Whether you enjoy clay shooting or prefer to shoot a handgun at the range, in the world of shooting sports accuracy, precision and focus are paramount. However, amidst the adrenaline rush, it’s easy to overlook one of the most crucial items of a shooting sports toolkit: hearing protection. Custom-fit shooting protection, with passive noise filters offers an unmatched level of safety and comfort.
The Silent Danger: Unprotected Ears
Before we dive into the benefits of custom-fit hearing protection, it’s important to understand why safeguarding your hearing is so critical.
1. Irreversible Damage
Firearms produce high intensity sounds that can cause immediate and permanent damage to your hearing. A shotgun will produce a peak noise of 155 decibels (any exposure to noise over 80 decibels can damage your hearing, so this is very loud). In some cases, this noise can cause immediate damage – and once you lose your hearing, you are not able to get it back
2. Long-term effects
Even if you do not experience immediate discomfort or hearing loss, repeated exposure to gunshots can lead to cumulative damage over time. Hearing is an amazing process, and it’s all thanks to the 15,000 or so tiny hair cells inside our cochlea—the small, snail-shaped organ for hearing in the inner ear. Tiny bundles, called Stereocilia, sit on top of each hair cell; when sounds are too loud for too long, these bundles are damaged. Damaged hair cells cannot respond to sound, causing noise-induced hearing loss. Since hair cells cannot be repaired or replaced in humans, hearing loss is often permanent.
Another form of hearing damage which can result from exposure to gunshots is Tinnitus, a ringing in your ears. Again, this has no cure, so prevention is of the upmost importance. You can read more on Tinnitus, and why it is important to prevent it, here.
3. Performance & Focus
Unprotected ears can lead to distractions and discomfort on the range, affecting your performance and potentially putting your safety at risk.
The Custom-Fit Advantage
Generic, one-size-fits-all earplugs or earmuffs, while better than nothing, do not provide the same level of protection and comfort that custom-fit shooting protection can offer.
- Perfect Fit
Made to fit the exact size and shape of your ears, they provide the perfect seal in your ear canals and concha bowl. This snug fit ensures maximum protection by minimising gaps that could allow harmful noise to reach your ears
2. Comfortable for extended use
Shooting sessions can be lengthy, with no guarantees the gunshots will be going off at the same time. It is therefore important to wear your hearing protection at all times, so comfort is of the upmost importance, allowing you to maintain focus and perform at your best
3. Enhanced Safety
A secure fit means there is less chance of your hearing protection becoming dislodged, or you needing to adjust the fit in your ears. This added security can be a game-changer, especially in a competitive shooting scenario
4. Durability & Longevity
Snugs custom fit shooting hearing protection are made from a medical grade silicone, which is durable and will last for many years. Easy to clean and keep hygienic, this means you can re-use them, unlike disposable earplugs, saving you both time and money in the long run. They also mean you reduce the number of foamy, disposable plugs going to landfill.
Passive noise isolation filters: the Ultimate Shield
SnugsShield (Shoot) have an in-built passive noise isolation filter. These advanced filters are designed to cut out/attenuate harmful frequencies produced by gunshots, whilst still allowing you to hear essential sounds like spoken instructions or range commands. There is no need to remove them throughout the day, ensuring your ear safety is consistently covered.
Unlike electronic hearing protection, you do not need to charge them. This means you do not need to worry about battery life or electronics failing during the day (which would render your hearing protection redundant). So, even if you are a fan of electronic hearing protection and cannot be swayed to use anything else, we always recommend having some custom fit hearing protection with passive noise isolation filters in your kit bag as a back-up for when the electronics fail.
Invest in your hearing, elevate your shooting experience
Choosing custom-fit shooting protection with passive noise isolation isn’t just an investment in your safety; it’s an investment in your performance and enjoyment of the sport. Don’t compromise on your hearing – make the smart choice and prioritise your auditory well-being on the range. Your ears will thank you.