Considering all the uncertainty around us the past month, wouldn?t it be great to have good news about something we have some control over? Well, when it comes to protecting our hearing, we personally have the power to make a difference. We have mentioned before how our hobbies can unknowingly cause hearing damage, and this is especially true when looking at firearms used for shooting sports. Our general safe sound exposure limit is around 85 decibels, and firearms reach about 140 decibels. That?s nearly twice what is recommended and really emphasizes why hearing protection is so important when shooting. Navigating the variety of products available can be daunting, so here are a few tips and suggestions to help you find the best hearing protection for shooting sports enthusiasts.?
Types of Devices
Hearing protection devices can range from simple ear plugs to high-tech over-the-ear muffs. Ear plugs can be single or multi-use, and the multi-use ones are easier to use because they don?t have to be rolled to insert into the ear. Multi-use ear plugs are made of rubber, easy to clean, and simple to insert or remove. They typically have a noise reduction rating slightly higher than over-the-ear protection, but achieving that rating in real-world situations may not occur because it depends on correctly inserting the ear plugs into the ear canal.
Ear muffs offer a better option for most purposes. These can be passive or electronic devices. The passive ones do the job well but are low-tech, if that matters for your personal preferences. They basically serve one purpose, which is to block noise, while the electronic models can allow you to still hear conversations around you or let you listen to music.
No matter which product you choose, it is important to use something to protect your hearing. Once the damage occurs, especially over the course of many years, there is little chance to recover what you?ve lost. Being proactive early on gives you an opportunity to enjoy shooting and retain your hearing for the future. Something so simple can have a profound impact, but it?s easy to ignore. Take advantage of the products available to protect your hearing. Your future self with thank you for it.
If you have any questions or need advice about choosing a product, we?d be happy to assist with your hearing needs.
