{"id":529,"date":"2019-10-25T21:52:07","date_gmt":"2019-10-25T21:52:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chelmsfordhearinggroup.com\/?p=529"},"modified":"2021-02-17T18:27:05","modified_gmt":"2021-02-17T23:27:05","slug":"ready-aim-fire-but-first-protect-your-ears","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/massachusettshearinggroup.com\/ready-aim-fire-but-first-protect-your-ears\/","title":{"rendered":"Ready, Aim, Fire…But First, Protect Your Ears"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Individuals with hearing loss in Chelmsford and Nashua are most likely to blame noise for their impairment. The cumulative effects of a lifetime of exposure to everyday sounds eventually take their toll, but some sounds are loud enough to cause instantaneous hearing loss<\/a>. Firearms are a prime example. Before heading out for a weekend hunting trip, it\u2019s crucial you are prepared with hearing protection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The cool weather of autumn marks the beginning of hunting season in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. If you\u2019re planning to take up arms, don\u2019t overlook your ears<\/a>! The noise emitted by firearms is loud enough to cause immediate damage to your hearing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Any noise exceeding 85 decibels (dB) can cause hearing loss. At that level\u2014approximately the sound of Chelmsford or Nashua city traffic\u2014you can listen safely for about eight hours before experiencing any sort of hearing damage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Loud noises can permanently destroy the hair cells in the cochlea that convert sounds into electrical impulses that the brain is able to recognize and assign meaning to. The louder the sound, the less safe exposure time you have; at 100 dB, hearing damage can occur in only 15 minutes.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anybody who has ever fired a gun knows how loud they can be. The average decibel levels for firearms are between 140-165 dB\u2014loud enough to cause hearing loss instantly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Hunters and others who regularly use firearms, a group that includes law enforcement officers and military personnel, must take steps to protect their ears or face the prospect of long-term hearing loss. Your Nashua audiologist recommends one of the following products to help protect your hearing from damage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Both shooters\u2019 earplugs and electronic earmuffs are labeled with a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR). This tells you how much decibel reduction is provided by each product. The higher the NRR, the more noise reduction you\u2019ll have. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Generally speaking, you can expect to find an NRR ranging between 15 and 33 dB for earplugs and earmuffs. If you really want to make sure you\u2019re protected, you can even wear both. Pro tip: the earmuffs go over the earplugs, not the other way around! <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019d like more information on protecting your hearing while hunting or engaging in other noisy activities, contact an audiologist in Chelmsford <\/a>or Nashua. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Individuals with hearing loss in Chelmsford and Nashua are most likely to blame noise for their impairment. The cumulative effects of a lifetime of exposure to everyday sounds eventually take their toll, but some sounds are loud enough to cause instantaneous hearing loss. Firearms are a prime example. Before heading out for a weekend hunting…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1076,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","schema":"140-165\nDecibels of Danger<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
How loud does a noise have to be to cause hearing damage?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How loud is a gunshot?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Protect your hearing when you shoot firearms.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How do you measure hearing protection?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Learn more about the impact of hearing loss<\/h3>\n\n\n\n