Shooting Hearing Protection
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.weapon-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/1.jpg?ssl=1"onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.weapon-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/1.jpg');)
According to Brian J. Fligor, Sc.D., Children’s Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 10 million Americans have already suffered irreversible hearing damage from noise; thirty million are exposed to hazardous noise levels each day.
Noise is one of the most common causes of hearing loss, and one of the most common occupational illnesses in the United States. The noise from gunfire is one of the most hazardous non-occupational noises that people are exposed to.
It’s possible that a single gunshot heard by an unprotected ear can lead to immediate and permanent hearing loss, often accompanied by tinnitus or ringing, hissing or humming in the ears. A single shot from a shotgun, experienced at close range, may permanently damage your hearing in an instant.
Dr. Michael Stewart, Professor of Audiology at the University of Central Michigan and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, says that exposure to noise greater than 140 dB can permanently damage hearing, without protection. Almost all firearms create noise that is over the 140-dB level, says Dr.Stewart.
Firing guns in a place where sounds can echo or bounce off walls and other structures, like inside a building or some indoor shooting ranges, can make noises louder and increase the risk of hearing loss. Stewart goes on to say that shooters who do not wear hearing protection while shooting can suffer a severe hearing loss with as little as one shot if the conditions are right.
So just because you might have shot without shooting ear protection in the past, and without apparent hearing loss, does not mean you might not damage your hearing the next time.
It’s important to wear hearing protection every time you shoot a gun to avoid possible hearing damage. Once your hearing is damaged, it won’t come back.
When using a firearm either to keep up with your law enforcement training requirements or if you’re using a firearm for recreational purposes such as hunting, for example, it is imperative to select the best shooting ear protection.
We offer a wide variety of gun ear protection that is UL certified to prevent hearing loss.
Below are some images of two similar suggested firearm hearing protection sets, both the Comtac V Hearing Defender and TEP 200 along with the features of each electronic hearing protection device. Both devices provide the best in class shooting ear protection!
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.weapon-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/3.jpg?ssl=1"onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.weapon-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/3.jpg');)
TEP-200 Tactical Earplug for Shooting Hearing Protection
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.weapon-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/2.jpg?ssl=1"onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.weapon-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/2.jpg');) Comtac V Hearing Defender |
Hearing loss is a serious issue throughout the military and law enforcement communities where firearms training is required. Hearing loss is easily preventable by using equipment that has a certified Noise Reduction Rating of 20 or greater. Take steps today to acquire proper hearing protection before it’s too late and you cause irreversible damage.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.weapon-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/4.jpg?ssl=1"onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.weapon-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/4.jpg');)
About the author: Jeff Hohman was a 19 Delta Scout or Forward Reconnaissance specialist with the 1st Cavalry division out of Fort Hood, Texas. He is an expert marksman and shooting enthusiast. Jeff frequently contributes to various shooting publications and is in charge of product evaluation for First Source Wireless, Inc.