Editing Firearm (section)

===Noise===
A common hazard of repeated firearm use is [[noise-induced hearing loss]] (NIHL). NIHL can result from long-term exposure to noise or from high intensity impact noises such as gunshots.<ref name="NIDCD-2015">{{cite web|url=https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/noise-induced-hearing-loss|title=Noise-Induced Hearing Loss|date=2015-08-18|website=NIDCD|language=en|access-date=2019-10-15|archive-date=2020-04-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414132329/https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/noise-induced-hearing-loss|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Healthy Hearing-2007">{{cite web|url=https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/7904-Shooting-sports-and-hearing|title=Gunshots and hearing loss -- why hearing protection is vital|date=2007-12-10|website=Healthy Hearing|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-15|archive-date=2019-10-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015213754/https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/7904-Shooting-sports-and-hearing|url-status=live}}</ref> Individuals who shoot guns often have a characteristic pattern of hearing loss referred to as "shooters ear". They often have a high-frequency loss with better hearing in the low frequencies and one ear is typically worse than the other. The ear on the side the shooter is holding the gun will receive protection from the sound wave from the shoulder while the other ear remains unprotected and more susceptible to the full impact of the sound wave.<ref name="Healthy Hearing-2007" /><ref name="ASLHA-2019">{{cite web|url=https://www.asha.org/public/hearing/Recreational-Firearm-Noise-Exposure/|title=Recreational Firearm Noise Exposure|website=American Speech-Language-Hearing Association|language=en|access-date=2019-10-15|archive-date=2019-09-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904130921/https://www.asha.org/public/hearing/Recreational-Firearm-Noise-Exposure/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The intensity of a gunshot does vary; lower caliber guns are typically on the softer side while higher caliber guns are often louder. The intensity of a gunshot though typically ranges from 140&nbsp;dB to 175&nbsp;dB. Indoor shooting also causes loud reverberations which can also be as damaging as the actual gunshot itself.<ref name="Healthy Hearing-2007" /><ref name="ASLHA-2019" /> According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, noise above 85&nbsp;dB can begin to cause hearing loss.<ref name="NIDCD-2015" /> While many sounds cause damage over time, at the intensity level of a gunshot (140&nbsp;dB or louder), damage to the ear can occur instantly.<ref name="NIDCD-2015" /><ref name="ASLHA-2019" />

Shooters use custom hearing protection such as electronic type hearing protection for hunters which can amplify soft sounds like leaves crunching while reducing the intensity of the gunshot and custom hearing protection for skeet shooting.<ref name="Healthy Hearing-2007" /><ref name="ASLHA-2019" />

Even with hearing protection, due to the high intensity of the noise guns produce shooters still develop hearing loss over time.<ref name="Healthy Hearing-2007" />