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According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO), exposure to noise at or above the 80 to 85 decibels (dB) range can produce injury to the ear. Since not all types of hearing protection are equal, recommend basing your buying decision on a combination of facts and price. Although carpenters surveyed understood that hearing loss was an industry problem, that it would affect them personally and believed that hearing protection could prevent hearing loss, they still did not actually wear hearing protection. Appropriate hearing protection is a must for hunters and shooters of all ages, although it’s normally the last thing on a shooter or hunter’s mind. Most people would think buying some type of hearing protections would be pretty easy, but there are a number of different types of hearing protection available along with various levels of protection. The damage itself comes about when the loud noise injures the sensitive nerve endings in the inner ear. Any protective equipment provided for use should be appropriate for the wearer and that it is appropriate for the risk. The louder the noise or longer the exposure to the sound, the more harm occurs. Protective equipment should be in a clean and hygienic condition for the wearer. The ear muff style design is nice as the cup has a seal that protects the entire ear from the noise versus the ear plugs which only partially protect the ear canal itself. This equipment should not be shared between wearers unless the equipment is deemed to be clean. Most ear muff models have the ability to be adjusted, although some of the less expensive ear muff models may not have this feature. Any protective equipment used should be stored and located in an appropriate place so that it remains clean and not exposed to the elements. Any storage areas for protective equipment should be clearly identified. Several of the higher end electronic models may have other enhancements such as a independent volume adjustment for each side of the ear muffs, enhanced adjustability, a battery saver feature to conserve battery use, and ambient sound magnification.