Wearing Electronic Earpro with an ACH

Tactical Gear Tactical Gear
1

Looking for a little assistance: I’m required to don an ACH during live-fire training, and I usually wear my neckband MSA Sordins as ear-pro. However, I find that within two hours, the pressure from the earcups becomes too uncomfortable to wear. I’m between a size M/L ACH, and I drew a size L from supply. Even with gel earcups, I usually end up going back to plugs. Has anyone deconflicted their ACH and Sordins? I’m wondering if different pad placement may work. I’m also trying to avoid standing out with a high cut helmet. Any assistance appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

2

Most likely, the partial ear coverage on the sides of the ACH are pressing the top of, or all of, the cups into the sides of your head. Factor in the temples of your eye-pro ALSO getting pushed…

I used to get crushing headaches while wearing ear-pro or comm headsets with a USMC “lightweight” helmet (has a brim, has greater ear coverage…really only “lightweight” compared to a bronze Corinthian helmet), though I wore headband configurations. The neckband ones are SUPPOSED to help, in that regard, since the headband is just a piece of nylon webbing, right?

I got some initial relief when I simply said “Bag it…” and shifted the port/starboard pads of the helmet away from where my headband ran. Helmet got somewhat more unstable under NODs, though; not a show-stopper, but it wasn’t ideal.

Pads usually issued are .75" (the Army and the Corps are generally the same, in this). .5" pads are also available. I ended up getting a set of those, because I ran into the “Roster says medium helmet. So, you’re a medium…” BS from the box-kickers/hoarders, as a reason for not giving me a large helmet.

Putting the thinner pads port/starboard did the trick in terms of both reasonable comfort and reasonable stability.

Bump to now, with an ACH and an Ops-Core suspension system, I’ll still get headaches, but nowhere NEAR as quickly, and the ones I get are no longer like the ones Archer got when his cell phone rang, after the KGB put the chip in his head (Season 1, Episode 10 “Dial ‘M’ for Mother”). It’s a distinct improvement, compared the the iepick-in-brain variety I used to get.

Airborne unit, y/n? I ask because I’m led to believe that they have understandably particular standards for how helmets are configured, which is why the thinner pads may also be a good thing to try, vice removing whole pads, which might be a total no-go from a jumpable safety standpoint. I’m unfamiliar with any specifics beyond the fact that some sort of standard exists, I do not what it is…

Hopefully another air-dropped-POW ( :stuck_out_tongue: ) will chime in, if you end up needing help along those lines

3

You can remove the round crown pad and use a few more of the smaller/long pads (the ones shaped like Twinkies) to accommodate the band (two fore and two aft).

Without the crown pad the actual Dome of Obedience doesn’t press down on the band, rather it sits with the pads against your noggin. The Ops-Core chinstrap clears the ear domes better than the standard MICH chinstrap. Still not as good as a half-shell/Gunfighter or the CVC cut, but better than the neck-strap version.

Rough idea of layout:


4

Gentlemen, excellent advice. I’m a leg so I’ll try losing the crown pad and using thinner (or thicker) pads from the PX. I’m thinking if I can sufficiently elevate the ACH, the partial ear coverage won’t push down nearly as hard on my Sordins. I’ll report back with results.

Thanks again.
-K

5

If I could recommend a brand of pads for your ACH… I much prefer the Oregon Aero brand of pads compared to the much stiffer brand being issued at CIF

6

I highly 2nd the Oregon Aero Pads. I was in the same boat and they really really make a big difference.

7

I’m gonna have to try configuring the pads like that. I’ve got the neckband version but they’re still not very comfortable in my “lightweight” kevlar

8

As promised, I had my pads set up like this in a size L ACH to accommodate my neck-band sordins.

Wore it like this on a 5 day field op, in 90 degree weather.

Hopefully this helps anyone else trying to work around their ear muffs.

9

Have you tried the surefire plugs?
I had them in my bag, but hadn’t really used them till this weekends pistol/carbine course.

I found them a better option for me, cooler, low profile.
I left the smaller inner plugs out (the surefires have a small flap to open and close) for 9mm, then put small plug back in for 5.56; especially sighting in under a tin roof shed.

I could hear well and felt comfortable with the amount of noise reduction.

10

Are there any mil discounts on in ear protection?? Are they even allowed by the military?? Shameless plug, but 3M / Peltor makes a set designed for under helmets and comma compatible. No personal experience with them though. There have to be better options out there than the cups.

11

I’ve worn Peltor Comtac II’s under my ACH a few times with no problems. I didn’t adjust the pads or anything, just pulled the chinstrap around them, I thought it was very comfortable.