Do Your Ears Ring When Shooting? Poll

[gooseman1991]

Ok I don't think anyone has made a post quite like this. Obviously we should always wear eyes and ears when shooting but I know that some of us on here have fired without our eyes and ears on at least a few occasions either from self-defense, accidental discharge, or such. I am aware normally hearing loss is cumulative and each shot does a little more but I am also aware of situations where one shot caused enough trauma to permanently ruin hearing so I highly suggest you NEVER shoot without them unless absolutely necessary. Realizing in defense if you survive then the first battle is won, but has anyone ever thought about how you would handle the rest of the situation if after you had to fire a couple rounds in self defense you couldn't hear anything?

Goose

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[atctimmy]

I shoot a few hundred rounds each year without ear protection during hunting season. So that makes it about...let's see 27 or so years times 200 rounds...that makes it 5K plus and no hearing problems. Oh, I worked on the flight deck of a carrier for two years as well. Still no ringing.

Shooting indoors would make a much bigger bang though and I never do that without hearing protection.

[palmgopher]

I agree I have hunted for years without hearing protection. I wear hearing protection when indoors though, that will ring your bell for sure!

[farronwolf]

It depends on the situation. When hunting, I rarely hear the gun shot, and never experience any ringing.

When just at the range and there is a gun discharged around and I don't have hearing protection, yes, ringing often occurs.

I think adrenaline makes the difference.

[OldVet]

I had to answer yes. After 20 years of working around jets and more than that of hunting, my ears ring constantly--24/7.

[Exacto]

I don't shoot without ear protection. I have been in classes when the ear muffs were off to listen to the trainer and someone gets their signals crossed and fires a round or two. And yes, that does ring my ears. During a critical incident, a phenomina know as occular occlusion,fancy name for hearing loss,takes place and is part of being under great stress, and I don't know if you would even hear the shot. Hearing loss is only one of many things that happen to the body under significant stress.

[Bmoliv66]

I generally bring the ear muffs when I hunt too and throw them on before a shot... I only hunt squirrels though I wouldn't attempt that staring down a big buck lol.

[rocky]

I don't shoot without ear protection. I have been in classes when the ear muffs were off to listen to the trainer and someone gets their signals crossed and fires a round or two. And yes, that does ring my ears. During a critical incident, a phenomina know as occular occlusion,fancy name for hearing loss,takes place and is part of being under great stress, and I don't know if you would even hear the shot. Hearing loss is only one of many things that happen to the body under significant stress.

I believe it's called auditory occlusion, occular would relate to eyesight or eyes.
Having fired many rounds hunting I never hear ringing. I do wear hearing protection target shooting.

[SIGguy229]

There is also a huge difference between shooting in the open vs under a covered area. The covered area amplifies the sounds.

[NONAME762]

I had to answer yes. After 20 years of working around jets and more than that of hunting, my ears ring constantly--24/7.

Well TBT I'm glad I'm not the only one. My ears have been ringing since I was 18 from a rollover accident. Plus I went airborne and landed 50+feet from dune buggy.

Only it's more like a solid tone. It's pretty loud right now.

Most of my working life I was in loud industrial environments. Add to that screamin' loud music. I prefer muffs and plugs when running saws or gas trimming ditches. Fair bit of tractor and Hoe work with no hearing protection along with trucks. When I shoot I like muffs and plugs.

[multistage]

As a diesel mechanic, I am around screaming engines, inch drive impacts, and hammering all day long. My ears have been ringing for as long as I remember. They are just plumb shot.

I do wear plugs when at the range. Trying to preserve what very little hearing I have left.

[Cook74]

I have tinnitus (continuing ringing in both ears.) So this is a mote point but I do wear plugs when I shoot.

One time, I saw a frekin rat at the bird feeder and was upstairs in a small room. I did not even think about it at the time but I opened the window and using my .35 Rem Marlin 336, I shot that rat and blew it in half with pieces going everywhere. I know, a little overkill...

I was deaf for a few hours...

Lesson learned... NEVER shot at rats from inside a small room...

Of course that was eons ago but lesson learned.

[hardluk1]

Do you mean some peoples ears don't ring??

[pittypat21]

As to the question on the Poll "Does one shot ring you", I said "yes". But really it depends. I've shot a number of things without hearing protection. One shot from my AR doesn't do anything (several on the other hand...), one shot from my .45 hurt pretty good, and shotguns dont bother me at all.

[velo99]

Most of my working life I was in loud industrial environments. Add to that screamin' loud music. I prefer muffs and plugs when running saws or gas trimming ditches. Fair bit of tractor and Hoe work with no hearing protection along with trucks. When I shoot I like muffs and plugs.

Very similar hearing loss. Tour in the USAF on fighters. Loud music, played in a band, worked construction for 25 years. I wore hearing protection occasionally but definitely not enough. Have the buzz pretty.much constantly. I do wear protection now that its too late. Popped off a round with a 44 a while back & rang for about 3 days.