Why do my ears ring when shooting targets but not when I am hunting?

[sturmruger]

When I am shooting recreationally I always wear hearing protection. I usually use the big over the ears ear muff type. I can shoot all day long and feel no discomfort. They only gun I usually shoot with out my ear protection would be my 10/22 or my Mossberg 500.

When I am hunting whitetail that is a little different matter. The last couple of years I have been using my Mini 14 when hunting deer. I once made the mistake of shooting my Mini 14 without hearing protection. It has got to be one of the most piercing and loud rifles I have ever shot. What I have noticed is when I have all the adrenalin pumping and I take my shot at the deer when I am done my ears do not seem to ring at all. In fact in hindsight it seems like the shot never happened.

My question is this, when your ears ring is it something that your brain makes happen, and since it was busy concentrating on shooting the deer it doesn’t make you ears ring, or do your ears ring after shooting the deer, but you are too hyped up on adrenaline to notice the ringing??? Which is it?? I hope that makes sense. I have been wondering about this since I shot my first deer 13 years ago.

 

[wingnutx]

You probably shoot many more rounds when target shooting than when you do hunting.

Also, you may be closer to solid structures that echo the noise back at you, where an open field or forest would allow it to dissapate, or even absorb some of it.

 

[sturmruger]

The thing is the few times I shot without my ear protection it was only for the first shot. After that my ears were telling me to go fing the EP.

 

[P95Carry]

Over and above what Wingntx said .. and as we have been discussing on the hearing thread elsewhere (the one re hearing and SD gun use etc) ....

There does seem to be a measure of ''auditory shutdown'' possible when adrenaline is flowing .. mechanically the ears are as vulnerable . no change there but ... your brain shuts the sound out from reception to a degree ... or shall I use the word ''perception'' .... signal is there .. but receiver tuned off station!!

Maybe analagous too to ''tunnel vision'' at times - with stress/concentration .........

 

[ENC]

I have often wondered also. When I first got my .30-06 I was young and stupid that thing would deafen you. The ringing would make your ears ring type of gun. It has been a long time since I have shot it without protection while at the range. But even after one shot I will feel the dim soreness in my shoulder. Not pain but the knowledge of the shot.

This year when deer hunting I fired two rounds very rapidly. Ears Never rang, shoulder never hurt and I don't even remember cycling the bolt (did it twice). I wasn't wearing any thicker clothing and I wasn't in a different environment than what target at.

 

[wingnutx]

Adrenaline, maybe?

 

[AJ Dual]

It's called "Auditory exclusion".

You're so amped up when making a shot while hunting that your brain just ignores the ringing. You're right on the money as to what's happening.

People in defensive shootings without ear protection often recall not even noticing the sound of the muzzle blast, and then only notice their ears ringing hours later when they've calmed down.

The tunnel vision you get (when not G-force or fainting related) under stress is the same thing.

Your ears allways "ring" when damaged by a loud sound, it's your brain choosing wether or not to ignore it.

 

[Topgun]

.........MY..........tinnitus

was caused by OUTDOOR shots. Can pinpoint the day. .45 ACP

ALL shooting MAY not cause tinnitus.

But then again.

ANY shooting ....... MAY do it.

I have NEVER heard my mini 14. Never wish to. It may be my doomsday gun, but I know I'll never hear again after doomsday.

WITH muffs, it is loud. Can tell by the sinus sensation. AND the flame.

 

[tcsd1236]

An interesting piece of information on the subject of weapons-related hearing loss:
http://www.paratrooper.net/aotw/commo/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14853

 

[Double Naught Spy]

First, your ears should NEVER be ringing after you shoot. If you are wearing muffs, then you are not wearing muffs with enough protection. Consider both plugging and wearing muffs.

Second, a single shot from your mini-14 is damaging your ears. It is by small increments, but the damage is being done. The fact that you don't realize it is part of the insidious manner of how hearing damage can work slowly. Over time, you also won't notice that you don't hear your joints creak, your feet on the floor as you walk, etc., but you used to be able to hear these things.

No auditory protection is provided by auditory exclusion anymore than tunnel vision will protect your eyes while staring at the sun.

 

[Bill Hook]

Just because you don't notice, doesn't mean your ears aren't being damaged.

 

[Brian Williams]

.

The only gun I usually shoot with out my ear protection would be my 10/22 or my Mossberg 500.

Shooting a 22 without ear protection is worse that any other cartridge. You should always wear ear protection, even with a shotgun

Most of my hearing loss is from shooting a 22lr without ear protection, the rest is from woodworking machines.