In this episode of the Birdshot Podcast, host Nick Larson is joined by Marc Musselman, CEO at Alclair Audio, to discuss the intersection of bird hunting and hearing protection. From nostalgic stories of Nebraska pheasant hunts to embracing Minnesota winters and late-season grouse excursions, the conversation evolves into a deep dive on the science and user experience behind custom digital hearing protection. Marc shares his journey through the hearing industry, the challenges of adoption among upland hunters, and why hearing protection should be as common as boots and a bird vest.

Marc Musselman is a lifelong upland hunter and audio innovator based in Minnesota. Originally from Nebraska, his passion for bird hunting, especially grouse and woodcock, runs deep. Through Alclair, Marc has made it his mission to help hunters protect their hearing while staying tuned into the natural world, combining decades of engineering expertise with a hunter’s instinct.

Expect to Learn:

How Marc’s childhood pheasant hunts shaped his upland hunting journey

What goes into making custom digital hearing protection for hunters

The difference between hearing enhancement and noise suppression in the field

How to properly acclimate to digital hearing protection for upland hunting

What’s next for hearing protection innovation and Alclair’s mission

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps

[00:00:00] - Introduction and recent hunts in snowy Minnesota

[00:08:30] - The joys and trials of late-season grouse and woodcock hunting

[00:18:00] - Dog talk: Oscar’s progress and the next setter

[00:25:00] - From Nebraska to Minnesota: Marc’s hunting roots and evolution

[00:37:00] - Camper life and cross-country bird hunting dreams

[00:46:42] - How Alclair got started in music and moved into hearing protection

[00:50:52] - Understanding digital hearing protection: features and challenges

[01:08:00] - Tips for adjusting to and maximizing Alclair EXP Pro

[01:21:00] - Final Thoughts 

Follow the Guest, Marc Musselman

Marc Musselman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-musselman-b733a68/ 

Alclair LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alclair-audio/ 

Aclair’s Website: https://alclair.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcmusselman/?hl=en 

Follow the Host Nick:

Instagram: @birdshot.podcast

Website: www.birdshotpodcast.com

Listening Links:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/17EVUDJPwR2iJggzhLYil7

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/birdshot-podcast/id1288308609

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@birdshot.podcast

SUPPORT | http://www.patreon.com/birdshot

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