![\"woman](\"https:\/\/tohear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/hunter.jpeg\" "\\"Hunting")
<\/p>\nAutumn is prime hunting season in Texas. If you\u2019re preparing to head into the field, think safety. Not just gun safety (though that\u2019s important too, of course!), but hearing safety. Gunshots emit decibel (dB) levels loud enough to cause permanent hearing damage if you aren\u2019t careful, so it\u2019s important to take precautions before heading out to ensure a safe trip.<\/p>\n
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Noise is the most common cause of hearing loss<\/strong> in Katy. Hearing impairment<\/a> usually occurs gradually over many years, but exposure to extremely loud sounds can result in instantaneous, irreversible hearing loss.<\/p>\n 85 dB is generally considered the threshold for safe listening<\/strong> exposure; anything louder can damage the tiny hair cells in the cochlea that are responsible for converting sounds into electrical impulses that are sent to the brain for interpretation. Once the nerve cells are damaged, they can\u2019t be repaired.<\/p>\n The higher the dBs, the shorter safe exposure time<\/strong> you have before your hearing is damaged. For example, you can safely listen to sounds at 85 dB (about the sound of traffic in Katy) for eight hours without worrying about causing harm, but at 100 dB (roughly equivalent to the sound of an ambulance siren), permanent hearing loss might occur in as little as 15 minutes.<\/p>\n Decibel levels for firearms average between 140 and 165 dB<\/strong>.<\/p>\n That\u2019s loud enough to cause immediate hearing loss<\/strong>, so proper ear protection<\/a> is essential for hunters in Katy and other professions where firearms are common (e.g., police officers, military personnel).<\/p>\n There are two recommended types, both of which will help protect your ears from the damaging volume levels produced by gunshots:<\/p>\n They are made with acoustic filters that let you hear sounds around you easily and clearly but offer automatic noise suppression to protect your ears from gunshots; these consist of a tiny valve that closes when struck by a sound wave. Hunter\u2019s plugs are typically made from silicone or foam. They are lightweight and easily portable; your best bet is a custom-molded pair created from impressions of your ear canals\u2014these offer a comfortable fit and a tight seal. Some come with straps or cords for hanging around your neck.<\/li>\n They cost a little bit more, but electronic earmuffs are easy to put on and remove, cover the entire ear and provide both hearing enhancement and hearing protection; you\u2019ll be able to hear the sounds of approaching game, and will automatically be protected from damaging decibel levels when you fire a round. One advantage of earmuffs is the protection they offer the delicate bones behind the eardrum. They can be a little bulkier to carry around but if you aren\u2019t too weighed down by gear, they represent an excellent investment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Regardless of which choice you make, pay attention to the product\u2019s Noise Reduction Rating (NRR), which lets you know how much decibel reduction your gear provides. The higher the NRR, the more noise reduction you\u2019ll have. Most earplugs and earmuffs made for hunters have an NRR between 15 and 33 decibels. Some hunters even choose to double up by wearing earmuffs over a pair of earplugs.<\/p>\n Additional hearing protection tips<\/a> recommended by your local audiologist<\/a> include taking breaks between rounds in order to give your ears a chance to rest and recover and using a gun suppressor to reduce the volume of every shot (though regulations vary, so make sure these are legal where you\u2019re hunting).<\/p>\nWhat is a safe sound level<\/h3>\n
How loud is a gunshot?<\/h3>\n
Can that damage hearing?<\/h3>\n
Use firearm hearing protection<\/h2>\n
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There are a variety of different earplugs designed specifically for hunters.<\/h3>\n
Earmuffs are a great alternative to earplugs.<\/h3>\n
What’s the NRR of your hearing protection?<\/h3>\n
Speak to your audiologist about hearing safety.<\/h4>\n
\nLearn more about Noise-Related Hearing Loss:<\/h3>\n