Hearing loss

[ljsommer]

Hello all,

   New hunter here. When using a firearm (modern or muzzle) how do you address the concern of discharging a firearm and its impact on hearing? I can't imagine using hearing protection while hunting due to the need to listen and be aware of your surroundings, but a single gunshot can be pretty damaging, let alone decades of gunshots from hunting.

Thoughts? Input?

[92xj]

Listen and hear your surroundings during the hunt, see animal, right before shooitng put in ear protection.

[Pegasus]

Huh? 

[h20hunter]

I carry muffs and frankly would pass on the shot if I don't have time. I can always hunt but hearing loss is forever.

[elkaholic123]

I have been hunting for 43 years and have never wore hearing protection in the field and my hearing while not perfect is very good, I also have a muzzle brake on my rifles. Different story at the range!I think you would be fine UNLESS you are a terrible shot and have to shoot a whole box of bullets... Only sissy's wear protection in the field       

[vandeman17]

I have been hunting for 43 years and have never wore hearing protection in the field and my hearing while not perfect is very good, I also have a muzzle brake on my rifles. Different story at the range!I think you would be fine UNLESS you are a terrible shot and have to shoot a whole box of bullets... Only sissy's wear protection in the field       

This is me for big game hunting, only wear protection at the range. I have started wearing muffs while waterfowl hunting though

[h20hunter]

Put me on the sissy list!  My wife had hearing aids before 40 and that is just bad genes. I double up at the range and have adopted the practice of having plugs on hand while in the field.

[Bob33]

Everyone is different, but make no mistake: one shot can permanently damage your hearing. I've learned that the hard way.

There are several options for protecting your hearing while hunting. I generally use the plugs on a little string. I carry them around my neck and put them in just before shooting if I'm mobile. In a blind or stationary, the amplified ear muffs work great. You can also get something like Walkers Game Ears which amplify and also shut off when a gun is fired.

[boneaddict]

You guys crack me up.  Same guys that use latex to gut their deer Id imagine. LOL


dont forget, campfire smoke is harmful to you as well.    Better mask up

[ljsommer]

You know what got me thinking about this? I am 34 and started hearing a slight tearing sound anytime I'd be near a loud noise. I went in for a hearing test (if you haven't done this, I recommend it) and it is quite thorough. I was shown hard data on my current hearing loss, and when you have a doctor show you with hard data that you've already sustained permanent hearing loss, and she tells you that even one single unmitigated gunshot will cause even more permanent hearing loss, it really changes your outlook.

Pain I don't mind, permanent damage to my senses is not ok.

[Fl0und3rz]

When using a firearm (modern or muzzle) how do you address the concern of discharging a firearm and its impact on hearing?

I try to not find game animals that are covered by my tags.  Otherwise, I don't worry about the occasional one or two shots, unprotected.

[rasbo]

Snowflakes,lol  at the range yes. Let's see ,hearing protection,check. Shoulder pads,check. Vasoline in gloves to keep hands soft,check. Charmin,check. (Don't squeeze). Safe place at camp,check.....

[boneaddict]

You know what got me thinking about this? I am 34 and started hearing a slight tearing sound anytime I'd be near a loud noise. I went in for a hearing test (if you haven't done this, I recommend it) and it is quite thorough. I was shown hard data on my current hearing loss, and when you have a doctor show you with hard data that you've already sustained permanent hearing loss, and she tells you that even one single unmitigated gunshot will cause even more permanent hearing loss, it really changes your outlook.

Pain I don't mind, permanent damage to my senses is not ok.

I can imagine how that would get your attention. 

[fowl smacker]

Silencer

[BULLBLASTER]

Just put some ear plugs in before shooting.

[idaho guy]

I have never used any ear protection while hunting until last year or two. I have noticed mild hearing loss recently but have been using a 30-378 with a muzzlebreak for probably 20 years? I put the orange ear plugs posted by bob around my neck now and if I have time I will put them in before the shot.  If you are shooting longer ranges you will have time.  I shot 7 big game animals last year and had plugs in on 5.   This is after forty plus years of hunting with high powered rifles so if you are just starting I wouldn't worry about it   Also  my hearing loss is probably from any number of things outside of shooting so you should be good regardless. I think you would be a fool to not wear protection at the range but hunting I am not sure its a big deal. If you are concerned just use the orange one around your neck they are easy and don't get in the way   

