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Author's Comment
David M. Nondahl, MS
Arch Fam Med. 2000;9:357.
As you read this study of recreational firearm use and hearing loss, you may be thinking about patients, relatives, or friends with hearing impairments. Perhaps you have experienced the frustration associated with communicating with someone with considerable hearing loss, and you can empathize with the effect such a loss can have on the quality of life. Like planning for retirement or writing a will, there is a deceptive lack of urgency associated with hearing loss. It usually progresses slowly, is not painful, and is never fatal. Consequently, people can become apathetic about protecting hearing. The results of our study are applicable to many people in addition to hunters and target shooters. We hope the findings serve as a reminder to all readers that hearing is important for everyday communication, it can be damaged by excessive noise, and the time to begin using hearing protection during excessive noise exposure is today.
Madison, Wis
RELATED ARTICLE
Recreational Firearm Use and Hearing Loss
David M. Nondahl, Karen J. Cruickshanks, Terry L. Wiley, Ronald Klein, Barbara E. K. Klein, and Ted S. Tweed
Arch Fam Med. 2000;9(4):352-357.
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