My point in all of this? Grandpa Hugh, as rough and tough as he was, couldn’t hear worth a hoot because of prolonged exposure to loud noises. However, that’s a lesson we should all learn from and work hard not to repeat.
I think it’s probably fair to say that a lot of people are reckless with their hearing - kids blare music in their earbuds, blue collar workers become accustomed to loud machinery, hunters and shooters are exposed to the sharp crack of a muzzle blast, and the long list of noise pollution goes on and on. We need to be smarter and protect our hearing and there are lots of ways to do that. For hunters and shooters, frequently shooting firearms, that’s easily achievable. On this edition of Buy or Bust we’re talking about the Cabela’s S.T.R. 9X Electronic Muffs.
The Cabela’s S.T.R. 9X Electronic Muffs use sound-activated compression to reduce loud noises like that of a firearm and bring the sounds down to safe levels. Unlike ear plugs, the earmuff portion of these electronic muffs seal all the way around your ear making use foolproof. Because foam ear plugs require precise placement to block sound from making it to your inner ear, they can often be ineffective. In addition to reducing loud noises, these Cabela’s S.T.R. 9X Electronic Muffs amplify regular sound, boosting your hearing capability 9X amounting to sounds that have been increased up to 50dB. Why does that matter. It means that while the muzzle blast from your firearm will be suppressed in your ears, conversations around you will be amplified so you can still hear what is going on around you and engage in conversation. Furthermore, if you are wearing these in the field you’ll still be able to hear the sounds of nature around you. Leaves rustling, animals moving, water running – all of those sounds will be amplified. Even better, the high-frequency microphones in these electronic muffs are wind-resistant so you won’t have the annoying whistling sound of the wind, it will be filtered out, so you hear just what’s important. The power on/off and volume of the Cabela’s S.T.R. 9X Electronic Muffs are controlled with two small spin knobs, one on each muff. They are easily adjustable and cater to the hearing needs of a wide range of people. The headband is padded for long wearing comfort and is adjustable so if you have a big head or a little one, these muffs will cater to different head sizes.
To my knowledge, there were no government issued ear plugs or earmuffs to mitigate potential hearing loss for service members fighting in WWII. Today, outdoorsmen and women have no excuse, we have access to great gear that protects our hearing. These Cabela’s issued S.T.R. 9x Electronic Muffs will help you avoid hearing loss without impeding your experience in the outdoors. Check them out at both Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops, online or in-store.
Life’s better when you can hear it!
Trav