cyclopsshooter
Member
Has anyone experienced this? Was there permanent damage?
44 Mag no hearing protection-
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General Geoff
Member
Apparent damage, maybe, maybe not. But there will be an amount of permanent hearing damage (even if it's not evident) if an unsuppressed .44 magnum is fired in close proximity to someone who is wearing no hearing protection. There is no question about that.
R.W.Dale
Member
if you fire a un suppressed gun without hearing protection hearing damage has occurred. PERIOD
Caliber, and barrel length don't matter. Any gunshot is loud enough to cause hearing loss it's just a matter of how much. You see hearing loss is cumulative while you may not have noticed hearing damage those few cylinders of 44 you fired at the time it adds up and 10yrs from now you may be wishing you'd brought earplugs.
Now that being said and to that end I don't worry about the 2 to 3 rds I fire unprotected in the field hunting per year. At this rate it would take me a lifetime to = the hearing damage done from one good range trip without plugs. Thus far yearly hearing tests from my employer over the past 12yrs have borne this theory out. As of yet when indexed for age change I've lost no hearing whatsoever.
Like everything fun in life booze, women and gambling proper moderation is key
Caliber, and barrel length don't matter. Any gunshot is loud enough to cause hearing loss it's just a matter of how much. You see hearing loss is cumulative while you may not have noticed hearing damage those few cylinders of 44 you fired at the time it adds up and 10yrs from now you may be wishing you'd brought earplugs.
Now that being said and to that end I don't worry about the 2 to 3 rds I fire unprotected in the field hunting per year. At this rate it would take me a lifetime to = the hearing damage done from one good range trip without plugs. Thus far yearly hearing tests from my employer over the past 12yrs have borne this theory out. As of yet when indexed for age change I've lost no hearing whatsoever.
Like everything fun in life booze, women and gambling proper moderation is key
cyclopsshooter
Member
ok, i was worried about it if i had cap a bear or whatever in sd... alway use protection at the range!
Hostile Amish
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- 522
I got major hearing damage from a .357 with my headphones not properly on.
I can't imagine what a .44 would do.
I can't imagine what a .44 would do.
moooose102
Member
well, if i NEED to shoot to protect myself, i will worry about hearing later. it is much better to shoot and live to have hearing problems, that to not shoot, and be dead! also, if i were hunting, same thing. i would worry about the hearing loss latter. how many animals do you know that will wait for you to install hearing protection? at the range, i wouldn't even think about shooting without protection.
Mr. Completely
Member
damage done
I came across this thread this a.m. and as I'm typing this I still after 35 years have a ringing caused by my first encounter with the .44 Magnum.A freind had just purchased a Ruger SBH and I was asked if I wanted to shoot it.I did and have been paying for it all these years.Your hearing is a precious gift. Take care to protect your childrens ears as well because hearing loss is accumulative.Dirty Harry is pure fiction! He would have been stone deaf!
I came across this thread this a.m. and as I'm typing this I still after 35 years have a ringing caused by my first encounter with the .44 Magnum.A freind had just purchased a Ruger SBH and I was asked if I wanted to shoot it.I did and have been paying for it all these years.Your hearing is a precious gift. Take care to protect your childrens ears as well because hearing loss is accumulative.Dirty Harry is pure fiction! He would have been stone deaf!
2TransAms
Member
In a SD situation, my prominent concern would be my torso and vital organs. I'll trade hearing for life anyday.
Target practice I always wear hearing protection, hunting very seldom.
My hearing is checked yearly and is about the same over 20 year period.
I also work in a fairly noisy factory and always wear hearing protection at work. There are some older guys that never did and are paying for it now.
My hearing is checked yearly and is about the same over 20 year period.
