I always double up on hearing protection. Worst I ever did was accidentally pop off a few dozen rounds of .22, .40, and .38 SPL while wearing only the plugs, no muffs. Didn't even notice until I saw the muffs laying on the bench. Oops. Didn't seem to do any harm, though.
Ever shot a big bore revolver without hearing protection?
- Thread starter righteousbarbarian
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It's your eardrum, and the hammer/anvil/stirrup that are involved with hearing along with the hair cells. These move with exposure to sound waves. A few really loud noises (or prolonged exposure to moderate noises such as the drone of a tractor/heavy machinery) can damage them or cause them to ossify to the point that they don't move well anymore. You're correct that sounds can be transmitted directly thru bone/skull by laying your head on the gunstock. One way neurologists use to determine if hearing damage is conductive (hammer/anvil/stirrup) or neurologic is by placing a tuning fork next to your ear and then placing it directly on the skull behind the ear to see if the volume changes. Neuro-no change, conductive-increase in volume.
P.S. If you ever fire a Ruger Super Blackhawk out of an enclosed deer stand, make sure the pistol is completely ouside the stand. Ask me how I know! Ouch!
P.S. If you ever fire a Ruger Super Blackhawk out of an enclosed deer stand, make sure the pistol is completely ouside the stand. Ask me how I know! Ouch!
6_gunner
Member
Yes, unfortunately. I shot without ear protection several times in my newbie days and I suffer permanent hearing loss because of it. Fortunately, its not bad, but it's certainly noticable. I'll never shoot without ear protection again.
I shot a .44 percussion revolver, a S&W 1917, a 1911, Mosin Nagants and shotguns on several instances without protection, I'm lucky my hearing loss is not any worse than it is. I can't believe how stupid I was.
I shot a .44 percussion revolver, a S&W 1917, a 1911, Mosin Nagants and shotguns on several instances without protection, I'm lucky my hearing loss is not any worse than it is. I can't believe how stupid I was.
I fired a single round of .44 Magnum from a Redhawk at a fox whilst in an elevated shooting box. Twenty years ago. On quiet evenings, I STILL hear "mosquitoes" buzzing in my ears.
I can tolerate a few rounds of .22, .38 & .44 Specials and .45ACP if I forget plugs or muffs but cannot afford to expose myself to rifle or Magnum handgun stuff. Tinnitis sucks.
I insist that my kids ALWAYS protect their hearing when discharging firearms.
I can tolerate a few rounds of .22, .38 & .44 Specials and .45ACP if I forget plugs or muffs but cannot afford to expose myself to rifle or Magnum handgun stuff. Tinnitis sucks.
I insist that my kids ALWAYS protect their hearing when discharging firearms.
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351 WINCHESTER
Member
Both my ears ring all the time and as long as there is no background noise my hearing is ok. As I get older my hearing is getting worse.
For all you "youngsters" out there please wear hearing protection. That way you can understand your grandkids.
For all you "youngsters" out there please wear hearing protection. That way you can understand your grandkids.
RevolvingCylinder
Member
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I'm gonna have to start a poll in General for Tinnitus. I'm really curious how many of us have it. I know I do.
I was lying prone next to an 8mm mauser when my friend pulled the trigger. It ruined my day and probably took a chunk out of my hearing. It was my own fault for forgetting to return my ear plugs.
I have also fired .38, 9mm, and .45 outdoors, once a piece, out of curiosity. My ears have always been somewhat sensitive and loud noises still hurt my ears even after minor hearing loss. Now I wear earplugs for everything, and I even try to tuck a plug in my right ear to drown out some of my motorcycle exhaust.
So far nothing has come close to a heavy metal group I saw at a dive bar in Springfield. It was by far the absolute worst punishment my ears have ever taken and it took a week before my ears stopped ringing. Certain things just don't sound the same anymore :banghead:
I have also fired .38, 9mm, and .45 outdoors, once a piece, out of curiosity. My ears have always been somewhat sensitive and loud noises still hurt my ears even after minor hearing loss. Now I wear earplugs for everything, and I even try to tuck a plug in my right ear to drown out some of my motorcycle exhaust.
