Hunting is a sport in which hearing is critical - the sharp shooter who hears the slightest crackle of leaves in the woods or a duck's far-away call can anticipate the shot. But did you know that hunting without hearing protection could instantly damage hearing? If you're one of thousands of hunters heading for the woods this fall, add one more item to your equipment list: hearing protection.

Bill Cammack of St. Paul, Minn., knows all too well the correlation between hunting and hearing loss. Cammack is an avid duck hunter - heading to the woods every weekend during hunting season. Unfortunately, he's brought home more than some wild game. As a result of hunting, Cammack suffers from noise-induced hearing loss.

Noise-induced hearing loss results from overexposure to noise. Most firearms range from 140 to 170 decibels - loud enough to damage your hearing instantly. In a recent study by researchers from Central Michigan University and Wayne State University, half of the hunters surveyed experienced tinnitus - a constant ringing in the ears. Tinnitus often is a sign of noise-induced hearing loss.

The simplest way to protect yourself from noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus is to wear hearing protectors, which come in various shapes, sizes, types and colors. For hunting, the best protection is an electronic hearing protection device (EHPD). These "smart" devices amplify high frequency sounds, such as leaves crackling under an approaching deer, but close off sounds louder than 110 dB, such as gunfire. Cammack now wears electronic hearing protection to reduce any risk of further damage.

When worn correctly, hearing protection can reduce your risk of serious injury and lifelong complications to your hearing. In addition, when hearing protection is worn while shooting, your concentration level increases, enabling you to shoot more accurately.

For a free pair of ear plugs, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Sight & Hearing Association, 674 Transfer Road, St. Paul, MN 55114.