Interviewers introduced these questions on firearms by stating, "The next questions are about your current or previous exposure to loud sounds or noises." Interviewers first asked respondents whether they had ever used firearms for any reason and then asked, "Was this for work, leisure, or both?"

This variable was part of the 2007 Supplement on Hearing, which included topics such as hearing rehabilitation services, the use of adaptive hearing devices, the frequency of hearing examinations, and hearing loss related to noise exposure.