BANG! Practice Without Hearing Protection - Page 3

TucAzRider · July 2nd, 2009, 04:41 PM

Huh????? Can ya speak up there sonny..

Orange Boy · July 2nd, 2009, 05:00 PM

I would imagine shooting from within a vehicle would be the worst of all scenarios. I can't imagine not having some form of permanent hearing damage from that.

MinistrMalic · July 2nd, 2009, 05:00 PM

Yeah I have tinnitus from my time in the Navy too...sucks, but it is manageable. Knowing that a 9mm round is almost 160dB, I have never wanted to hear that without protection. If I get into a SD situation I know that the hearing loss is less of an issue than the BG, so I'll deal with it then. And I have a feeling that I will be more concerned with a followup shot and movement than with the ringing in my ears.

Urk 22 · July 2nd, 2009, 05:22 PM

The first time I shot a gun I was with some friends and we were young and didn't use hearing protection, it was loud, but you get used to it. Ever now and again I shoot a mag or two without hearing protection and it doesn't seem to bother me anymore. Its good to know if the time comes I wont have to worry about the sound bothering me.

GWRedDragon · July 2nd, 2009, 05:31 PM

I have shot a bit at the outdoor range without hearing protection, just so I know it won't surprise me. It didn't seem like that big of a deal, but I don't plan on making a habit of it either. From now on, I will have protection

Black Knight · July 2nd, 2009, 06:54 PM

Hi Ed. Don't feel bad I gaurantee you are not the only one who has done that or even the first. Many years ago (1979) my dad got me my first handgun, a 6" Colt Python. It was for my job (armed security officer). Well I was young and stupid and wanted to try the gun out. I fired 6 rounds of Remington 125 SJHP 38 SPEC+P through it with no hearing protection. That was my first and last time doing that. My ears rang for a week. Now that I'm older and hopefully a little wiser I won't fire on any range with hearing protection. The only time I would fire without it is an actual defensive shooting situation or when hunting.

rachilders · July 3rd, 2009, 03:45 AM

Like many others here, I have some hearing loss from many years around jet engines while in the military and (probably) from hunting and shooting w/o hearing protection in my youth of the 50's & 60's. Unlike some, I won't compare it to jumping off a roof or standing in front of a speeding car car because it's NOT the same! Anyway, hearing loss is usually accumulative, especially in the case of firearms. I seriously doubt you've done any permanent damage and probably learned a valuable lesson. OTOH, I wouldn't make a habit of shooting w/o hearing and eye protection. Even a little protection can go a long way and it's not worth the potential loss not to use it.

FWIW, it's also probably a good idea to wear ear protection when mowing your yard, riding a motorcycle or listening to ANY sound above 90db but I don't see many people doing it!

edthefox · July 3rd, 2009, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rachilders

FWIW, it's also probably a good idea to wear ear protection when mowing your yard, riding a motorcycle or listening to ANY sound above 90db but I don't see many people doing it!

Good point! I never really thought of it that way. I listen to my iPod when I mow and I turn it up so loud that I can barely hear the mower, but, I use the type of headphones that go inside my ear canals like earplugs would and they block out almost everything. I have it loud but not painful. I've probably been damaging my hearing the last couple of years by doing so, but at least it's something enjoy and want to hear.

EdC: It's been a while since I heard a 45 shot but, I shot a S&W 357 ONCE without protection and it went BIIINNNNGGGGG!!!!!!!! and my ears rang for quite a while.

MattLarson · July 3rd, 2009, 12:09 PM

Kind of like stabbing yourself so you can practice bandaging skills.

Bad idea to do even once, IMHO.

The Fish · July 3rd, 2009, 12:19 PM

I have occasionally fired a round outdoors having forgotten to put in ear plugs.That has given me a clear idea of how loud it is.

As an aside,a few months ago I was shooting INDOORS with ear protection and the sound from the next lane was painfull.I could also FEEL the "concussion" of each shot.
Thinking it must be .44 Mag or some other "super" round,I looked and saw 2 women shooting a pistol.
I asked the range guy what they were shooting and he advised it was .357Sig.

