Hearing Loss

[Greg Ashley]

Has anyone heard of any research related to probability of permanent hearing loss resulting from using a handgun for self-defense while in an enclosed space (e.g., inside cars, small rooms, elevators, etc.)?  Some of the self-defense techniques being shown on TV and in gun press leave the gun quite to the ears.  Secondly, are barrel length and hearing loss correlated?

[Green Mountain Gringo]

I remember an episode of "the Sopranos" I think it was where somebody pops another guy while their sitting in a car together with the windows up....the shooter winces in pain and you can tell the concussion was LOUD.

That's why I always walk around with my earmuffs on..........and a condom on..... cuz...you never know......eh?

[bryand71]

I remember an episode of "the Sopranos" I think it was where somebody pops another guy while their sitting in a car together with the windows up....the shooter winces in pain and you can tell the concussion was LOUD.

That's why I always walk around with my earmuffs on..........and a condom on..... cuz...you never know......eh?

  LOL

[1776 Rebel]

Hearing loss is a huge problem wherever you have guns going bang and a set of eardrums nearby. Police departments, the military and causual shooters all suffer permanent hearing loss over time. In SD situations in the home it is a wise decision to have a pair of good electronic earmuffs right next to your gun. This story came out just a week or two ago regards the military coming back from the mid east....read the entire story...

http://www.courant.com/news/nationworld/chi-t6-hearing-loss_0220feb20,0,664773.story?track=rss

From the Chicago Tribune
GIs are back, but at a loss
—Brian Newsome, McClatchy/ Tribune Newspapers
February 20, 2009
A survey of soldiers returning from Iraq found that as many as 1 in 4 had some level of hearing damage. A study in the American Journal of Audiology found that soldiers deployed to Iraq from April 2003 to March 2004 were 50 times more likely to suffer acoustic trauma than those who were not deployed. Such statistics have prompted the military to rethink how it handles hearing cases, and Ft. Carson, Colo., is on the front lines of that change.

[1911 Junkie]

I think there's a big difference in exposure and hearing damage between military personel in an active
environment and someone firing a few rounds in self defense.  It's not fair to compare the two.
I will admit that I hear better with my electronic muffs on, however, the sound isn't directional. I can
hear people speaking better but I can't tell what direction it is coming from.  If something goes "bump"
in the night and I investigate, I want to be able to tell exactly where the noise is coming from.
If I have to fire a few rounds I'll live with any resultant damage........but I will live.

[Sponsor]

[Timothy]

As I've said before on other threads, hearing loss is cumulative.  In other words, the damage builds up over time and can eventually be quite severe.  Loud sounds above 90-100 db cause hearing loss, period.  The extent of the loss and the frequencies lost are different from person to person.  Loud music, industrial noise, traffic noise and gunfire are some sources of noise above the 90-100 levels and will cause damage.  Gunfire is well above 165 db and should be avoided.

I wear protection even when I'm hunting at least on my strong side but I don't hunt much large game anymore so sight hunting is fine for me.

I suppose the sound wave could be more severe in a confined space such as a car, you would have to get a meter to determine the increase in levels though.  Shooting in self defense is a situation that can not be avoided and worrying about your hearing is something you won't be thinking about!

[bryand71]

WHAT??? What?   

Seriously, I have some hearing loss from several years of hunting during Dove season (would usually shoot about 25 to 40 rounds in a day). I also engaged in listening to my walkman way too loud as a young adult, and several years working in manufacturing facilities. I always wore hearing protection at work, but I know that the years of loud music and hunting a couple of times a year have done their damage. I now have a permenant tone noise in both ears (the left is the worst, the right just a little) I would suspect that shooting a few rounds in your house or car would cause some damage, but I would rather have that than loose my life or the life of a loved one.

[Badgersmilk]

My favorite of all time on this subject:  Watch the Matrix, or Terminator.  They're busting off a dozen rounds inside a stainless steel walled elevator.  The bullets wouldnt even have to hit!  Everybody would be on the ground crying!

It's not a joke though.  Last year I fired 12ga. 3.5" shells out of a short barrel gun about 7 times one day.  Knew it was hurting my ears (along with my shoulder!), but kept hunting.

Over a year later if I hear more than one of two shots from anything bigger than a 22 my ears are killing me.  I've gotta wear GOOD muffs at the range!  Look for 30db reduction or more when your shopping.  You'll be shocked how much it improves your shooting!

The much needed standard disclaimer though:  To many people on this site "know" everything though.  And only reply if they see an oportunity to show off.  So before they point it out...  What I said is ALL WRONG!

[r_w]

Loud sounds above 90-100 db cause hearing loss, period.  

+1 

Deaf or Dead?  I choose deaf, but...   

I do EVERYTHING I can to protect my ears now to save up the cumulative points I have left for when I don't have a choice.  And I am trying to teach my kids before they learn the hard way. 

[Timothy]

It's good to get your kids involved early.  As we age, we normally will lose some hearing at higher frequencies, better to save what we have for as long as we can.  Children and even your family pet are suseptable to hearing loss as well.

I wear plugs and muffs at the range, combined.

I agree with deaf over dead, I can learn to read lips or sign but breathing is necessary for both!