I also work in a fairly noisy factory and always wear hearing protection at work. There are some older guys that never did and are paying for it now.
statelineblues
Member
2TransAms posted:
moooose102 posted:
Two completely different situations - of course in a SD action, you wouldn't be worrying about hearing protection. But at the range, for a day of practice, they should always be worn.
moooose102 posted:
Two completely different situations - of course in a SD action, you wouldn't be worrying about hearing protection. But at the range, for a day of practice, they should always be worn.
Dark Skies
Member
If true does this mean that combat soldiers all suffer a certain amount of permanent hearing loss? When you think of the amount of gunfire going on from all sides that must be the logical conclusion.
Calibre44
Member
I shoot a Winchester 94 in .44 Mag and that is loud enough with ear protection - hate to hear it without it.
Tinpig
Member
nitetrane98
Member
It's definitely a cumulative thing. In my teens there was 3 years of Navy engine room noise. Screaming steam turbines and paint chipping with pneumatic guns. Hearing protection? Ha! You became attuned to the sound of the plant running right. The slightest change in sound was your first clue something was amiss. Throw in plenty of rock concerts, too. In my twenty's I began to shoot my .357 magnum. Ah, ears would ring for a day or so and then stop. No problem.
Then there was 14 years of Army National Guard with M60 mg's, M16 blanks, M85 .50 cal and the mother of all, the 105mm main gun.
It's too late for me, now I'm the guy sitting by himself in a room of people only hearing a buzz and ring.
Being hard of hearing is, however, the only handicap that is still OK to ridicule. Most seem to think that a hearing problem will somehow heal itself from one meeting to the next. "You're deaf as a post!!!!" Yeah, still.
If you are considerate, you change your first words frequently. "Come again?" "Excuse me?" "How's that again?" "Say what?" "Say again, please?" "I'm sorry, I didn't hear you." And the ever popular "WHAT?" etc etc.
Cest la vie, I brought it upon myself for the most part.
Then there was 14 years of Army National Guard with M60 mg's, M16 blanks, M85 .50 cal and the mother of all, the 105mm main gun.
It's too late for me, now I'm the guy sitting by himself in a room of people only hearing a buzz and ring.
Being hard of hearing is, however, the only handicap that is still OK to ridicule. Most seem to think that a hearing problem will somehow heal itself from one meeting to the next. "You're deaf as a post!!!!" Yeah, still.
If you are considerate, you change your first words frequently. "Come again?" "Excuse me?" "How's that again?" "Say what?" "Say again, please?" "I'm sorry, I didn't hear you." And the ever popular "WHAT?" etc etc.
Cest la vie, I brought it upon myself for the most part.
Hungry Seagull
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I fired my 870 mag in a very small stall without hearing protection once. I was deaf anyway so what did it matter?
The pain and bells for a month did matter.
I wear headsets to eliminate the pressure from that day on.
Anytime you are going to shoot, wear something on your ears.
In your home being broken into at whatever time of day, hearing is the least of your worries.
The pain and bells for a month did matter.
I wear headsets to eliminate the pressure from that day on.
Anytime you are going to shoot, wear something on your ears.
In your home being broken into at whatever time of day, hearing is the least of your worries.
Heck
Member
I took a deer last November with my Super Blackhawk .44mag from an inclosed box stand without hearing protection. (stupid I know) And I now have a constant reminder, loud ringing in my left ear.
22-rimfire
Member
After reading over and over about hearing protection, especially with handguns, the only thing I have to say about this is....:banghead:
I use hearing protection when I hunt with a handgun. I won't miss a shot because of it alone, but it is the second thing I think about when I see a suitable deer.
I use hearing protection when I hunt with a handgun. I won't miss a shot because of it alone, but it is the second thing I think about when I see a suitable deer.
huntsman
Member
You’re not alone my friend, for me the worst is right before I fall asleep. The ringing gets to me unless I have the TV on.
cyclopsshooter
Member
thanks for all the info... im just trying to gage what caliber i want in the hills. i would hate to sacrifice my hearing over a rabid squirrel...