So far nothing has come close to a heavy metal group I saw at a dive bar in Springfield. It was by far the absolute worst punishment my ears have ever taken and it took a week before my ears stopped ringing. Certain things just don't sound the same anymore :banghead:
Danus ex
Member
Those of you with hearing damage shouldn't beat yourselves up too much.
Most of my shooting without hearing protection was with a single shot 12GA during hunting trips. I was between 12 and 15 years old for most of those trips, probably 15 trips total. The shooting would make my ears ring a bit, but I don't know how much permanent damage ever occurred.
Then when I was 18, on the night of my high school graduation party, I developed an incredibly painful ear infection which made me temporarily deaf. This infection took four rounds of different antibiotic treatments over a six weeks to eliminate. What's more, I injured my ankle in a martial arts class shortly after being infected and had to walk with a cane for about five weeks. I was an 18-year-old old man! I suffered some minor hearing damage as a result of the infection.
Now as a 25-year-old, I have four grandparents who all have poor hearing. Neither of my grandmothers spent much time around loud things, but their genes don't care. Your hearing, like your sight, is gonna go eventually. In a world with cars, guns, tractors, concerts, jet engines, and screaming children, it's impossible not to incur some hearing loss unless you choose to live away from everything loud, and even then there's no telling what your DNA has in store.
I'm not saying you shouldn't use hearing protection. You'd be a fool not to use it as much as possible given the available evidence. Just try not to do anything excessively stupid, and acknowledge that life is incredibly loud sometimes.
Most of my shooting without hearing protection was with a single shot 12GA during hunting trips. I was between 12 and 15 years old for most of those trips, probably 15 trips total. The shooting would make my ears ring a bit, but I don't know how much permanent damage ever occurred.
Then when I was 18, on the night of my high school graduation party, I developed an incredibly painful ear infection which made me temporarily deaf. This infection took four rounds of different antibiotic treatments over a six weeks to eliminate. What's more, I injured my ankle in a martial arts class shortly after being infected and had to walk with a cane for about five weeks. I was an 18-year-old old man! I suffered some minor hearing damage as a result of the infection.
Now as a 25-year-old, I have four grandparents who all have poor hearing. Neither of my grandmothers spent much time around loud things, but their genes don't care. Your hearing, like your sight, is gonna go eventually. In a world with cars, guns, tractors, concerts, jet engines, and screaming children, it's impossible not to incur some hearing loss unless you choose to live away from everything loud, and even then there's no telling what your DNA has in store.
I'm not saying you shouldn't use hearing protection. You'd be a fool not to use it as much as possible given the available evidence. Just try not to do anything excessively stupid, and acknowledge that life is incredibly loud sometimes.
At 140 dBA noise causes immediate injury to almost any unprotected ear. All calibers can/will cause instant damage.
Here are the dB levels of various firearms.
.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.
sm
member
Yep,
Serious Situations, and either no Ears, no time for ears, or at best, a cigarette filter, or napkin.
I am in the camp of preferring low pressure rounds for interior use, such as .38spl or .44spl.
.357 full house loads, .44 Mag full house loads are a tad less than non-quiet when fired in enclosed areas.
I highly recommend lanyards on .44 mag car guns, especially if used while driving, at highway speeds, and you are the driver, and alone when Serious Shows up.
Serious Situations, and either no Ears, no time for ears, or at best, a cigarette filter, or napkin.
I am in the camp of preferring low pressure rounds for interior use, such as .38spl or .44spl.
.357 full house loads, .44 Mag full house loads are a tad less than non-quiet when fired in enclosed areas.
I highly recommend lanyards on .44 mag car guns, especially if used while driving, at highway speeds, and you are the driver, and alone when Serious Shows up.
