Author Topic: Hearing Loss - Gun Fire  (Read 8778 times)

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Offline flattusmaximus78

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Re: Hearing Loss - Gun Fire
« Reply #30 on: September 20, 2017, 09:12:27 PM »
I wear ear plugs and ear muffs when shooting. I go to a lot of concerts and always wear ear plugs, except ac/dc gigs, they are allowed to do the damage.

Offline M1A4ME

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Re: Hearing Loss - Gun Fire
« Reply #31 on: September 20, 2017, 09:28:36 PM »
Strangest thing is, it didn't hurt, my ears didn't ring then or later.

I'm guessing you were completely open air.

Also, I understand anecdotally that having your mouth open helps reduce the effects of the report.

Under a roof, but open front/back/sides.

Learned that a long time ago with the 4" M29 S&W and the 2&3/4" Ruger .357.  With both of those you can see the orange fireball even in daylight.
I just keep wasting time and money on other brands trying to find/make one shoot like my P07 and P09.  What is wrong with me?

Offline armoredman

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Re: Hearing Loss - Gun Fire
« Reply #32 on: September 20, 2017, 10:27:16 PM »
My wife and staff get mad sometimes when I say, "Huh, what's that" and the like. The Navy sat me next to a 3"50 caliber, (roughly 76mm), cannon with sound powered phones for hearing protection. Needless to say, that was inadequate. I wear amplified electronic muffs nowadays, because the best shouted instruction won't be heard without electronic help...

Offline milq

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Re: Hearing Loss - Gun Fire
« Reply #33 on: September 21, 2017, 08:50:43 PM »
Tinnitus 24/7/365

Usually notice it more at night while watching tv, but it is always there. You kind of get used to it.

Guns, power tools, rock & roll for way too many years without protection (usually had some type while shooting, but not always). I wised up too late.  :-\

Haven't had my hearing checked in many years, but my wife says I say "huh?" too much.  :)

Same here. Constant ringing, noticed more when there's no other noise. Hearing loss in the 4K hz range, specialist in Memphis said that frequency would indicate damage from gunfire. I've had it since my 20's for sure, maybe sooner.
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Offline dshoub

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Re: Hearing Loss - Gun Fire
« Reply #34 on: November 10, 2017, 03:02:53 PM »
Anyone have any experience with hearing loss from shooting guns without hearing protection?

If so - I'm wondering if you can help me out.

How much is too much?

Anyone have experience with hearing loss wnd ear ringing while shooting for 30 mins but it came back later?

I'm specifically wondering about high frequency / high end hearing loss and ringing.

Once damaged, your hearing will NOT recover, therefore in my opinion any hearing loss is too much. Ringing in the ears is different, however it can be indicative of sustaining hearing damage. As one ages the ability to pick out tones in the higher frequencies *does* diminish, but if you're experience what you've described I recommend you see a qualified ENT doctor (ear nose and throat) and from now on wear foam plugs AND very good ear muffs to minimize any more damage.

Offline DWARREN

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Re: Hearing Loss - Gun Fire
« Reply #35 on: November 11, 2017, 07:38:36 PM »
Any amount is too much. Always wear eye and ear protection, take it from a old ARMY grunt.
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Offline MadDuner

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Re: Hearing Loss - Gun Fire
« Reply #36 on: November 11, 2017, 08:23:22 PM »
WHAT?????

I can't hear you!!!

Offline Inusuit

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Re: Hearing Loss - Gun Fire
« Reply #37 on: November 12, 2017, 07:53:20 PM »
I shot without hearing protection when I was in my teens and twenties, then got the message and wore plugs and muffs.  Significant hearing loss didn't start showing up until I was in my early 60s.  The damage is permanent and irreversible.

Offline vaglocker

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Re: Hearing Loss - Gun Fire
« Reply #38 on: November 13, 2017, 11:13:19 AM »
I'm pretty religious about doubling up ear pro (muffs and plugs) i've also instilled this in my kids. Even if I can't get back any hearing i've already lost my kids might be able to do better

Offline Joe L

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Re: Hearing Loss - Gun Fire
« Reply #39 on: November 18, 2017, 06:37:54 AM »
Years of drag racing without hearing protection also hurts.  I didn't start pistol shooting until about 6 years or so ago, have used ear plugs plus muffs nearly the entire time, but shoot several hundred rounds per week under a large three sided shed in .22/.45/9mm and have STILL added some damage to my hearing.  Plus I'll be 70 next year and some of what I've seen my be deterioration not gun related. 

But I found that I wasn't even getting my Howard Leight expanding plugs inserted correctly and had to become more careful with them--when they are right, they block nearly everthing.  If you can see them from the front, they aren't inserted far enough. 

My worst fear now is loosing my hearing aids while on a trip or at a conference.

I should have been a look more careful for the last 57 years, less open headers, more silencers, more care with the hearing protection. 

Joe
CZ-75B 9mm and Kadet, 97B"E", two P-09's, P-07, P-10C, P-10F, P-10S, MTR

Offline milq

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Hearing Loss - Gun Fire
« Reply #40 on: November 18, 2017, 12:38:12 PM »
Riding a motorcycle without a helmet or even with most helmets can cause damage. I wear earplugs under my full face every time I ride and it makes a difference after the ride.
I don?t hunt nearly as much as I used to but when I do I wear electronic muffs after I caused serious damage from shooting a deer with a ported revolver a few years ago.
Ear plugs in the shop if I have to use a hammer on steel. I make my students do the same, even though they grumble about it they?ll hopefully thank me for it some day.
NRA Basic Pistol Instuctor, IL FCCA Instructor.

http://jc-steelontarget.blogspot.com/ and check out www.illinoiscarry.com to learn more about CCW in IL.

Offline katsu

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Re: Hearing Loss - Gun Fire
« Reply #41 on: November 23, 2017, 07:20:59 AM »
Are orange foam earplugs and 21db earmuffs enough for the indoor range, to protect me from hearing damage?
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Offline Oleman

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Re: Hearing Loss - Gun Fire
« Reply #42 on: November 23, 2017, 08:14:10 AM »
To much exposure to noise in manufacturing plants as well as race cars through the years and not always wearing ear protection I have had the ringing ears for years it is frustrating. At range I wear Howard Leight 33 foam plugs with muffs only use electronic for classes but still with foam as well.


Offline schmeky

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Re: Hearing Loss - Gun Fire
« Reply #43 on: November 23, 2017, 10:54:13 PM »
Oddly enough, I spent my first 2 years in college pursing a degree in Audiology (hearing expert).  I did graduate, but changed my major to a different field.

Everyone is right, once damage has occurred, the loss is permanent.  The cilia are the tiny hair like structures that transmit sound pulses to the inner ear components and excessive decibel levels over stimulate the cilia which results in tinnitus (ringing in the ears that signifies cilia damage). 

There is also a secondary sound transmission known as "bone conduction".  Sound waves transmit pulses to the skull, which also stimulate the cilia.  Audiologists do 2 tests when evaluating hearing loss, with bone conduction being one of these.

So even though ear plugs work, a muff that covers as much of the skull around the ears is critically important to prevent excessive hearing loss. 

My recommendation is to use both.  I do.

Offline SlvrDragon50

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Re: Hearing Loss - Gun Fire
« Reply #44 on: November 23, 2017, 11:28:49 PM »
I use foam earplugs topped with MSA Sordins. Was able to shoot my comp'd AR comfortably in an indoor range. Couldn't imagine doing it with only a single layer of protection.