Howard Leight: Safeguarding Your Ears with Electronic In-Ear Hearing Protection

Howard Leight offers two new hearing protection devices for a successful hunt. Photo: Howard Leight

For almost 30 years Howard Leight has utilized technological innovation to provide safety products to the shooting sports industry. As a result, their continual research has led them to their two latest offerings in electronic in-ear hearing protection—the Howard Leight Impact Sport In-Ear Hear-Through Protection with Amplification and the Howard Leight Impact Sport In-Ear Hear-Through Protection with Bluetooth.

According to John Jenkins, Senior Manager Quality Engineering, “We pride ourselves on the quality of our products and the technology we have pioneered over the years. But despite the longevity our products enjoy, we’re not relenting. Ongoing research, development and innovation will continue as hallmarks of the Howard Leight brand. We pledge to offer new technologies and styles in both hearing and eye protection, but regardless of what our line looks like, it will always be comprised of well-designed, reliable, stylish, long-lasting products. That’s what we’ve done consistently, and it’s what our customers expect.”

Impact Sport In-Ear — Hear-Through Protection with Amplification

The Impact Sport In-Ear Hear-Through Protection with Amplification features a NRR (noise reduction rating) of 29dB with amplification defaults at 85dB. This allows for natural hearing of ambient sounds below 85dB, such as conversation, range commands and environmental sounds while hunting. Additionally, the default setting automatically attenuates any dangerous sounds over 85dB—such as gunfire. The Hear-Through Enhancement technology provides eight volume increments, each progressively louder, therefore optimizing ambient sounds. It also provides up to 6X sound enhancement override.

Both hearing protection devices have three pairs of foam tips and moldable ear hooks for a customized fit. Photo: Howard Leight

The Impact Sport In-Ear with Amplification has three pairs of foam tips in varying sizes and moldable ear hooks, for the purpose of a customized fit. In addition, the rechargeable 200 mAh lithium battery delivers 50 hours of run time on a full, two-hour charge. The battery is charged via a USB-C charging cable, which is provided, as well as a carrying case.

Specs

Noise Reduction Rating (NRR): 29dB
Separate Hear-Through volume control
Realistic, natural Hear-Through functions with analog circuitry
9mm dynamic range speaker
2x omni-direction in-ear microphones
Device actively listens and automatically stops amplification when loud impulse sounds exceed 85dB (when operated in power-on/default setting)
8 different volume override increments to optimize hearing in the field by providing up to 6X sound enhancement
Run time up to 50 working hours per charge
2-hour charging time
USB-C charging port and cable included
200 mAh lithium battery
Flexible, moldable ear hooks for all-day comfort
Convenient, compact carry case
3 pairs of foam ear tips (small, medium, large)
Stealthy, OD Green color
Item # R-02700 / UPC: 033552027003
MSRP $120

Impact Sport In-Ear — Hear-Through Protection with Bluetooth

The Impact Sport In-Ear — Hear-Through Protection with Bluetooth shares all of the same features as the Impact Sport In-Ear with Amplification (detailed above) but includes Bluetooth 5.0 technology.

Both hearing protection devices allow for an an unencumbered cheek weld when shouldering a firearm. Photo: Howard Leight

Bluetooth 5.0 is the latest version of the Bluetooth wireless communication standard. This latest version uses Low Energy for reduced power usage and longer battery life when connected to your Bluetooth-enabled device. Integrated into the device are easy-to-operate Bluetooth controls, with separate volume controls for Bluetooth and Hear-Through audio. As a result the wearer can stream Bluetooth audio and hear what is going on around them, simultaneously—both audio signals can be adjusted independently.

Integrated into the Impact Sport In-Ear — Hear-Through Protection with Bluetooth are easy-to-operate Bluetooth controls, with separate volume controls for Bluetooth and Hear-Through audio.

Conversely, where the Impact Sport In-Ear with Bluetooth and Impact Sport In-Ear with Amplification differ is in the battery life. The Impact Sport In-Ear with Amplification provides 50 hours of runtime on a 2-hour charge, while the Impact Sport In-Ear with Bluetooth provides only 10 hours.

Specs

Noise Reduction Rating (NRR): 29dB
Individual and simultaneous Bluetooth® V.5.0 wireless connectivity
Individual Bluetooth button with volume control and separate Hear-through volume control
Realistic, natural Hear-through functions with analog circuitry
9mm dynamic range speaker
2x omni-direction in-ear microphones
Device actively listens and automatically stops amplification when loud impulse sounds exceed 85dB
Run time up to 10 working hours per charge
2-hour charging time
USB-C charging port and cable included
200 mAh lithium battery
Flexible, moldable ear hooks for all-day comfort
Convenient, compact carry case
3 pairs of foam ear tips (small, medium, large)
Black color
Item # R-02701 / UPC: 033552027010
MSRP $165

Both hearing protection devices come with charging cable and a case. Photo: Howard Leight

The Howard Leight Impact Sport In-Ear Hear-Through Proection with Amplification and the Howard Leight Impact Sport In-Ear Hear-Through Protection with Bluetooth. — Photo: Howard Leight

Both the Impact Sport In-Ear Hear-Through Protection with Amplification and Impact Sport In-Ear Hear-Through Protection with Bluetooth are available now with an MSRP of $120 and $165 respectively. For more info, please visit HowardLeightShootingSports.com.