title: Comparison of muzzle suppression and ear-level hearing protection in firearm use.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare noise reduction of commercially available ear-level hearing protection (muffs/inserts) to that of firearm muzzle suppressors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental sound measurements under consistent environmental conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  Muzzle suppressors for 2 pistol and 2 rifle calibers were tested using the Bruel & Kjaer 2209 sound meter and Bruel & Kjaer 4136 microphone calibrated with the Bruel & Kjaer Pistonphone using Military-Standard 1474D placement protocol. Five shots were recorded unsuppressed and 10 shots suppressed under consistent environmental conditions. Sound reduction was then compared with the real-world noise reduction rate of the best available ear-level protectors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All suppressors offered significantly greater noise reduction than ear-level protection, usually greater than 50% better. Noise reduction of all ear-level protectors is unable to reduce the impulse pressure below 140 dB for certain common firearms, an international standard for prevention of sensorineural hearing loss.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Modern muzzle-level suppression is vastly superior to ear-level protection and the only available form of suppression capable of making certain sporting arms safe for hearing. The inadequacy of standard hearing protectors with certain common firearms is not recognized by most hearing professionals or their patients and should affect the way hearing professionals counsel patients and the public.
authors.affiliation: parkerbranch@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Matthew Parker
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Branch
mesh_terms: D001309:Auditory Threshold; D004430:Ear Protective Devices; D004867:Equipment Design; D005389:Firearms; D006309:Hearing / Q000502:physiology; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008889:Military Personnel; D009623:Noise, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*