inside gunfire effect on hearing

[Harley Quinn]

Shooting a few rounds off without protection will cause you hearing loss

Erik M should be concerned, for he lost some

Argue about the situation all you want, it is well known in hearing aid circles, we should have been more careful

 

[racine]

I have electronic hearing protection by my bedside at arms reach much like my weapons of choice. Given the need for immediate action the primary tool is first and anything secondary is optional. Given any questionable issues, if time allows, having these earmuffs helps define any noises and provides lesser distraction to gunfire. I'd prefer to keep things simple but also like to have all resources available. Break ins are rare in rural communities, much less than the big city. Rare exposure to gunfire poses very little risk to your hearing than the sustained and protracted gunfights our soldiers get out there(in and outdoors). I've been to perhaps a hundred or so rock concerts and have been actively shooting 35 years and still have very good hearing. I did learn to wear plugs for the last 25 concerts and during 90% of my shooting sessions. During those 2 breakins I've encountered, I was fortunate not to have to discharge a weapon but I think that would have been the least of my worries.

 

[106rr]

I keep hearing protection with any gun used for SD. If you have a chance to protect your hearing, do so. Alive and deaf vs dead are not the only two choices. If you are at home you can easily have electronic muffs availalble. If you are on the street, the shots may not be as damaging to your hearing as they would be inside. I know that you cannot protect your hearing or your family from all losses. I strive to protect them from as much damage as I can. Hearing loss IS a loss to your family not just to you.

 

[Mac's Precision]

Well....

Here is something to think about. 40 years ago when my father was a deputy in California...they used to go to the qualification range every quarter. There was 30 guys on the line. All of them shooting .357 Magnums. NONE of them wore ear protection. Can you imagine? HUH?!?! My old man...is deaf as a post. Having a chat with Dad requires that you yell at him like a drill instructor.

When I was a kid my father used to scold me for shooting my .22 with no ear protection. I resisted to wear the mickey mouse ears. It seemed so pointless for the little .22...but I did it. I learned to never argue with my Dad.

Later in life...I was in the barn shooting pigeons with a 12 bore pump gun. I had it loaded with #9 shot and a 1/4 choke. The shotgun had a Cutts comp on it...and it was loud. I put most of a box through that gun that day. I was having some serious ringing as I wore no ear plugs. That ringing lasted for many many days. It was VERY stupid to do that.

I walked into an indoor range one day...after forgetting to put my plugs in... Someone lit a Magnum in there just as I set foot in.... WHOA! Back out the door....plugs in.

The real killer on my ears was when I was working in a car repair shop. I had a car up on my hoist. The mechanic in the next bay had a pickup truck in the air too. I was working on rear brake shoes on the car. He was installing an exhaust on the truck. He was welding up the muffler with an oxy/acetylene torch. He accidentally burned through the pipe and subsequently snuffed the torch flame. Like an idiot he was trying to relight the torch off the hot steel and ended up pumping the oxy gas mix into the tail pipe through the burn hole. He cussed and re-lit the torch and went about welding. He brought the torch back to the burn hole and it lit like a carbide cannon. The tail pipe was bent out the side just to the rear of the tire..............pointed right at my head. I was totally unaware the blast was coming. I had my right ear closest to the tail pipe that was about 6 feet away. BLAMMMMMO! I ducked like I had been shot...and lost all hearing in that ear for a little over 24 hours. I had a headache for about 3 days. To this day...I have intense ringing in that ear. I talk on the phone with the left ear.

So to answer the question posted by the op... Yes...you may suffer significant hearing damage from large bore handguns / shotguns or rifles when fired IN the house. It is something to be avoided but if the situation dictates it...let 'er rip...and then sit on the witness stand and go....HUH? Can you repeat the question? What? Sorry.

Cheers
Mac.

 

[Harley Quinn]

Yep...Even with hearing aids it is a major problem in your life and that of others who fail to comprehend...

Here is something to think about. 40 years ago when my father was a deputy in California...they used to go to the qualification range every quarter. There was 30 guys on the line. All of them shooting .357 Magnums. NONE of them wore ear protection. Can you imagine? HUH?!?! My old man...is deaf as a post. Having a chat with Dad requires that you yell at him like a drill instructor.