Hearing protection?

[fatelk]

We've had recent threads on hearing protection as I recall, and I saw this article a couple days ago: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-he...-idUSKBN17F2P9

Here's a quote from the article that I found interesting:

With firearms, researchers found that one in five people who shot more than 10,000 rounds of ammunition in the past year never used hearing protection. Most of the firearm-related noise exposure came during recreational shooting.

First, how many people besides serious competitors shot ten thousand rounds per year?! I've never shot that many rounds per year in my life. Second, how many serious competitors would NOT wear hearing protection? I find it hard to believe that 20% of very high volume shooters don't use hearing protection.

Then they went on to talk about hearing protection in the workplace. I don't know about you all, but where I work hearing protection is a big deal, and not using it when we're supposed to is a serious offense. My grandfather was almost completely deaf, having worked in a lumber mill and construction for most of his life. I don't want to end up like that.

A few years back I was talking guns with a coworker and I invited him shooting. He said he'd like to go because shooting was fun, but it just hurt his ears too much so he'd rather not. I asked him if he had ever used ear plugs before when shooting guns. Oh, that's a good idea! We ended up going and he enjoyed it.

[jsizemore]

Very few of the ranges I shot at required hearing protection for smallbore hunting rifle silhouette. I practiced that way. All other competitions required hearing protection and I would have wore it even if it wasn't required. I know folks that wore ear plugs and muffs even at smallbore rifle silhouette. I only wore muffs so I could hear range commands.

I only know one carpenter in the area that wears hearing protection at work.

[fatelk]

I guess I wasn't thinking about .22lr. I used to not use hearing protection for .22, but do now.

I have a young friend who's having the time of his life, making good money roofing houses. I asked him if he wears knee pads. He looked at me like I was crazy, that's for sissies you know. I told him when he's 50 years old and scheduling his knee replacement surgery, he'd wish he had.

[Tom W.]

Yup, we macho types that knew everything when we were younger thought .22 rimfires couldn't possibly hurt our hearing. And when we went small game hunting with a shotgun, we really didn't shoot that many shells per trip. And how many times are you going to shoot that deer with your centerfire rifle? I worked at a sawmill for 22 years, not worrying about hearing protection, after all, I wasn't inside the mill when I started. I'm 64 now, haven't fired any firearm without hearing protection for over 20 years even when deer hunting, but I waited too late. I suppose in an emergency situation I'd shoot and say "huh?" later, but I've been saying huh? for years now. Lori says I read lips more so than hearing what she says. Those of you who know how much hearing aids cost were probably shocked. I was blessed to be on her insurance when I got mine, , looking at the invoice they were $5000. Shooting without any hearing protection doesn't make you a man, it makes you a deaf fool.

[wv109323]

I know of no competitive shooting that does not make hearing protection mandatory. Most military teams in Bullseye pistol wear plugs and muffs.
I can not believe that statistic is correct for today's shooters in -America. Years ago that may have been true or it may include foreign militaries.

[lightman]

Those statistics don't sound right. At least not in todays world.

[Josh Smith]

Before I was married, I was finding the time to shoot around 1,000 .22lr per week. The vast majority was fired prone, and consisted of both practice and bullet testing. I was obsessed with finding the perfect hunting load. This turned out to be, for me, flat nose standard velocity or "Subsonic"-labeled CCI, followed very closely by Remington subsonic. (The Remington loads didn't expand reliably and I had a couple failures to fire pure fifty rounds.)

I wore hearing protection. Not so much because I thought I needed it with the subsonic rounds, but rather because it helped me focus and still does. I tend to be very auditory and blocking sound helps me go into that "bubble" easier.

For me, the hearing protection feature of hearing protection is a secondary consideration. Still a consideration, though!

Regards,

Josh

[higgins]

Several years ago I offered to loan a spare set of muffs to a fellow who was shooting a centerfire rifle without hearing protection. He declined; such people do still exist. OTOH, several times I have offered spare plugs I carry to someone who left their muffs at home, and they were thrilled to use them. It made me feel good to have spare plugs to offer them because I simply don't see how anyone could shoot without ear protection. I was fortunate to get involved in organized shooting in my early teens, so hearing protection is second nature to me.

