Silynx Clarus Pro Hearing Protection/Enhancement

Nov 2

The Silynx Clarus Pro noise cancellation headset let's you hear the subtle sounds of Nature while protecting your hearing against painfully loud gunshots. Wish I'd had this 40 years ago.

Like many hunters/shooters of a certain age, I've blasted my way into significant hearing loss. Had I used a device like this Silynx Clarus Pro when hunting and shooting, I might still be able to hear the warblers sing. I can see their lips move but...

Here's the deal: Sudden, explosive noises of 85 decibels and louder (typically 114 to 150 DB with firearms) damage fragile inner-ear hair cells called cilia. When these die, so does your ability to hear. And cilia hairs don't grow back. You get just one crack at this, no pun intended, so don't miss your chance to save your hearing. There's nothing macho about enduring gun blasts. You'll be a more effective hunter long term if you can hear the pitter patter of little critter feet.

Most shooters know they can stuff foam plugs in their ears or plastic clam shells over them, which makes you feel as if you're living life under a pile of pillows. What the Silynx Clarus Pro headset does is transmit electronically enhanced sound through foam inserts. Sudden, dangerously loud impulse sounds are dampened by 25 decibels instantly.

Of course, there are other ear units and shell muffs with similar electronic enhancement and shut off, but none I've tried have the versatility and benefits of the Silynx Clarus Pro. Here are ten solid reasons why I prefer the Silynx Clarus Pro over four other in-ear devices I've tried, including custom fitted ones:

Waterproof. You can hunt in the rain!
AAA battery powered. Easy to find, inexpensive and much easier to handle than those tiny button batteries.
90-hour battery life.
Battery can be changed in the control unit without removing ear buds.
25 decibel noise reduction.
Convenient controls. A large, easily found, easily manipulated, single button on the battery unit activates off-on and volume. No blind fumbling on an in-ear unit for a micro switch the size of an ant’s eyelash. Minimizes game-scaring hand motions on stand.
Positive volume adjustment. Instead of guessing if you’ve turned volume up or down, you know because the unit’s digital voice announces: “Low,” (3 decibel increase); “Medium,” (6 decibel increase); “High,” (9 decibel increase); “Super Normal Hearing,” (12 decibel increase); “Hear-Through Off.” (No sound enhancement — unit is turned off.)
Lightweight. Each ear bud weighs just 1/10th of an ounce! Versatile fit. Replaceable foam ear buds come in three sizes and three densities for custom fit.
Smartphone compatible. Listen to music and phone calls through the ear buds.
Because the ear buds are wired to the battery/control unit, you’re much less likely to lose or misplace one.

AAA battery and connected control unit add convenience to the ultralight ear buds.

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.