Hearing protection in the military?

[leadcounsel]

A valid concern, but the idea is to remove as much noise as you can from the situation, not all of it. If every rifleman had a suppressed weapon, he would be in better shape hearing-wise and could have an advantage in some situations. They can issue plugs as well, and that will help reduce damage from IEDs, artillery, etc. and further reduce the sound of rifle fire.

With a limited spending budget, suppressors are never going to be provided en mass and there are more effective ways to protect hearing. Like I said before, protecting the hearing is done more efficiently with ear pro because you cannot control other noises such as bombs, machinery, big guns, etc.

 

[JShirley]

I had Peltor 6s, but was ordered not to wear them during fire missions by my sergeant, Ray Don Gordon of the 180th Infantry.

Why? Well, he mumbled, and was afraid I wouldn't hear a command given. (Mortar SOP is for every team member to loudly say all commands.) Because of this, I had problems safely dropping rounds, because I had always been trained to use ear pro. Now, I had to try to drop the round and get my hands back up in time to cover my ears before the round fell all the way down the tube. This caused an unsafe condition several times, as 81mm rounds stuck on the end of barrel BAD device. These rounds then had to be "tipped" into the tube.

When I used good form, I couldn't always get my hands up in time to protect my ears. I had 81mm rounds go off inches from my head at least twice.

John

 

[wvmountaineer]

Ripp off a wheel full of 357mags out of a state police 4" barreled revolver, and you'll get the meaning of deaf and pain. NOT RECCOMENDED!!!!!!!!!!

 

[blackcash88]

I will say that all of the hours I have as a sensor operator flying in helicopters has taken a toll on my hearing.

What platform are you in? SH-60B/F/S/R? I flew SH-60Bs for years and still have very good hearing. All I ever used was the foamies you grabbed in maintenance on your way out to the hangar/flight line and the flight helmet.