[Polymeric hearing protectors in sport shooting]

Area of Science:

• Audiology and Occupational Health
• Materials Science in Protective Equipment

Background:

• Hearing protection is crucial for preventing noise-induced hearing loss.
• Optimal selection requires considering acoustic environments and user preferences.
• Sport shooters face high impact noise exposure, necessitating effective hearing protection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate individual preferences in hearing protector selection.
• To analyze the influence of polymer material properties on user comfort and choice.
• To identify reasons for hearing protector abandonment among sport shooters.

Main Methods:

• Interviewed 104 female and 93 male master-class sport shooters.
• Collected data on hearing protector usage, preferences, and reasons for non-use.
• Assessed the relationship between material properties and user-reported comfort issues.

Main Results:

• Common reasons for abandoning hearing protection include skin irritation, overheating, and allergies, linked to material properties.
• Females preferred soft earplugs for better fit, while males favored earmuffs or hard earplugs for superior insulation.
• Material characteristics significantly influence user comfort and adherence to hearing protection.

Conclusions:

• Hearing protector choice should balance acoustic performance with material-induced comfort.
• Addressing material-related discomfort is key to improving adherence and effectiveness.
• Tailoring hearing protection options to individual preferences and material sensitivities is recommended.