Shooting without hearing protection may be appealing in the moment, yet you may live with the consequences for the rest of your life. Perhaps you don’t want to feel inhibited or burdened by ear protection muffs or plugs, or you don’t want to sacrifice the ability to hear speech or listen for certain sounds in the environment, like animals rustling in the brush or clays launching.
These are understandable motives. But they should be weighed against the long-term damage to your hearing health of repeated gunshot noises next to your ear – and how permanent hearing damage impacts so many cherished aspects of life.
Fortunately, modern electronic hearing protection devices can allow you to hear speech and environmental sounds, and are custom-molded to your ears for all-day comfort. This means you don’t have to choose between the purity of the shooting experience and being able to hear the rest of your life.
Are You One of the 50 Million Shooters at Risk of Permanent Hearing Loss?
The reality is, more than 50 million people are at risk of noise-induced hearing loss from firing guns – the world’s most preventable disability – because they don’t properly protect their hearing. Are you one of these 50 million at risk?
A single gun blast averages 140-190 decibels (dB), more than enough to cause permanent hearing loss. However, even repeated exposure to 90 dB can still cause hearing loss over time.
Concerned? Watch Out For These 3 Symptoms.
If you’re concerned that your hearing has already been damaged, some signs and symptoms to look for include ear pain, hearing loss and tinnitus.
Ear pain often feels like something pressing against your inner ear, or a needle poking the eardrum directly. You should consult a doctor or audiologist if you have even slight ear pain.
Tinnitus is a ringing sensation in your ears. It may start out loud and then slowly lessen in volume over time. But in some cases, the sound doesn’t ever go away.
Hearing loss varies, but it generally means you have a reduced overall ability to hear. You may experience it as being unable to hear specific tones, pitches of the human voice or other sounds. It may only be a temporary hearing loss, or it could worsen with time.
Hearing Loss: Like Living With the Mute Button On
Don’t underestimate the impact on your quality of life that hearing loss can have.
Consider it this way: losing your hearing means being unable to fully appreciate many of life’s best moments. Conversations with friends or family, and going to concerts and movies will all become much harder to enjoy – because you were stubbornly shooting without hearing protection.
It’d be a tragedy to miss out on the sounds that matter most – like the words of a grandchild or your favorite music at a concert. Don’t be complacent – taking a few simple steps to protect your ears will preserve your hearing for the many joys that involve sound and speech.
The Best Digital Hearing Protection Devices Let You Have It All
Fortunately, advanced hearing protection devices don’t require you to sacrifice either your long-term hearing health or the ability to catch speech and environmental sounds while shooting. With the latest devices, you can have the best of both worlds.
It is possible to both protect your eardrums from gunfire noise and maintain your ability to hear speech or environmental sounds. Better yet, custom-fit molds provide all-day comfort so that you barely notice that you’re wearing ear protection devices.
At Electronic Shooters Protection (ESP), our devices provide all the features above, plus environmental volume control. Our Apex model even offers wind noise suppression. Furthermore, we customize our devices to your exact ear mold, and make our products out of waterproof P2i material.
With a pair of ESPs, loud noises above 90 dB, such as gunfire, are muffled, while soft sounds like voices, the flush of wings or the grunt of a whitetail are filtered through – and can even be amplified.
ESP: Offering Premium Hearing Protection Devices For 25+ Years
ESP can save you from a lifetime of hearing problems that would otherwise be caused by shooting without hearing protection. We’ve been providing premium hearing protection solutions for shooters for over 25 years.
In the hunting, sport, and competitive shooting communities our products are well-known and considered top-tier, as is our ongoing service and support. Consider reading some of our customer testimonials, and of course, do your independent research.
Our line of four hearing protection devices covers a range of prices, specifications and capabilities, and each product is made here in America. Purchases of ESP devices are covered by a 1-year warranty, 30-day money-back guarantee, and discounted repair rates.
Additionally, we pride ourselves on offering excellent support and service in the years after your purchase. Our team located in Bright, Colorado is responsive and will be glad to help you out.
Please learn more about our products and company, and reach out if you’ve got any questions for us: