For a lot of Nebraskans, August isn’t just the tail end of summer; it’s the countdown to opening day. Dove season kicks off September 1st, teal season follows soon after, and by October, blinds and stands across the state will be full. Whether you’re patterning a shotgun, sighting in a rifle, or just getting gear ready, hunting season prep is in full swing.
But there’s one piece of equipment that often gets overlooked until it’s too late: ear protection.
A single gunshot can reach 140-170 decibels, depending on the firearm. For comparison, a chainsaw runs around 110 decibels, and a rock concert tops out near 120. Anything above 140 decibels can cause immediate, permanent damage to your hearing, no repeated exposure required. One unprotected shot is sometimes all it takes.
This kind of damage is called noise-induced hearing loss, and unlike hearing loss that develops gradually over years, it can happen instantly. It’s also irreversible. Once those tiny hair cells in the inner ear are damaged, they don’t grow back.
We hear the same reasons every season:
These are real, valid concerns, and they’re exactly why standard ear protection often ends up sitting in a truck console instead of on someone’s ears. The good news is that hunters no longer have to choose between protecting their hearing and staying alert in the field.
Modern electronic earplugs and earmuffs are built specifically for hunters and shooters. They work by amplifying everyday sounds, footsteps, rustling leaves, and a distant call, while instantly suppressing any sound that crosses a dangerous decibel threshold, like a gunshot. That means you can hear better in the field while still protecting your ears from the shot itself.
Some hunters are surprised to learn that custom-molded electronic protection, fitted specifically to their ears, offers a more comfortable and secure fit than generic foam or over-the-ear options, which matters when you’re sitting still in a blind for hours at a time.
It’s not just the shot at your target that puts your hearing at risk. Time spent at the range sighting in before the season, running trap or skeet with friends, or even helping a young hunter with their first few shots all add up. Repeated exposure without protection compounds the risk over a lifetime of hunting seasons.
Late summer, before the season gets busy, is a smart time to get a hearing test, even if you’re not experiencing any noticeable changes. A baseline test gives you and your hearing care provider something to compare against down the road, making it much easier to catch small changes early, before they become bigger problems.
If you already wear hearing aids, this is also a good time to make sure they’re clean, functioning properly, and compatible with any electronic hearing protection you plan to use in the field.
At Huskerland Hearing, we understand hunting season is a big part of life here in Nebraska, and we want to help you enjoy it for years to come. Whether you’re looking for custom-fitted electronic hearing protection, want a baseline hearing test before the season starts, or have questions about protecting the hearing you already have, our team is ready to help.
With seven locations across Nebraska, expert hearing care is never far from home. Schedule an appointment today and head into this season ready, ears and all.
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Chelsie was born and raised in Southwest Nebraska. She is married and has one beautiful daughter. Before joining McCook Hearing Aid Center she spent 17 years as a Chiropractic Assistant and has been in customer service for 29 years.
She has always had a passion for helping others and is excited to start this new chapter to continue helping people and see them improve. Everyday is a learning experience and Chelsie has already learned so much about hearing healthcare through fellow team members. She looks forward to passing on the knowledge she has gained to help patients with their hearing needs.
When she is not working she loves cooking and the outdoors. She spends her free time traveling, riding horses, gardening and going to her daughters tennis matches.
Gary is a Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist and has been in the hearing industry for 30 years. From the first day he opened his doors, he has been serving the people of Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas areas. Gary loves to give back to his community, and one of those ways is to ensure that everyone has a place to go for their hearing needs.
During his time supporting his community, Gary has worked with hearing aids of all shapes, sizes, and from all manufactures. He has built a vast knowledge of how each device is different, and how it solves the unique needs of the patient.
Dr. Kristy M. Kurtz earned her Doctor of Audiology degree from the University of Florida in 2004. She also holds a Master of Science in Audiology and a Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders. Dr. Kurtz is licensed to practice audiology and dispense hearing aids in the states of Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri.
Dr. Kurtz possesses extensive experience across multiple facets of audiology, including hearing aid manufacturing, clinical practice in collaboration with otolaryngology physicians, and private practice settings. This breadth of experience has provided her with a comprehensive understanding of both the clinical and technological dimensions of hearing healthcare.
She is dedicated to delivering individualized, patient-centered care and is committed to improving quality of life through effective hearing rehabilitation. Dr. Kurtz utilizes her in-depth knowledge of advanced hearing aid technologies to develop tailored treatment recommendations designed to meet each patient’s unique needs and desired outcomes.
Outside of her professional responsibilities, Dr. Kurtz enjoys trail riding, spending time with her horses and golden retrievers, reading, and supporting her children through their musical and athletic pursuits.
My name is Kerrie Kirkpatrick I was born in Bismarck, N.D. but raised in central Nebraska. I have a strong history in healthcare from holding an esthetician license, dental assisting certification and a registered nursing license. Curatating creative content from photography to graphics and applying the end result to marketing has always been a passion of mine and lead to the pursuit of social media marketing management.
In my free time I enjoy sharing my passion of the equine industry with my two little girls, ages 3 years and 11 years. I grew up showing western and English riding, recently I have been dabbling in reining, lessoning in working cow and with goal of roping as well. I look forward to promoting the compassionate professionals behind HuskerLand Hearing and educating you on the best options available for your hearing health!
Caleb is a Hearing Instrument Specialist who focuses on helping people hear clearly and feel more confident in everyday situations. He takes a straightforward, no-pressure approach and makes sure his patients actually understand their hearing and the options available to them. His goal is to keep the process simple and deliver real results that improve day-to-day life.
Outside of the clinic, Caleb enjoys playing guitar and getting outdoors, especially hiking. He is married and values spending quality time with his wife, which helps him stay balanced and focused in both his personal life and his work with patients.
Meet Vivienne! She is a creative person who likes art, writing, and fashion. She often draws or sews to express her creativity. She also enjoys spending her free time learning languages, such as Spanish and Mandarin Chinese.
Meet Corey! She is recently married and loving life with her husband and their sweet dog and cat. She is all about being outdoors, whether it's hiking, rock climbing, or kayaking somewhere beautiful. She loves traveling, finding new adventures, and soaking up as much nature as she can along the way.
Mickaela is the Patient Care Coordinator who keeps the billing and insurance process running. Away from the office, she loves reading, butchering Mandarin Chinese, having casual hangouts with friends, and anything to do with giraffes.
Maria is a Colorado transplant who has happily made the Midwest her home. When she's not behind the front desk chatting away with anyone who will listen, you can find her behind a camera, hanging with her husband and two sons (a German Shepherd and tuxedo cat), or cozying up with a book. Her favorite part about her job is being part of a team that helps people feel cared for through hearing care experience, support, and kindness.
Madison was born and raised in Nebraska. She is fortunate to work alongside her mother, Darci, as they do what they love. She comes from a line of hearing specialists, as her grandfather owned his business for over 35 years. Helping people hear runs in their blood. In her free time she loves spending time with her husband and their 3 cats. She finds joy in traveling, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
Darci has been in the business of helping people hear for over 35 years, working with her father in his private practice for most of that time. To Darci, what she does isn't a job, it's something that she loves. It's a passion that was handed down to her from her father that she now gets to share with her daughter. Outside of work she loves spending time outside and with her three kids and their spouses.
Cameron Ellison is the owner of Huskerland Hearing Center. Cameron and his staff absolutely cannot wait to get you living a more healthy, more engaged lifestyle through better hearing!
They are ready to handle whatever hearing issue you may be experiencing. Please feel free to reach out to Cameron or any of his staff with any questions you may have. For more of a background on Cameron and his WHY, please click the link below. Helping People Communicate Again