By Lee Williams
SAF Investigative Journalism Project
Doctor Timothy W. Wheeler and six fellow ear surgeons recently submitted a proposal to their national specialist society, the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS).
The seven ear doctors wanted their academy to support their new policy endorsing firearm suppressors for hearing protection.
The docs had tried it before but failed. Some of their members called them “gun nuts.” However, the seven coauthors are a powerful group – ear, nose and throat surgeons with more than a century of combined practice experience.
“Four of us are even further specialized in ear problems and are fellowship-trained neurotologists, who operate only on the ear and base of skull,” Wheeler pointed out in an email. “We are all shooters and avid Second Amendment supporters.”
The seven-member group believes that their proposal could be powerful new evidence in the fight to deregulate sound suppressors and make them far easier to purchase.
Last week, the group was notified that their Academy, the AAO-HNS, formally adopted their position statement endorsing firearm suppressors as a public health tool for hearing preservation.
“They accepted it. It’s official policy,” Wheeler said last week. “The Academy will enforce it!”
Wheeler said he has contacted the NRA, National Shooting Sports Foundation and other pro-gun groups, telling them about the news.
The group’s position is short and simple:
“Sound suppressors are mechanical devices attached to the barrel of a firearm designed to reduce harmful impulse noise of firearms at its source. CDC research has shown that the only potentially effective noise control method to reduce [shooters’] noise exposure from gunfire is through the use of noise suppressors that can be attached to the end of the gun barrel. Suppressors reduce muzzle blast noise by up to 30 decibels. Their benefit is additive when used with ear-level hearing protection devices such as circumaural muffs or ear plugs. The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery endorses the use of firearm suppressors as an effective method of reducing the risk of hearing loss, especially when used in conjunction with conventional hearing protective measures.”
The seven coauthors include: Mark G. Bell, MD, Matthew P. Branch, MD, Roberto A. Cueva, MD, FACS, Gerard J. Gianoli, MD, FACS, Bradford Ress, MD, FANS, Hayes H. Wanamaker, MD and Wheeler. All seven are board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology.
“It was a fantastic decision,” Wheeler said. “We intend to be available to assist NRA and other interested parties in the effort to make firearm suppressors just another widely available, consumer-friendly firearm accessory.”
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