Let's play, Would You Rather. Shoot Guns/Deaf

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Would you rather:
1. Continue shooting larger calibers and eventually go deaf.
2. Sell what may further damage ears and keep small calibers [22lr, for example].

Seems like a child’s argument, that those are the only paths one can go down.

My ENT made plugs that work so well I can’t even hear some shot timers put electronic muffs on over them to amplify sounds I need to hear, that further dampens sounds that would otherwise be harmful.

Then there are suppressors for even the largest of calibers.

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I've heard but don't have a reference from a real scientific source that plugs aren't enough as bone conduction through your skull near your ears is dangerous, so muffs are better. If this is true, I would like to know. Don't have the time to track it down.
 
I had one experience with a 9mm in a room [do to negligence]. It was the reason for my sensitive hearing. I can hear fine, actually. I have some tinnitus, but my goal is to not exacerbate the issue...and was all the hearing damage I care to have.

And the only way I don't have discomfort when shooting is with 22lr,...and mostly with rifle length, or my Mark II with 6" barrel. No issues if only those. And though I double my hearing protection at the range, even with 22lr, the 9mm is on the threshold of comfort, which was the reason for the discussion with the LGS.

Now, he said that he worked construction, so his hearing is already adversely affected. For me, I would rather keep my hearing as long as I can and be happy with only 22lr shooting [when I can get out there].
 
I've heard but don't have a reference from a real scientific source that plugs aren't enough as bone conduction through your skull near your ears is dangerous, so muffs are better. If this is true, I would like to know. Don't have the time to track it down.

I've heard the same, but doubt the veracity. Imagine the collective aneurysm OSHA would have if plugs were no longer good enough in manufacturing jobs and everyone had to upgrade to ear muffs.

My tinnitus (at least for my left ear) has a concrete start date and cause. September 11, 2009. NBC course of fire. Chemical mask took out the left ear plug and I didn't notice. 50 rounds later it was ringing. And it still rings to this day. Ad for my right ear, not sure when it started. Maybe just sympathy tinnitus for the left one.
 
Would you rather:
1. Continue shooting larger calibers and eventually go deaf.
2. Sell what may further damage ears and keep small calibers [22lr, for example].

My tinnitus is a result of a single session of unprotected exposure to 22LR.

I don't think the caliber of the gun necessarily has any correlation to its potential for causing hearing loss.
 
I'm sure not everyone's tinnitus is on the same pitch.

IIRC, research shows a very narrow band for the perceived pitch of tinnitus. That's why specific masking sounds work and everything else doesn't. Mine is constant and clear, but it isn't overwhelming...yet.

I use muffs and plugs and am acquiring a suppressor all with the intent of protecting my hearing (the undamaged hearing).
 
And the only way I don't have discomfort when shooting is with 22lr,...and mostly with rifle length, or my Mark II with 6" barrel. No issues if only those. And though I double my hearing protection at the range, even with 22lr, the 9mm is on the threshold of comfort, which was the reason for the discussion with the LGS.
Someone said it already, but it bears repeating. Barrel length has more to do with noise than caliber. My .44 Mag deer rifle with 20 inch barrel is quieter than my .22 LR pistol with 4 inch barrel.
 
Some married guys probably would not mind going deaf

I'm married, have severe high freq loss due to indoor shooting in the early 70's when hearing protection wasn't a thing.
I'd rather hear the wife.

That being said it's not an either or. GET GOOD HEARING PROTECTION. Double up plugs and muffs when needed. I don't participate in anything loud without protection to the point of carrying it in all my vehicles.
 
Seems like a child’s argument, that those are the only paths one can go down.

My ENT made plugs that work so well I can’t even hear some shot timers put electronic muffs on over them to amplify sounds I need to hear, that further dampens sounds that would otherwise be harmful.

Then there are suppressors for even the largest of calibers.

View attachment 864065

I have no idea what that is but it's not real
 
So, I was at a local gun store talking about my sensitive hearing and getting rid of certain firearms in my collection [AR-15, AK variant, 9mm pistols], and the guy behind the counter said, "I wouldn't sell any of them.........I'd rather go deaf than not shoot." [Something along those lines].

