- Thread starter Desert Demon
- Start date
I just picked up my first set of sound gear phantoms. my insurance covered the cost of them and the fitting with the audiologist. I've only had one trip to the range with them and can only compare them to a set of walker razors but its is a worlds of difference. the one thing that I didn't know about before I got them was the Bluetooth streaming is only in the right ear and the sound quality isn't as good as a pair of headphones like beats in ear ones, but that's not really what these wee intended for anyways. overall they are great and when I shoot its like there's no echo or anything. idk if id recommend someone paying full price for them though at $1400.
How were you guys able to get insurance to cover the cost of them? My audiologist told me in 20 years she has never seen that happen.
Have the Harris and Sons. Best money I ever spent. Very comfortable. Great hearing protection. Bluetooth is awesome.
I think you need to go to the right audiologist that "works" for the company that sells these. sent you a PM
In the market for custom ears. I like the sound gear phantoms but don't like the rechargeable batteries. My biggest complaint with ear buds is wind noise. I have the pro stealthelite, walker silencer bt 2.0, I've had and returned all of the axis models including the customs(had them recast 4 times and the fit sucked. They hurt like hell) and all of them have horrible wind noise and except for the stealth elite shitty battery life.
I'd like to find something that takes batteries, Bluetooth, comfortable, kills wind noise and under $2000 if possible. If not I'll wait till my Christmas bonus
I'd like to find something that takes batteries, Bluetooth, comfortable, kills wind noise and under $2000 if possible. If not I'll wait till my Christmas bonus
This is where the differences for the more expensive electronic products come in. The higher priced items with customized sound algorithms can be programmed to not amplify sounds that are in the frequency you get with wind, thus reducing the distraction and annoyance on those windier days.
Gonna revive this one for your input. I'm looking into custom ears and not sure where to start or how to get started. If Ottos are able to be used with custom fit then that may be good for me? I hear ok, not great but not bad. I'd like to keep it that way but I'd rather not spend 2k+. If I just need to go to an audiologist and see what they have then that's fine. Orvis farms isn't far and they have their own and someone who fits them but I'm a little skeptical about how great that would be.
How would you advise I get started? I'd really like to have ones that will allow me to hook up to my phone and take calls with them if need be, because its a real pain to take em out to take a call and I kind of have to do that semi regularly .
Otherwise I just want the best protection and to be able to hear as well as walkers or 3m tep300's or something similar will provide.
I had multiple people suggest sound gear to me when I was in the same situation. They have a dealer page (https://soundgear.com/apps/store-locator). My local audiologist is a dealer. I made an appointment and they did the initial hearing loss test to establish a baseline and did a mold of my ears. Initial appointment took about 45 minutes. A few weeks later they called and I went back and got my ear pro. I went with the platinums because I really don't care about bluetooth, been really happy with them
Very helpful, I will check that out.
Following as I am also in the market. For those with nice ear pros do you still double up when shooting on a line with a bunch of brakes or covered shooting pad. I currently typically use cheap ear plugs with electronic ear Walker muffs.
As suggested, start with the audiologist. At the very least, you'll be able to get a set of ear impressions made that you can use to order your custom fitted molds. If you need to incorporate your phone to the ear piece, you'll have to decide if you want to do it with bluetooth or by an actual corded connection. That will dictate which product you choose. There are quite a few products out there that have all the features you want and a good audiologist should have some suggestions for you.
I have an appointment next Friday with an audiologist that does "Phantoms". They seem to fit the bill but I don't know what they cost yet. I'm hoping I get insurance help. I'm going to get them to check my left ear hearing too because I pretty well know it isn't as good as I should be. What are your thoughts on the phantoms?
