Protect Your Hearing

Published on September 12, 2017
Duration: 3:28

Dustin Winegar emphasizes the critical importance of hearing protection when shooting firearms. He demonstrates the decibel levels of various calibers, from .22 Long Rifle to 7.62x54R, using a smartphone app and a chart of everyday sound levels. All tested firearms exceeded safe decibel thresholds, highlighting the potential for permanent hearing damage without protection.

Quick Summary

Wearing hearing protection when shooting firearms is crucial to prevent permanent hearing damage. Even smaller calibers like the .22 Long Rifle can exceed 99 decibels, while larger calibers like the 7.62x54R can reach over 113 decibels, both well into the range that causes auditory harm.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Hearing Protection
  2. 00:10Importance of Hearing Protection While Shooting
  3. 00:19Decibel Levels Chart Overview
  4. 00:30Measuring Firearm Decibel Levels
  5. 00:47.22 Long Rifle Decibel Measurement
  6. 01:039mm Luger Decibel Measurement
  7. 01:22.45 Colt Black Powder Decibel Measurement
  8. 01:347.62x39mm Decibel Measurement
  9. 01:497.62x54R Decibel Measurement
  10. 02:0712-Gauge Shotgun Decibel Measurement
  11. 02:25Comparing Firearm Decibel Levels
  12. 02:44Hearing Damage Risk Analysis
  13. 02:54Conclusion: Always Use Hearing Protection

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the dangers of not wearing hearing protection while shooting firearms?

Not wearing hearing protection while shooting can lead to permanent hearing damage. Even common calibers like the .22 Long Rifle can exceed 99 decibels, and louder firearms like the 7.62x54R can reach over 113 decibels, both of which are in the range that causes damage.

How loud are common firearm calibers?

Common firearm calibers produce significant noise. For example, a .22 Long Rifle can reach nearly 100 decibels, a 9mm Luger is louder, and larger calibers like the 7.62x39mm and 7.62x54R can exceed 113 decibels, all of which are potentially damaging to hearing.

Can a smartphone app accurately measure firearm decibel levels?

While a smartphone app can provide a general indication of decibel levels, it's important to note that specialized equipment is more accurate. However, for demonstrating the relative loudness of different firearms and highlighting the need for protection, a smartphone app can be a useful tool.

Which firearm caliber was the loudest in the test?

In the test conducted, the 7.62x54R cartridge, fired from a machine gun rifle, was the loudest, registering 113.5 decibels. This level of noise poses a significant and immediate risk of hearing damage without proper protection.

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