Military Hearing protection

[LaVere]

When I was in the Army 1964-66. We were shooting the M-14 .308 with NO hearing protection. I have seen that they now use plug in training. What does one do during combat.
In Black Hawk Down the one guy was having hearing problems in the movie. Is this a problem in Iraq today?


Gordon

 

[Dbl0Kevin]

Ya know I've been wondering this same thing. My grandfather is extremely hard of hearing thanks to serving in WWII. I couldn't imagine constant firing of an M4 or a SAW without hearing protection. But then again I would imagine you wouldn't want to muffle your hearing so that you wouldn't hear anything going on around you. Quite a quandry indeed.

 

[artherd]

I know a SEAL (no, really who uses Peltors for hearing amplification/protection. Loves 'em because he can hear so much *better* and they muffle when a rifle barks.

 

[cerberus]

Just simple rubber plugs

All I got in the 60s was little rubber plugs. Now anything above 5K Hz is not on my rader. I now use Peltor Tac7 to keep what I still have.

 

[shep854]

In "The Insider" feature of the Nov/Dec issue of the American Handgunner (p. 134), there is a report on a pill that has been proven (in cooperation with the US Navy) to prevent and restore near-term, noise-induced hearing loss. Produced by American BioHealth Group and patented by the Navy, it will be available without a prescription.

http://www.thehearingpill.com

 

[MarkDido]

When I retired in 1995, they told me that my hearing was better than when I joined.

And I spent 23 years working around jet aircraft

 

[SodiumBenzoate]

IIRC, they issue plugs for combat, as well.

 

[Blue Line]

I was never in combat when I was in the Army but I can believe that there is probably some hearing loss from Iraq War Vets right now. Just going to the field and listening to some company doing night quals was a really loud sound. I can only imagine what combat would sound like with explosions and everything. I have some hearing loss but that comes from when I was much younger shooting w/o hearing protection. Today I use double hearing protection to save what's left.

 

[Bridger]

I figure ear-plugs or not, after the first shot you won't be hearing much, let alone if a bomb goes off near you. Just a hunch, I'd wear what I wear now, the ones with the baffles and valve that cuts off "impulse" noise.

 

[Redlg155]

I was over during the first Iraqi war. Although we had issue earplugs we never used them. We used the "ear plugs" that God issued us...in other words, our fingers.

Good Shooting
Red

 

[Bobothebigdog]

In "The Insider" feature of the Nov/Dec issue of the American Handgunner (p. 134), there is a report on a pill that has been proven (in cooperation with the US Navy) to prevent and restore near-term, noise-induced hearing loss. Produced by American BioHealth Group and patented by the Navy, it will be available without a prescription.

http://www.thehearingpill.com

Statements or information on this site have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. No products are intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Nothing I hate more than scams.

 

[Mr. Clark]

That's a statement you will find on many webpages and in many print and television ads. It's a lawyer thing. It does not mean it's a scam.

 

[Insectguy]

On submarines.....

...we didn't have a lot of loud noises, but did have a bit of continuous noise (i.e., electrical and propulsion generators).

Although hearing protection was available, we were never trained in the long-term effects of chronic noise. Almost nobody wore them.

When I got out, I had some loss in the upper registers, and have a high-pitched whine all the time (tinnitis). It's not usually bothersome unless things get really quiet, and then it seems really loud.

As a shooting instructor and coach, I do not allow anyone on or near the range without hearing protection during my classes. I carry several extra pair of foam hearing plugs for the kids on the range whose parents are blasting away merrily without regard for their hearing.

I always use electronic muffs, even when using power tools or yard tools. My kids have seen this, and now consider it a normal part of clothing when they help me with projects. (eye protection, too)

 

[Sergeant Sabre]

When I was in the Marines (Jul 1999-DEC 2003) hearing protection was always used during training. However, one time I did have my plugs fall out when I hit the ground during a live-fire drill and I did fire two rounds from an M-16 without hearing protection. It wasn't bad at all. No ringing, really. What rang my ears was everybody else around me opening up just after me.

In Mosul, Iraq, no hearing protection was provided. If you come under fire, you must immediately return fire in the direction that you think the enemy is shooting at you from. There is no time whatsoever to install hearing protection and I guarantee that hearing protection is near the bottom of your list of worries.

So, to answer the original question directly: No combat hearing protection is used. It's just a fact of life.

 

[Dave R]

Sounds like some military folk use their own Peltors...

Anyone know if there are regs preventing use of personal hearing protection?

Seems to me it would be a great tactical advantage in house-to-house fighting to be able to hear soft noises as well as protect hearing while shooting.

Hmmmm. Can you wear electronic muffs while wearing a helmet? Or would you be limited to in-ear devices like Game-Ear?

 

[Jeff White]

Dave R asked;

Hmmmm. Can you wear electronic muffs while wearing a helmet? Or would you be limited to in-ear devices like Game-Ear?

The new helmet ACH/MICH was designed to accomodate muffs. Some units are issuing the Sorodin with a comms package.

Jeff

 

[Mk VII]

in battle you just have to suck it up and accept the damage. You need the stereophonic hearing and directional indication and you can't risk muffs blocking it. If you live long enough (years) to notice the degradation in your hearing you can worry about it then.
Artillery men got plugs even in the '60s, but they seldom have to deal with an enemy yards away.

 

[ScorpioVI]

Never been in combat, but as an ex-11C I suffered hearing loss from training alone. Some of it was simply because you just don't have time to go digging for earplugs when people are yelling "FIRE MISSION!". I imagine it's the same in combat. I wouldn't wanna be wearing ear plugs or muffs while on patrol, and I certainly couldn't be bothered to mess with it when I'm getting shot at. Sometimes I'd just plain forget to have them on when I'm hanging a 120mm round, and don't realize I don't have a pair on until my ears are ringing.

I wear Peltor's on the range these days, along with Army-issue 3-flange plugs when indoors, trying to save what little hearing I have left.

 

[Jeff White]

MK VII,
The Sorodins give you amplified stereo hearing. The circuitry shuts them down when you fire your weapon. Some form of amlpified hearing will probably be standard in a few years.

Jeff