[no.cen.wa]

My hearing probably isn't as good as it was 20 years ago, at 69 most of us loose some, but it was probably caused by 42 years as a phone tech, always listening for phone trouble. I wouldn't argue against wearing ear protection, just wish I could hear better right after I shoot when buck runs out of sight, sure can't hear much then!
But I have to say I often hear an animal before I see it, hunt in pretty dense forest areas. Maybe I'll try to have ear protection handy, my hunting partner has lost a lot of his hearing, I'm sure from his military days in Vietnam, "and I thank him and all others for their service" . We should all wear ear protection when we can I guess.
John G

[KFhunter]

I use walker game ears, but mostly because I already have hearing loss.  I can't hear a grouse beating its wings, or a buck snort, or a cat stalking me. I have a hard time with elk bugles far away, and forget about soft cow calls.  My buddies hear them, stop and put their hand up in the classic "I hear something" gesture; I about pop a blood vessel straining to hear what they're hearing and I cannot.

If you're worried about it I'd suggest the inserts to help amplify noise a little but still deaden a shot and you don't need to stop to put them on. 

If you archery, the muffs don't work unfortunately.  I still use them for archery until I get the buds, but instead of taking the time to put ears on I have to have time to take the ears off 


I'll be switching to ear buds like these that'll stay in the whole duration of the hunt.

[jpharcher]

I recently lost all hearing in my left ear and am trying to figure out how am I going to hunt as an archery hunter....I have no sense of direction for sound, the ringing in the ear is worse now than it was before they removed the tumor.... PROTECT YOUR HEARING AT THE RANGE AND IN THE FIELD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[2MANY]

Warning:
My sport ears muffle the sound of my own elk bugle and make it difficult to understand the actual sounds I'm making.

[vandeman17]

Warning:
My sport ears muffle the sound of my own elk bugle and make it difficult to understand the actual sounds I'm making.

Wind also wreaks havoc on my muffs

[JWEBB]

Walkers game ears all the way! They don’t muffle the shot as well as ear plugs but they enhance sounds and when shooting, they considerably reduce the noise. Even though I recommend these, I still don’t have them in all the time when I’m shooting. I have just never gotten comfortable with anything in my ears while hunting. You think I would have learned my lesson 4 years ago when one shot from my 300 win mag has given me hearing problems and tinnitus in my left ear.

[Molon5labe]

SilencerCo Harvester .30. Before that earplugs and hope I had time to put them in, or better yet, remember to bring them with me.

[trophyhunt]

Walkers game ears all the way! They don’t muffle the shot as well as ear plugs but they enhance sounds and when shooting, they considerably reduce the noise. Even though I recommend these, I still don’t have them in all the time when I’m shooting. I have just never gotten comfortable with anything in my ears while hunting. You think I would have learned my lesson 4 years ago when one shot from my 300 win mag has given me hearing problems and tinnitus in my left ear.

If it was to shoot that bull in your avatar it was worth it!!  Hell, I'd cut off a toe for that beast!

[JohnVH]

Do something before its too late.. I got tinnitus pretty bad from a hunt in 2010, ears ring 24/7 and it sucks.. Do yourself a favor and either get ear plugs, or some good electronic earplugs!

[AL WORRELLS KID]

Used to, but don't have a problem anymore with loud sounds coming from my weapon. Not in the field or at the range. 
Doug

[Old Man Yager]

I've got that damn Tinitus, always ringing in my ears. I have hearing loss, and as I'm getting older, a lot of noises are starting to bother me. I never used haring protection when I was younger, I do now, but it's too late.

[JWEBB]

Walkers game ears all the way! They don’t muffle the shot as well as ear plugs but they enhance sounds and when shooting, they considerably reduce the noise. Even though I recommend these, I still don’t have them in all the time when I’m shooting. I have just never gotten comfortable with anything in my ears while hunting. You think I would have learned my lesson 4 years ago when one shot from my 300 win mag has given me hearing problems and tinnitus in my left ear.

If it was to shoot that bull in your avatar it was worth it!!  Hell, I'd cut off a toe for that beast!

Yeah I wouldn’t have been too upset if that was the case. It was a 5 point whitetail and I missed

[biggfish]

I have tinnitus that comes on in attacks from shooting without ear pro. I have used plugs with removable center plugs to still get some sound, but now I have walker razor xv ear plugs, they work great. With the amplification I can hear stuff I couldn't before.