[gwpercle]

I'm not sure I'm ready to take all those figures as gospel fact.
Every shooter I have come in contact with in the last 25 years has worn hearing protection. The two local indoor ranges and the one outdoor range all MANDATE you wear protection, if you don't have it , they will furnish it , no charge ...you will wear hearing protection or you don't shoot. The hearing damage dangers are well known and ear muffs and plugs are affordable and easy to use.
I know more people who don't buckle up their seat belts than those who don't protect their hearing.
Gary

[jeepyj]

I'd be a but suprized if the shooting folks numbers were that high.The crowd I shoot with all wear hearing protection at all times. Not only that if someone comes along a little late we all wait till that person puts there hearing protecton on before we commence firing again. On another note we shoot around 250 rounds per week minimum some weeks over 500 so I can see that 10,000 round number as being realistic for some but would agree that is a bit high for the average shooter.

[CastingFool]

Back in 71, when I was in basic training, hearing protection was mandatory. I did forget my earplugs once, and after firing 75 rds, and listening to 100 other guys fire their 75 rounds, I never forgot again. I do wear HP when mowing the lawn, using a chain saw, working in my woodshop, and definitely while target practicing. While hunting, I don't, because of the very limited exposure. I also shot in an indoor league one year, with 22rf. 50ft indoors. HP was a must. Still, I have lost some hearing through the years.

[birch]

I have a great idea. Why don't we require a 250 dollar stamp and a bunch of paperwork to put a sound suppressor on their firearm?

[Rick Hodges]

I have known people who have shunned foam ear plugs and all manner of muffs for 38 special cases stuck in the ears. They say huh a lot!

[shdwlkr]

In basic training in the Army we got our ear plugs the last day on the range. Yes we fired a lot of ammo as I was the ammo truck driver and there were 256 of trainees firing so yes it was loud.

[frkelly74]

I was watching a young guy shoot without plugs once and when I could I went over and offered him a set and he kind of mumbled a " No thank You'' to me. I replied " huh?'' and laid them on the bench for him and walked away. All his buddies got a kick out of that and he ended up using the plugs.

[w5pv]

I have lost 60% of my hearing from shooting the artillery gun when I was in the army,in them days there was no such thing as ear protection but in todays world trying to save what little hearing I have left I use soft plugs plus the ear muffs.Protect your hearing as much as possible,I is no fun guessing what some one is trying to tell you especially the younger grand kids.They get frustrated trying to make you understand.For their sake take care of your hearing.It may not matter to you now but in time to come it will.

[WickedColt]

The only time I don't wear hearing protection is if I shoot the 22lr with CCI Quiet. It is seriously super quiet with my Savage Mark II. When I first got my AR15...I was so excited, went outside and shot a 223 round and it seriously rung my bell!! I've had a couple concussions and that round had me zoned out and just looking wide-eyed. Have not forgotten ear protection since and will not shoot without them now.

Here in FL, they had hearing protection (over the ear) at the Dollar Tree! I picked up 5 pairs and put some tissue behind the weak padding (they are really cheaply made) but they definitely work pretty well if someone forgets theirs!

[nemesisenforcer]

10000 rounds a year? If I'm lucky but more like 2000 per annum

I'm ocd/psychotic about hearing protection. Never shoot without it never let anyone else shoot without it.

[Sur-shot]

Look up the rating, actual reduction in decibels, of various hearing "protection" types. Most of the common muffs and plugs are almost useless as protection. A good set of custom molded plugs are worth their weight in gold to protect your hearing. I have been wearing them for over 20 years and the hard molded plugs last a lifetime. I was lucky enough to catch the Game Ear folks set up next to a molded ear protection guy from PA at the Shot Show. Best decision I ever made was to have a set of ear plugs with the Game Ear electronics inserts made at that show. They are literally the best of the best. And just how much is your natural hearing worth to you, because when it is gone, it is gone forever.

On the number of rounds, when I was shooting international competition (now retired), I was buying components in 15K round lots, every quarter, just for one discipline. The top competitors in any shooting sport, shoot constantly and most have a range in their back yard. They do what I have done, buy property they can build a range on, I have a 50 yard wide, 250 yard rifle range on my farm right now. By the way, pretending that you never practice, is the oldest competition trick in the book.
Ed

[2ndAmendmentNut]

Over the holiday I managed to do a little shooting with family and friends. I brought a few guns, supplied the ammo, and a large box of disposable earplugs. I was surprised how all of the senior members of the family were resistant to using earplugs. I reasoned that they needed to protect what they had left, some took it as an insult to their age. I couldn't imagine regularly practicing without hearing protection. 357s and ARs with muzzle brakes are particularly offensive to the ears.

I wish there wasn't so much paper work involved with suppressors. I don't really care about full autos and SBRs, but I would love to have a can on every rifle I own.

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