Posted on 07/14/2017 1:20:58 PM PDT by WKTimpco
I need help from my fellow Freepers.
An audiologist today found moderate hearing loss in the upper frequencies of my auditory system. She said my pattern is typical of high impact noises. I frequent the gun ranges, etc. Despite my proper use of hearing protection, I usually experience some temporary hearing changes after a couple of hours at the range. Today I discovered from my audiology appointment that these temporary effects are evidence of damage to my hearing, and some of that damage, however slight, has permanent consequences on my hearing, especially on the upper frequencies.
Some people shrug off the hearing loss, and that, of course, is their right. But at 51 years old, I am an "old Dad" of a six-year-old son. I want to be able to participate in many activities with my son when I'm in my 70s and 80s. Moreover hearing loss can impair brain function beyond hearing and can affect mental health in some people. If interested, you can do an Internet search on how these hearing-loss effects on brain and mind function work.***
Please advise on how you think I can minimize the decrease in my quality of life associated with giving up or restricting firearms shooting. For instance, I could take up varmint hunting with a .22 rifle, which with hearing protection definitely does not lead to hearing loss compared to shooting my 30.06. I could take up bow hunting and do more fishing, etc. I could get suppressors for the firearms that I do have.
I would appreciate any advice or experience you could share with me that might help me with my dilemma. Thanks!
(***People isolate themselves because "everyone is mumbling!," and hearing aids can only compensate so much for hearing loss once it's profound. The brain and memory of hearing impaired persons are also affected because they expend so much brain-level energy trying to compensate for not understanding people around them. My hearing loss is likely to accelerate with continued exposure to gunshot sounds now that my hearing has become compromised, according to the audiologist. Doubling up on hearing protection can only accomplish so much because gunshot sounds definitely travel through the bones of the skull. Like miles-per-gallon ratings seen at car dealerships, the NRR ratings of hearing-protection makers are definitely inflated by creative lab testing. Even muffled gunshot sounds from the big bores at close range are above the decibel threshold for potential hearing damage. At the gun range, shooters are getting the big booms from neighboring lanes as well, in addition to reverberations at certain ranges. Some individuals have a higher propensity to lose hearing from these high-impact noises than others. Finally, the type of hearing loss I've begun to experience is 100% avoidable, according to the audiologist.)
“Despite my proper use of hearing protection, I usually experience some temporary hearing changes after a couple of hours at the range. “
Seriously, this does not add up. You either are using cheap crap or your are wearing it wrong. Get better hearing protection or double up. Or both. In-ear foam or good muffs over top and you should not be having a problem. In-ear foam AND good muffs and you can’t possibly be getting hearing damage. Physics will not allow it.
FROM: Letter/Editor American Family Physician, March 15, 2001
to the editor: With regard to Dr. Rabino-witz’s fine article1 on noise-induced hearing loss, I wanted to add a telltale sign of hearing damage that occurs in shooters of shoulder firearms.
Shooters, as do most persons exposed to high sound levels, have a characteristic “notch” of greatest hearing loss at 4,000 or 6,000 Hz; however, shooters of shoulder arms have an asymmetric hearing loss with a greater deficit in the ear opposite the shoulder from which the gun is fired. Because most people are right-handed and fire from the right shoulder, the majority of shoulder firearm shooters show a deeper “4,000 Hz notch” in the left ear. This may seem counter intuitive, but the ipsilateral ear is somewhat protected by the angle of the head when shooting. The contralateral ear is more exposed to the sound of the muzzle blast.
Counseling hunters presents a considerable challenge. As Dr. Rabinowitz1 points out, the best way to prevent hearing damage is avoiding high-level sounds or using some barrier-like protection (plugs or muffs). Hunters are averse to wearing ear protection, claiming that they need to hear the movement of game they are hunting. I advise them to cover their ears when another person is shooting, to wear ear protection when the success of hunting depends more on vision than on hearing (watching for ducks to fly in rather than listening for the rustling of deer), not to fire unnecessarily and to wear ear protection during practice or sighting in.
I tell hunters that the choice is theirs: either practice hearing conservation or lose more hearing. I point out that communication difficulty will increase, social enjoyment and domestic tranquility will decrease, tinnitus may begin or worsen, and that a hearing aid may become necessary, although hearing aids are less successful with the notch patterns of noise-induced hearing loss than with most other patterns. I wonder if people would take the same risk with their vision?
