
Frequently Asked Questions
Product Selection and Fit
Q: Will Pro
Ears hearing protection get in the way of my shooting?
Answer
A:
No, while shooters have different shooting styles and require different
levels of protection our customers testimonials attest to their
satisfaction with our designs. We are confident we have a design to meet
your needs. Go to our Products page to see for yourself.
Q:
I work for a government agency that is required to spend 20% of our
annual budget on American made products. Our agency also tries to buy
from American owned small businesses. Is Pro-Ears an American owned
small business? Are the electronic hearing protection made in the USA?
Answer
A:
Another reason Pro Ears is the gold standard in hearing protection is
we are, to the best of our knowledge, the only such products
manufactured in the USA and the only company that offers a comprehensive
5 Year Warranty.
Q: Muff models like Pro Ears seem
less wildy when compared to in-the-ear models such as foam plugs.
Which is best, more comfortable and why?
Answer
A:
We believe our hearing enhancement/hearing protection products are the
most comfortable available regardless of the type. We are the only
company that offers ProForm™ Leather ear seals and padded, adjustable
headbands for the ultimate in soft, long wear comfort. They are light,
may be worn with glasses and will not cause the wearer to sweat like the
other makes using vinyl and other plastics. A common testament from our
customers is they wear them for extended periods of time and don’t even
realize they have them on. That is a compliment we like hearing. As for
which is best; there is simply no contest. First, foam ear plugs
provide very little protection from high noise levels. Second, sound is
really vibrations moving through space. These vibrations not only enter
through the ear canal into the very sensitive inner ear but also through
the bones that surround the ear itself. Wearing a muff type unit not
only provides more protection through the canal but also guards against
bone transmitted vibrations. No foam ear plug will ever protect hearing
like muff type models.
Q: What is the Pro Ears
best model?
Answer
A:
It’s not a matter of which model is ‘best’. Each model is made to fit a
particular need. For example, one may be in an incredibly high noise
level area, such as construction, demolition or large bore hand guns
indoors. This would call for our highest NRR rated Mag Line, while a
person shooting small bore rifles, or sporting clays would not require
the higher NRR and would choose the Sporting Clay or Stalker models. All
Pro Ears are made in the USA using the same technology so preference
depends on need or want. However, when looking at our entire line the
top choice for the highest level of technology is our new Dimension
‘GOLD’ Series. Go to our Product Page to find out which model fits your
needs
Q: Why does Pro Ears sell so many different
kinds of Electronic Hearing Protection?
Answer
A:
Model choices are determined by individual need. Whether you are in law
enforcement, industry or shooting sports all have different needs,
likes and dislikes and different hearing protection requirements and we
want to ensure we have the best options available for every customer. In
addition to our full lines of electronic models we also offer the
highest quality, highest NRR passive models. We have something for every
need and every budget.
Q: How old should my child
be before I have them start wearing hearing protection?
Answer
A:
Everyone exposed to loud sounds should wear hearing protection.
Children’s hearing is actually more susceptible to damage than adults.
Not all hearing protection devices are suitable for infants or small
children. Ear plugs can be a swallowing danger. Improperly fitted ear
muffs may not provide the level of protection desired. Most ear muffs,
unless specifically designed for youths, are too large for smaller heads
and ears. Pro-Ears are not designed for very small children as the
muffs may be too large or the headband may not compress sufficiently.
Our Predator cup is the smallest Pro-Ears cup.
Q:
Pro Ears have become the world leader in high-tech, electronic hearing
protection/amplification products. When did this phenomena begin and
why?
Answer
A:
Pro Ears began with entrepreneur Dan Nigro in 1992. Dan was a
professional handgun shooter and was unhappy with the current hearing
protection products. Through his travels he met and became friends with
one of the top audio electronics engineers in the world. The
relationship between the engineer and the perfectionist resulted with
the introduction of Pro Ears and the company has never looked back.
Q: What makes Pro Ears stand out from other hearing
protection companies?
Answer
A:
Pro Ears has, since its inception, been more concerned with quality
engineering to provide the clearest, most natural sound and product
reliability than flooding the market with low cost/low quality products.
Our dedication to quality and innovative electronics consistently allow
us to move the bar higher in hearing protection/amplification products.
In 2008 we made our latest leap in technology with our introduction of
the ‘GOLD’ Series. The ‘GOLD’ Series is the only active hearing
protection that features an 8-Bit Micro Processor that provides
continuous evaluation of the operating system. We also offer a LED Light
for instant monitoring of the electronics, an Auto Shut Off feature and
Low Battery Warnings.
