WCPO: Talks of CPD gun range getting relocated brings back current health concerns in the area
UC audiology expert conducted tests to measure sound levels in the neighborhood
Despite the fact that plans are in the works to move the Cincinnati Police Department gun range from its long-time location in Evendale, concern continues in the surrounding neighborhoods about the ongoing health impacts of the noise from the range. WCPO-TV interviewed some people who live near the range who say their children didn't want to play outside because of the fear of the sound of gunshots.
WCPO-TV also interviewed Brian Earl, PhD, of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the UC College of Allied Health Sciences for this story. In 2020, Earl was invited by community leaders in Lincoln Heights to run some tests on the noise level in the immediate area. He was shocked how loud the gunshots were.
Brian Earl, PhD, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders in the College of Allied Health Sciences/Photo/Colleen Kelley/UC Marketing + Brand
“I could feel the reflex in my ear trigger based on the level of the noise," Earl said. "We have a reflex in our ears that will trigger at those high intensities and I could feel that in my ears, so it was high enough to trigger that reflex and it went on for a couple of minutes.”
On a sound level meter, the sound of gunshots hit about 85 decibels.
“It’s a quality of life concern and definitely becomes a health concern based on other studies that have looked at long-term exposure,” Earl said.
Earl is also concerned that too many people in the area have become accustomed to the sound of gunshots.
“Going back to the idea of an auditory reflex, if we don’t react to this loud sound or if children don’t react to this loud sound maybe something has changed in their hearing development or their reaction to loud sounds is different if this exposure is going on,” Earl said.
See the entire WCPO story here.
Lead photo/Liz Dufour/Cincinnati.com
Related Stories
‘Designer drug’ shows early neuroprotective signal in acute ischemic stroke
October 28, 2025
Medscape highlighted new trial results led by the University of Cincinnati's Eva Mistry that found an experimental drug shows promise in protecting injured brain cells for patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Is menstrual fluid ‘the most overlooked opportunity’ in women’s health?
October 27, 2025
The Guardian recently reported that period blood has long been thought of as ‘stinky and useless’, but startups are exploring using the fluid to test for a wide range of health conditions — including endometriosis.
What is squalane, and how does it work to moisturize skin?
October 27, 2025
The University of Cincinnati's Kelly Dobos was featured in a Women's Health article discussing squalane, an ingredient being increasingly used in moisturizing skincare products.