Can I Go Hunting with Appropriate Hearing Protection Now That I Have Tinnitus?

[AfroSnowman]

Hi Doc

I was wondering your thoughts on whether I can go hunting with appropriate ear protection now that I have tinnitus (non noise induced)?

Thanks as always.

 

[Dr. Nagler]

I was wondering your thoughts on whether I can go hunting with appropriate ear protection now that I have tinnitus (non noise induced)?

Hello @AfroSnowman. Having tinnitus (regardless of cause) does not make you more susceptible to noise-induced auditory damage than anybody else. So if you wish to go hunting with proper ear protection, you should be fine in that regard. The question of whether or not hunting with proper ear protection will aggravate your tinnitus without causing actual damage is another matter entirely. And the only way you will know would be to try it and see.

Hope this helps.

Stephen M. Nagler, M.D.