Travel-Maine.Info
|
Main Menu
Home
Blog
FALL
Fall Foliage
Apple Orchards
Halloween
Hunting
Thanksgiving
WINTER
Alpine Skiing
Nordic Skiing
Snowmobiling
Ice Fishing
Dogsledding
Snowshoeing
SPRING
Maple Syrup
SUMMER
Biking
Birding
Seacoast
Whitewater Rafting
Kayaking
Camping
Hiking
Fishing
Summer Camps
Windjammers
THINGS TO DO
Vacation Planner
Shopping
Places to Visit
Recreation
Forts
Lighthouses
Museums
HELPFUL PAGES
Cities & Towns
Maine Blogs
Maps
Maine News Media
Books about Maine
Business Directory
Business Services
Real Estate
Prevent Hearing Loss
While Hunting
Home > Hunting in Maine > Prevent Hearing Loss While Hunting
How Hunting Can Seriously Affect Your Hearing
Millions of people love to hunt every season. They prepare for hunting season by practicing at the target ranges, picking their spots, and
purchasing new guns and ammunition from the supply stores. However, there is one important thing that many hunters seem to neglect
every year during their preparation stages: hearing protection. Your hearing is one of the most passive senses that it can be easy to neglect. However,
once damaged, it is often hard to treat.
My father was an avid hunter and outdoorsman through most of my childhood. Often when he was out on a hunt or practicing at the range, he did not pay much attention to his hearing protection. Due to neglecting his hearing in the past he now is paying the price for it many years later. In order to help combat his hearing loss he uses hearing aids that help amplify noises around him so he can hear them more clearly.
The Danger of Firearms
Hunting itself is not the real threat to your hearing. The true threat is the danger of the sound of firearms. Most people recognize the immediate threat they pose, but the long-term effect of firearms is hearing loss. Moreover, you could be damaging the hearing of the people around you.
The human ear is designed to only take in approximately 65 DB (decibels) -- the unit of measurement for sound. However, a gunshot produces approximately 160 DB. It's easy to see from this why firearms are dangerous to your hearing. That much sound creates internal pressure on your eardrum, which can cause permanent damage.
Avoid Indoor Shooting Ranges
It's important to practice your aim before hunting season, but practice in an open field environment. The closed-in environment amplifies the sounds of gunshots and bounces them off the walls. The outdoor environment allows sound to escape and dissipate.
Earplugs
Earplugs are the most basic form of protection. They are inexpensive and the first line of defense for hunters. More expensive earplugs can get fitted for comfort.
Most earplugs are made out of a basic foam material, which absorbs the sound. However, the foam material is not as protective as earmuffs.
Earmuffs
Earmuffs offer more protection than earplugs, but they tend to be more expensive. Further, they typically block all low frequency sounds from entering the ear canal, which can be a problem if you need to hear the whispers of your hunting partner.
Electronic Earmuffs
These earmuffs are top-of-the-line in hearing protection. They are perfect for serious hunters because they protect the ears from loud frequencies but they also amplify low frequencies, allowing hunters to communicate.
Don't take your hearing lightly. Start protecting it today in order to
ensure healthy hearing in the future.
About the Author
Hi, my name is John O'Connor. I am a father, outdoorsman and passionate about living a healthy lifestyle. Over the past few years I have become more and more interested in hearing loss. My father and grandfathers, who are and were all hunters, are affected by hearing loss. I feel that there is a general lack of understanding around the issue and it is our job to spread awareness where we can. Check out my new blog at bloggingwjohno.blogspot.com!
Home > Hunting in Maine > Prevent Hearing Loss While Hunting
|
Hunting in Maine |
AdsThe website is an Amazon Associate and earns money for qualifying purchases.
|
|
|
