The Science of Hearing Loss for Shooters and Hunters, and How to Prevent It

By Patriot Outdoor News

Do you wear hearing protection?

Many of our most beloved outdoor writers of the 20th century shared something in common beyond their mutual love of hunting and shooting and their skill with a pen. Many—including such greats as the late Elmer Keith, Jack O’Connor, and Nash Buckingham—were nearly deaf from the cumulative effects of gunfire that they sustained over a lifetime of shooting.

How Hearing Loss Occurs
Hunters and shooters are at particular risk for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). This can occur after a single exposure to gunfire or, as in the case of our esteemed outdoor writers, over a lifetime. NIHL occurs when a person is exposed to sounds above 85 dBA, and the sensitive hair cells in the inner ear, which transduce sound waves into nerve impulses, are either damaged (temporary hearing loss) or killed (permanent hearing loss). These delicate hair cells will not regenerate in humans, as they do in fish and birds.

Factors Affecting Shooters
Hearing loss may not affect both ears equally. Because of acoustic shadowing by the head, those shooting rifles and shotguns typically suffer greater hearing loss in the ear that is nearest to the muzzle. For a right-handed shooter, the left ear is generally exposed …Read the Rest

Source:: Patriot Outdoor News