Military and LEO guys: if you don't have a set of these you are wrong! The volume control works well enough that it gives your hearing a bit of a boost, so unlike the ear plugs that make hearing possible there no degradation, so no one is sneaking up on you. The headset will cut out for any loud noises and any sharp snaps, for example dropping a magazine, it can be a little confusing but takes like five seconds to get used to.