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Many people love to go hunting during this time of year. It is important to take some safety measures in order to protect your ears from any potential hearing damage. Hunting can be a loud activity since it involves the use of firearms.
The sound of firearms exceeds the safe hearing levels of 85dB by a large amount. In fact, majority of firearms tend to generate noise levels of over 140dB! Even a single exposure to this loud amount of noise can cause permanent hearing loss. Exposing yourself to these sounds for a longer period of time can increase your chances of developing hearing damage.
Hearing loss is not the only negative outcome of being exposed to the sound of firearms during hunting. Tinnitus is also a common occurrence in those who practice hunting. It is a condition in which you experience a constant ringing or buzzing sensation in the ears in the absence of any such external stimuli. This sensation can be very annoying and can disrupt your daily life.
Many hunters head out without hearing protection, which is a grave mistake. Hearing damage is a permanent condition and is irreversible. This is why it is imperative that you take steps to protect your ears before you engage in hunting.
You can wear protective auditory gear, such as headphones, earplugs, or earmuffs before you go hunting. This will help filter out any harmful noise levels that exceed 85dB. You can even opt for customized hearing protection, such as noise-cancellation headphones. These can help eliminate the loud noises while enabling you to have conversations and hear sounds that occur at safe sound levels.
Your hearing is a precious gift that is given only once in a lifetime. Once you lose it, you can never get it back, which is why it is important to take care of it while you still have it. If you experience signs of hearing loss after a hunting expedition, contact a hearing care professional to get your hearing tested. Early diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss provides the most promising outlook.
