This is a guest article from John O' Conner:
Hi my name is John O' Conner, I am a father, outdoorsman and passionate about living a healthy lifestyle. Over the past few years I have become more and more interested in hearing loss. MY father and grandfathers, who are and were all hunters, are affected by hearing loss. I feel that is a gerneral lack of understanding around the issue it is our job to spread awareness where we can.Chekc out my new blog at bloggingwjohno.blogspot.com
Hunting and Hearing Safety
People don’t always make the connection between
recreational sports like hunting and hearing loss. Although hunters spend
billions of dollars on equipment each year, not all of them know to properly
protecting their ears against noise injury. Hearing is often a neglected sense.
Taking proactive steps to protect the delicate components of the ear will
increase safety while out on a hunt.
My father and I have been hunting for many
years. When I was a young boy I remember
helping him pack up all of his gear but don’t remember there ever being hearing
protection with it all. Looking back
this wasn’t a good choice because now many years later, my father is affected
severely by hearing loss. He loves to
still get out and shoot but because of his hearing loss he has to wear hearing
aids to help him hear well. Along with
his hearing aids he always makes sure to have
his hearing protection on as well.
Let’s Talk About Noise Trauma
The hearing risk associated with gunfire and
hunting comes down to one thing – noise. Sound pressure is an indicator of
intensity or loudness. The higher the sound pressure, the louder the noise.
Firearms produce an impact sound because of the high sound pressure. This key
factor figures into the potential hearing loss for hunters.
Initially, there will be a temporary loss where
hearing shifts back to normal within a few days. Longer, more pronounced
exposure, leads to an increase in symptoms until the loss is permanent.
Hearing Safety Measures
For hunters, safety is not a new concept. They
can take precautionary measures to insure ear health to make the sport even
safer.
Know the SPL rating of the firearm. This refers
to the sound pressure from the gun or rifle. As a general rule, the longer the
barrel, the lower SPL decibel is for that weapon. For example, a shotgun with
an 18-inch barrel has an SPL of 156.30 while a 9mm handgun registers at 159.8.
Accessories like a muzzle brake increase the noise level. Even a small
difference in SPL matters. A 10 dB doubles the loudness of the firearm.
Wear ear protection when you hunt. Hearing
protection devices have a rating system to gauge effectiveness. Hunters should
use protection with a noise reduction level of at least 29 dB.
Earmuffs
Earmuffs provide an acoustic seal that reduces
noise. Hunters should select muffs with a rounded or tapered edge. A
common failing of earmuffs is the point of contact between the protection
device and the cheek. The weapon stock presses against the muff, raising it up
and reducing the effectiveness on one side. Muffs must fit snuggly without
coming in contact with the weapon. Earmuffs offer warmth during fall and winter
hunting excursions too.
Earplugs
The right earplugs may be a better option for
hunters. Foam plugs are comfortable to wear, fit snuggly and do not interfere
with the hunt. The foam means the plugs are lightweight and easy to transport
while moving through the field. Earmuffs and custom fitted plugs are expensive,
and may have short shelf lives. The cost of foam products makes them a
practical option.
Electronic Protection
Electronic protection devices come in both plugs
and muffs. The design allows the hunter to hear the environmental background
noises without suffering the effects of sound pressure from the gunfire.
Electronic protection pieces contain a filter that eliminates any sound over 85
dB. This means wind, voices and the sounds of wildlife are still within hearing
range.
Hearing is
a sense that is often times neglected and not taken seriously. In following some of the tips above and
making smarter choices when out in the range, one can ensure healthy hearing
for the future.
Hi guys I"m bringing another gear review to you.It is the Fire Puck from www.firepuck.com. The fire puck is a matchless fire starter.They are made with 67% cereal grains and hardwoods. It will burn completely to ash leaving no unwanted debris. Fuel burns 1400 degrees F for several minutes.These Fire Pucks are smaller the a dip can. weighting in at 60 grams. You can put the Fire Pucks in you camper, bug out bags, and your cars.It is always good to know how to build a fire by using a fire steel, bow drills, and other fire tools but there is nothing wrong with having a good and easy way to built a fire.You can also use these fire pucks to start you grill and your home fire place. The Fire Pucks can be used in high wind and rain. You can find the Fire Pucks at your local Home Depot and Sportsman's Warehouse. This has been Max Malone and as always guys remember to be safe and God bless America.
