts can reach 165 decibels. Just one exposure over 140 dB can permanently damage hearing. Yet noise-induced hearing damage accumulates over time.

While the immediate, wearing-effect of gel blaster noise seems temporary at first, consistent exposures without proper protection lead to permanent hearing loss over months and years. Tinnitus, difficulty hearing conversations, and ear pain also result.

That’s why consistent use of proper hearing protection with every gel blaster training session is so critical. Brief interludes without earmuffs, even just 15 minutes per day, add to cumulative harm over an officer’s career.

In short, any gel blaster training without proper protective earmuffs risks significant short and long-term hearing impairment. Consistent use of electronic earmuffs rated 22+ NRR prevents this “occupational hearing loss.” Officer safety depends on making hearing protection non-negotiable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What ear protection do special forces operators use?

Many special forces units now utilize in-ear monitors that provide both hearing enhancement and protection. These custom-fitted devices boost situational awareness while blocking sudden impulse noises above 85 decibels.

How do police officers protect their hearing during firearms training?

Most officers opt for over-the-ear electronic earmuffs that actively block gunshot noise but allow face-to-face communication. This balances hearing protection needs with practicality for instruction and simulated scenarios.

Is an NRR 22 rating high enough for shooting training?

An NRR of 22 is generally adequate for most types of firearms training. However, for prolonged exposure to magnum handguns or rifles, an NRR of 30+ gives an extra margin of protection for your officers’ hearing health.

What level of noise reduction is best for tactical training?

Look for earmuffs with an NRR between 22 and 30. Maximum protection earmuffs over 30 NRR make communication and situational awareness more difficult. Moderate protection in the 22-26 range allows sound localization and speech while blocking gunfire noise.

In summary, today’s law enforcement officers face numerous occupational hearing hazards, from gun ranges to flash bang grenades. Electronic earmuffs enable crucial communication and comfort for gel blaster training while preventing irreversible ear damage. Prioritize your team’s long-term health by selecting high-quality hearing protection and mandating consistent use. Their hearing depends on it.