Action_Can_Do
Member
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- May 28, 2005
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When I was 18, I fired both a 44 magnum and a 45acp without any hearing protection. The 44 was a Model 29 with a 6 inch barrel. The 45 was a 1911 with a 3 inch barrel. The 45 seemed much louder. I fired multiple rounds out of both, and didn't have any problems. Years later, I fired 33 rounds of 9mm off a friends porch. I went deaf in my left ear for an hour or so. Small bore guns are just as bad for the ears as bigguns.
righteousbarbarian
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- May 1, 2007
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I've probably suffered minor hearing loss because i used to love to go to concerts and listen to very loud music. I have only once shot a .45 ACP without hearing protection by accident. It definitely sucked and my ears rang for about an hour but I learned a valuable lesson.
I made this thread to hear other people's experiences because i used to carry a .357 mag (not a big bore, i know) for personal defense but I was always concerned about how loud it was going to be if I had to use it. i know my life is more important than my hearing, but I was still concerned.
I made this thread to hear other people's experiences because i used to carry a .357 mag (not a big bore, i know) for personal defense but I was always concerned about how loud it was going to be if I had to use it. i know my life is more important than my hearing, but I was still concerned.
.455_Hunter
Member
a few times...
- shot a Ruger Blackhawk .357 once without plugs on a Boy Scout Campout at age 12 (Dumb- ears rung for several hours)
- had an inside room AD with a 7.62mm Broomhandle Mauser at age 16 (cracked bolt stop chip locked firing pin forward, causing a slamfire when the bolt closed) The audio exclusion/adrenaline dump principle worked here- some ringing, but mostly just a "fog" afterwards.
- forgot to put the plugs back in while plinking with a S&W model 60 loaded with Winchester 158 gr. LSWHPs +Ps. One round was enough, but it did tell me that I could function fine in a SD scenario with that gun.
- The only two pistols I have fired intentionally a few times without plugs are my Enfield No. 2 MK 1* (.38 S&W) and Webley Mk VI (.455). With the longer barrels and low powered rounds, they are not too bad.
- shot a Ruger Blackhawk .357 once without plugs on a Boy Scout Campout at age 12 (Dumb- ears rung for several hours)
- had an inside room AD with a 7.62mm Broomhandle Mauser at age 16 (cracked bolt stop chip locked firing pin forward, causing a slamfire when the bolt closed) The audio exclusion/adrenaline dump principle worked here- some ringing, but mostly just a "fog" afterwards.
- forgot to put the plugs back in while plinking with a S&W model 60 loaded with Winchester 158 gr. LSWHPs +Ps. One round was enough, but it did tell me that I could function fine in a SD scenario with that gun.
- The only two pistols I have fired intentionally a few times without plugs are my Enfield No. 2 MK 1* (.38 S&W) and Webley Mk VI (.455). With the longer barrels and low powered rounds, they are not too bad.
MCgunner
Member
Only in the open while hunting and I didn't get the "ringing" except the first time I fired my .30-30 contender from a box blind. That was stupid. 
I carry my muffs to the blind when I'm hunting from one with the contender, now.
I carry my muffs to the blind when I'm hunting from one with the contender, now.
I let off a .44 mag a couple of decades ago, after forgetting the muffs, and feel that my hearing never fully recovered from that; it HURT for days. I got into an on-duty shooting using a .357 125-grain JHP from a 4" Ruger GP100, and heard only a light pop and felt no pain, and was able to hear normally afterward. Part of the fight-or-flight reflex USUALLY, but not always, protects from short-term effects of the blast, but opinions of experts differ on whether the long-term hearing is damaged in such scenearios.
NoirFan
Member
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2006
- Messages
- 671
Hello,
I once had an indoor ND with a 158-grain .357 magnum Hydra-Shok. The barrel/cylinder gap was about a foot from my face and it was extremely unpleasant to say the least, with painful ringing lasting four days.
Another time I deliberately fired off a 125-grain .357 Golden Saber indoors, this time standing behind rather than perpendicular to the gun. Report was irritating but not painful. I could hear fine afterwards, but had a slight headache. Revolvers really are much louder from the sides than from behind.
