Silynx Clarus Pro Hearing Protection/Enhancement — Ron Spomer Outdoors

This headset was designed by former military men and women who needed and used in-ear devices like this for not only hearing protection, but critical communication during clandestine operations. There’s no radio communication ability with the Clarus Pro, but that smartphone plug lets you take and make take calls.

It’s only fair to warn you: the Silynx Clarus Pro, like any and all “plug in the ear” devices, does still give you that plugged ear feeling (duh!) Mixed with the amplified sounds you hear your self, your breathing, your rustling clothes, your crunching footsteps. And wind noise can be maddeningly distracting. I find no ear plug devices really pleasant for active hunting such as walking up pheasants — but having the enhanced sound amplification beats ordinary plugs five ways to Sunday. Noise cancellation headsets like this are at their best when stand hunting, i.e. sitting quietly, waiting and listening for game, maybe still-hunting slowly through cover. They’re also nice for trap, skeet, sporting clays, sighting-in and long-range target shooting, especially when other shooters are around, talking.

The wires attaching each ear bud to the battery control unit struck me as inconvenient at first, but I’ve since come to appreciate their upside. They make the ear buds lighter; permit use of a cheap, long-life AAA battery that can be changed out easily without removing the buds; permit volume control without fumbling for micro switches; enable smartphone connection; tie in the buds so you don’t lose them.

Variations of the Silynx Clarus Pro have been battle tested around the world. If they’re good enough for our special forces, they’re good enough for me.