By Mark Kakkuri

Hear what you’re missing. You can stick a 9mm cartridge in each of your ears (remember the old days?) but these Ear Pro EP7 Sonic Defender ear canal plugs (retail $19.95) are more comfortable and will better protect your hearing. Red for right, white for left, just squeeze or roll the Comply Canal Tips with your thumb and index finger and press them into your ear canal with a forward twist. The patented black frame helps you set them correctly in your ear, providing multiple grab points. The plastic lanyard keeps them together or draped easily around your neck when not in use. With a Noise Reduction Rating of 28 dB, EP7’s offer hearing protection blocking out harmful sounds over 85 dB while allowing lower ambient sounds to enter.

For maximum protection, just close the noise reducing filter cap. I’ve worn these to the range on multiple occasions and enjoy the comfortable, low-profile design. Depending on the calibers I’m shooting, I usually leave the noise reducing filter cap open. This allows me to hear conversation and other low-level noises but still protects my hearing from the crack of gunfire. What’s missing with the Sonic Defenders? The force of ear muffs pressing inward from both sides of my head, sweat between my head and the vinyl ear muff padding, and the inability to properly rest my cheek on a rifle butt. Also missing is the annoying feel of hard plastic in my ear canal — a feature of lesser types of hearing protection. Usually I forget I’m wearing the EP7’s, but the fact they’re so forgettable means they’re doing their job. For more info, https://americanhandgunner.com/company/surefire-llc/; (800) 828-8809

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