I don't think I had permanent hearing loss from either time, but it is hard to tell.
I once had an indoor ND with a 158-grain .357 magnum Hydra-Shok. The barrel/cylinder gap was about a foot from my face and it was extremely unpleasant to say the least, with painful ringing lasting four days.
Another time I deliberately fired off a 125-grain .357 Golden Saber indoors, this time standing behind rather than perpendicular to the gun. Report was irritating but not painful. I could hear fine afterwards, but had a slight headache. Revolvers really are much louder from the sides than from behind.
I don't think I had permanent hearing loss from either time, but it is hard to tell.
littlegator
Member
I'd like to hear (no pun intended) from the HR members who were/are in the military on active duty during war. I haven't served in the military, but I can imagine that while on duty, a person would not be wearing ear protection. I can't imagine this was pleasant, to say the least. Of course, if you are shooting back at something shooting at you, your hearing loss is probably not your first concern.
Of course, I don't want this to hijack the thread...
Of course, I don't want this to hijack the thread...
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North Bender
Member
When I came back from VN the hearing test showed I had significant hearing loss. The Dr. said I could stay at Ft. Lewis for another couple weeks or months on TDY while my hearing was checked and see if I was qualified to file for a disability. Or I could get a ticket home that day and be with my family.
If I chose the ticket home, the deal was I couldn't go back and apply for a disability later.
Guess where I was the next day.
I have my hearing checked annually. The Dr. always comments on my hearing loss.
If I chose the ticket home, the deal was I couldn't go back and apply for a disability later.
Guess where I was the next day.
I have my hearing checked annually. The Dr. always comments on my hearing loss.
Big Boomer
Member
yes...
and I would NOT recommend it. I have 95%/90% hearing loss, Tinitus (ringing of the ears) it is permanent damage. I am legally deaf.
I shot all my younger years with no hearing protection. Rifles, shotguns, pistols...
I cannot hear:
Birds chirping
cell phones ringing
smoke detectors
door bells
my wife yelling
creaky doors
whistling teapots
flutes, violins, etc.
pens clicking
my wristwatch alarm going off
and many many more things but you get the idea, and the ringing is constant and varies how loud it gets, sometimes it is literally no pun intended deafening.
Do NOT shoot without protection. You will lose a little (or a lot) of hearing each time you do it.
and I would NOT recommend it. I have 95%/90% hearing loss, Tinitus (ringing of the ears) it is permanent damage. I am legally deaf.
I shot all my younger years with no hearing protection. Rifles, shotguns, pistols...
I cannot hear:
Birds chirping
cell phones ringing
smoke detectors
door bells
my wife yelling
creaky doors
whistling teapots
flutes, violins, etc.
pens clicking
my wristwatch alarm going off
and many many more things but you get the idea, and the ringing is constant and varies how loud it gets, sometimes it is literally no pun intended deafening.
Do NOT shoot without protection. You will lose a little (or a lot) of hearing each time you do it.
Stainz
Member
WHAT?? WHY DO YOU ASK?
As a part time RO at a public range, I had the displeasure of being blasted by a $*&@% and his 10mm Glock, among other loudenboomers, during a 'cold' period over the years. I then had the distinct pleasure of ending their play period - and sending the offenders home. Your hearing is nearly as important as your vision - protect both! Spares are generally unavailable.
Stainz
PS Even just the 'boom' of my Ruger Old Army, or one of my earlier Italian clones, loaded with blackpowder, can be damaging.
As a part time RO at a public range, I had the displeasure of being blasted by a $*&@% and his 10mm Glock, among other loudenboomers, during a 'cold' period over the years. I then had the distinct pleasure of ending their play period - and sending the offenders home. Your hearing is nearly as important as your vision - protect both! Spares are generally unavailable.
Stainz
PS Even just the 'boom' of my Ruger Old Army, or one of my earlier Italian clones, loaded with blackpowder, can be damaging.
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