That's the higher end soundgear ones I'm sure they are good, couple extra features and rechargeable. Should be abou $1400 I think
I mean, that's a chunk but if there's a warranty and they last and work then I'd probably pay that honestly. Of course if I can get insurance help then I will definitely do it. My tep300 crapped out on me and there's no way to repair them so I'd like to not have to do this again in a year or two and be able to keep these things a while
I don't have direct experience with the Phantoms. Looking at the specs, I'd say the internal circuitry most likely will be similar to the offerings from Ear Inc and ESP. The external controls and faceplate are different, relying on push buttons over dials. It looks like a mid point in terms of features and price, right between the Otto or Etymotic type of hearing protection on the lower end and the more high end offerings like ESP, Ear Inc...etc.
So the actual hearing protection portion is different if they are custom fitted like the others? I'd rather not skimp on that portion. The other features aren't as important (though the ability to take calls when needed is kind of a biggie since I have to do that while practicing , just a fact of owning a business)
I have a pair of the sound gear phantoms, and have had them for about a 5 months. They are nice but at the same time I didn't have to pay for them IDK if its worth it to pay the $1400 for them. one thing about the blue tooth is it will only play music and stream calls through the right ear. I know when I talked to the auxologist she was saying my insurance will replace them every 3 years. I think my next pair I get will probably be a pair or the ESP if I can find a place that will take my insurance for them.
No. The fitted ear mold will most likely be the same, some kind of silicon based product. That portion should be more or less the same across the board. What I mean by custom is that some of the more expensive electronic hearing protection products allow for custom frequency responses tailored to the owner.
I have Phantoms and get sound thru both ears when I play music or receive calls. You might need to replace the filter on the left. If that doesn't work, call your audiologist or Starkey Soundgear and get it fixed. Do you hear the "setting" numbers in both ears when you make a change (1,2,3 mute)? How about beeps when changing volume?
Last edited:
Rarely for me. If I’m right next to someone shooting with a big muzzle brake on a magnum rifle, I might put muffs on, but 99% of the time, my custom plugs are more than adequate.
Why do you say they may not be worth it if you had to pay for em out right? I'm not sure if I could get a different brand/type or if that audiologist only deals in the Phantoms or what but I'd like to do this once and not again in a year.
How did it work with insurance? Did they pay for it only because you have some hearing loss or is there some other qualifier ect??? PM if needed pls.
@Mute, you might can answer some of this as well and I'd really appreciate all of the help I can get here. Thanks for everyone's input.
This products generally last for quite a while. Custom ear molds will lose shape over time but I've seen people use these for very long time without issues. The shape of your ear canal can also change over time. I wouldn't worry about replacements until I notice a lowering of the ability to block out sound. As for the electronics, again they're fairly robust. I have some that have been in service for more than 10 years and still working perfectly.
Ok cool. Should I go look for am audiologist that uses a particular brand? I'd hate to spend 1400 for a set when I could have spend a few hundred more for a better set. I really appreciate your time and input. Thank you!
I believe I posted earlier in this thread that I bought a set of ESP Apex in ear electronic protection.
Aside from regular range time, both shooting skeet and rifles, I recently wore them throughout a four day Frank/Marc clinic in PA and just got back from Georgia quail hunting (great place called Wynfield...have been going a couple of times a year recently) and deer hunting on my buddy's property.
These experiences just cemented my great satisfaction with this product.
It has 13 programmable channels for equalization. My hearing is very bad and I sent ESP my audiogram from my hearing aids and for no extra charge they programmed that profile into my Apex. The quality of the sound was excellent.
Also, the auto-wind noise reduction worked wonderfully. Absolutely terrific.
I'm sure that there are other similar products but these are the ones I selected after looking over specs, etc of a few different brands and I'm happy with them.
Best of luck
Aside from regular range time, both shooting skeet and rifles, I recently wore them throughout a four day Frank/Marc clinic in PA and just got back from Georgia quail hunting (great place called Wynfield...have been going a couple of times a year recently) and deer hunting on my buddy's property.
These experiences just cemented my great satisfaction with this product.
