I emailed through the NRA site yesterday, got hearing aid info today (nothing about hearing protection). The NRA program is provided through American Hearing Benefits, Inc., which is not an insurance company. It is wholly-owned by Starkey and appears to be what is known in benefits circles as an access plan (i.e., if the NRA can deliver enough member traffic, Starkey will offer attractive prices). I called American Hearing Benefits today to ask about hearing protection, and the person answering the phone knew nothing about the products; she suggested that I email again to the person who sent me the hearing aid info. Sent that email this afternoon.
The NRA price for two in the ear Magnum Ear ITE digitals is $699.99. They recommended a place near me who will do the impression for $50.
Based upon my personal experience, that is an astoundingly good price. The impressions are normally included in the cost of the Magnum Ears, but at $700 I wouldn't quibble. Make sure they do a hearing test on you before they order the plugs; per the NRA website the test is part of the program. Without a hearing test, the units will not be matched to your specific hearing loss (and you do have loss, even if it doesn't seem like it yet).
In today's email, I requested technical specs on all of the analog and digital units that are currently available. I have not looked at the specs since I bought my last set, and they have probably changed. I would recommend that you specify the units be molded in the harder plastic compound, because there are known reliability problems with the softer silicone molds. I think they still use the silicone if you don't specify otherwise. Both of my pairs are silicone and they are quite comfortable; I have been told that you do not sacrifice comfort with the harder plastic.
