While many women new to shooting often borrow gear from a dad, boyfriend or other male figure in their lives, women should always strive to have safety gear that fits them properly. It’s great to be willing to jump in and try new things, but when it comes to protecting our eyes and ears, there are truly some considerations women should take into account. Here are some eye and hearing protection options that contain features well-suited for a female consumer.
Fit
Human heads are not all the same, nor are our ears and facial structures. Some smaller people have a difficult time with certain styles of eye and hearing protection. Being unaware of better options or just “making do” can cause hearing damage—and that’s not good!
We each are born with one set of ears, and while we can’t see damage to our hearing, loss of hearing can be a disability. So, it’s not smart to think you’re being “tough” by sticking it out with something that doesn’t work correctly. It’s potentially causing damage to our bodies, and we don't need to accept it as our only option.
While you don’t necessarily need to go out and spend a pile of money on custom hearing protection, do consider that you need something that fits properly.
Whatever you do, never continue shooting if the hearing protection is so loud that the sound hurts. That's a sign it’s not the right fit and you need to fix it before you cause permanent damage. A great example is foam earplugs—they come in different sizes, and you might need a different size if you are not able to insert them properly. They tend to have a higher decibel rating than over-ear hearing protection because they can seal the ear canal very well, if fit and inserted properly.
Often my family doubles up on hearing protection by wearing both foam inner ear protection, and then over-ear style “ear muffs.” This is especially helpful with shooting rifles or shooting anything on an indoor range.
When it comes to eye protection, fit is equally important. Finding glasses that stay on your head and won’t move under recoil is important. As is ensuring they are comfortable enough to wear under hearing protection, if you use over-the-ear style hearing protection. (Hint: thinner temples mean less pressure from over-ear hearing protection.) Nose pieces that do not put extra pressure on the bridge of your nose are another item to look at. If you can buy glasses with adjustable nosepieces to help bring the glasses higher up or close to your face, that is a plus.
Safety Rating
Whether it is a decibel rating for hearing protection or an ANSI rating for eyewear, properly vetted safety gear is a must.
Eyewear that is not ANSI-rated has no place on the range. And even if you are just spectating or hanging out while someone else shoots, you should have ANSI-rated eyewear on. Fragments of bullet jackets or pieces of debris that can go astray after a round hits steel can be a danger to those spectating as well as those shooting. Your sunglasses are not enough. You can find sunglasses with an ANSI rating, and if you are a casual shooter or someone who spends a lot of time on the range, they’re a wise investment. I’ve seen my own son’s eye saved by ANSI-rated glasses while working on a car. He was using a wire brush on a grinder and it snagged and came back toward his face. He was lucky, and without the glasses, may have had a serious injury.
When it comes to the safety rating for hearing protection, the decibel rating is predicated on the first item we discussed, fit. If hearing protection does not fit right, the rating for protection does not matter. Fit is also part of how high the decibel rating is. A higher number means more protection. So for example, 3M foam earplugs can have a 29-33 dB rating. Over-ear hearing protection can have a rating from 22dB to 34dB. But if the over-ear style doesn’t seal correctly, you will want to have foam earplugs as well. When using a rifle or shotgun, there is a risk that the seal between your face and over-ear hearing protection is broken and this is why many double up on hearing protection with foam underneath.
Quality
There are very affordable eyewear and hearing protection options available, but there are also options that will last you for years and can be a very worthwhile investment.
Foam earplugs and simple over-earmuffs can be a smart purchase. If you shoot infrequently, this is probably enough, provided they fit well. If you spend a lot of time on the range, investing in electronic hearing protection might be very beneficial. Looking for a good fit, a high safety/ dB rating, and something that’s made well and will last.
A few brands sell their hearing protection with gel cups that make them more comfortable, but you can also purchase aftermarket gel cups for some. These help create a good seal, while also making for a more comfortable wear experience, especially if you are on the range for long hours.
For eyewear, something without expensive coatings that have a simple ANSI rating can last a season or two, but might not stand up to scratches over time. And when it comes to eye protection, quality is determined by not only the safety rating, but the clarity—how well can you see—is another reason to try before you buy and pick what works for you.
