Prohear EP05 Electronic Shooting Earbuds.
Range Report from the Firing Line to CanCon
When it comes to range gear, hearing protection is one of those things that either becomes invisible and effortless… or it becomes annoying enough that you stop wanting to wear it. After spending time with the ProHear EP05 Electronic Hearing Protection, I’ve come away pretty impressed with what these little wireless earbuds bring to the table, especially for shooters who spend long days on the range, attend events, or create content around firearms.
I originally took the EP05 earbuds with me to CanCon, which turned out to be the perfect place to test them. While a lot of the rifles and handguns there were suppressed, many of them were still loud enough that quality hearing protection absolutely mattered. The ProHear system handled that environment surprisingly well.
The ability to maintain a normal conversation while still achieving meaningful hearing protection is paramount today during live-fire training and the like. That’s one of the biggest advantages of electronic hearing protection done correctly. Instead of muffling everything around you, the EP05 lets ambient sounds and voices come through while rapidly suppressing dangerous impulse noise, such as gunfire.
That became extremely useful while filming videos and talking with manufacturers on the range. I could communicate naturally with people standing beside me without constantly pulling hearing protection in and out of my ears, and rifle fire nearby never felt harsh or overwhelming.
Proper Fit Matters
Like most in-ear hearing protection systems, the seal is everything.
The EP05 includes multiple ear tip sizes that fit over the earbuds themselves, allowing users to tailor the fit to their ear canal. Using the correct-size insert is critical—not just for comfort but for actual hearing-protection performance.
Once I found the right fit, the earbuds stayed secure and noticeably improved noise reduction. Another advantage of earbuds over more traditional muffs is their use in rifle shooting. Often, muffs interfere with the correct stock weld, while earbuds are far less intrusive.
Bluetooth Integration Was Surprisingly Useful
I initially looked at the Bluetooth capability as more of a bonus feature than something I’d actually use much. That changed during CanCon.
Large events can become sensory overload after several hours of nonstop gunfire, crowds, conversations, and movement. During breaks or lunch, I paired the EP05 to my phone and streamed music through Pandora. The Bluetooth connection was quick and seamless, and honestly, it was nice being able to mentally disconnect for a few minutes while still wearing hearing protection in an active environment.
The earbuds charge via the carrying case, which is incredibly convenient. The case, as well as the earbuds, keeps you informed of the charge status, and the case recharges via USB-C.
That dual-purpose design is one of the strongest selling points of the EP05. These are not just earmuffs or passive plugs. They can transition from active range protection to everyday wireless earbuds almost instantly.
The touch controls also worked well for managing playback, answering calls, and handling phone functions without constantly reaching for the phone itself.
Use Around Suppressors and Standard Firearms
Since CanCon, I’ve continued using the EP05 during silencer testing and regular handgun and rifle shooting here at home. They’ve worked well in both situations.
Suppressors absolutely help reduce fatigue and concussion, but they do not magically make every firearm “hearing safe,” especially on short-barreled rifles or high-pressure calibers. Having electronic hearing protection that still allows conversation while taking the edge off sharp impulse noise makes long testing sessions far more comfortable.
The EP05 has proven itself practical enough that I now regularly reach for it during range work.
Final Thoughts
The ProHear EP05 Electronic Hearing Protection fills an interesting niche between traditional electronic earmuffs and everyday wireless earbuds. The combination of active hearing protection, Bluetooth audio capability, touch controls, and compact portability makes it especially appealing for shooters who spend extended time on the range or at events.
The key takeaway is simple: get the proper ear tip fit, and these things work remarkably well.
They’re comfortable, convenient, easy to pair, and versatile enough to serve double duty as both hearing protection and everyday Bluetooth earbuds. After extensive use at CanCon and during ongoing firearm testing, they’ve earned a permanent spot in my range kit. For about $140, they are not expensive enough to be prohibitive.
