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Do you need ear protection with APs?
Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 10:59 am
by Tristan
Do you need ear protection with APs? Do you need it indoors only? Are there any instances of long term exposure damage to your hearing. Does it even matter, if so what would you use? Thanks
Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 11:08 am
by Mark Briggs
Tristan - there's only one answer to your question, and that is YES! Ear protection absolutely is required, whether shooting indoors or outdoors. AP's produce more than enough noise to cause hearing loss. Remember that high sound levels produce a cumulative effect, leading to hearing damage. You might not think that your air pistol is going to hurt you because you didn't feel any effects after shooting it today, but 10 years from now you won't hear as well as a result of the accumulated damage.
You've only got one set of ears and one set of eyes - PROTECT THEM!
As for what to use, when I shoot in my basement range I use earplugs with an NRR of 23dB. When I shoot at a range with multiple airguns in use, I use the same earplugs, but add earmuffs over the top with an NRR of 22dB. The net result is a reduction in noise to a safe level, which coincidentally is a level where I have little difficulty concentrating on the shot process. I can still hear range commands, but can't hear the shooter beside me muttering to himself about the 6 he just shot!
Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 12:12 pm
by Steve Swartz
Yes.
Distraction control.
Hearing damage debatable.
Steve Swartz
Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 12:41 pm
by Jerry LeVan
My hearing aids have built in "sharp/loud" noise control. I am always
suprised at how loud the AP (LP10) is when fired and I am not
wearing the hearing aids ( and I do need to wear hearing aids...)
Jerry
Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 12:44 pm
by Mark Briggs
Steve - hearing damage NOT debateable. I've seen measurments of 87 - 88dB with an AP - 85dB is considered to be the exposure threshold.
Hearing is a sense vital to our quality of life - protect it, or lose it!
(This advice coming from somebody who has spent most of his life in high-noise environments and who has four family members who have suffered permanent hearing loss. It's just not worth taking a chance.)