Speaking of hearing damage cause by the nearby discharge of a firearm, my hearing was permanently damaged when firing an Ml Garand, 30-caliber rifle without ear protection (it was not allowed) during Army basic training in 1961. I wonder how many other vets have suffered similar damage.
Pretty much all of us, and I got that extra special privilege of listening to the 105’s and 155’s up close and personal.
It was discouraged at ROTC summer camp in 1964 when I attended. However, I suck cotton gobs into my ears and got away with it.