Explosions, firearms, motorcycles, and power tools are loud enough to cause temporary Hearing penalties. All have the potential to inflict Hard of Hearing (p. B138) over time. Shooters use a variety of means to prevent such damage. Tactical teams often wear an earplug in one ear and a radio earbud (see Headsets and Microphones, p. 39) in the other. All of these measures grant Protected Hearing (p. B78).
Earmuffs (TL6). Give Protected Hearing and Hard of Hearing while worn. $200, 1 lb. LC4.
Earplugs (TL7). Give Protected Hearing and Hard of Hearing while worn. $1, neg. LC4.
Electronic Earmuffs (TL8). Filter out loud noises electronically but still allow normal conversation. Provide Protected Hearing while worn. $100, 1 lb., XS/100 hrs. LC4.
Electronic Earplugs (TL8). As electronic earmuffs (above), but fit completely inside the ear. $1,500, neg., T/400 hrs. LC4.
Protective goggles and glasses were widely used by cyclists and aviators in WWI, and went on to become standard props for adventurers. Most grant defensive advantages while worn. All require a Ready maneuver to don or remove.
The purpose of goggles is to form a seal around the eyes to keep out damaging dust, smoke, and other particles.
Dive Mask (TL6). A basic swimming or scuba mask grants Nictitating Membrane 1 (p. B71). $25, 1 lb. LC4.
Goggles (TL6). Glass goggles, with leather fittings. They give Nictitating Membrane 1 – but hits that penetrate the DR 1 this provides may cause extra damage! Some are tinted, and also grant Protected Vision (p. B78) against bright ordinary light (not lasers, etc.). $20, neg. LC4.
Anti-Laser Goggles (TL8). With the growing threat of dazzle lasers, modern military forces began to field antilaser goggles in the 1990s. These provide both Protected Vision and Nictitating Membrane 4. $200, neg. LC4.
Tactical Goggles (TL8). Nonfogging ballistic goggles with a tough polycarbonate lens. They grant Nictitating Membrane 5. $100, neg. LC4.
Unlike goggles, glasses protect against impacts and splashes, but not dust, gas, or submersion in liquids.
Sunglasses (TL5). Sunglasses became commercially available at TL5. Doctors prescribed tinted lenses for “weak eyes,” claiming that certain childhood diseases made their patients sensitive to sunlight. Sunglasses protect the eyes with DR 1. $50, neg. LC4.
Sunglasses (TL6). Ray-Bans were issued to aviators in the 1930s to protect against high-altitude glare and instrument-panel reflections. A trendy mirrored coating becomes available circa 1950 (TL7). Polarized sunglasses give Protected Vision against bright ordinary light and DR 1 over the eyes. $10, neg. LC4.
Ballistic Sunglasses (TL8). Modern battlefield sunglasses, designed to protect against a shotgun blast. They give Protected Vision against bright ordinary light and DR 4 for the eyes. $35, neg. LC4.
These items protect very specific body parts from certain types of injury.
Cup (TL7). A plastic guard that gives the groin DR 2 vs. crushing (DR 1 vs. other damage), only from the front. Also grants +2 to knockdown rolls for groin hits. $20, neg. LC4.
Mouthguard (TL7). A form-fitted plastic mouthpiece worn to protect the jaw and teeth. Gives +1 to knockdown rolls for face hits, but makes speech difficult (treat as Disturbing Voice, p. B132). $20, neg. LC4.
Knee or Elbow Pads (TL8). Modern pads provide DR 3 for arm or leg joints when crawling, kneeling, or falling on hard surfaces (GM’s decision), or when the knee or elbow is struck in combat (2/6 protection for that limb). Per pair: $20, 0.5 lb. LC4.