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Why its important to wear ear protection when watching Birds

Enjoying a good time outdoors?

We know bird hunting can be a lot of fun, but it can also be dangerous if you don't take precautions. That's why we've compiled a list of the best forms of ear protection that you can get for your ears.

If you enjoy bird watching, it's important to protect your ears. This article will go over some of the best forms of ear protection so that you get the most enjoyable experience out of your bird hunting trips.

If you need to know more about this, then keep reading!

Ear Protection For Bird Hunting

If you enjoy bird hunting, then you know what it is like to have birds flying around your head. They're everywhere and they can be pretty noisy if you don't have the right kind of protection.

This article will go over some of the best forms of ear protection so that your outdoor experience goes smoothly, without any headaches or discomfort.

What ear protection is best for bird hunting?

The first thing you're going to need is a selection of ear protection to protect your ears from the natural sounds around you such as the wind and birds. Just like any other gear, when you are purchasing ear protection from a sporting goods company or online store, it's important that you choose something that fits your needs and doesn't cause discomfort.

Usually what people are looking for are ear plugs that are attached to a headband, as they can be more comfortable than using only an individual pair of earplugs.

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What hearing protection do professional shooters use?

If you look at a professional bird hunter, you may notice that they use ear protection. There are several reasons why bird hunting can be loud, not least of these are the gunshots. The sounds of gunshots can be very loud and it's important to protect your ears so that you don't suffer hearing damage.

It's also important that you choose a pair of earplugs that is not going to create a muffled sound. The most common options are created by the military and they are effective because they are custom made for the human ear, can be handled well, and are quite comfortable.

One reason why earmuffs are superior to headphones is because they will block out all of the sounds and won't just cancel out parts of a noise like headphones do.

Hearing Suffers So Much Damage From The Gunshots

One of the biggest problems that many bird hunters face is their hearing. One shot can be heard all the way through most levels of hunting gear, and it's easy for them to hear a gunshot with some ear protection on. Also, you may find that you hear more noises than just gunfire when you are hunting, such as crows and other noises.

Even though these sounds are natural, they can still be very loud if they're close by and a lot of bird hunters would rather not risk damaging their hearing by using earplugs that only block out a small portion of the sound instead of full protection.

How Loud Is A Bird Hunting Shotgun?

120-150dB is the average volume of a shotgun, but when this number is higher, it could mean that you have a defective gun or one that is not well-maintained. Shotguns are loud enough to cause hearing damage to a person who spends up to four hours at a time without protection.

This is why it's so important for you to consider investing in ear protection if you bird hunt often because hearing damage can be permanent and might require medical treatment.

Best Earplugs for Hunting Birds

If you want to protect your hearing from loud noises while bird hunting, then the best option of all is using custom made molded earplugs, however there are many available

Comfort

Comfort is actually the most important aspect to consider when you're looking for earplugs for hunting. There are many different options on the market, some are more comfortable than others. What you want to look at is if the materials used to make it are soft and flexible, while not being too hard or uncomfortable.

When looking for earplugs you want to make sure that they don't have any sharp edges or hard edges that could cause discomfort or even cuts inside your ears.

Sound Reduction

If you need a "quieter" pair of earsplugs for bird hunting then one option would be foam earplugs. They have the advantage of being able to block out most of the noise, but not all of it. Many hunters have found that using foam earplugs can make the decibel level too quiet to be effective.

When you are looking at different options on the market, make sure that you don't choose ones with too much sound reduction because then they would be too loud for most hunters and would not be effective for protecting your hearing.

Durability

Durability is another important aspect to consider when it comes to buying earplugs for bird hunting. Most people don't want to use foam earplugs that are going to tear and start leaking if you set them down on a rock or something similar.

If you have to take a step and then the foam earplug pops out of your ear, then you're going to have a bad time. It's important that you look into options on the market that are made of soft materials, soft finish, and aren't too flimsy when they are made.

Cost

The cost is definitely something that is very important because we all have different budgets, so what some people will choose might be just too expensive for others and vice versa. When it comes to cost, the best way to go about it is to first know what you need in terms of a pair of earplugs for hunting purposes.

