[PROCON]

I really don't like to criticize a public servant, but, sheesh, FDNY and their Union advised to wear earplugs.

Did some find wearing earplugs unmanly?

[raybbr]

A NY public servant is never satisfied.

[BenLurkin]

Maybe nobody told them that fire trucks have sirens on them.

[rockinqsranch]

I’ve lived with the described hearing impairment since birth. The most prolific word(?) in my life has been, and is “Hunh!?”

[headstamp 2]

I remember watching realistic fire and rescue shows back in the 70’s that showed personnel wearing hearing muffs or headsets under siren.

I’m surprised they don’t wear them today.

[Talisker]

OSHA mandates ear protectors, all firefighters wear them in the truck.

Next.

[lee martell]

I often have wondered how the firemen can stand it, being that close to sirens year after year. It goes with the job, but in this day and age, precautions, such as muff-type ear protection should be easily available and a part of training.
Just as football player related concussions are taken more seriously these days, so should it be with a sirens effect on ear drums.

[Balding_Eagle]

First of many.

There are going to be a truckload of such suits over the OSHA mandated backup warning horns and other such hearing destroyers.

[Does so]

Even though he's been retired for over a decade, he said, the effects of the sirens linger in hearing loss that has left him unable to understand rapid conversation or follow along in church.

Now in my early 70s, I find that I don't recognize the first word(s) spoken to me and sometimes, just the first letter of the first word; that said, I follow that rapid-fire speech of Marco Rubio's just fine. It's not my hearing, as I recognize faint bird calls as before.

[Gay State Conservative]

Sounds like this parasite's attempt to sue the Zippo Company failed...so why not try this.If *this* fails he can always try suing the maker of their boots for making his toes hurt.

[Gay State Conservative]

Al Sharpton's daughter sues city for $5M after spraining ankle

NY Post,5/17/15

Looks like fraudulent lawsuits against NYC are in season these days.

[be-baw]

I believe OSHA REQUIRES them to wear ear plugs depending on the loudness and duration of their exposure.

[Vendome]

Wailing on and on...

[The Great RJ]

Blame has to be shared with the federal government. Since the mid1970s federal standards for ambulances mandated 120 db sirens.

[smokingfrog]

Sirens are loud.
Fire is hot.
Axes are sharp.
Water is wet.
Electricity can electrocute you.
Smoke is bad for your lungs.

Any questions?

[RetiredTexasVet]

No worse than the firefighters at 911 who did not wear their respirators (note: a comment I received from a firefighter who was at 911 and who did wear his respirator). Also, no worse than the approved claims by NYC first responders who were not at 911 site or never were but are milking the Federal government for payments that NYC is responsible for.

[Larry Lucido]

"And after that, we sue the people who made those hazardous poles."

[ozzymandus]

Lawyers. Is there anybody they can’t sue?

[imardmd1]

You can't listen to the fire radio with earplugs in, when you need to develop a strategy enroute to the incident site.

Is this disturbance to audio frequency response only due to siren exposure? or is it just an aggravation of aging effects.

I have the same problem as this battalion chief, and it's been going on and getting worse for me for several years (just turned 79). I attribute the cause of adult persistent tintinnitus and loss of sensitivity to high-pitch sounds to rifle and machine-gun firing since the age of about 20 to 25 y/o when it was experienced.

For days after exposure, my hearing was muffled, until it slowly cleared up. I don't know if suing now would be successful when the damage seemed to take place 50+ years ago.

[Ozark Tom]

Should try working around an uncontrolled well with down hole 7000 psi blowing sand out the flare. Muffs plus earplugs no avail-—sign language and passing notes only option.