July 2nd, 2009, 04:41 PM	#21
TucAzRider Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Tucson Posts: 792	Huh????? Can ya speak up there sonny.. __________________

July 2nd, 2009, 05:00 PM	#23
MinistrMalic Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 457	Yeah I have tinnitus from my time in the Navy too...sucks, but it is manageable. Knowing that a 9mm round is almost 160dB, I have never wanted to hear that without protection. If I get into a SD situation I know that the hearing loss is less of an issue than the BG, so I'll deal with it then. And I have a feeling that I will be more concerned with a followup shot and movement than with the ringing in my ears. __________________ "...whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one." (Luke 22:36) Here is my blog if you're interested :)

July 2nd, 2009, 05:31 PM	#25
GWRedDragon Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 1,155	I have shot a bit at the outdoor range without hearing protection, just so I know it won't surprise me. It didn't seem like that big of a deal, but I don't plan on making a habit of it either. From now on, I will have protection __________________ "Trust in God with hand on sword" -Inscription on my family's coat of arms from medieval England

July 3rd, 2009, 03:45 AM	#27
rachilders Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Longview, TX Posts: 801	Like many others here, I have some hearing loss from many years around jet engines while in the military and (probably) from hunting and shooting w/o hearing protection in my youth of the 50's & 60's. Unlike some, I won't compare it to jumping off a roof or standing in front of a speeding car car because it's NOT the same! Anyway, hearing loss is usually accumulative, especially in the case of firearms. I seriously doubt you've done any permanent damage and probably learned a valuable lesson. OTOH, I wouldn't make a habit of shooting w/o hearing and eye protection. Even a little protection can go a long way and it's not worth the potential loss not to use it. FWIW, it's also probably a good idea to wear ear protection when mowing your yard, riding a motorcycle or listening to ANY sound above 90db but I don't see many people doing it! __________________ "... Americans... we want a safe home, to keep the money we make, and shoot bad guys." -- Denny Crane

July 3rd, 2009, 12:09 PM	#29
MattLarson Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Central Florida Posts: 2,832	Kind of like stabbing yourself so you can practice bandaging skills. Bad idea to do even once, IMHO. __________________ Hope is not a plan.

July 2nd, 2009, 05:00 PM	#22
Orange Boy Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 32	I would imagine shooting from within a vehicle would be the worst of all scenarios. I can't imagine not having some form of permanent hearing damage from that.

July 2nd, 2009, 05:22 PM	#24
Urk 22 Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Lexington, Kentucky Posts: 401	The first time I shot a gun I was with some friends and we were young and didn't use hearing protection, it was loud, but you get used to it. Ever now and again I shoot a mag or two without hearing protection and it doesn't seem to bother me anymore. Its good to know if the time comes I wont have to worry about the sound bothering me.

July 2nd, 2009, 06:54 PM	#26
Black Knight Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 519	Hi Ed. Don't feel bad I gaurantee you are not the only one who has done that or even the first. Many years ago (1979) my dad got me my first handgun, a 6" Colt Python. It was for my job (armed security officer). Well I was young and stupid and wanted to try the gun out. I fired 6 rounds of Remington 125 SJHP 38 SPEC+P through it with no hearing protection. That was my first and last time doing that. My ears rang for a week. Now that I'm older and hopefully a little wiser I won't fire on any range with hearing protection. The only time I would fire without it is an actual defensive shooting situation or when hunting.

July 3rd, 2009, 12:19 PM	#30
The Fish Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: West Palm Beach, Florida Posts: 220	I have occasionally fired a round outdoors having forgotten to put in ear plugs.That has given me a clear idea of how loud it is. As an aside,a few months ago I was shooting INDOORS with ear protection and the sound from the next lane was painfull.I could also FEEL the "concussion" of each shot. Thinking it must be .44 Mag or some other "super" round,I looked and saw 2 women shooting a pistol. I asked the range guy what they were shooting and he advised it was .357Sig. __________________ You have to ask me... NICELY.

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