This will help you decide whether or not you should get something that has high sound reduction or if you should get something with less reduction. From there, you can choose a price point where the earplugs will be affordable for your budget.

Portability

Portability is another thing that you should consider when you're choosing the best earplugs for bird hunting. You probably don't want to carry around a bulky pair of earplugs so make sure that they are lightweight, not too big, and convenient to carry.

One thing that is important when it comes to portability is the case that they come in because if they are hard to carry around then they will just end up being a nuisance which is something that you don't want.

Fitting

Fitting is something that you have to take into consideration if you are going to be using earplugs for bird hunting. If the earplugs don't fit then they aren't going to be that effective and they are also going to cause a lot of discomfort and even pain.

One thing that some people like about earmuffs is that they automatically adjust themselves so that they fit well, however there are others who like the user being able to make the adjustments because it helps them in many different ways.

When choosing between earplug and hearing protection, it really depends on what you're looking for, but both options are effective at protecting your hearing from loud noises.

Size

Size is something that is important because you have to make sure that you buy earplugs that are going to fit your ears comfortably and also be able to stay in place. Some of the more common sizes of earplugs include small, medium, large, extra large, and jumbo.

There are many different options on the market so try not to get overwhelmed when it comes to size because it is something that shouldn't be a major concern for you.

What are some easy things for hunters to do to protect their hearing? Here are a few suggestions:

Don't hunt when it's too windy 

Hunting in the wind increases the amount of noise around you tenfold. If you decide that hunting is something you need to do on a windy day, protecting your hearing can help you get through the day with minimal damage done to your eardrums and hearing bones.

Don't shoot without ear protection 

It might seem obvious, but it's something to remind yourself of at the beginning of your hunting trip. Once you are done with the hunt, you'll be glad you brought your ear protection.

Choose your hearing protection wisely 

There are many options, but when it comes to protecting your hearing, some options are better than others. For example, if you hunt during cold weather using a shotgun to shoot multiple birds from far away, wearing a pair of bright yellow earmuffs is going to cause some problems that other muffs wouldn't cause. The bright color is enough to make things hard on you if you're trying to focus on what's in front of you.

Start hunting earlier in the day 

It's easier to avoid hearing damage if you wait until the birds are actually chirping. A lot of hunters will start out early, but will rarely hear anything, then they begin hunting near mid-day which is when most bird activity begins and ends. If you are a "morning person," maybe go on a midnight hunt instead, so you can avoid the noise altogether!

What is the highest NRR for ear plugs?

If you read the information on the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders, you will see that the highest NRR rating for ear plugs is 33. Many people aren't aware of what NRR stands for or what it stands for in terms of how to protect your hearing.

If you're someone who doesn't know that much about ear plugs, but needs a way to protect your hearing from loud noises, this information will help you decide exactly what is needed in order to get better protection when it comes to your hearing.

Loud Noise Can Permanently Damage Your Hearing

Although it's really important to know that loud noises can damage your hearing, there is also a lot of concern about having some sort of ear protection so you can avoid damage to your ears from loud noises, while still being able to hear well enough to hunt.

Different people have different wants and needs when it comes to protecting their hearing and making sure that they don't go deaf as they get older; this is why it's very important that you make sure you find the right kind of ear plugs for bird hunting.

Although it might seem like there are a lot of options available on the market, there are actually only a handful of choices that are effective at protecting your hearing from loud noises.

Ringing In The Ears

If you go hunting and end up getting a lot of noise in your ears, be sure to look out for the signs of tinnitus. You might hear ringing in the ears or notice that there is some sort of sound in your ears that you can't even hear. This is something that should be looked into by a doctor because if you don't take care of it, tinnitus can lead to permanent hearing damage and even permanent deafness.

Hearing Loss Caused By 3 Things when Bird Hunting

When it comes to hearing damage, there are a couple of things that can make it happen, and they are:

1) Decibel Level

Decibel Level is the amount of sound pressure that is being created by a noise. For example, it's 22 decibels, which is the same as a normal conversation. If there is any noise that is too loud, it can damage your hearing.

2) Distance

Distance is how close you are to the source of the noise. If there is a very loud noise, but it's far away, then there isn't going to be as much damage caused by it.