It has 13 programmable channels for equalization. My hearing is very bad and I sent ESP my audiogram from my hearing aids and for no extra charge they programmed that profile into my Apex. The quality of the sound was excellent.
Also, the auto-wind noise reduction worked wonderfully. Absolutely terrific.
I'm sure that there are other similar products but these are the ones I selected after looking over specs, etc of a few different brands and I'm happy with them.
Best of luck
a few choices if your looking for really nice pieces
If you're interested in a specific brand, you're best bet is to visit that company's website and see if they have a link to search for local providers. More often than not, the local provider will be an audiologist.
Roger that. Looks like you can just send your impression to then and that's it. It also looks like they all only have a 1 year warranty. Not sure what to think of that? I've read some reviews that make me question this idea a little but that could be said for literally everything so.
From what can find, the big difference is the ESP apex has a wind noise reduction feature that others don't have. Not sure if it's worth the price difference though.s
And their Apex do have more channels (13) for equalization than EAR's top of the line (8). With moderate hearing loss, this was important to me. May not be for you.
What do the channels do exactly? Why is more channels better?
If you have any hearing loss, when you get a hearing test the results show as a curve sort of thing that illustrates how many db down from normal you are at different frequencies. Typically, the loss is greater at the higher freq end.
What they do with hearing aids is bump up amplification....by freq channel....to get you back to flat across the freq range (or thereabouts).
The more channels then the finer (finer resolution, if you will) they can adjust volume across human hearing frequency band to normalize your hearing.
I don't actually know how many channels my hearing aids from Costco have. Cheapos typically have 4 and good ones can have as many as 24 channels.
Costco did give me my audiogram (print out of the results of my hearing test). As a free service, ESP will program their Apex like my hearing aids to normalize my hearing (i.e. boost it up as needed at different frequency bands...channels if you will). The more bands, the finer they can do this adjustment.
Its like old stereo equalizers. Basic amp has treble and bass. Better amp has treble, mid, and bass. With an equalizer, you maybe have 10-20 individual freq channels you can use to shape the sound output.
Not sure how well I explained this but hopefully I got the idea across.
Wait...how about this:
Why do hearing aids have channels? Hearing aids use channels for better sound processing. Different amounts of gain (amplification) can be applied to each channel.
If super interested, try this
The Value of Increasing the Number of Channels and Bands in a Hearing Aid
This article focuses on the effects of increasing the number of channels and bands in a hearing aid. For a comprehensive review of topics related to compression, the reader is referred to Souza (2002) or Kates (2008). Most modern hearing aid manufact
Yes, I'm sure everyone of these companies will allow you to just send in your ear impressions regardless of who made them for you.
If you shoot in windy conditions quite often you will absolutely want wind noise reduction. Comparing the electronic ear pros that I have with and without wind filtering, it can get rather annoying on windy days when wearing the non filtering models.
you have my attention
@BuildingConceptsllc - Oops, I was wrong...their high end model, the Apex that I have, has 16 channels and not 13 as I stated above.If you have any hearing loss, when you get a hearing test the results show as a curve sort of thing that illustrates how many db down from normal you are at different frequencies. Typically, the loss is greater at the higher freq end.
What they do with hearing aids is bump up amplification....by freq channel....to get you back to flat across the freq range (or thereabouts).
The more channels then the finer (finer resolution, if you will) they can adjust volume across human hearing frequency band to normalize your hearing.
I don't actually know how many channels my hearing aids from Costco have. Cheapos typically have 4 and good ones can have as many as 24 channels.
Costco did give me my audiogram (print out of the results of my hearing test). As a free service, ESP will program their Apex like my hearing aids to normalize my hearing (i.e. boost it up as needed at different frequency bands...channels if you will). The more bands, the finer they can do this adjustment.
Its like old stereo equalizers. Basic amp has treble and bass. Better amp has treble, mid, and bass. With an equalizer, you maybe have 10-20 individual freq channels you can use to shape the sound output.