Q: How Do I Ensure I Have a Proper Fit? Adjust Fit – (ALL Models) A PROPER FIT IS CRITICAL TO GOOD SOUND ATTENUATION. The headband may be adjusted to ensure the cups fit correctly around the ears by sliding the headband apart. With the slider arms fully closed place the headband directly in the middle of the head. Slowly adjust one slider arm at a time as needed to ensure each cup is fully covering your ear. The ear lobe should not interfere with the seal between the cup ear seal and the skull. The two slider arms should be equidistant from the headband to ensure the best fit. Be sure the headband is resting snuggly against the top of your head. The special, replaceable ProForm Leather™ Sealing Rings are made for maximum comfort and noise protection. There should be no gaps between the ear seal and your head. For best fit ensure your hair, hat, glasses or earrings are not under the ear seal. To test for a good seal, run your index finger around the area between the ear seal and your skull and ensure there are no gaps. Pay particular attention to the space at the lower back portion of the ear ass this area is most susceptible to improper fit. REMEMBER, HEARING PROTECTORS COME N DIFFERENT SHAPES AND SIZES AND NOT ALL HEARING PROTECTORS FIT ALL HEADS. BE SURE YOU HAVE A PROPER FIT BEFORE NOISE EXPOSURE.
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Customer
Support Questions
Q: How long does it take to
return a product sent in for warranty service?
Answer
A:
We generally turn around repairs in 48 – 72 hours.
Q:
My Pro-Ears are out of warranty, can they still be repaired?
Answer
A:
Call customer service to see if we still have the parts to fix an out
of warranty model. We also offer an upgrade program to assist you in
purchasing your next set of pro-ears.
Q: Can I
purchase batteries directly from Pro-ears.com?
Answer
A:
YES! While n style batteries are widely distributed, shopping from the
comfort of your home and great prices make buying from pro-ears.com a
smart choice.
Q: How does Pro Ears sell into the
market?
Answer
A:
We make all our products available to retail sales outlets either
factory direct or through regional Distributors and to the consumer
through local dealers in all states and Canada, including various
catalog and internet outlets and through our own web site:
www.pro-ears.com for those who are not able to purchase through a local
means. For Law Enforcement, Military and Industrial we sell through
various dealers that specialize in those markets as well as direct to
departments, ranges and agency buyers.
Q: I am
interested in carrying the Pro-Ears products in my store. Who do I
contact?
Answer
A:
To become a dealer, or owner of the Pro Ears brand of electronic
hearing protection/amplifications products please contact us at:
800-891-3660.
In MI: 231-421-3810
Visit our web site at:
www.pro-ears.com
Email:
Sales@pro-ears.com
Altus
Brands, LLC.
484 W Welch CT.
Traverse City, MI 49686
Q:
Why aren’t Pro-Ears made over seas like all the other hearing
protection? Wouldn’t that allow you to lower your price?
Answer
A:
While it is true that all other electronic ear muffs are made outside
the US it is not true that they offer a better value. When you consider
the value of our five year warranty, which we can offer because of the
quality of our US production, and the purity of sound due to our US
engineering, we think Pro-Ears value is better than any other company.
Additionally, because our customer service is located in Colorado we
have the fastest, most responsive customer service anywhere. In most
instances we will answer your questions in 24 hours and we can receive,
repair, or upgrade a unit and get it back to the consumer in 48 hours.
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Pro Ears Use and Care Questions
Q:
Can I use rechargeable batteries?
Answer
A:
No, they will void the warranty.
Q: How do I
replace the batteries in my Pro Ears product?
Answer
A:
It’s important to insert the batteries properly into the hearing
protection. Always match the plus side of the battery with the plus side
of the compartment door. The battery compartment is located on the
inside of the earmuff and is protected by a flap of visco-elastic foam.
While this battery compartment may look insecure or unfinished, it is
designed to maximize the noise attenuation and allow for easy battery
replacement in field conditions or while wearing gloves. All Pro ears
use an “N” size battery. These batteries can be found at most retail
outlets or purchased at pro-ears.com. It could be possible to get a bad
battery. So remember to buy extra batteries when purchasing your
Pro-Ears product. Using the wrong style battery will void your Pro-Ears
warranty and will damage your active ear muffs.
Q:
How loud should I set the pro ears for normal use?
Answer
A:
You should adjust the volume control so people talking close to you can
be heard as a normal voice. See Use and Care to learn how to adjust the
gain control.
Q: Will cold weather affect the
performance of my electronic hearing protection?
Answer
A:
Cold weather should not affect your Pro-Ears unless it is so cold your
batteries stop working.
Q: Can I wear my pro ears
in the rain?
