You need hearing protection with a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of at least 28 dB for shooting, and for indoor ranges or large-caliber firearms, doubling up with both earplugs and earmuffs is the safest approach. Firearms produce peak sound levels between 140 and 165 dB, well above the 140 dB threshold where a single impulse can cause permanent hearing damage. The right protection depends on what you’re shooting, where you’re shooting it, and how your gear actually fits.
How Loud Firearms Actually Are
Every firearm exceeds the 140 dB peak exposure limit set by both OSHA and the International Organization for Standardization. Above that level, a single shot can cause immediate, permanent damage to the inner ear by physically destroying the delicate structures that convert sound into nerve signals. This isn’t gradual wear and tear. It’s mechanical breakage that doesn’t heal.
Pistols are surprisingly loud, often louder than rifles in the same caliber. A Glock 17 in 9mm peaks at 163 dB. A Sig Sauer P228 in 9mm hits 160 dB. Even a .22 LR pistol reaches 154 to 158 dB depending on barrel length. Shorter barrels mean the expanding gas exits closer to your ears with less time to slow down.
Rifles vary widely. A .308 (M14) produces about 159 dB, while .22 LR rifles with longer barrels sit in the 139 to 144 dB range. Shotguns cluster in the 152 to 162 dB range, with 12-gauge loads using 3-inch magnum shells at the top end.
For context, the decibel scale is logarithmic. Every 3 dB increase represents a doubling of sound pressure. A 160 dB gunshot isn’t slightly louder than the 140 dB danger threshold; it’s roughly 100 times more intense in terms of pressure.
Minimum NRR for Different Shooting Scenarios
Most professionals recommend an NRR of 28 dB or higher as a baseline for any shooting activity. But the NRR number on the box doesn’t translate directly to real-world protection. The standard rule of thumb is to subtract 7 dB from the labeled NRR to estimate actual noise reduction during typical use. So an earmuff rated at NRR 30 realistically provides about 23 dB of reduction.
Here’s what that means in practice for common firearms:
- .22 LR rifle (139–144 dB): A single set of NRR 28+ earmuffs or well-fitted foam plugs brings exposure close to or below 140 dB. This is the one scenario where single protection can be adequate on its own.
- 9mm pistol (160–163 dB): Even NRR 33 foam plugs only reduce real-world exposure to roughly 137 dB. That’s survivable for a range session, but double protection gives a much better margin.
- 12-gauge shotgun (152–162 dB): Similar to pistol-caliber levels. Double protection is strongly recommended, especially with magnum loads.
- .308 rifle (159 dB): Double protection recommended. Shouldering a rifle can also shift earmuff cups out of position, which is another reason to have earplugs underneath as a backup.
Why Indoor Ranges Demand Double Protection
Indoor ranges are significantly more hazardous to your hearing than outdoor shooting. Sound reflects off walls, ceilings, and partitions, so you’re absorbing not just the blast from your own firearm but reflected energy from every other shooter on the line. Many shooting instructors consider double protection non-negotiable indoors.
Doubling up means wearing foam earplugs underneath over-ear earmuffs. The combined protection doesn’t simply add the two NRR values together. Oregon OSHA’s formula works like this: take the higher NRR of the two devices, subtract 7 dB for real-world fit, then add only 5 dB for the second layer. So NRR 33 plugs combined with NRR 30 earmuffs give you roughly 31 dB of real-world reduction, not 63 dB. That extra 5 dB still matters. It cuts the sound pressure reaching your ears nearly in half compared to single protection alone.
Foam Plugs vs. Silicone Plugs
Expandable foam earplugs consistently outperform silicone flanged plugs, particularly at low frequencies where much of a gunshot’s energy sits. Lab measurements show foam plugs providing 30 to 43 dB of attenuation across the frequency spectrum, while silicone plugs deliver around 26 dB at low and mid frequencies, only catching up to foam above 1,000 Hz.
The catch is that foam plugs only work when inserted correctly. You need to roll them into a tight cylinder, pull your ear up and back with the opposite hand, and insert them deep enough that the end sits flush with or slightly inside the ear canal. A loosely seated foam plug can lose half its rated protection. If you’ve never had foam plugs feel like they muffled the world, you probably haven’t been inserting them deeply enough.
Silicone flanged plugs and custom-molded plugs are easier to insert consistently, which partly offsets their lower peak attenuation. For shooters who struggle with foam plug insertion, a well-fitting silicone plug may actually provide more reliable protection in practice.
How Safety Glasses Reduce Earmuff Performance
If you wear safety glasses at the range (and you should), the temple arms that run from the lens to your ears break the cushion seal on earmuffs. Testing by 3M found this reduces protection by 3 to 7 dB depending on how thick the frames are. Slim, low-profile frames like 3M’s SecureFit design cost only about 3 dB. Thick adjustable frames or goggle straps can eat up 6 to 7 dB, which is a significant loss when you’re already operating near the limits of your protection.
If you wear earmuffs for shooting, choosing glasses with thin, straight temple arms makes a measurable difference. Some shooters prefer wraparound safety glasses specifically designed to minimize interference with earmuff seals. This is also another argument for wearing foam plugs underneath your muffs: even if the glasses compromise the earmuff seal, the plugs maintain a baseline of protection.
Electronic Earmuffs and What to Look For
Electronic earmuffs use microphones to pass through ambient sound (conversation, range commands) at safe levels while clamping down on impulse noise above a threshold, typically 82 to 85 dB. They’re popular because they let you communicate without lifting your muffs. The NRR rating on electronic muffs works the same way as passive muffs, so the same minimums apply. Look for NRR 22 to 26 on electronic models, and plan to wear foam plugs underneath to reach adequate total protection.
Many electronic muffs have lower NRR ratings than top-end passive muffs because the electronics package takes up space inside the cup. This isn’t a reason to avoid them. It’s a reason to pair them with plugs. The combination of NRR 32 foam plugs under NRR 23 electronic muffs gives you solid protection plus the ability to hear speech, which is the best of both worlds for range use.
Choosing the Right Setup
For outdoor shooting with .22 LR rifles, a single set of NRR 28+ earmuffs or properly inserted NRR 32+ foam plugs provides adequate protection. For anything louder, including .22 LR pistols, centerfire handguns, shotguns, or centerfire rifles, double up. For indoor ranges regardless of caliber, always double up.
A practical, affordable kit that covers nearly every scenario: a bag of NRR 32 or 33 disposable foam plugs (usually a few dollars for a box of 50 pairs) worn under electronic earmuffs rated NRR 22 or higher. This gives you roughly 30 dB of real-world noise reduction, hearing protection even if the muffs shift, the ability to hear range commands, and total cost under $80.