Walker’s® Silencer BT 2.0 Bluetooth Noise-Reducing Ear Buds
Hearing protection is a subject that every shooter is aware of today, but it was not always so. Back in the days of my youth – I’m not saying I’m OLD, but my school report cards were carved on stone tablets! – shooters seldom considered the long-term cumulative effects of loud noises, and if hearing protection was used at all, it was most often such low-tech alternatives as cotton balls or empty cartridge cases inserted into the ear canal. Thus, coupled with the loud music of my teenage years, a lifetime of shooting has led to hearing loss and tinnitus in both ears. Over the last forty-odd years, as awareness of the importance of hearing protection has grown, I have become more cognizant of such niceties, and have taken necessary steps to limit further hearing loss, but significant damage has already been done.
As a general sound-level comparison, a whisper averages about 30 decibels (dB), and normal conversation is about 60dB, while louder noises such as a motorcycle, a lawn mower engine, or a wife, runs about 95dB. Noises over 70dB over a prolonged period can permanently damage the hearing, and loud noises (over 120dB) can cause immediate and irreparable damage. Considering that a typical 22-caliber rifle can produce a peak noise level of around 140dB, while big-bore rifles and pistols can peak at over 175dB, it is not hard to see why many, if not most, shooters have suffered a significant level of hearing loss. For those shooters who are lucky enough to have experienced no hearing impairment, it is imperative that proper steps are taken to protect this great blessing; for the rest of us who exhibit a significant loss of hearing, it is equally imperative that we preserve what hearing we have left, and that no further damage is done. Thankfully, there are many effective products available today to help us accomplish these goals while enjoying our sport.
Over the past forty-odd years, some of the most effective hearing protection products have been the familiar foam ear plugs or passive ear muffs. These products reduce noise over a wide range of frequencies considerably, generally by about 15dB to 30dB, and when foam plugs and passive muffs are used together, an additional 5dB of noise reduction can be expected. This is a significant reduction, but there is a trade-off, as both lower-level and higher-level sounds are attenuated; thus, “normal” sounds such as conversation can be muffled to the point they can no longer be heard. This can present a problem, especially in settings such as public ranges, where range commands cannot be heard, or in the hunting field, where sound is very important.
In recent years, electronic shooting muffs have become very popular, and for good reason, as they attenuate only sounds above a certain dB level, while rendering unchanged (or even amplifying) quieter sounds. Such hearing-protection products make a lot of sense, as they allow normal sounds to penetrate, while protecting the user from louder noises, making shooting, as well as more mundane tasks such as yard work or running power tools, both less harmful and more enjoyable.
The latest thing in hearing protection is electronic in-the-ear buds; the best of these offer hearing protection levels comparable to over-the-ear muffs, while being less obtrusive and more comfortable than bulky muffs. Of the electronic ear buds that I have tried, the best are the Silencer BT 2.0 Bluetooth Noise-Reducing Ear Buds from Walker’s. I have been using these for about a year as of this writing, and I am very impressed.
The Walker’s Silencer BT 2.0 offers a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 24dB, which is comparable to best-quality ear muffs, while leaving normal-level sounds alone and enhancing low-level sounds; this works through a technology that Walker’s calls SAC (Sound Activated Compression), which I do not understand, but I do know that it works. I have used electronic muffs in the past that shut-down loud sounds very quickly, allowing a bare millisecond of a BANG and immediately attenuating it, but the Walker’s Silencer BT 2.0’s SAC technology actually shuts-down loud sounds BEFORE they become audible. Pretty amazing. Because of SAC’s ability to evaluate sound levels in real time, loud and harmful noises are reduced to a comfortable level; normal sounds remain unchanged, so that important sounds, such as range commands on a public range, will not go unheard; and a soft noise, such as a squirrel in the woods, sounds like a fat chick coming out of Wal-Mart with six shopping bags full of potato chips and wine bottles. The Silencer BT 2.0 also offers Dynamic Wind Noise Reduction, so that the familiar and annoying microphonic wind noise of earlier amplified ear muffs is eliminated.
Walker’s Silencer BT 2.0 is superior to the earlier version of the Silencer BT in a couple of ways. First, the latest Bluetooth 5.0 standard is used, allowing improved battery life and a wider connection range. Second, the latest version features a much more stable connection between left and right sides; I have not used the earlier version, but apparently there were some connection issues and a noticeable lag between buds, which has been resolved in Version 2.0. I can attest that I have used these almost exclusively for the past year, and I have experienced no such problems.
The Bluetooth 5.0 connection allows the Silencer BT 2.0 to easily communicate with Smart devices, such as phones, tablets, and watches. I use an Android phone, and had no problem at all with installation; pairing was quick and easy, and connection is automatic and works every time. There is a free Walker’s app for either Android or Apple which allows all the features of the Silencer BT 2.0 to be easily and intuitively controlled through the app, but while I do have the app installed, I seldom use it, as the Silencer BT 2.0 is easy to control using the ear buds’ built-in touch-button controls. A simple touch of the ear bud allows the user to answer phone calls, speaking and hearing normally. The Bluetooth connection also allows the user to listen to music or podcasts while on the range (although I would not recommend this on a public range, where range commands need to be heard); since I shoot on my own property and there is seldom anyone else on the range with me, this is a feature I use regularly. The touch-buttons also allow music to be paused/resumed, skipped to the next/previous track, and volume to be adjusted with a simple touch or tap. Voice prompts at power-up and power-down conveniently keep the user advised as to the state of the device.
Battery life is excellent, and there is no problem using the Silencer BT 2.0 constantly for a full day. The Silencer BT 2.0 comes with a carrying case / charging dock, which automatically recharges the ear buds when they are inserted back into the case. The case is USB rechargeable using a common USB-C connection, and comes with a cable for that purpose; for my use on an almost-daily basis, the case’s charge lasts more than a month, and recharges in a couple of hours. The case is sturdy and easy to use, and includes a cleaning brush nestled inside, along with a lanyard attachment.
Walker’s Silencer BT 2.0 Bluetooth Noise-Reducing Ear Buds have become my preferred solution for hearing protection. They are effective, easy to use, durable, long-lasting, comfortable, and do not get in the way of a hat. They offer a high level of hearing protection, while maintaining the ability to hear normal-level and lower-level sounds, with all the connection and entertainment possibilities of the latest Bluetooth technology. Formerly retailing for $299.99, they are currently on sale (as of this date) for $179.99, representing a great value for the best in hearing protection.
To see a wide selection of hearing protection visit www.midsouthshooterssupply.com
About the Author:
Boge Quinn is a life-long shooter, born and raised in the Great State of Tennessee. A co-founder of Gunblast.com (https://gunblast.com/)in the year 2000, along with his brother Jeff Quinn, Boge has continued on with Gunblast after Jeff’s passing in 2020. A Lifetime Endowment member of the NRA, Boge serves on the Board of Directors of The Shootists (https://shootists.org/), an organization started by John Taffin in 1985, as did his brother Jeff. Boge appreciates firearms of all types, but his soul is particularly stirred by the “older style” guns: lever-action and single-shot rifles, along with Single-Action and Double-Action revolvers and 1911-style pistols. As a former professional artist, Boge appreciates the aesthetics of a fine gun, as well as its mechanical precision and practical application. His particular affinity lies in the world of handguns, and he has hunted mostly with handguns of all types since the mid-1970s. A regionally well-known musician, Boge is also a Deacon in the same Baptist Church where his brother Jeff formerly served as Deacon, and where their Dad finished his 50-year career as Pastor.
