ESP Changes Hands & Moves Forward

ESP earbuds
Screenshot
From our January/February 2025 issue

About 10 years ago Jack Homa of ESP (Electronic Shooters Protection) custom-fit and sold me a pair of hearing-protection devices at the SCI Convention. Since then the analog ESPs have worked well to dampen the sound of gunfire yet still allow me to hear voices and flushing birds.

Last year Jeff Thruston purchased ESP from Homa, who remains available as a consultant. After 30 years the company’s devices are still made in the US and remain some of the most popular in the shooting sports.

These days I have age-related hearing loss and need not only hearing protection, but also amplification. Custom-molded ESPs offer 25 dB passive noise protection, and when noise reaches 70 dB, active cancellation begins, cutting off any sound exceeding 90 dB. The reaction time for this is 1 millisecond. ESP’s top model, the Apex, also uses patented technology to suppress wind noise—unique in the industry. ESPs can be custom-tuned to hearing-test results, aiding wearers who have hearing loss. To take advantage of this, owners need to visit an audiologist or hearing-aid center for an audiogram/prescription and ear-mold impressions.

For my needs, ESP’s Apex model ($2,500) seemed like the best option—offering the best sound quality, dynamic wind-noise filtering and the widest hearing-augmentation bandwidth. The next model down, the Stealth ($2,100), has similar features but only passive wind filtering and less programmable bandwidth for hearing loss. The Elite Digital model ($1,600) has the same protection but less sound quality and bandwidth. And the Elite Classic analog model ($1,000) can still be adjusted to augment some hearing loss.

For more information, visit espamerica.com

SSM January/February 2025 Cover

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