JAMES E. PECK, PH.D., CCC-A
University of Mississippi Medical Center
2500 N. State St.
Jackson, MS 39216-4506
REFERENCE
1. Rabinowitz PM. Noise-induced hearing loss. Am Fam Physician. 2000;61:2749–56.
in reply: I appreciate Dr. Peck’s comments regarding the problem of recreational firearm use and noise-induced hearing loss. Results from a recent study1 revealed an increased risk of marked high-frequency hearing loss among persons who had used recreational firearms. In addition to Dr. Peck’s practical suggestions for counseling hunters about the use of hearing protection, physicians discussing the prevention of hearing loss with hunters should be aware of the existence of devices offering “level–dependent hearing protection.”2 These devices can permit hearing of low-intensity sounds such as speech or animal movement, while attenuating louder sounds such as gunfire. These devices may be appropriate for use in certain hunting or shooting situations.2
PETER RABINOWITZ
Yale University
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program
135 College St.,
New Haven, CT 06510-2483
REFERENCES
1. Nondahl DM, Cruickshanks KJ, Wiley TL, Klein R, Klein BE, Tweed TS. Recreational firearm use and hearing loss. Arch Fam Med. 2000;9:352–7. . .
http://www.aafp.org/afp/2001/0315/p1053.html
Ear plugs and electronic muffs.
L
A Mesa Boogie amplifier turned up to 10 will do that too.
“Seriously, this does not add up.”
As I posted, some people are more susceptible to the damage. And doing the math: 165db - 34db (best case as far as I know) eguals above the damage decibels.
By the way. do not use the inside the ear phones that come with a lot of electronic equipment. Sound engineers tell me that the ear is designed to be used in its entirety not just the central channel. It will knock off the top your ability in the high range.
I have some hearing problem and I also wear my shooting earmuffs when I cut and trim the grass, use the chain saw and any tool that makes loud noises. I spent 35 years in mfg and you tell from my ears.
I have hearing loss in my left ear of 50%, and my right ear 25%. Concerts, hunting and uncle Sam’s boys club contributed to the condition.
Oh, and genetics too.
You will adapt and overcome.
5.56mm
My hearing loss is now pretty bad. If a single person is talking to me, I don’t have a problem. But if more than one person is talking to me at once, or someone is talking to me at the same time as the TV is playing, all I hear is noise.
I call it “Chinese restaurant syndrome.” I now refuse to go with my wife to dinners/parties at Chinese restaurants because it is always so noisy I can’t hear anything but noise and have to try to read lips all evening.
“Ear plugs and electronic muffs.”
You can’t add the decibel compression up. I’ve read credible sources that estimate a -22db device with a -30db device equals approximately -37db in hearing protection.
You take the highest protection level and add about 7db. It’s only an approximation.
I was reading your reply listening to the ringing in my ears. I fetched my aids from the bedroom and damn if the ringing was almost gone. VA didn’t tell me about that or I just forgot but they sure do help.
The over the ear earmuffs I use are electronic amplified earmuffs (Howard Leight Impact Sport) so I can hear range commands, I can carry on conversations in a normal voice with my spouse (who is similarly outfitted,) yet my loudest firearm, a Smith & Wesson J-Frame snubbie firing .38+P rounds, is very quiet. I have absolutely no ringing or 'temporary' hearing loss afterwards.
For hunting, I just wear the Howard Leight Impact Sport electronic muffs. With the volume all the way up, my hearing is *better* than normal, yet a shot from my .308 or .30-30 is attenuated. I would NOT want to do an all day range session this way, but the occasional shot while hunting is fine.
What I will never do is shoot without ear protection, either at the range or while hunting.
Good info. Thanks.
L
Glad I could help - thx for your service.
Huh?
Well I got severe hearing loss from working around Jet engines all my life.. It’s so bad on the high ends I can’t hear my Fire alarms when they go off.. I do Wear hearing aids however the loss is getting worst. Most times I can’t understand spoken words i have to read lips too..
Muffs AND ear plugs at indoor ranges
“...however the loss is getting worst.”
I was told that the loss won’t get worse if I am not exposed to the high-impact noises.
Please explain why it’s getting worse for you.
Thanks!
bump
I seem to remember a service at Cabela’s, where they took a mold of your ear, and used it to make form fitting ear plugs. Seems these, plus electronic muffs over the ears, would make the range nice and quiet.
Get yourself a good set of electronic ear muffs and wear ear plugs in addition to the muffs. The muffs will amplify the sound of people’s voices enough for you to hear them even with the plugs in, and will shut down at a gunshot giving you a double layer of protection. I’ve been shooting rifle caliber big bore pistols for 30 years, and I have always doubled up on ear protection. It works.
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