OT: Hearing Damage

[seanile]

Howdy, went to an outdoor range with my uncle on sunday to sight in my rifle scope for deer season. Throughout the whole day we were diligent with our ear muffs. He brought along his .44 Magnum, which I shot it three times. However, once we walked to a new spot and left our muffs by the bench, so we shot once without hearing protection. That one time put my left ear through a ringer and it hasn't feel right since. Slightly muffled, occasional loud ringing that drowns out the world, and somewhat persistent high pitched background ring.
I spent yesterday in bed with a cold, and some of the day wore my ear muffs just to keep things quiet. I biked to work wearing an ear plug in my left ear, and am sitting at my desk doing the 15 minutes in, 15 minutes out like a cold compress, but for sound.
Is there anything else I can do to encourage healing/coddle my poor, abused ear drum? I'm considering some of the sensitivity I'm feeling is due to my congestion though...but that thing was loud (https://www.instagram.com/p/BoXzGvJFKoi/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet).

[johnmdesigner]

I wouldn't make a habit of it but you will probably be OK.
You'll probably have to wait awhile before you can determine if you have lost any hearing.
A cold and congestion will just exacerbate the problem. Take it easy until you are over the cold.
Only a specialist will be able to determine your situation by testing each ear.
My father (who could sometimes be a real idiot) took me to ranges when I was a boy shooting .308 without ear protection. I have suffered some hearing loss on one side.
Pistol noise and concussion much worse. Don't do it again!:no:

[johnmdesigner]

Here, like this guy.

[parris]

Give it a few days and reevaluate how things are once your cold and such is over. Be aware that hearing damage is no joke and it doesn't take much for permanent damage to occur.

I spend extended time on firearm ranges and have taken to wearing BOTH in ear hearing protection and good electronic ear muffs. That being said I still have hearing loss and ringing.

Right now I'm assigned to instructing duties for the next couple of weeks. The class size is 28 so there's a LOT of gunfire for several hours daily. So most of the instructors have invested in very good ear and eye pro.

This post reminded me that I've got to dry my gear given the downpour we were in for part of the day.

[Peter P.]

Recovery will take several days. Give it a week.

When I was in the Air Force training in military tactics, we practiced assaulting a target. There were 12 soldiers in my squad; eight were in a line, spaced about 10ft. between each, and the remaining four were off to our side at a 45 degree angle providing cover fire.

We were all armed with M-16's with 40, 5.56mm rounds.

So we're preparing and I'm watching everyone put earplugs in. 1. Where the hell did they get earplugs?!, and 2., That seemed stupid to me because when the real firefight starts you aren't going to have time to install earplugs. Shouldn't we practice under REAL conditions? I didn't ask questions or say a word.

So I'm the only guy without earplugs and we're firing away our total 480 rounds in a few minutes while we move on target.

I was stone cold deaf for four days. I thought for sure if I was discovered that I'd be thrown out of the service. I honestly don't think I've ever recovered.

[seanile]

I was stone cold deaf for four days. I thought for sure if I was discovered that I'd be thrown out of the service. I honestly don't think I've ever recovered.dear god. when i lived in ohio i was in a range booth next to a guy with an AR, while i was shooting my 30-06 springfield. i thought, damn, mine is loud. then he popped off a magazine and i was cringing behind my muffs. that must have been so painful for you.

thank you for the input everyone. hopefully this does subside after the week and it will simply be a lesson learnt.

i'm considering buying a set of electronic plugs for hunting that would allow for ambient noise, but block loud sounds. shots while hunting big game are few and far between but a single 12ga shell will still leave a mark.

I spend extended time on firearm ranges and have taken to wearing BOTH in ear hearing protection and good electronic ear muffs. That being said I still have hearing loss and ringing. what kind of electronic muffs do you have?

[parris]

I have 2 pairs of electronic Peltor ear muffs. The old pair is I believe the 6s. That pair has a rating of 19db. Each ear cup is powered by 2 aa batteries and the volume is independent. The new pair which I've had for 3 or 4 years are the Tactical 100 model. They have a rating of 22 or 23 db and use just 2 aaa batteries.