Not sure how well I explained this but hopefully I got the idea across.
Wait...how about this:
Why do hearing aids have channels? Hearing aids use channels for better sound processing. Different amounts of gain (amplification) can be applied to each channel.
If super interested, try this
The Value of Increasing the Number of Channels and Bands in a Hearing Aid
This article focuses on the effects of increasing the number of channels and bands in a hearing aid. For a comprehensive review of topics related to compression, the reader is referred to Souza (2002) or Kates (2008). Most modern hearing aid manufactwww.audiologyonline.com
As for going to an audiologist that sells whatever particular brand you want, that's a personal choice but since all they do it take an impression, I didn't find it necessary to drive 20 miles to one of ESP's dealers. Matter of fact, since I was a long time skeet shooter I have a bunch of Insta-mold molded ear plugs that fit well so we just used those for the impression.
Also, I called and Jack Homa (the owner) answers and he threw me a $200 bone off of list price. If I went to one of the dealers, I would lose out on that.
I am emphatically NOT saying that other products are inferior to these. I AM saying that I found ESP's product to have better tech specs than other products that I looked at (e.g EAR) and I was VERY happy with Jack's CS. YMMV.
Just now reading through this thread and, of course, it is another one that "sounds" like it will cost me more money. I've been using over ear "muffs" and foam plugs for many years but have been curious about the custom fitted in ear aids for a while. I have HSA insurance which basically means I have to pay for everything up to my deductible. My wife has been telling me for years that my hearing sucks, I have terrible tinnitus (shotguns without any hearing protection when I was young and 12" subs in my competition stereo system in 90's didn't help either). All that to say, would these units from EAR and ESP be considered "hearing aids" and that's why they are covered under some insurance policies?
I wonder if I could get insurance to pay for a cylindrical “hearing aid” that happens to be sold by TBAC or Dead Air etc…
Yeah Roger that. I am just trying to figure out: 1- if the difference is features, or actual sound suppression performance between the ESP apex and the phantom. 2 - If it is a feature that differentiates the 2, do I need those features?
I will see what the audiologist says and how the hearing test (I guess that's what I will do there) goes. I doubt there's going to be any insurance help because Obama care ruined what my insurance covers, took my doctor, and cost me about 8 times the money.
My ESPs seem to work a bit better than my COSTCO hearing aids but my hearing aids are a bit old. As I said, if you have an audiogram for hearing aids, send them and they will program the ear pro to the same equalization curve.
As for insurance, I’m on Medicare and they don’t pay squat for hearing aids.
Have a friend w documented service related hearing loss and VA bought him a set…can’t remember if EAR or ESP.
Yup, the future of Americans that won't work and pay for their own insurance...and the massive amount of illegals that also don't pay for their insurance.But you're investing in the future of Amerika
(Before anyone says "they don't get free insurance ".... yes they do. They know for a fact that they will be treated when they go in the ER and they won't have to pay for it. That is most definitely insurance.
I went to audiologist to get custom mold and then bought the EAR inc digital plugs. They are good. Not sure they block sound better than the non custom in ear plugs but the quality of the sound they let through is amazing. I double up with muffs when shooting a rifle because why not but not when breaking clays. If I could go back in time I would get a model with the push button versus the little twisty knob - can’t really operate the latter without removing the plugs.
Good thread, I'm looking at what to do as well. I'm fairly confident I'll be on my own to cover the cost as my insurance document specifically states "hearing aids" are not covered. That said, @BuildingConceptsllc did you choose one? If so which?
I was basically looking at the same options. From my research it seems EAR, ESP are kind of top of the line (and one more that was mentioned that costs even more so I ruled it out). One that was only mentioned once but no one responded that I saw, is the Westone DefendEar. It seems like Westone DefendEar DX5 and Soundgear Phantom might be the next tier down from EAR and ESP but that's based mostly on looking at cost. I do have high frequency hearing loss, I think I was born with it, it limits my hearing above 5kHz which makes me think I should get the higher channel count option, that said, I have functioned pretty well for at least 30 but probably more years without hearing aids so maybe having those higher frequencies amplified is moot. So part of me thinks just get the ESP classic, or perhaps one of the lower cost options like Soundgear or Westone.
