HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- As firearm deer season in Central Virginia kicks off in November, it's crucial to remember that the thrill of the hunt shouldn't come at the expense of your hearing. Beltone Hearing Instrument Specialist, Jared Mazzo, said the loud crack of a rifle can lead to permanent hearing damage, making ear protection just as important as practicing your aim. "A lot of times people will tell me they'll wear their hearing protection at the range, but they don't want to miss out on the deer rustling behind them or some of those small sounds that really help out when you're hunting," Mazzo said. Mazzo recommends investing in electronic earmuffs that filter out gunshots but allow ambient sounds to pass through. This way, hunters can remain alert to their surroundings while still protecting their hearing. Other ear protections include earplugs or custom earmolds from an audiologist or a hearing instrument specialist. "There's nothing wrong with those foam over-the-counter headphone kind of styles, but the big thing with those is just to make sure you're using them properly," Mazzo said. "It is almost three to four times better sound reduction if they're in properly versus if they're not in." Ringing in the ears is often one of the first signs of temporary hearing loss. "Once the brain and the ears lose their communication and once some of that nerve is damaged, there's nothing that can really bring it back with what we have available today," Mazzo said. Mazzo said oftentimes people only think of the short-term effects. However, a Johns Hopkins study found that mild hearing loss doubled dementia risk, while people with severe hearing loss were five times more likely to develop dementia. “Hearing is something you're going to have your whole life,” Mazzo said. “Don’t be a little lazy now and make that mistake, and pay for it years down the road.” Specific hunting dates and regulations vary depending on the type of game you're hunting and where you live in the state. For more information, visit the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources' website.