Mesh Masks

[Zack The Ripper]

ComTacs or Sordins headsets are your best bet for ear protection without the cheek to ear mesh. They are good for comms and if you have never used or read any info on them, you'll find them very nifty because they amplify ambient sound while cancelling out loud sharp noises (i.e. gunshots/explosions). The noise cancelling only works on the real ComTac/Sordin though, not the repros. The repro headsets are okay, however they do not last very long and in many situations are a good way to set $80 on fire.

However, IMO unless you want to drop $200-$600 for a MSA Sordin, I really think the cheek to ear face mesh is your best bet. They do get in the way of ADS off the shelf, however this is easily corrected as you can bend the shit out of it and get it to a comfortable form. I have several friends that switched to them and since "MacGyvering" them have no more difficulty with ADS than using a standard face mesh. I myself will be grabbing one.

With relation to your comment regarding burst ear drums, these are extremely rare occurrences. However, the easiest way to rid yourself of that issue is using a standard face mesh and simply use a double ear bud headset for your comms (simply eliminating the ability for a BB to get inside your ear canal). You can buy these from EBay for $10 or less in most cases and are actually decent to use for comms. You can also bum it and simply wear a toque pulled over your ears, but That's if you're really desperate. Lol or you can try a stylish Nike headband. I digress..

[mzo]

Another option is to get the mesh mask that covers the ears and get an optic (or optic and riser rail).
That way instead of resting your cheek on the stock and using the iron sights, you can just look through your optic (and use the riser rail if you need it to sit higher).

[Art Vandelay]

Originally Posted by ZackTheRipperC

However, IMO unless you want to drop $200-$600 for a MSA Sordin, I really think the cheek to ear face mesh is your best bet. They do get in the way of ADS off the shelf, however this is easily corrected as you can bend the shit out of it and get it to a comfortable form. I have several friends that switched to them and since "MacGyvering" them have no more difficulty with ADS than using a standard face mesh. I myself will be grabbing one.

With relation to your comment regarding burst ear drums, these are extremely rare occurrences. However, the easiest way to rid yourself of that issue is using a standard face mesh and simply use a double ear bud headset for your comms (simply eliminating the ability for a BB to get inside your ear canal). You can buy these from EBay for $10 or less in most cases and are actually decent to use for comms. You can also bum it and simply wear a toque pulled over your ears, but That's if you're really desperate. Lol or you can try a stylish Nike headband. I digress..

I'd prefer not to spend a ton of money on ear protection. I mostly just want it because I'm really paranoid about these kind of things. I was considering some kind of cloth protection like a shemagh, but I'm not sure if that provides enough actual protection, and also, that sounds fairly uncomfortable in the heat.

Originally Posted by mzo

Another option is to get the mesh mask that covers the ears and get an optic (or optic and riser rail).
That way instead of resting your cheek on the stock and using the iron sights, you can just look through your optic (and use the riser rail if you need it to sit higher).

I hadn't thought of that; that sounds like it would work pretty well. I have a cheap red dot sight that should be good enough.

[Danke]

A balaclava covers your ears but obviously you sweat like a pig in anything mildly warm.

Can you elaborate on an how an eardrum was burst during a game? There is no argument that getting shot in the ear hurts. It's one of my least favorite places to get dinged. But burst eardrum?

[Art Vandelay]

Originally Posted by Danke

A balaclava covers your ears but obviously you sweat like a pig in anything mildly warm.

Can you elaborate on an how an eardrum was burst during a game? There is no argument that getting shot in the ear hurts. It's one of my least favorite places to get dinged. But burst eardrum?

I was lurking on these forums a while ago and saw a thread about airsoft injuries, and one person said something about someone taking a BB straight into the ear canal and having severe damage to the ear drum.

[Zack The Ripper]

If you are concerned about optics and ability to use them efficiently, a T-1 micro and most EoTech sights are easily used even with most low pro paintball masks.

[OpAirsoftBaller]

The very first time I played airsoft I was just wearing goggles. I got hit in the nose and the bb got imbedded in my skin. Next week I got a cage and a scarf. I put the scarf over my nose then the cage on top and it works perfect. But I'll never play without full face protection. It's not even worth the risk.

[Art Vandelay]

Originally Posted by OpAirsoftBaller

The very first time I played airsoft I was just wearing goggles. I got hit in the nose and the bb got imbedded in my skin. Next week I got a cage and a scarf. I put the scarf over my nose then the cage on top and it works perfect. But I'll never play without full face protection. It's not even worth the risk.

Jesus, are guns normally powerful enough to embed BBs in people's skin?

[Chiba]

Originally Posted by Art Vandelay

What would your recommend to protect the ears, then? I've heard some horror stories about burst ear drums from airsoft accidents.

You can try these:

http://shop.ehobbyasia.com/ea-ear-protector-od.html

A friend of my uses them. He never had any issues.

As other people mentioned, headsets and such will protect the inner ear. Wear a boonie also helps alittle.

Worse comes to worse get shooting earplugs, like

http://www.surefire.com/ep3-sonic-defenders.html

They do allow sound to get in, but slightly quieter.



As for your last exclaimation, yes it can happen. Especially during close range confrontations like in CQB. That's why I prefer not to roll up my sleeves. in those situations.

[coach]

Originally Posted by Art Vandelay

Jesus, are guns normally powerful enough to embed BBs in people's skin?

Yes, but a BB could even get embedded with a lower powered gun. Just so happens that it happens more often with high fps guns

[Art Vandelay]

Originally Posted by coach

Yes, but a BB could even get embedded with a lower powered gun. Just so happens that it happens more often with high fps guns

That is a horrifying thought; I will definitely use a mask then.

[OpAirsoftBaller]

Ya guys. It's something you shouldn't take lightly. I've seen guys get bbs shot threw there ears and get stuck in there foreheads. It took all but 10 min for it to happen to me so make sure you have the right protection.

[yaric]

Originally Posted by OpAirsoftBaller

Ya guys. It's something you shouldn't take lightly. I've seen guys get bbs shot threw there ears and get stuck in there foreheads. It took all but 10 min for it to happen to me so make sure you have the right protection.

I usually position my googles strap to cover my ear and especially ear drums.

And I always wear lower mesh. Dantist is way more expensive.

[JDoorn]

Originally Posted by OpAirsoftBaller

Ya guys. It's something you shouldn't take lightly. I've seen guys get bbs shot threw there ears and get stuck in there foreheads. It took all but 10 min for it to happen to me so make sure you have the right protection.

through the ear, and into the forehead??? that's one hell of a shot!!!