Hunter’s Take Care—protect Your Ears

By Author: J. Clay Mainord
Total Articles: 4
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Up in the North woods, of the Midwest, every autumn right before Turkey Day, hunters of all ages start an age old migration. The hunt’s on full force with camouflage and guns and trucks while they all search for the thirty-pointer that got away. But that’s not all these hunters should be carrying with them; guns are loud enough to cause hearing loss, especially given the proximity of the butt end and trigger to the human ear.

Whether you hunt for deer, or you live in the Ozarks and hunt every day for dinner with a squirrel gun, hunter’s ear plugs should be in your ears when you are ready to fire. There are many different types. There are the standard foam plugs that absorb some of the louder repercussions of a gun blast. Also available now are high tech ear plugs that fit and work just like a hearing aid. These digital plugs filter out the loud blasts of gun fire and even amplify your surrounding’s noise. With this type you can hear your prey from up to fifty feet away. You will never need that hunting dog again with a pair of the high tech hunter’s ear plugs in!

Most plugs slip easily into the ear canal ...
... and have short little grips on them for retrieving them once your daily hunt is done. The plugs that do more than just protect your hearing are molded to both the interior and exterior bowls of your ears; even with this custom fit they are also removed just as easily as standard plugs. The foam or rubber types of ear plugs are reusable, but they are also disposable, which makes them easy to care for. They come in a variety of bright and highly visible colors and styles to suit every hunter’s ear, and even the ladies can buy ones in a little more feminine coloring (even the high tech ones offer these color choices).

When you pack up your licenses, and “hunter orange” to keep you safe from all the other people, pack your hunter’s ear plugs to keep you safe from all the gun fire as well. Hunting is a safer sport when you protect your whole self. Standard run of the mill plugs are able to be purchased at almost any drugstore. For the high tech ear plugs you must speak with a hearing healthcare professional near you. They can advice you, and fit you on site. You will be hunting more safely and saving your ears in no time at all.

J. Clay Mainord Au.D., CCC-A specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss. He previously worked as a Director of Audiology for the Ear Institute of Texas in San Antonio. Dr. Mainord received his Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Central Arkansas and his Master of Science degree in Audiology from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. For up-to-date hearing aid information visit Dr. Mainord's blog.