Ear protection for babies / small children
- Thread starter Samnunn
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ehb102
Well-known member
Congratulations.
I've seen friends use Peltor kids ear defenders on their littlies. These are on sale in a lot of shooting shops. Babybanz are the other brand I know of and they do very small sets. http://www.babybanz.com/UK/category21_1.htm
I've seen friends use Peltor kids ear defenders on their littlies. These are on sale in a lot of shooting shops. Babybanz are the other brand I know of and they do very small sets. http://www.babybanz.com/UK/category21_1.htm
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Sorry if this isn't what you want to hear but if we're talking about a tiny baby then there are no known ear protection devices that I've either seen or heard of. I have not read any documented tests on the effectiveness of these on tiny babies either. Babies have very soft heads and I for one would be loath to subject one to prolonged periods of having a headphone press against their head.
In short we simply do not know whether really young kids could even be effectively protected, remember sound shock waves may well be enormously more harmful to them than they are to us. I know when I started shooting I had to wear ear muffs from day one because I found it physically uncomfortable, almost painful being within 20-30 yards of a stand whilst others I know went on to shoot totally unprotected for many years before CPSA rules made it mandatory.
The point being I had the ability to decide how close I could stand with or without protection, a little'un has no way of letting you know other than crying perhaps.
If you take them with you from that age then whatever you do use make sure they/you stand at least 50 yards back from the firing points. I took my boy to watch me shoot when he was about 5 and in hindsight it wasn't a clever thing to do because the cold, boredom and no doubt relentless noise has pretty much put him off for life.
Will Hewland
Well-known member
Bryn12
Well-known member
What Hammy said.
Finners
Well-known member
Yep, another vote for the Hamster.
Also a word of warning as he gets older, my Daughter used to come along with me when she was a youngster, she hated it. To be honest, I can't think of many things more boring than watching other people shoot. I sometimes see parents (usually Dads) trying to get their young lads to have a go when they are clearly too young, pointless if the child is not keen.
However, my Girl is 24 now and comes along from time to time. She has a little go and enjoys it.
Also a word of warning as he gets older, my Daughter used to come along with me when she was a youngster, she hated it. To be honest, I can't think of many things more boring than watching other people shoot. I sometimes see parents (usually Dads) trying to get their young lads to have a go when they are clearly too young, pointless if the child is not keen.
However, my Girl is 24 now and comes along from time to time. She has a little go and enjoys it.
P
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Keep babies well away from any sort of shooting..!
Keep young children back at a distance and with good quality cans on (not plugs).
I agree with Hamster...and the others.
Just not worth deafness in later life.
Keep young children back at a distance and with good quality cans on (not plugs).
I agree with Hamster...and the others.
Just not worth deafness in later life.
I have yet to see one child that was brought to me to "get them started," who obviously did not want to be there, go on to take up shooting. Let them ask you to take them.
Bryn12
Well-known member
2 things
1. The hearing thing, you only get given the gift of hearing once so don't risk it, I have 2 kids and 6 grandkids and would never risk their hearing or sight.
2. The introduction to shooting, wait until the child is older and wants to go see what its about and is old enough to have a go. Set aside the day exclusively for them, forget about having a go yourself except maybe a very short spell yourself so the kid gets the idea. It is so very important to make sure the session is purely about them having a good experience, keep it short and leave BEFORE they start to get tired/bored. This applies to whatever you're introducing your child to. Actually it applies to adults as well :biggrin:
1. The hearing thing, you only get given the gift of hearing once so don't risk it, I have 2 kids and 6 grandkids and would never risk their hearing or sight.
2. The introduction to shooting, wait until the child is older and wants to go see what its about and is old enough to have a go. Set aside the day exclusively for them, forget about having a go yourself except maybe a very short spell yourself so the kid gets the idea. It is so very important to make sure the session is purely about them having a good experience, keep it short and leave BEFORE they start to get tired/bored. This applies to whatever you're introducing your child to. Actually it applies to adults as well :biggrin:
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We are talking about a new born baby not a 6 year old.
Jeremy Baker
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Wonko the Sane
Well-known member
Absolutely
I am always totally not understanding why people take their dogs and young children to gun clubs - let alone anywhere near a firing line.
I mean, WTF is the point? Really?
I'm half deaf now because guess who didn't have sense enough about hearing protection.
Be a good person. Don't screw up your kids or dogs.
just sayin'
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We all end up deaf after 30 years in shooting.....but if we had known more earlier on...would we be as deaf now.
Keep babies and small children well away from shooting noise until they are old enough to wear good quality cans and can understand that loud repetitive noises are part of a sport. A baby has no coping mechanisms developed for this...and you could be creating all sorts of stress. A baby does not understand daddy is shooting.....he only hears and feels what is around him...he cannot compute what loud bangs are and therefore could get stress.
Anyway...it is up to you all what you do.
As for dogs....yeap....they go deaf too, especially gun dogs who are well used (like my old boys were) ....so if you take your doggywoggy with you clay shooting......dont have him right at the stand....have him back at a place where you are happy to stand without your ear plugs or can....!!
Does that make sense to you??.
Keep babies and small children well away from shooting noise until they are old enough to wear good quality cans and can understand that loud repetitive noises are part of a sport. A baby has no coping mechanisms developed for this...and you could be creating all sorts of stress. A baby does not understand daddy is shooting.....he only hears and feels what is around him...he cannot compute what loud bangs are and therefore could get stress.
Anyway...it is up to you all what you do.
As for dogs....yeap....they go deaf too, especially gun dogs who are well used (like my old boys were) ....so if you take your doggywoggy with you clay shooting......dont have him right at the stand....have him back at a place where you are happy to stand without your ear plugs or can....!!
Does that make sense to you??.
Finners
Well-known member
Interesting point about coping mechanisms and creating unknown stress.
I am sure I read somewhere, that there are only 2 things babies are instinctively afraid of. One is falling and the other is loud noises.
I am sure I read somewhere, that there are only 2 things babies are instinctively afraid of. One is falling and the other is loud noises.
