Potential Hearing Problem

[WestTex]

Being a new member, please forgive if this is in the wrong area. Perhaps mods could move if so?

My question is not whether anyone has been in a SD shooting, but rather if anyone has suffered any hearing loss due to a particular round / type pistol being shot in a crisis situation. Indoors or out.

Again, I would not intrude on anyone to reveal specifics about a horrific moment they experienced, but just curious about hardware vs potential hearing damage.

Tried Search, but could not find exactly what I was looking for.

Very many thanks.

Happy New Year!

 

[pete44ru]

.

Welcome to the forum - and Happy New Year back at ya !

While I've been in a SD situation twice (many years ago), I was concentrating, and so adrenalized that I barely remembered hearing the shot(s), and had no hearing issues afterward.

But then, I also rode motorcycles for over 25 years, sans helmet, and have no hearing issues from that, either - so it may just be me.

An extended firefight, however, IMO most likely would leave the participants left standing with some hearing issues.

.

 

[Bob Wright]

Well, I have a slight hearing loss, unable to hear high pitched sounds, such as the beep of battery checkers. I hear fairly well otherwise.

When I was in the Army, hearing protection was unheard of then. I fired on two different pistol teams, a .22 team and a .45 team. Also fired an M-1 rifle from an enclosed room. Most dramatic I had an M-48 tank fire its 90 mm gun close by. (That gave me a new view of "jumped out of my skin!")

From my experience I consider myself fortunate to have the hearing I have now.

Bob Wright

 

[whichwatch]

Huh, did you say something??

 

[DGW1949]

I've found that "magnum" rounds are particularly loud/boisterous regardless of caliber, as are a lot of "+P" type loadings...and much more so if you're firing position happens to be close to a wall, even outside.
I've got a permanent ringing in my right ear which resulted from my firing 2 rounds in quick succession from an M1-Carbine while crouched next to my patrol car and partially leaning across it's hood. That was many years ago but I still distinctly remember that the noise and concussion bouncing back at me from the hood and windshield was very much like getting slapped upside the head.

You can take it from there.

DGW

 

[Pat-inCO]

SIL has been in "more than one" shooting situation (Sheriff's Officer) and
seems to not have any issues. YMMV

 

[contender]

Welcome to the Forum!
A lot depends upon the variables in a SD situation. Indoors or out? Confined space indoors or open area? How close to the ears? Caliber? Direction of muzzle blast?
These are just a few things.
There isn't a hard & fast rule.
Plus, each person's physical makeup can have a bearing as well.

But,, it is a known fact that sudden, loud & sharp noises close to the ears does cause some damage. How much depends upon all the other factors.
But a solitary incident,,, in general,, will not likely be very bad for the ears.

 

[exavid]

I had some hearing damage from Army enlistment but I think the worst was shooting a rabid fox in a storage shed with a S&W model 29. I'd chased him into the shed and the critter tuned on me so no time to worry about hearing protection. The fox's head was sent to University of Alaska for examination and was positive for rabies. I'm sure that didn't help me much I still have tinnitus from that. Sure was loud.

 

[gtxmonte]

Loud noises harm your ears. It's that simple. Be it one time or hundreds, but it does do damage to your ears. Might be slight but it's there

 

[SamV]

While not a self defense situation, I suffered some permanent hearing loss and have constant ringing from a single fired shot next to me. Idiot negligently discharged his rifle a few feet from me during a ceasefire break at the range. I had removed ear protection momentarily to answer a question. It has never stopped ringing.
As far as self defense goes, I have ruled out using .357 Magnum in any revolver that I have that might be used indoors. I load them with .38 indoors. I could not imagine firing one in small space like a car.

 

[Pat-inCO]

My question is not whether anyone has been in a SD shooting, but
rather if anyone has suffered any hearing loss due to a particular round /
type pistol being shot in a crisis situation. Indoors or out.

The key point is:
With a true SD situation,
would you rather have the
ringing in the ears, or be dead?

 

[powder smoke]

The Report of gunfire in a SD situation probably is similar to a hunting scenario.

Too much adrenaline flowing to even care or hear it. Never been there hope to
keep it that way. ps

 

[Pat-inCO]

Never been there hope to keep it that way.

I think that's it for at least 98% of us.

 

[eveled]

I shoot rightie, and my left ear is my better one. I'm hoping I have the insight to stick my finger in my left ear before I shoot.

 

[Harvey]

I have had tinnitus since my late 20s. This is probably from military service. In addition, I have moderate hearing loss in both ears. This is helped somewhat by hearing aids. When shooting, both indoors and outdoors, I use Nrr33 ear plugs and passive Nrr33 ear muffs. With this combination, I am comfortable. I take out the hearing aids before I use the plugs and muffs.

 

[gtxmonte]

While adrenaline, anxiety, whatever may keep you from noticing the discharge at the moment, that in no way means your ears don't notice it. Our ears are in fact pretty fragile and most take our hearing for granted, me included. Mine are damaged from a lifetime of being around race cars with open exhaust. I now wear noise cancelling muffs when I shoot. Want to save what I have

 

[Tensaw]

I was in a hunting club with a member who worked for the state highway department. He was able to get a few large metal traffic signs that were obsolete. He built a shooting house out of them. I wouldn't go near that thing. One member invited a friend as a guest. I think you may know where this is going. He shot a 30.06 from inside that stand with no ear protection! He heard ringing in his ears for about three straight days.