Question about hunting and harmful gun blast noise.

[realm-aw]

get used to it

I have some loss myself but back in my IPSC days I learned to double plug. Put a pair of soft foam plugs in under your muffs. I still do it to this day.

Tony has it right. Foam plugs in the 30-32 decible protection range for bench work and add the best muffs you can find whenever they will work. I have had hearing damage since I was 12 and now I always keep a handfull of foam plugs (2 styles) to hand out to newcomers at the range, especially kids!

 

[realm-aw]

FOAM PLUGS link

Here is a link to buying foam plugs in boxes so you can share. $30 buys 200 pair http://www.gemplers.com/search/ear+plugs

 

[flor1]

Hearing Protection

Pretty simple wear it every time you shoot I don't care if its once or a hundred shots. Hearing damage adds up with every shot. Take it from someone on complete disability do to hearing loss. Last set of hearing aids cost me $5,000 and don't help a lot. I'd pay another $5,000 just to hear my granddaughter on the phone. There a pain in the ass but worth it in the long run.

 

[VaniB]

The reason why I was asking was because I thought that perhaps if I was pulling the trigger on a 7mmMag with a 27" barrel for just one or two shots, most of the noise would be directed directly in front of me and away from me. I have been debating as to whether I should have a custom 7mmMag built with or without a muzzle brake. My thinking had been that if I did choose a MB then I knew I WOULD HAVE TO wear ear protection. But, I was wondering if I excluded the MB, if I could get away with one or two shots in the raw. But....from all the hearing-loss testimony here, you guys have made it clear that I really should be wearing ear protection. I've now decided to install a MB since I'm going to have to wear hearing protection either way!

I already have damage in one ear. I didn't mind it so much when the ringing in my ear use to remind me of the opening "C" note from one of my favorite Richard Wagner classic compostions ("Rienzi"). But in the last year, that "C" note sound went sour on me and became a low tone buzzing sound. Nothing classic or pretty about that! It's annoying and sometimes I will tap on the side of my head so it stops for a few seconds.( yea...it's that bad) So..... I better try to salvage whatever inner ear parts I still have left.


Thanks for the input guys.