Sent from my LG-US701 using Tapatalk

[Jonathan_S]

I have had impeccable hearing my whole life and its something I seek to maintain when possible but I have never worn earpro while hunting.

Last fall I planned to plug my ears while somebody else was shooting a moose with a braked 280.  Never did because I'd rather watch through binos    After several shots like that, I had tinnitus off and on for a few months.

When I hunt with or around a braked rifle, I suppose I'll probably carry earpro from now on but not otherwise. 

[dscubame]

You guys crack me up.  Same guys that use latex to gut their deer Id imagine. LOL


dont forget, campfire smoke is harmful to you as well.    Better mask up

Good chuckle    Put me on the side of the fence with no ear protection while hunting.  Range and target shooting absolutely.

46 years old.  Couple dozen big games animals to my record without protection starting with 30-06, 7mm, and many with the 30-378.  No issues thus far.  I imagine the AC/DC concerts caused more damage.

[ljsommer]

Good conversation so far, it sounds like some of us are blessed with more resilient hearing than others. I picked up some plugs with a neck cord to hang when not in use, as well as Caldwell E-Max Low Profile Electronic 20-23 which are pretty incredible after some testing in the woods.

[Bullkllr]

I have been hunting for 43 years and have never wore hearing protection in the field and my hearing while not perfect is very good, I also have a muzzle brake on my rifles. Different story at the range!I think you would be fine UNLESS you are a terrible shot and have to shoot a whole box of bullets... Only sissy's wear protection in the field       

This is me for big game hunting, only wear protection at the range. I have started wearing muffs while waterfowl hunting though

  Lots of heavy duck/goose loads week after week really started to get to me. Had to start doing something so muffs were the answer. A rifle shot a couple times a year does not seem to affect whatever hearing I have left.

[Rainier10]

 

 Got myself a really nice pair of hearing aids when I turned 45.  Man I wish I would have taken better care of my ears when I was younger.  Left ear is almost deaf to certain tones, classic symptom firearm damage for a right handed shooter.

Protect your ears, when you get older you will still be able to hear them call you a sissy but that is better than not being able to hear them tell you what a tough guy you were before you lost your hearing.

[bearpaw]

 Got myself a really nice pair of hearing aids when I turned 45.  Man I wish I would have taken better care of my ears when I was younger.  Left ear is almost deaf to certain tones, classic symptom firearm damage for a right handed shooter.

Protect your ears, when you get older you will still be able to hear them call you a sissy but that is better than not being able to hear them tell you what a tough guy you were before you lost your hearing.

  Sadly I'm in the same boat with my hearing, I wished I had been careful.

[biggfish]

Good conversation so far, it sounds like some of us are blessed with more resilient hearing than others. I picked up some plugs with a neck cord to hang when not in use, as well as Caldwell E-Max Low Profile Electronic 20-23 which are pretty incredible after some testing in the woods.

How you liking the caldwell I bought a pair but can't get a good cheek weld with an ar.

Sent from my LG-US701 using Tapatalk

[Pegasus]

Damaged my hearing years ago while in the military. Back in the day they did not provide hearing protection. Rifle range, pistol range, firing every weapon the Marines had and then getting to play with explosives and grenades. All without ear  protection. Later carrier operations, missile launches and being around jet engines and helicopters did not help either. Finally was given my first ear plugs and a lecture about a year before departing the Marines. By then I had trouble carrying on a conversation in a crowded room like a restaurant and tinnitus was occurring. Now I use ear protection to save what's left of my hearing. The plus side is I don't have to listen to my wife telling me that I have chores to do...

[PolarBear]

You guys crack me up.  Same guys that use latex to gut their deer Id imagine. LOL


dont forget, campfire smoke is harmful to you as well.    Better mask up

The same guys who wear shoulder length orange gloves.  I can't tell if they are gutting an animal or doing a palpation test on it.   
I have hearing damage from years of shooting competitively and playing my guitar at 11.  I only use hearing protection at the range but not while hunting.  I did lose my hearing for about 3 days after shooting a buck with my B.A.R. .300 win mag with the B.O.S.S. muzzle break in a box canyon.  That sucked.  I wear ear plugs all day at work and when I sleep but not in the field.

[BigGoonTuna]

I've  often thought about picking up a set of electronic earplugs for hunting.  I could see packing a set of muffs in open country where one can set up for a shot, but that ain't happening when trying to kick a blacktail out of the brush.

