Protecting Your Hearing at the Range: Why High-Quality Shooting Ear Protection Matters

If you’re a shooter—whether on a range, in the field, or just doing a little target practice—then you already know: the crack of a gun is more than just loud. It’s potentially life-changing for your hearing. This excellent article from American Rifleman  makes it clear that hearing loss for shooters isn’t just an occupational hazard—it’s avoidable. 

The Real Risk: Gunshot Noise and Hearing Damage

In the piece, the author explains that firearms can generate sound levels well in excess of 140 dB, and high-powered rifles and shotguns can easily exceed 160 dB.  That’s serious—so loud that even one unprotected exposure can cause immediate damage to your inner ear. For shooters, relying only on a suppressor or “it’s just a few shots” is risky. As the article states: “magnum hunting rifles and shotguns … capable of generating shot volumes in excess of 160 dBs … even relatively quiet subsonic .22 Long Rifle loads still often reaching 140 dBs” (emphasis added). 

And it’s not just the immediate boom—hearing loss for shooters often creeps up over years, one session at a time. The article highlights how many shooters don’t realize they’re losing hearing until subtle signs appear: needing people to repeat themselves, difficulty hearing women or children, missing subtle sounds like birds or grandchildren. 

Why You Must Never Skip Quality Shooting Earmuffs

Given the risk, investing in high-grade shooting ear protection is not optional—it’s essential. At Decibel Defense, our mission is to ensure that every shooter, including junior shooters and family-range days, has access to hearing protection that truly works.

Here’s what to look for when shopping for shooting earmuffs or other shooting ear protection:

• A high Noise Reduction Rating (NRR). The louder the environment (gun range, outdoor blasts), the more attenuation you’ll need.

• Comfort and fit, especially for prolonged use. Shooting sessions often last more than just a few rounds.

• Awareness features: Many modern earmuffs allow ambient sound for communication or range commands while still protecting from explosive blasts. The American Rifleman article talks about “active and passive hearing protection that simultaneously provides clarity of speech and attenuation of loud noises for those exposed to challenging … environments.” 

• Certification and durability: Trusted construction, dependable performance—because you’re counting on these when it matters most.

Decibel Defense: Our Promise to You

At Decibel Defense, we’ve built our brand on a family-business foundation—with values rooted in protecting what matters. Our shooting earmuffs are engineered to deliver the highest NRR for adult and youth shooters alike, because hearing protection isn’t just for one group—it’s for every shooter on the range.

• We offer adult hearing protection variants with high NRR for serious shooters.

• We also deliver kids’ shooting earmuffs (youth models), because younger shooters aren’t immune—they’re just less likely to use proper protection if it doesn’t fit or feels clunky.

• Our “Double-D Guarantee” commitment means if the gear fails you, we back it.

• We believe in clear communication and safe shooting environments: while full isolation is sometimes required, some range contexts require hearing commands or ambient sounds. Our designs strike that balance.

Putting It Into Practice: Range Day Checklist

To fully benefit from your shooting ear protection:

1. Always wear your earmuffs before the first shot. Don’t wait until the loudest rounds.
2. Ensure a proper seal around the ear; glasses, hats, or long hair may compromise fit.
3. Use both earplugs + earmuffs in extremely loud conditions. Two layers of protection can make a difference if you’re working with magnum loads or blasting all day.
4. Inspect your gear regularly. Check padding, straps, and joints. Hearing protection is only effective if it works as designed.
5. Don’t ignore early signs of hearing loss. As the article warns, creeping impairments—like not hearing the microwave beep, or straining to hear soft voices—are red flags. 

In Summary

Every shooter has something to lose if they skip proper hearing protection. The article from American Rifleman underlines one key takeaway: hearing damage isn’t just about one loud report—it’s about cumulative exposure and insufficient protection. 

With Decibel Defense shooting earmuffs and hearing protection solutions, you’re choosing performance, fit, and values. From adult models to youth variants, we make sure your next shot doesn’t cost you your hearing. Don’t treat shooting ear protection as optional—treat it as essential. Because once the damage is done, you can’t turn it back on.

Protect your ears. Stay in the game. Choose Decibel Defense.