Anyone used the Westone DefendEars? In my town one audiologist can get the ESP or the Westones, and another company can get the Soundgear so availability seems to be those 3 options.
I was basically looking at the same options. From my research it seems EAR, ESP are kind of top of the line (and one more that was mentioned that costs even more so I ruled it out). One that was only mentioned once but no one responded that I saw, is the Westone DefendEar. It seems like Westone DefendEar DX5 and Soundgear Phantom might be the next tier down from EAR and ESP but that's based mostly on looking at cost. I do have high frequency hearing loss, I think I was born with it, it limits my hearing above 5kHz which makes me think I should get the higher channel count option, that said, I have functioned pretty well for at least 30 but probably more years without hearing aids so maybe having those higher frequencies amplified is moot. So part of me thinks just get the ESP classic, or perhaps one of the lower cost options like Soundgear or Westone.
Anyone used the Westone DefendEars? In my town one audiologist can get the ESP or the Westones, and another company can get the Soundgear so availability seems to be those 3 options.
@BuildingConceptsllc I forgot to mention, I called the guy at ESP, he said if bluetooth is a requirement, but you still want to use his product, what he does is also wear a bone conductor bluetooth set from Shokz. FWIW.
No I didn't. Unfortunately, I didn't even have my hearing test done. I had a work issue come up and just ruined my plans to do this. I'm definitely still in the hunt though. Going to try to get another appointment and go from there. Such is the life of a small business person...
Not wanting to start a completely new thread, I only saw one reply with the Harris and Sons. Is there any more input on them? super pricy but seeing how i already have hearing damage i'd prefer to buy once cry once on this.
I went with analog ESP, they work fine. Only thing I'm not thrilled about are the batteries, they're super cheap and easy to replace, but you do have to replace them fairly regularly. I ordered a whole bunch of them for cheap, but just know as soon as you put new batteries in, the clock has started even if you shut the device off. The quality of sound is great, other than my own voice, sounds muffled, kind of like having regular plugs in, but easy to get used to.
You can always go for the SoundGear Phantoms which use the same processor and are cheaper. Harris and Sons is great overall, they also give a discount if you're a vet/le/mil, if you fall into that category. My suggestion is to wait for their Black Friday sale for even better savings.
For me personally, I found in-ear protection falls out too easily due to the shape of my ear canal and/or if I'm eating/talking. So I stuck with my Gentex AMPs with NFMI.
That’s what I’m currently using is amps, I love them but I’m finding my cheek weld pumps them sometimes.
I have the Ottos and they are okay but I can’t seem to keep them in and that’s why I was considering customs.
I got a set of ESP Apex ( thanks BCBS, they were free) and really like them so far. Much more comfortable than over the ear and don't give you a headache or ear pain from wearing all day. You don't have to worry about positional shooting pushing them out of the way.
The 2 cons are they are not as effective as over the ear for blast and concussion. That's just physics but well worth the trade off. The second is battery life kinda sucks. Costco sells batteries cheaper than my audiologist can buy them wholesale. They are super easy to swap so not too bad.
All in all I would highly reccomend them if you have the disposible income or ins will pick them up.
The 2 cons are they are not as effective as over the ear for blast and concussion. That's just physics but well worth the trade off. The second is battery life kinda sucks. Costco sells batteries cheaper than my audiologist can buy them wholesale. They are super easy to swap so not too bad.
All in all I would highly reccomend them if you have the disposible income or ins will pick them up.
Last edited:
Is it just the state you live in that requires the insurance company to pay or is there some other reason they paid for them? Trying to understand how they pay for some people and not for others. I have BCBS also
