This article is from a guest blogger named John O'Conner. The information that he has provided can help us all while we are enjoying the outdoors. I thank him for his efforts and time he has put into this for us. Does Hunting Really Affect Hearing? For hunters, their main concerns are having their permits in order for when hunting season rolls around; having enough protective clothing to keep warm and safe; and successfully getting that animal. Unfortunately, many hunters don't think about the safety and health of their ears and hearing when they're out in the field or practicing at the shooting range. Many people don't realize how quickly hearing can be damaged. It doesn't always take years of exposure to loud noises, like the high decibels from a shotgun. Just one loud noise can seriously damage your hearing for good. This is why it's so important to be prepared during hunting season or when using a gun. My father who has always loved to hunt, often did not where hearing protection when out in the field or at the range. Due to hunting and shooting without hearing protection, he now is affected severely by hearing loss. In order to increase hearing levels he wears hearing aids and always makes sure to have his earmuffs on when at the range or out in the field. Luckily, there are a few easy, cost-effective options when it comes to protecting your ears. Earplugs and foam earmuffs are among the cheapest ways to protect your ears. Ensuring that you have earplugs with the correct level of protection is key. Look for ones that protect against decibels of at least 160. For those who are willing to spend a bit more for the sake of their hearing, liquid earmuffs and electronic earmuffs are available. Electronic earmuffs are the most effective and convenient, especially if you like to hunt with a group of friends. While these earmuffs protect your ears from anything over 80 decibels, they'll filter talking through the speaker in the earmuffs. That means that you'll be able to clearly hear and converse with your friends without exposing your ears to harmful noises. If you spend time at the shooting range during the off-season, try to use an outdoor shooting range instead of an indoor one. Indoor shooting ranges are convenient, but a shotgun is even louder when inside because the sound reverberates off the walls. This is even worse for your ears than a regular shotgun. Whichever path you choose to protect your hearing, do it now instead of later. Your hearing will go quickly and you may not even notice it in the beginning. Take the right precautionary steps to save your hearing before it even starts to go. Hi my name is John O'Connor, 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 there is a general lack of understanding around the issue and it is our job to spread awareness where we can. Check out my new blog at bloggingwjohno.blogspot.com!