Answer
A:
Pro-Ears are not waterproof. Some brands indicate they are waterproof
but I would not drop them in a bucket of water. We do seal the circuit
boards on the Gold Series to provide added protection. We also do not
cut the outer plastic muff (as a battery compartment) to reduce the
chance of water seepage. Hunter’s wear our earmuffs in all kinds of
weather with few complaints.
Q: I dropped my
Pro-Ears. What is the cost of a repair?
Answer
A:
If your product is under warranty the repair is free in the first 90 days. Most manufacturers defects will be evident in the first 90 days. After 90 days there may be other costs associated with repairs required due to non manufacturer’s defects. Contact customer service to get an estimate and request an RMA prior to returning your Pro-Ears.
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Technical
& Troubleshooting Questions
Q: My pro ears
will not turn on, what should I do?
Answer
A:
Go to our troubleshooting section. If you do not find the answer to
resolve your problem contact our customer service department
Q:
What is DLSC™?
Answer
A:
DLSC™ Technology (Dynamic Level Sound Compression) is a proprietary
technology featured in all our electronic hearing protection models.
This exclusive technology reacts instantly to any noise level that
exceeds 82 dB. Unlike other models that either shut off the electronics
or compress the volume, DLSC cuts the noise level to approx 50% or
around 40 dB. At the same time it moves all other lower sounds (such as
conversation) to 82 dB. What this incredible technology does is protect
the wearer from hearing damaging noise spikes while at the same time,
bringing other lower decible sounds up. The wearer’s hearing is always
protected but is still able to hear everything in their environment.
This is vital when at the range, or on the job where loud noise levels
occur. With Pro Ears you will hear everything, only safely.
Q:
What is NRR and what does it mean?
Answer
A:
NRR stands for Noise Reduction Rating and what it does is provide a
scientific measurement or standardization, for each set of hearing
protection. It provides a bench mark by which people can determine the
model to fit their predetermined need for various noise level
environments.
Q: Electronic Hearing
Protection/Amplification. Where does the amplification come into this
equation?
Answer
A:
The ability to hear in your environment can be as vital as having your
hearing protected against damaging noise levels. In work environments
with loud noises such as machinery, or loud but isolated areas such as
mines, safety is a priority. With Pro Ears’ DLSC™ the wearer is able to
hear conversation, warning signals, etc at all times, which keeps you
aware of what is going on around you. For the LE or Military
professional Pro Ears are not only vital at the range but also in
tactical situations where having the ability to increase hearing up to 8
times normal can mean the difference between life and death. For the
hunter or naturalist wearing Pro Ears enables you to be aware of game
movements before they come into view. And our new ‘GOLD’ Series with
gold conductors, gain adjustability, individual electronic controls/mics
and the highest audiophile sound quality provide the clearest, most
natural, 360 degree sound capture available.
Q:
How does the Pro-Ears hearing protector protect your hearing?
Answer
A:
Sound attenuation is the result of the ear muff blocking sound waves
from entering the ear canal, just like passive ear muffs. Unlike noise
cancelling headphones, the electronics in active hearing protection do
not increase the noise attenuation of the hearing protectors. The
electronics are designed to do two things;
- Amplify soft sounds (low decibel) to an audible level and
- Eliminate or compress very loud (high decibel) sounds to a safe
level.
The noise attenuation is a result of the volume of
space created by the ear muff, the materials used in the ear muff and
the seal of the ear muff around your ear.
Q: Why
don’t you put more than one microphone on each cup? If two are good
wouldn’t more be better?
Answer
A:
More than one microphone feeding sound cues to each ear creates a major
problem locating sound because your own natural sense of direction is
out of balance. Nature provided us with only two ears because that was
all that is necessary to determine both direction and distance of a
sound. Additional microphones will not improve your ability to locate a
sound source. It is possible that the additional microphones could
increase the amount of sound waves picked up by the muffs but th
resulting sound quality, including collocating the sound source will be
negatively impacted. Pro Ears has built its reputation by focusing on
sound quality as well as protection.
Q. What is
‘Attack Time’?
Answer
A.
This is another feature that Pro Ears beats the competition with. We
offer the fastest, less than 1.5 milliseconds, ‘Attack Time’. This is
the time between the unit receiving a noise level spike and the time it
takes to react to, in our case, compress the sound level to a safe
level. We also have the fastest Recovery time, the time it takes to
resume normal monitoring after the high sound level subsides to a safe
level. With Pro-ears, the attack and recovery time are accomplished
without clipping or turning off the system so you hear all the sounds,
only at a safe level with excellent clarity.
Q. Why
do Pro Ears have mics and volume knobs of each cup?
Answer
A.
Pro Ears features individual electronics in each cup which allows for
true stereo sound, multi-directional mics and individual volume controls
that work like your ears so you have a complete, 360 degree range of
hearing. The volume controls allow you to adjust each side to
accommodate hearing range anomalies and have control of situations which
may require volume level differences between left and right ear.
