Hunters’ Ear Protection
Hunters are more likely to develop hearing loss, specifically high-frequency permanent hearing loss. This means that hunters may have difficulty hearing speech sounds with “s,” “th,” “v,” and other high-pitched sounds like a woman’s voice or a child’s giggle.
Individuals with high-frequency hearing loss report that they can hear but not clearly. They also experience a perception that people are just mumbling and end up not getting their hearing tested because they don’t realize that they actually have hearing problems.
Tinnitus, also known as ringing in the ears, may also be experienced by people with high-frequency hearing loss. Just like hearing loss, tinnitus may be permanent.
Hearing Loss In Hunters
For right-handed shooters, the left ear often suffers more damage than the right ear because it is closer to and directly in line with the firearm’s nozzle.
Hunters can prevent hearing loss and tinnitus by using hunter’s ear protection including earmuffs or earplugs. Standard hearing protection limits what a person can hear in general; hunter’s ear protection allows shooters to hear softer sounds while still protecting the ears from loud sounds like firearm noise.
Two Types of Hearing Protection
There are two types of hearing protection designed for shooting sports – electronic and nonlinear. Electronic hearing protection devices (HPDs) make softer sounds louder and automatically shut off in the presence of loud noise. Available variants of electronic hearing protection include earmuffs, custom-made in-the-ear devices, standard plugs, and behind-the-ear devices.
Nonlinear hearing protection devices are designed to allow soft and moderate sounds to pass through while reducing loud sounds. Nonlinear HPDs can either be custom-made earmolds or inserted into the ear. Choose nonlinear HPDs with filters because they are better than those with mechanical valves. Valves may not close fast enough to protect hearing from loud noise.
Protect Your Hearing With Hunters’ Ear Protection
Everytime you go hunting, make sure to use hearing protection. Make hunter’s ear protection handy and part of your gear. If you want double-protection, you can use muffs over plugs, especially when shooting big firearms.
For target practice and hunting, choose smaller caliber firearms. Choose single-shot firearms over lever action, pump, or semi-automatic guns. Use electronic or nonlinear HPDs for hunting.
Related Questions
How Do I Choose Hearing Protection?
When choosing the best hunter’s ear protection, the first thing you need to consider is how much noise reduction you need. Our audiologist at Pinnacle Hearing can help you select the best hunter’s ear protection.
The environment, type of activity, and the severity of your exposure to loud noises will also be considered. By giving us a background of your lifestyle and hobbies, we can narrow down your choices for hunter’s ear protection. Your comfort and convenience during hunting will also be a big consideration.
What Is The Best Hearing Protection?
There are a multitude of hearing protection on the market. Some are available in standard models while some are custom-made. When choosing the best hearing protection for you, you need to consider your lifestyle and what kind of activities you’ll be using the hearing protection with.
There are different types of hearing protection for various types of careers and hobbies. Pilots, swimmers, hunters, musicians, etc. use different types of hearing protection with one purpose in mind – to preserve the integrity of hearing and prevent hearing loss.
Pinnacle Hearing provides custom hunter’s ear protection.
Part of the pleasure of hunting is spending time outdoors and enjoying the relaxing sounds of nature. However, hunting without using hearing protection may damage your hearing sooner than you think. Prevent hearing loss and tinnitus with hunter’s ear protection.
Call 501.225.6060 to schedule an appointment!