ComTac V Hearing Defender

The 3M Peltor ComTac V Hearing Defender is the civilian-accessible version of the headset used by US special operations forces. At $400, it is priced well below the full comms-enabled ComTac variants ($700+) while retaining the same acoustic performance and build quality.

Environmental listening mode uses external microphones to amplify ambient sound to a natural level while compressing impulse noise (gunfire, explosions) in under 1 millisecond. The result is near-transparent hearing with instant protection. Compared to consumer electronic muffs, the difference in sound processing quality is immediately apparent: voices sound natural rather than digitized.

Gel ear cushions seal effectively over eyewear stems and create a comfortable, secure fit for extended wear. The headband mounts directly to helmet ARC rails for integration with ballistic helmets, and the ComTac platform is compatible with downlead cables for radio integration if you later upgrade to the comms version. Build quality is a different class from consumer muffs, with materials rated for field abuse.