3) Duration of Noise Exposure

If you are exposed to a lot of loud noises for an extended period of time without any sort of protection, you are going to cause permanent damage to your ears because your ears cannot handle that much sound pressure for too long. The longer you're exposed, the more damage there is going to be.

Myths about hearing when Bird Hunting

When it comes to hunting birds, there are a lot of myths people believe and they don't actually help you in any way.

Myth 1 - Build Up A Resistance

If you are going to be hunting a lot, then you should go ahead and have a hearing test done to make sure that there aren't any problems with your hearing. If you do in fact have some sort of problem, then you will need to talk to a doctor to find out exactly what it is. Although some people may think it helps them prepare for a hunt because they hear more of the sounds that they're used to, this isn't going to do anything for your actual hearing in the long run.

Myth 2 - Hearing Protection Doesn't Work

Many people believe this myth and therefore don't wear protection when they are hunting. The truth is that you can protect your hearing and actually be able to hear the birds that you are hunting. If you don't, at least make sure that you're wearing some sort of protection because it's important to keep your ears safe!

Myth 3 - Earplugs Are Bad For Your Ears

There are many people who believe this myth and they decide not to use earplugs even after doing a lot of research about them. Truth is, if you use earplugs correctly, they aren't even going to be in your ears long enough for there to be any problems with them.

Myth 4 - Noise Can Hurt Me Unless Its Loud

When it comes to noises that can hurt your ears, there are some that are louder than others. If you are new at hunting, it's important to get familiar with sounds in the natural environment because this will help you know how much of a difference the loudness of the different sounds make - You don't want to be surprised by a loud noise and suffer from hearing damage!

Conclusion

Birds are very common animals to hunt, but you should know that they are not always easy to find. They tend to hide in the woods and sit quietly until you make noise that attracts them. This article will help you learn the best methods of hunting and where to find birds in order for you to be successful when it comes to bird hunting.

The most important thing when it comes to bird hunting is always having fun and enjoying the experience of breaking your heart trying to find a particular kind of bird. You want your hunt for birds in every season full of adventure, a lot of excitement, and tons of new information.

Please Note: Just because an ear defender is marked, for example, "Gunshot" - it will still cover other things, like "explosions"

