Millions of Americans invest in shooting firearms for recreational and defensive purposes every year. This multi-million-dollar industry supports hundreds of thousands of jobs.
Firearm safety is always a priority because nothing can cause hearing loss like the sound of a gun. Known as shooter’s ear, the phenomenon of regular recreational shooters experiencing hearing loss and tinnitus is a common one.
So, why should you use ear protection when shooting a firearm?
When you press the trigger on a firearm, the gunshot produces a huge burst of sound. This concussive energy rattles the sensitive eardrum, which consists of the little inner ear bones and the cochlea. The tiny hair-like structures are responsible for converting the sounds you hear into electrical impulses that the brain can register.
The reason why should you use ear protection when shooting a firearm is to limit the phenomenon known as the temporary threshold shift.
Any regular shooter will feel like their ears are stopped up, and their hearing has been diminished immediately after a shooting session. The more you’re exposed to these loud sounds, the higher the chance of your hearing loss being permanent.
Truthfully, without any form of protection, a single gunshot could cause permanent hearing loss.
When you’ve lost your hearing, there’s no getting it back.
Any sound above 85 dB is potentially dangerous for hearing. Anything above 140 dB can cause immediate, permanent hearing loss. So, how loud is a gun?
It all depends on the gun type and the caliber, but all guns are louder than the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) safe hearing levels. Regardless of what you shoot, you must wear ear protection at all times.
Let’s take a look at some gunshot decibels by caliber.
● .22 Rifle – How loud is a 22 rifle? These rifles are relatively quiet in the world of firearms, with a 140 dB shot.
● Pistols – A basic pistol sound can be up to 175 dB.
● Big-Bore Rifles – Large, big-bore rifles can also produce sounds of up to 175 dB.
● Shotguns – Figuring out how loud is a shotgun largely depends on the shotgun, but the sound typically tops out at 160 dB.
Remember, these are the basic noise levels. They can be amplified even further if you happen to be shooting in an indoor environment.
Sounds can reverberate off walls and be further amplified. These are the minimum noise levels. It’s just another reason why should you use ear protection when shooting a firearm.
The phenomenon of shooter’s ear is not purely caused by a recreational shooter or armed forces veteran regularly shooting a firearm.
It comes from the fact that the hearing loss will be more pronounced in a certain ear. When shooting a firearm, you raise the butt of your gun into your shoulder. This protects the ear because the blast won’t hit the ear with full force.
Instead, the ear on the other side is unprotected, so it’s the opposite ear that’s likely to take the bulk of the damage.
Someone who has been shooting without protection for years will likely have hearing loss in both ears, but the opposite ear to their shooting arm will have sustained even more punishment.
Everyone shooting a firearm must practice proper hearing protection, whether it’s a pistol sound or a mighty shotgun blast.
Here’s what you need to know about keeping your ears safe when shooting.
Hearing Protective Devices (HPDs) can prevent hearing loss when shooting. Studies have shown that most shooters don’t often wear hearing protection. This is especially likely among hunters, who claim to need to hear the approaching game.
These days HPDs have become more advanced and allow the hearer to still hear softer sounds while muffling the sounds of their firearms.
Two types of HPDs are currently available:
● Electronic HPDs – These devices make softer sounds louder and automatically shut off when it detects a loud noise. They come in many styles, including earplugs and earmuffs, as well as behind-the-ear options.
● Nonlinear HPDs – Nonlinear HPDs are non-electronic devices but allow quiet and moderate noises to pass through while also preventing louder noises from penetrating. They come in the form of earplugs and custom-made earmolds. Experts agree that nonlinear HPDs with filters are the superior choice for hearing protection.
The U.S. military already uses both types of HPDs to support their men and women when practicing with firearms.
Prices range from as little as $100 for electronic HPDs and $10 for nonlinear HPDs to thousands of dollars for fully customized HPDs. Your audiologist can help you to decide which HPD is right for you.
Figuring out why should you use ear protection when shooting a firearm isn’t difficult. It’s the simplest way to protect your hearing in the long term.
Even a single gunshot blast could cause permanent, irreversible damage to your hearing.
Whether you need to learn more about HPDs, research hearing aid reviews, or get a hearing aid for already lost hearing, EarPros can help. To schedule your free consultation with a licensed hearing professional, get in touch with us today.
