{"id":6711,"date":"2019-10-25T10:21:01","date_gmt":"2019-10-25T17:21:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arizonahearing.com\/?p=6711"},"modified":"2022-06-07T12:40:16","modified_gmt":"2022-06-07T19:40:16","slug":"keeping-your-hearing-safe-when-hunting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arizonahearing.com\/keeping-your-hearing-safe-when-hunting\/","title":{"rendered":"Keeping Your Hearing Safe When Hunting"},"content":{"rendered":"

October in Tucson means the temperature finally drops from the 90s to the 80s! While those temperatures might not quite put you in the mood for pumpkin spice lattes, fall does mark the beginning of hunting season in Arizona. It\u2019s important to practice safety tips<\/a> to ensure your ears are protected from the potentially damaging sounds of gunshots.<\/p>\n

Firearms Are a Hearing Safety Hazard<\/h2>\n

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Noise is one of the most common causes of hearing loss in Tucson<\/strong>. Sounds measuring 85 decibels (dB) or louder can cause irreversible hearing damage if you aren\u2019t prepared. That\u2019s a volume level equivalent to the sound of traffic in downtown Tucson; you can listen safely for up to eight hours without harm. <\/p>\n

The louder the sound, the less safe exposure time you have; at 100 dB, damage to the hair cells in the cochlea of the inner ear<\/a> can occur in only 15 minutes. These sensory cells are responsible for converting sounds into electrical signals that are then transmitted to the brain for interpretation; once they are damaged, they won\u2019t grow back and your hearing ability will be affected.<\/p>\n

How loud is a gunshot?<\/h3>\n

Because firearms average between 140-165 dB, the sound from a single gunshot may be loud enough to cause instant, irreversible damage to these hair cells. Anybody who uses a gun for sport or as part of their job\u2014a list that includes hunters, law enforcement officials and military personnel\u2014must protect their ears to prevent the possibility of hearing loss<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What kind of hearing proteciton should you use at a firearm range?<\/h2>\n

There are two types of hearing protection<\/a> recommended for those who use firearms:<\/p>\n