Sonopro Sport Noise Reduction Ear Plugs - for Shooting, Hunting, and More - Provides Ear Protection...
  • FILTER NOISE AND STAY ALERT - Patent-Pending technology blocks harmful sounds while allowing conversational level noise with no distortion.
  • DESIGNED FOR POLICE & MILITARY USE - We've created SonoPro Sport over the past seven years in conjunction with military and law enforcement agencies, and it's been tested in the most high-stress environments. We recommend using our product in an outdoor setting to fully capture the environmental and voice sounds while protecting against loud, harmful noise.
  • COMFORT FIRST DESIGN - The soft, triple flange outer layer provides a comfortable fit through all-day wear. Since they don't extend the surface of the ear, you can still wear ear warmers or earmuffs. Size Normal fits ~75% of people while the Size Small will fit (in general) the other 25% of people who find large foam or other ear plugs to be uncomfortable or too large.
  • INDEPENDENTLY TESTED - Tested by independent agencies and certified to block noise above 130dB (loud concert, gunfire, etc) while allowing sounds in the 50dB - 70dB range to pass through without distortion or clarity loss. Great for talking at the range in between clips, chatting during a hunting trip, or other environment when you want passive on demand protection.
  • MULTI-PURPOSE EARPLUGS - Can be used to block most high dB sounds, including noises from shooting, construction sites, motorcycles, and more.
Earmonix Shooting & Impact Ear Plugs - Impulse Noise Reducing - Protects from Harmful Noise Levels -...
  • PROTECT YOURSELF FROM HEARING DAMAGE by wearing these cutting-edge noise reducing earplugs whenever you need to be around firearms or get exposed to explosions or even impact tools such as air wrenches, nail guns or drop hammers.
  • REACTIVE FILTER ELEMENT provides a NRR rated 12dB of continuous protection in normal sound environments allowing you to better hear voices and background noise. Then with loud sudden noises such as gun shots the ANSI IPIL certified protection increases up to 33dB of sound reduction.
  • FLUSH FIT DESIGN means you can easily wear them under your earmuffs which are recommended when shooting at indoor ranges, or under communication headsets without any trouble.
  • MADE OF MEDICAL-GRADE TPE which means they’re extremely comfortable, hypoallergenic and safe for all day use.
  • THE EARPLUGS COME WITH TWO SIZES - Medium and Large to fit most ear canals. If you find neither size fits properly please contact us for Small or X-Large size shells. 2 Year Free Replacement Warranty provides even more value and protection.
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Earpro Sonic Defenders Ultra Foam-Tipped Earplugs (EP7), 28 dB, Large, Black, 1 Pair
  • 28dB Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) with filter caps inserted, Hear safe sound levels (with filter caps out) as if you weren't wearing ear plugs
  • Soft memory-foam Canal Comply Tips provide secure seals in ear canals and all-day comfort (additional pair of Comply Canal tips included)
  • Low-profile design allows you to keep them in place while wearing a mask, helmet, hat, or while using supplemental hearing muffs
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  • Made in USA from hypoallergenic, medical-grade polymer that's soft, durable, and long-lasting
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Decibullz - Custom Molded Percussive Filters, Custom Molded Hearing Protection
  • QUALITY HEARING PROTECTION FOR SHOOTING: Decibullz Custom-Molded Percussive Filters are excellent ear protection for shooting for one simple reason—they combine our custom-molding earplug technology with a percussive filter that reduces sound waves to safe levels without blocking ambient noise.
  • EARPLUGS FOR NOISE REDUCTION: Developed for shooting ear protection, our Percussive Filters filter sounds up to 33 decibels. When no damaging noise is present, the filters permit voices and ambient noises to be heard, allowing for situational awareness not provided by traditional hearing protection.
  • EASY MOLDABLE EARPLUGS: Custom is better! By placing the earplugs in boiling water, you can easily and quickly mold the Decibullz Thermo-fit Earpieces to the exact shape of your ears. If you're not satisfied, then freely reshape at any time until your earplugs are comfortable and secure.
  • NO BATTERIES REQUIRED: These noise-reduction earplugs utilize a physical percussive/impulse filter to provide superior shooting earplugs without the need for batteries. This means your hearing-protection equipment is always ready to protect you when you need it.
  • DO WHAT YOU LOVE: Our audio products were created so you can experience life to the fullest—without risking your hearing. Whether you're at the range, out hunting, or on military duty, Decibullz buds allow you to experience the full range of surrounding sounds without suffering hearing loss.

Last update on 2023-11-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Other Questions

What Colors Should You Not Wear While Bird Hunting?

Most people don't think twice when they go out while hunting. After all, you wear camouflage clothing and should be able to blend in with the surrounding environment when bird hunting.

The truth is that the environment you are bird hunting in could be very different from the surrounding environment, so it's important to have a few things in mind while you are out there.

Try not to Wear Yellow While Hunting Birds

If you want to be safe and look like a part of the forest when you are bird hunting, then try not to wear yellow clothing while you are out there. This color will stand out among the foliage and could draw more attention to yourself than anything else.

Make sure that you know what clothing to wear and what colors not to wear while you are out there in the mountains, woods, or deserts.

Wear Darker Clothing While Hunting

It's also important that you wear dark clothing while you are bird hunting. This will keep the bright colors from showing up on your body. If anything gets too close and tries to see where the bright colors go when they try to blend into the environment, there is a fairly good chance that they will be able to see you when you have dark clothing on.

Make sure that if you are going to bird hunt, that you have appropriate clothing for the environment in which it is being done.

What Is The Best Time To Hunt Birds

Dawn and dusk are the best time for bird hunting. You can actually have the most success in bird hunting during these times because you are not likely to see many other people in the woods or desert areas.

If you are going to be bird hunting at night, it's important that you don't wear bright colors or anything that will stand out as much.

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nick
Nick Le Page

Experience : Hi, I am Nick, and I have suffered with ear problems my whole life, mainly tinnitus. I have tried a lot of products to help protect my ears over this period, and several devices to block out the constant ringing

“Are you having problems hearing? If so, those around you already know it. Hearing loss is no laughing matter, so don’t be a punchline.”

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