Is it safe to wear hearing aids while hunting?

No. Hearing aids do not provide sufficient protection against the high-intensity sound from firearms and should be removed before shooting.

What’s the best hearing protection for hunters?

Electronic earmuffs or custom-fit earplugs are great options. They protect your hearing from gunshots while still allowing you to hear ambient environmental sounds.

Can hearing aids protect against gunshot noise?

No. Even though hearing aids limit loud sounds, they have vents that allow sound to bypass them. This means gunshot sounds can directly damage your hearing.

Wearing Hearing Aids While Hunting Can Be Risky

When it comes to hunting, wearing hearing aids might seem like a smart move. After all, hearing aids amplify sound and help you stay alert in the great outdoors. But there’s one critical truth every hunter needs to understand: hearing aids do not protect your ears from loud gunfire.

In fact, using hearing aids while shooting can put you at even greater risk for hearing damage. In this article, we’ll explain why and offer safer alternatives that let you enjoy the hunt while preserving your hearing.

The Temptation to Wear Hearing Aids While Hunting

Wearing hearing aids during outdoor activities makes sense—at least on the surface. You can better detect rustling leaves, animal calls, or other quiet sounds that alert you to nearby game. High-quality devices can even suppress wind noise and enhance speech in noisy environments.

You may even think, “These hearing aids cost over $6,000, they should offer some protection.” But hearing aids and hearing protection serve different purposes. While hearing aids are designed to enhance soft and moderate sounds, they are not built to protect against high-decibel noise, such as the blast of a firearm.

The Limitations of Hearing Aids

According to research published by hearing experts, hearing aids do not reduce dangerous sound levels. Their design includes vents—essential for natural sound processing—that also allow intense noise to reach the eardrum unimpeded.

Whether you’re using domes or earmolds, your hearing aid allows air (and sound) to pass through. While that’s great for reducing the occlusion effect, it also means the gunshot bypasses the hearing aid’s microphone and directly enters your ear canal.

Even advanced devices with features like SuddenSound Stabilizers can only soften loud inputs—they cannot eliminate or block impact noise. That’s why gunfire is still dangerous, even when you’re wearing hearing aids.

Protecting Your Hearing While Hunting

If you enjoy hunting, protecting your hearing is critical. The best approach is to remove your hearing aids before firing and replace them with proper hearing protection. Even one shot can cause permanent damage, so it’s worth the extra few seconds to switch devices.

Types of Hearing Protection

Here are the most effective options hunters should consider:

Earplugs: Foam or reusable earplugs are small, affordable, and convenient. They fit directly into the ear canal and offer solid protection from gunshots and high decibel environments.

Earmuffs: These over-the-ear devices provide a higher Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) and are easy to wear over hats or hearing aids (if needed). Earmuffs seal the entire ear, offering strong defense against sudden impact noise.

Electronic Hearing Protection: Want to hear ambient sounds while blocking gunshots? Try devices like Walker’s Razor Earmuffs. They amplify low-level environmental noise while instantly compressing dangerous levels. Perfect for situational awareness in the field.

Comparison Table: Hearing Aids vs. Hearing Protection

Feature	Hearing Aids	Hearing Protection
Amplify quiet sounds	✅ Yes	✅ Some electronic options
Protect against gunfire	❌ No	✅ Yes
Allow ambient awareness	✅ Yes	✅ Yes (electronic protection only)
Can be worn while firing	❌ Not recommended	✅ Yes

Final Thoughts

Using hearing aids while hunting may feel convenient, but it’s not worth the risk. These devices are not designed to handle the acoustic blast of a rifle or shotgun. By switching to proper hearing protection during your hunt, you can stay safe, aware, and preserve your long-term hearing health.

For more on this topic, check out our guides on what to know before getting hearing aids or learn why hearing protection matters even in everyday settings.