Additionally, by having the electronics in each cup we eliminate the
need for wires connecting one side to the other that is awkward and easy
to snag or break.
Q: What causes my Pro-Ears to
whistle or squeal?
Answer
A:
Pro-Ears should not whistle or squeal like other poorly designed
electronic hearing protectors. Some brands of active hearing protection
allow feedback to occur between the two ear muffs. Pro-Ears is designed
so this cannot occur. If you are hearing a whistle or squeal contact
customer service.
Q: What causes a hissing sound
or what we call a sea shell effect?
Answer
A:
This may be normal for other hearing protection but should not happen
with Pro Ears electronic hearing protection. If you are hearing a
hissing sound or echo contact Pro-Ears customer service.
Web
site and policy issues
Q: How do you protect visitor
information?
Answer
A:
We implement a variety of security measures to maintain the safety of
your personal information. Your personal information is contained behind
secured networks and is only accessible by a limited number of persons
who have special access rights to such systems, and are required to keep
the information confidential. When you place orders or access your
personal information, we offer the use of a secure server. All
sensitive/credit information you supply is transmitted via Secure Socket
Layer (SSL) technology and then encrypted into our databases to be only
accessed as stated above.
Q: Do you use
"cookies"?
Answer
A:
Yes. Cookies are small files that a site or its service provider
transfers to your computer's hard drive through your Web browser (if you
allow) that enables the site's or service provider's systems to
recognize your browser and capture and remember certain information. For
instance, we use cookies to help us remember and process the items in
your shopping cart. They are also used to help us understand your
preferences based on previous or current site activity, which enables us
to provide you with improved services. We also use cookies to help us
compile aggregate data about site traffic and site interaction so that
we can offer better site experiences and tools in the future.
We
may contract with third-party service providers to assist us in better
understanding our site visitors. These service providers are not
permitted to use the information collected on our behalf except to help
us conduct and improve our business.
You can choose to have your
computer warn you each time a cookie is being sent, or you can choose
to turn off all cookies. You do this through your browser (like Netscape
Navigator or Internet Explorer) settings. Each browser is a little
different, so look at your browser Help menu to learn the correct way to
modify your cookies. If you turn cookies off, you won't have access to
many features that make your site experience more efficient and some of
our services will not function properly. However, you can still place
orders over the telephone by contacting customer service.
Q:
Do you disclose the information you collect to outside parties?
Answer
A:
We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties your
personally identifiable information unless we provide you with advance
notice, except as described below. The term "outside parties" does not
include Pro Ears. It also does not include website hosting partners and
other parties who assist us in operating our website, conducting our
business, or servicing you, so long as those parties agree to keep this
information confidential. We may also release your information when we
believe release is appropriate to comply with the law, enforce our site
policies, or protect ours or others' rights, property, or safety.
However,
non-personally identifiable visitor information may be provided to
other parties for marketing, advertising, or other uses.
Q:
How can I opt-out, remove or modify information I have provided?
Answer
A:
To modify your e-mail subscriptions, please let us know by modifying
your preferences in the "My Account" section. Please note that due to
email production schedules you may receive any emails already in
production.
To delete all of your online account information
from our database, sign into the "My Account" section of our site and
remove your shipping addresses, billing addresses & payment
information. Please note that we may maintain information about an
individual sales transaction in order to service that transaction and
for record keeping.
Q: What is your relationship
to third party links?
Answer
A:
In an attempt to provide you with increased value, we may include third
party links on our site. These linked sites have separate and
independent privacy policies. We therefore have no responsibility or
liability for the content and activities of these linked sites.
Nonetheless, we seek to protect the integrity of our site and welcome
any feedback about these linked sites (including if a specific link does
not work).
Q: Do you make changes to your
privacy policy?
Answer
A:
If we decide to change our privacy policy, we will post those changes
on this page. Policy changes will apply only to information collected
after the date of the change. This policy was last modified on September
4, 2008.
Q: How do you use your information you
collect on your site?
Answer
A:
We may use the information we collect from you when you register,
purchase products, enter a contest or promotion, respond to a survey or
marketing communication, surf the website, or use certain other site
features in the following ways:
- To personalize your site experience and to allow us to deliver the
type of content and product offerings in which you are most interested.
- To allow us to better service you in responding to your
customer service requests.
- To quickly process your transactions.
- To administer a contest, promotion, survey or other site
feature.
Q: What is covered under the
product warranty?
Answer
A:
Basically everything is covered from manufacturer’s defects. The
warranty is different for each series. The length of warranty is
different for electronics and other hardware. Please read the warranty
section for more information.
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