A common saying when it comes to your hearing is “take care of it because it can’t be repaired”. With the advancement of modern medicine, there may be medical procedures down the road that can bring original hearing back but that is not something worth banking on for the sake of your current hearing abilities. On that note, one should take every measure to ensure they are protecting the current hearing that they have. In the shooting and hunting world, the biggest threat to our hearing is what comes from a fired gunshot and that is why using hearing protection is so important. In this article, we are going to explore how hearing gets damaged from excessive noises like gun fire and ways in which you can protect it from diminishing due to prolonged exposure.

HOW DO WE HEAR?
I guess we should start out by understanding how our ears work to detect sounds and transmit the signal to our brains. Simply put, hearing takes place through a series of complex steps that change sound waves in the air into electrical signals that are carried to our brains through our auditory nerve. To put this a little more specifically, sound waves enter the outer ear, travel through the ear canal, and vibrate the eardrum, which sends these vibrations to three tiny bones in the middle ear (malleus, incus, and stapes). These bones amplify the sound vibrations and transmit them to the cochlea in the inner ear. The cochlea's fluid and basilar membrane help form a traveling wave that moves hair cells, which detect different pitches based on their location. Movement of hair cells' stereocilia opens channels that allow chemicals to create an electrical signal, which the auditory nerve carries to the brain, enabling sound recognition and understanding.

HOW DOES HEARING GET DAMAGED?
Now that we understand how we can detect and interpret sounds, we can now move on to how our hearing systems can be damaged from excessive noise levels. Hair cells are sensitive to significant movements. Loud sounds cause more fluid movement in the inner ear, which can damage these cells. Damaged hair cells are less effective at sending signals to the brain, with those responsible for high-pitched sounds being the first affected. Both brief, intense noises, such as a gun shot or explosion, and prolonged exposure to loud sounds, like working with heavy machinery or listening to loud music, can damage hair cells. Typically, any sounds that exceed 85 A-weighted decibels (dBA) can begin the process of hearing damage where levels higher than 120 dBA can start to cause pain and discomfort. Outside of not being able to hear particular sounds, hearing loss can impair balance and coordination, as the inner ear plays a crucial role in maintaining equilibrium. Additionally, it can lead to reduced spatial awareness and slower reaction times, potentially affecting tasks that require precise motor skills and quick responses.

Relating all of this to firearms, depending on the caliber, gun shots can range in decibel levels but it is worth noting that all calibers start at the 120 - 140 dBA, which far exceeds the safe threshold. In these cases, regardless of the caliber being used, hearing protection is imperative to restrict any hearing damage. There are a few variables that effect how loud a gunshot registers outside of its caliber designation. Some of these factors include the use of muzzle brakes, suppressors, subsonic versus high velocity ammunition, and the proximity to which you are from the firearm once it is fired. I guess the best and safest way to put this is whatever distance it takes so the sound registers below 85 dBA is acceptable to not wear hearing protection. Shooting indoors versus outdoors can drastically affect this value.

HEARING PROTECTION OPTIONS
For years the market has presented us shooters with a multitude of different brands and styles of hearing protection options. The two main types of hearing protection are Ear Plugs and Earmuffs. Both have their pros and cons depending on what you are doing. Of course, there are situations where you can use both in conjunction with one another for increased protection.

EARMUFFS - ADVANTAGES

• Do not need to be custom fit. Most models are one size fits all and can be adjusted.
• Easy to see when someone is wearing them at the range and hard to lose.
• Added warmth to the ears in colder temperatures.
• Easy to share.
• Available in battery-powered electronic models. These can increase hearing abilities when needed and cut out when a sound exceeds 85 dBA.

EARMUFFS - DISADVANTAGES

• Uncomfortable in hot/humid temperatures
• Can cause discomfort when used with shooting glasses for a prolonged period. The pressure caused by the seal on the muffs can press the arms of the glasses against the shooters temple resulting in pressure headaches and sores.
• May not provide as good of a seal around the ear, especially when used with shooting glasses, when compared to ear plugs that are sealed directly in the ear cavity.
• Their bulky design can make it harder for a secure cheek weld on a rifle.

EAR PLUGS - ADVANTAGES

• Higher level of protection as they seal directly into the ear cavity.
• Smaller and more compact for packing in range bags.
• More comfortable to wear with shooting glasses.
• Very economical for the simple foam plugs.
• Available in battery-powered electronic models. These can increase hearing abilities when needed and cut out when a sound exceeds 85 dBA.

EAR PLUGS - DISADVANTAGES

• Sometimes hard to fit in the ear to create a successful seal.
• Their physical size makes them harder to use.
• Harder to see when someone is wearing them.
• For sanitary purposes, it is recommended that they are not shared.

Protecting your hearing from gunshots is essential to preserving your auditory health and overall well-being. The intense noise from firearms can cause irreversible damage to the delicate structures of the inner ear, leading to permanent hearing loss and other chronic conditions. By using proper hearing protection, such as earplugs or earmuffs, you can significantly reduce the risk of damage and maintain your ability to hear clearly. Prioritizing hearing safety not only safeguards your hearing but also ensures you can continue to engage fully in conversations, stay aware of your surroundings, and enjoy other day to day activities. Remember, once your hearing is damaged, it cannot be restored.

Sources/Credits: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. How Do We Hear?

This information has been brought to you in thanks from Korth Group Ltd. – Outdoor Education.

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