What Is The Best Ear Protection For Shooting?

If you have ever been out shooting before, then you will know that how Hollywood portrays those shoot-out scenes is misunderstood. Guns are very loud, and if they are used without any proper hearing protection, then there is immense potential to do a lot of damage to your hearing. In order to prevent this, it is best to invest in some of the best earplugs or ear defenders to protect your hearing when you are shooting. If this is something that you do on a regular basis, then it is a must. 

Why should you use hearing protection for shooting? 

We know that guns are loud, but just how loud are guns? Any sound that is under seventy decibels is something that is considered a safe level, in order to protect your hearing. If you are around anything that is over eighty-five decibels, then it is likely to cause damage to your level of hearing, as it can impact the inner ear. 

It has been found that being exposed to the noise of firearms can alarmingly reach anywhere from 140-175 decibels. The level that can be reached will depend on the gun that is used, but this can seriously impact your current level of hearing. That is why hearing protection is essential when shooting.

Does hearing protection change depending on what you are shooting with?

No matter what you choose to shoot with, whether it be a rifle, a handgun, clay target shooting, field hunting shooting, or using a shotgun, the result is the same. The kind of protection that you need doesn’t change. Whenever you are around a gun, no matter what kind of gun, it is best practice to make sure that you are wearing some hearing protection to protect your hearing. 

What to look for in earplugs and hearing protection for shooting

Any kind of hearing protection is likely to come with an NRR or noise reduction rating. This is a measurement that shows how effective ear protection is at reducing noise. The NRR rate can also work out what the decibel level will be when the sound reaches your ear. If the NRR rating is ten, then it means that there will be ten decibels of hearing protection. The bigger the NRR number on the hearing protection, then the better it will be to look after your hearing. 

There are some choices when it comes to the kind of hearing protection that you choose, as well. There are some larger choices, such as ear defenders that go over your head. You could also choose earplugs. Either option can be effective at protecting your hearing, often making the choice about personal preference and requirements in some ways. If you already wear hearing aids, for example, earplugs are going to be unlikely to work. In a case like that, ear defenders could work well instead as they don’t go into the ear canal. 

Custom earplugs

If you are looking for top-level hearing protection for shooting, then have you considered custom earplugs? When you have custom-molded hearing protection from your hearing specialist, then it will give you the best fit possible, and there will be no risk of them falling out or moving, as they are designed just for you, with your ear canal in mind. The damage caused by shooting can come in a range of forms, but if you don’t have custom-fitting earplugs, they could easily move before you have even had the time to notice unprotected from the loud noise. As a result, custom-fitting earplugs not only provide you with a more comfortable fit but also create a tighter seal in your ear for a much safer experience. 

If you want the ultimate in hearing protection when shooting, you could consider wearing ear defenders over your head, as well as custom-fit earplugs. Wearing them both together is an effective way to help to protect your ears safely and defend against the loud sounds that will occur as a result of gunfire. 

If you are interested in hearing more about protecting your hearing and are looking for advice from a hearing specialist on how to protect your hearing when shooting, then get in contact with Professional Hearing Aid Service today. Call us at 202-785-8704, and we can help you to find the right kind of hearing protection for you.