When you are exposed to the loud noise of firearm shots (when hunting or on a shooting range) on a continuous basis it will have a permanent effect on your hearing if you do not take adequate steps to make sure you protect your hearing when shooting.
When a person is repeatedly exposed to noise levels of 85 decibels (decibels is the measure of sound intensity) or more, a person can start suffering what is known as noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).
Hearing loss is a gradual process, not immediately apparent and eventually if suffered, it is irreversible and the result is permanent hearing loss! The proverbial “thief in the night!”
Very important, when you use ear protection (earplugs and/or earmuffs), ensure that you use products of proper quality giving you the protection promised by the productspecification. With sub-standard ear protection (you may be unaware of that while using it) the result wil be damage to your hearing. Further ensure that the ear protection used by children is of the same high standard that you use. When children are exposed to firearms (even if they are only spectators), it is the responsibility of adults to teach the children to wear proper eye and ear protection at all times.
Attached hereto is an interesting article “Shooting your ears off” by Barbara Barker-Cobb. This article is placed with the kind permission of ManMAGNUM.
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 Magnum Nov15 p 12-14 Hearing-Cobb | 245.05 KB |