I've had the old pair for 20+ years and they're my back up pair now if the new ones either go down or someone needs a pair. The new pair is more comfortable due to design and such. I've worn both pairs for hours on end in all weather.

I've taken to adding ear plugs for all shooting except for shotgun games.

Be aware that both sets of ear muffs are older tech. There are newer models that I've heard are better performing I just don't have first hand experience with them.

[Bruce K]

+1 on Peltors. My ENT highly recommends them

45-70 & 45-90 Black Powder cartridges make a heck of a racket so I get where you are coming from

As others said, give it a little time

I’m in a different boat - years of loud music, wind buffeting while on the bike (just got some Cat Ears), and driving formula cars before ear protection was a thing and I am close to needing hearing aids.

Constant tinitis and loss of certain dB ranges. Hard to hear clearly with background noise (conversations while watching TV for instance).

Boy it stinks to get old but it’s been a great ride so far...

BK

[oliver1850]

Just a guess, but I think you will be OK. When I was growing up, nobody thought of hearing protection. We would shoot .308 and 30-06 all afternoon without considering it. Same was true in motorsports. Pit stops in CanAm series were extremely loud. I didn't wear ear plugs around race cars until 1984. Concerts were the loudest of all for me I think. Entwistle said "make their ears bleed". Never experienced that but I recall hearing loss that lasted for weeks after some concerts in the 70s.

[seanile]

Yea, i suppose these days are certainly different than those days.
I havd blown out this ear drum before, from water/air pressure from a failed flip off a boat. That was 7 years ago.
But as was said, only time and an audiologist can tell, and so i will wait.

[clyde the point]

My ENT recommended Costco for hearing test and hearing aids. It has been almost 3 years since I have been using hearing aids and it's a remarkable difference.

Last year I had a negligent discharge in a house with a .308 Norma Mag, a new to me rifle that had a problem with "closing the bolt and releasing the firing pin". That fuct my left ear sadly and required an adjustment of my hearing aids.

Hearing loss is pretty awful and we are the last ones to know it.

[parris]

Clyde just reading that made my ears bleed!

[RC.]

Close to 15 years ago I started working in sound for one of the major studios here in Los Angeles. In that time, I've seen countless old school mixers with hearing issues and many mixers who have poor habits on the stage. For many of them, as the years go by, their monitoring gets louder and louder.

I promised myself, I would do my best to NOT join that group. Being a regular concert goer, I always bring hearing protection even if I think the show is "not going to be that loud." Due diligence is imperative if you're looking to keep your hearing.

I hope OP's issues are not long term and he doesn't have any long terms effects.

[redir]

I always wondered how guys who were in firefights with M1 Garands and Enifields for days on end ever could have handled it. Not to mention Howitzers and other cannon.

A .44 is a big bang.

[clyde the point]

Part of my point is that Costco will do a hearing test for free. Might as well establish a baseline.

[RC.]

Part of my point is that Costco will do a hearing test for free. Might as well establish a baseline.

Have you ever tried Mimi Test? It's an app for the iPhone.

[559Rando]

Gingko is supposed by good for tinnitus, per a musician buddy of mine who has been in loud bands for many years.

[Hellgate]

After 20 years in the Army National Guard on tanks, and several combat deployments, I can't hear crap. Ringing , nausea, severe headaches, and dizziness is pretty normal after being exposed to big bangs without hearing pro.

The worst I experienced was hanging 120 mm mortar round without hearing protection in properly. I felt like my head had been hit with a ball peen hammer, my ears rang for 5 days, and I threw up for two.

That was worse than combat with a caliber 50 going off right next to my ear.

[RC.]

After 20 years in the Army National Guard on tanks, and several combat deployments, I can't hear crap. Ringing , nausea, severe headaches, and dizziness is pretty normal after being exposed to big bangs without hear pro.

The worst I experienced was hanging 120 mm mortar round without hearing protection in properly. I felt like my head had been hit with a ball peen hammer my ears ring for 5 days and I threw up for two.