[TriggerMike]

I use walker game ears, but mostly because I already have hearing loss.  I can't hear a grouse beating its wings, or a buck snort, or a cat stalking me. I have a hard time with elk bugles far away, and forget about soft cow calls.  My buddies hear them, stop and put their hand up in the classic "I hear something" gesture; I about pop a blood vessel straining to hear what they're hearing and I cannot.

If you're worried about it I'd suggest the inserts to help amplify noise a little but still deaden a shot and you don't need to stop to put them on. 

If you archery, the muffs don't work unfortunately.  I still use them for archery until I get the buds, but instead of taking the time to put ears on I have to have time to take the ears off 


I'll be switching to ear buds like these that'll stay in the whole duration of the hunt.

I bought the ear pro pictured here a few months ago and used them while turkey hunting. They worked great. I'l be using them this Fall for sure.

[bearpaw]

I use walker game ears, but mostly because I already have hearing loss.  I can't hear a grouse beating its wings, or a buck snort, or a cat stalking me. I have a hard time with elk bugles far away, and forget about soft cow calls.  My buddies hear them, stop and put their hand up in the classic "I hear something" gesture; I about pop a blood vessel straining to hear what they're hearing and I cannot.

If you're worried about it I'd suggest the inserts to help amplify noise a little but still deaden a shot and you don't need to stop to put them on. 

If you archery, the muffs don't work unfortunately.  I still use them for archery until I get the buds, but instead of taking the time to put ears on I have to have time to take the ears off 


I'll be switching to ear buds like these that'll stay in the whole duration of the hunt.

I bought the ear pro pictured here a few months ago and used them while turkey hunting. They worked great. I'l be using them this Fall for sure.

Were you able to hear what direction noises were coming from?

[RadSav]

Were you able to hear what direction noises were coming from?

I have the stereo head set I use for turkey.  I can tell direction much better with those than I can without them.  If I ever draw a good bull tag in this state I'll probably use them for that as well.

Only problem with the headset is I can not shoot gun or bow with them on.  They are cancelling though so I do use them when shooting the pistola.

Real cool part of the design is you can amplify the sound you are looking for.  Tune out the water sound or wind sounds and turn up turkey gobble sound.  Takes a bit of getting used to like about anything else.  But for directionally challenged guy like me...it's pretty sweet!

[KFhunter]

I have the quad pro ear muffs with 4 microphones that kinda help tell direction, but I swivel my head a lot and still have trouble hearing direction with them on, my left ear is dead so I have the volume cranked on that side and my right ear down lower to balance things but I struggle still.   

I got busted by some bears today checking a camera and if it wasn't for my wife that went with me I wouldn't have heard them crashing out, my wife can hear feather land on carpet, I think she hears too much 

[heronblu]

Anyone who might poo poo the concept of ear protection obviously hasn't experienced the maddening condition of tinnitus. I am a carpenter and can tell you that over the years I have seen people experience serious hearing loss, cut off fingers, lose eyes, and develop lung disease. The common thread among all of those accidents is that they were all avoidable had the people been taking the proper precautions (i.e. ear protection, blade guards, eye protection, respirators). I always wear my safety gear whether its while hunting or working. I want to continue to be able to hear the crunch of a leaf underfoot, the far off whistle of an incoming duck, or the sounds of my kids voices for as long as I can. People who might call you a sissy are uncomfortable in their own skin and are projecting their own insecurities onto you in the form of machismo, which in the world of safety I have no patience for. Protect your ears and eyes, and welcome to the hunting life.

[Jonathan_S]

I wear ear pro in almost every foreseeable situation. However, I don’t wear it deer hunting and it’s not machismo. I just find it odd to wear it while deer hunting unless with a braked rifle.

[KFhunter]

I just got some bone conducting "headphones", nothing in your ear canal, you can even wear ear plugs and still hear it. It transmits the sound via vibrations through your skull.

It's first time I've had equal sound in both ears while listening to music 


Now I'm thinking more about bone conducting hearing aids.

[mulehunter]

I have been deaf for 46 years. 😁
No need ear protection for me, at least I got a lot of big games by myself.      
I usually put ear plug on my daughter before she pull trigger. 

[Jonathan_S]

When my Dad needs earpro, he just turns his hearing aids off  works too good according to Mom.  They're already a perfectly fitted plug