22-rimfire
Member
Don't. It is not even worth a 10-pt buck contrary to what I said earlier.
kcmarine
Member
What Did You Say?!?!?!?!?
Facts on noise levels:
1. Gradual hearing loss may occur after prolonged exposure to 90 decibels or above.
2. Exposure to 100 decibels for more than 15 minutes can cause hearing loss.
3. Exposure to 110 decibels for more than a minute can cause permanent hearing loss.
4. At 140 dBA noise causes immediate injury to almost any unprotected ear.
Various noise levels:
Chain saw 110 dB
Concert 110 dB
Lawnmower 90 dB
Noise levels of firearms:
.22 caliber rifle 130dB
.223, 55GR. Commercial load 18" barrel 155.5dB
.243 in 22" barrel 155.9dB
.30-30 in 20" barrel 156.0dB.
7mm Magnum in 20" barrel 157.5dB.
.308 in 24" barrel 156.2dB.
.30-06 in 24" barrel 158.5dB. In 18" barrel 163.2dB.
.375 18" barrel with muzzle brake 170 dB.
.410 Bore 28" barrel 150dB. 26" barrel 150.25dB. 18" barrel 156.30dB.
20 Gauge 28" barrel 152.50dB. 22" barrel 154.75dB.
12 Gauge 28" barrel 151.50dB. 26" barrel 156.10dB. 18" barrel 161.50dB.
.25 ACP 155.0 dB.
.32 LONG 152.4 dB.
.32 ACP 153.5 dB.
.380 157.7 dB.
9mm 159.8 dB.
.38 S&W 153.5 dB.
.38 Spl 156.3 dB.
.357 Magnum 164.3 dB.
.41 Magnum 163.2 dB.
.44 Spl 155.9 dB.
.45 ACP 157.0 dB.
.45 COLT 154.7 dB.
1. Gradual hearing loss may occur after prolonged exposure to 90 decibels or above.
2. Exposure to 100 decibels for more than 15 minutes can cause hearing loss.
3. Exposure to 110 decibels for more than a minute can cause permanent hearing loss.
4. At 140 dBA noise causes immediate injury to almost any unprotected ear.
Various noise levels:
Chain saw 110 dB
Concert 110 dB
Lawnmower 90 dB
Noise levels of firearms:
.22 caliber rifle 130dB
.223, 55GR. Commercial load 18" barrel 155.5dB
.243 in 22" barrel 155.9dB
.30-30 in 20" barrel 156.0dB.
7mm Magnum in 20" barrel 157.5dB.
.308 in 24" barrel 156.2dB.
.30-06 in 24" barrel 158.5dB. In 18" barrel 163.2dB.
.375 18" barrel with muzzle brake 170 dB.
.410 Bore 28" barrel 150dB. 26" barrel 150.25dB. 18" barrel 156.30dB.
20 Gauge 28" barrel 152.50dB. 22" barrel 154.75dB.
12 Gauge 28" barrel 151.50dB. 26" barrel 156.10dB. 18" barrel 161.50dB.
.25 ACP 155.0 dB.
.32 LONG 152.4 dB.
.32 ACP 153.5 dB.
.380 157.7 dB.
9mm 159.8 dB.
.38 S&W 153.5 dB.
.38 Spl 156.3 dB.
.357 Magnum 164.3 dB.
.41 Magnum 163.2 dB.
.44 Spl 155.9 dB.
.45 ACP 157.0 dB.
.45 COLT 154.7 dB.
tjj
Member
I forgot to put in an earplug in my right ear when firing a .44 mag about 40 years ago. After only one shot my ear rang for a couple days and though my hearing checked out OK going in and coming out of the military (artillery btw) I did lose hearing dramatically in my right ear once I got past 35 years of age. Right ear is about worthless now at age 58. Only plus side is I can roll over on my left side to sleep and I won't even hear the dogs barking out in the backyard.
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