Nature reserves like Grapevine Lake offer excellent hunting opportunities, from deer to quail and turkey. While hunters carefully prepare with licenses, camouflage and safety gear, hearing damage is one of the most overlooked risks. Firearms produce dangerously high sound. Without proper protection, just one hunting trip can have a lasting impact on your hearing health.
How Loud is Gunfire?
Small-caliber firearms and shotguns often exceed 140 decibels, while larger rifles can push past 175 decibels. For comparison, long-term exposure to noise at or above 85 decibels, roughly the sound of a lawn mower, can damage your hearing. At gunfire levels, hearing damage can happen in an instant.
Warning Signs of Hearing Trouble
Hunters often notice ringing in the ears (tinnitus) or muffled hearing after a day in the field. We call this phenomenon a temporary threshold shift (TTS). With TTS, your ears are less noise-sensitive, making things unusually quiet or unclear. Other red flags may include:
- Needing to turn up the TV or radio louder than before
- Struggling to follow conversations in busy restaurants or family gatherings
- Having difficulty hearing birdsong, children’s voices or other high-pitched sounds
- Frequently asking friends or loved ones to repeat themselves
- Feeling pressure, discomfort or dizziness after shooting
Repeated exposure can turn temporary hearing changes into permanent loss, even if symptoms seem mild.
Protecting Your Hearing
Hunters can take steps to protect their hearing before and after a hunt. Earplugs or earmuffs remain the gold standard for prevention, while a firearm suppressor (if legal and properly registered) can also reduce the risk of immediate damage.
Scheduling an Audiology Appointment
If you notice ringing, muffled hearing or difficulty understanding speech lasting more than a few days, it’s time to see an audiologist. Early testing and treatment can help preserve the hearing you have and prevent further decline.
Even if you don’t feel like you’ve lost hearing, annual hearing exams provide peace of mind and catch subtle changes before they interfere with your lifestyle. Just as hunters regularly maintain their equipment, taking care of your hearing ensures you can enjoy the outdoors safely.
Contact Heard It Through The Grapevine Audiology, PC to schedule your hearing test today.