TargetTalk

I just got into para shooting recently but have had the honor of being able to train with coaches at the OTC and attending a training camp with Bob Foth this week. I have a spinal cord injury but the question that can't seem to be answered is how hearing loss can be handled. I have a moderate hearing loss from birth. I wear hearing aids on an everyday basis but not while shooting. In my first mock match, which we did final style I was missing announcements. Even without hearing protection and them using the PA system. I thought the way this would be handled would be a certified interpreter. I would think once I got to a more competitive level that would be provided by the hosting place so it is a non-bias person, similar to the loaders that are provided for SH2 shooters. Some say just to watch the timer, but what if there is a stop called and guns made safe for a safety reason or other announcements. In the qualifiers waiting to hear another shot fired is not bad but in finals I'm losing precious time. I know I'm not the only one with hearing loss that shoots but I can't seem to find a clear answer. (FYI Bob Foth is not sure and there is nothing listed in the IPC rule books)

OffTheLineFox wrote:...how hearing loss can be handled. I have a moderate hearing loss from birth. I wear hearing aids on an everyday basis but not while shooting....

Welcome to the club.
Electronic ear muffs?

OffTheLineFox wrote:...how hearing loss can be handled. I have a moderate hearing loss from birth. I wear hearing aids on an everyday basis but not while shooting. In my first mock match, which we did final style I was missing announcements. Even without hearing protection and them using the PA system. I thought the way this would be handled would be a certified interpreter. I would think once I got to a more competitive level that would be provided by the hosting place so it is a non-bias person, similar to the loaders that are provided for SH2 shooters. Some say just to watch the timer, but what if there is a stop called and guns made safe for a safety reason or other announcements. In the qualifiers waiting to hear another shot fired is not bad but in finals I'm losing precious time. I know I'm not the only one with hearing loss that shoots but I can't seem to find a clear answer. (FYI Bob Foth is not sure and there is nothing listed in the IPC rule books)

Shooting for the profoundly deaf is normally by lights.

Try to contact Ferrol Verhoef. He is an international IPC jury member from the Netherlands. He can give you much more info about the issue.
He has his own company that fabricates supports (IPC approved) for disabled persons. You can try to contact hin at: info@parasporttools.eu

Albert T (The Netherlands)

Albert T wrote:Try to contact Ferrol Verhoef.

I think you probably mean Ferrol van Hoeven.

I roomed with him at the London 2012 World Cup and the London Olympics.

I stand corrected, You are absolutely right. I met Ferrol and he is a very nice person who gives lots of info when asked. He used to be the national coach for the Dutch disabled shooters before he became an IPC Jury member.

Albert

You say you wear hearing aids normally, but not for shooting. Why?? If you are having problems hearing the range commands, you need to wear your hearing aids.

The event organizer should not have to provide help for you when you already have a means of hearing the range commands. If you are concerned about distractions (the reason most folks wear hearing protection while shooting air guns), just turn down your hearing aids to the point you can hear the range commands and yet still block out the distracting noises.

Perhaps I am missing something here and will readily stand corrected if that is the case.

Albert T wrote:I stand corrected, You are absolutely right. I met Ferrol and he is a very nice person who gives lots of info when asked. He used to be the national coach for the Dutch disabled shooters before he became an IPC Jury member.

Albert

Thanks. I wrote him an e-mail this evening. Let's see if he has any suggestions. Although I maybe able to function without I'd like to know the official answer (if there is one) because I know I'm not the first, last or only shooter with a hearing loss significant enough to be a disadvantage.