That was worse than combat with a caliber 50 going off right next to my ear.

****. That sounds horrific. I'm sorry to hear. No pun intended.

[Hellgate]

****. That sounds horrific. I'm sorry to hear. No pun intended.

What?!?!?!?

[oldpotatoe]

Howdy, went to an outdoor range with my uncle on sunday to sight in my rifle scope for deer season. Throughout the whole day we were diligent with our ear muffs. He brought along his .44 Magnum, which I shot it three times. However, once we walked to a new spot and left our muffs by the bench, so we shot once without hearing protection. That one time put my left ear through a ringer and it hasn't feel right since. Slightly muffled, occasional loud ringing that drowns out the world, and somewhat persistent high pitched background ring.
I spent yesterday in bed with a cold, and some of the day wore my ear muffs just to keep things quiet. I biked to work wearing an ear plug in my left ear, and am sitting at my desk doing the 15 minutes in, 15 minutes out like a cold compress, but for sound.
Is there anything else I can do to encourage healing/coddle my poor, abused ear drum? I'm considering some of the sensitivity I'm feeling is due to my congestion though...but that thing was loud (https://www.instagram.com/p/BoXzGvJFKoi/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet).

Outdoor range, warm day, forgot to put my ear protection back on...357...ouch!! Same kinda gig...few days it was OK..having a cold, which puts crud in your inner ear doesn't help..If it persists, see a doc to see if you actually damaged ear drum.

[oldpotatoe]

dear god. when i lived in ohio i was in a range booth next to a guy with an AR, while i was shooting my 30-06 springfield. i thought, damn, mine is loud. then he popped off a magazine and i was cringing behind my muffs. that must have been so painful for you.

thank you for the input everyone. hopefully this does subside after the week and it will simply be a lesson learnt.

i'm considering buying a set of electronic plugs for hunting that would allow for ambient noise, but block loud sounds. shots while hunting big game are few and far between but a single 12ga shell will still leave a mark.

what kind of electronic muffs do you have?

Not to me but I just got these, tried yesterday..work really well.. I have been next to a guy with an AR015 platform, yup, those are LOUD!!

"Awesafe GF01 Noise Reduction Sound Amplification Electronic Safety Ear Muffs, Ear Protection, NRR 22 dB, Ideal for Shooting and Hunting"

[redir]

After 20 years in the Army National Guard on tanks, and several combat deployments, I can't hear crap. Ringing , nausea, severe headaches, and dizziness is pretty normal after being exposed to big bangs without hearing pro.

The worst I experienced was hanging 120 mm mortar round without hearing protection in properly. I felt like my head had been hit with a ball peen hammer, my ears rang for 5 days, and I threw up for two.

That was worse than combat with a caliber 50 going off right next to my ear.

Was that even with ear protection? I mean with the exception that you mentioned? I imagine on one hand ear plugs would be bad for communication but then if you are in a firefight you won't be able to hear anyway? Does the military issue any ear protection?

[Hellgate]

Was that even with ear protection? I mean with the exception that you mentioned? I imagine on one hand ear plugs would be bad for communication but then if you are in a firefight you won't be able to hear anyway? Does the military issue any ear protection?Oh yeah, hearing protection, ear plugs, are handed out like candy. When shooting at a range there a bags of plugs. The CVC helmet, (combat vehicle crew) affords a great deal of protection. Many people wear plugs inside the helmet.

The issue with the military is the environment is load all the time, generator, radios, motors, and the worst is turbine engines. It's cumulative damage. Weapons are an issue but more of than hearing damage can be mitigated or eliminated with proper hearing protection.

In my case with I had one plug out, listening to instructors on how to safely hang the round. My brilliant plan was to close my ear with my index finger, but my helmet strap got in the way. My head was at the base of the motar tube, perfect technique btw, as the round was shot. So my ear was about 6" was the explosion inside the tube.

Here's a good imagine to explain it.

https://goo.gl/images/WBSZbk