Stewart Michael, Borer Sarah E, Lehman Mark
Department of Communication Disorders, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, USA.
Noise Health. 2009 Jan-Mar;11(42):8-13. doi: 10.4103/1463-1741.45307.
Exposure to high-intensity impulse noise from the recreational use of firearms is a common cause of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Although recreational firearm users who shoot firearms without proper hearing protection are at risk for NIHL, a specific subgroup involved in hunting waterfowl may also be at risk due to their particular shooting habits. The goal of the present study was to investigate the shooting habits of this particular group of U.S. recreational firearm users. A 23-item written survey was sent to waterfowl hunting club members regarding their shooting behaviors, use of hearing protective devices (HPDs), and auditory status. Results indicated that waterfowl hunters in this study typically used large bore semiautomatic shotguns, did not consistently utilize HPDs during target practice or hunting and were exposed to multiple, unprotected shots during the past waterfowl season. Most subjects reported hunting in reverberant acoustic environments (hunting blinds). This group of recreational firearm users also reported high incidences of hearing loss and tinnitus. Information provided by this study may help hearing conservationists and hearing healthcare providers understand and better educate these shooters regarding the risk of acquiring NIHL.
因娱乐性使用枪支而暴露于高强度脉冲噪声是噪声性听力损失（NIHL）的常见原因。尽管在没有适当听力保护措施的情况下射击枪支的娱乐性枪支使用者有患噪声性听力损失的风险，但参与猎捕水鸟的特定亚组人群因其特殊的射击习惯也可能面临风险。本研究的目的是调查这一特定美国娱乐性枪支使用者群体的射击习惯。向水鸟狩猎俱乐部成员发送了一份包含23个项目的书面调查问卷，内容涉及他们的射击行为、听力保护装置（HPD）的使用情况以及听觉状况。结果表明，本研究中的水鸟猎人通常使用大口径半自动猎枪，在靶场练习或狩猎期间并未始终使用听力保护装置，并且在过去的水鸟狩猎季节中暴露于多次无保护的射击。大多数受试者报告在有回声的声学环境（狩猎掩体）中狩猎。这一娱乐性枪支使用者群体还报告了高发生率的听力损失和耳鸣。本研究提供的信息可能有助于听力保护主义者和听力保健提供者了解并更好地向这些射击者宣传患噪声性听力损失的风险。