Would you rather:
1. Continue shooting larger calibers and eventually go deaf.
2. Sell what may further damage ears and keep small calibers [22lr, for example].

Updating:
This isn't about whether or not someone CAN go deaf using proper hearing protection, but about someone saying that "they would rather go deaf than to not shoot certain calibers".
I would like to add, if you have any weapons that are hurting your ears while wearing ear protection, then you need to reevaluate your protection.

Like many others here, I am nearly deaf in one ear (right) and have awful tinitis in both ears. Women's voices are very difficult to hear, especially when they are soft spoken or are high pitched. - And that is not stated in jest, it is absolutely true. - I double up my hearing protection with well rated foamies and over-the-ear muffs.

My ears have been ringing like this since I was 12 years old. Some days I can ignore it, most days I can't. I envy those of you that can enjoy music very much.
 
Deafness leads to isolation and loneliness. Been there for a period of time. Always wear the best hearing protection you can - caliber should be no restriction. It is a bogus dilemma.
 
And all foam plugs are different. Where I work we have 6 different brands/styles. 2 work real well for me, 2 so-so, and 2 are terrible. No matter what I do the last 2 types won't seal my ears.
 
And all foam plugs are different. Where I work we have 6 different brands/styles. 2 work real well for me, 2 so-so, and 2 are terrible. No matter what I do the last 2 types won't seal my ears.

Great point! There are some that work ok for a lot of folks, some that work great for some and some that don’t work very well for anyone.

I start with an assortment, then pick from there. I reorder from time to time to help out friends.

The “Push-Ins” are my “go to” plugs I have them just about everywhere (1000 pairs goes a long way) like on a number of key rings, cases and such. I never would have picked them by sight but after using them, they are 2nd only to my custom molded plugs , like the bottom left. Keep trying different sets until you find the one that works for you and stock up.

FWIW my insurance paid for the plugs my ENT molded to my ears...

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Several years ago I found a case of foam earplugs sitting next to a dumpster at work. As near as I can tell the box got wet and a client employee threw the whole thing away even though the plugs were individually wrapped and still dry.

I haven't had to buy plugs since
 
No. I don't want to be deaf. Nothing would be worth not hearing music, birds, rain and too much else to even mention. Gun noise is maybe my least favorite thing about shooting. It really resonates even at a somewhat significant distance from an outdoor range. 100% no.
 
Maybe a little off topic, but it's very easy to remember to put hearing protection in the range bag, but everyone should really keep a pair of plugs in their everyday bag (backpack, man bag, purse, what have you), and their vehicle.

Last fall I hit a big dear with my truck. It was obviously in a lot of pain and agony. I was going to shoot it in the head with my carry guns to put it down, and I was glad I had a pair of ear plugs in my vehicle for just such an occasion. By the time I put the plugs in and walked over to do the deed, the deer had passed. But still, keep ear plugs handy all the time.
 
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everyone should really keep a pair of plugs in their everyday bag (backpack, man bag, purse, what have you), and their vehicle.

There’s probably at least one pair in every jacket and coat that I own, and every once in a while, my wife (jokingly) chews me out when she finds a pair of foam ear plugs floating in the washing machine; I sometimes forget to check pockets before throwing a shirt in the laundry hamper.

I’m long-time retired now, but for 27 years I worked in a plant where there were a lot of noisy, “ear protection required” areas, and because I was an industrial electrician, I worked all over the facility. So I got used to always carrying ear plugs in my shirt pocket. In the morning, if I was assigned a job in an area that I knew was noisy, I could take my muffs (just like when we go shooting) and double up on my ear protection. But if I was just walking through a noisy area, I could just put in my foam ear plugs until I got to where I was headed. My wife found a lot of foam ear plugs floating in the washing machine back in those days.:D
 
There’s probably at least one pair in every jacket and coat that I own, and every once in a while, my wife (jokingly) chews me out when she finds a pair of foam ear plugs floating in the washing machine; I sometimes forget to check pockets before throwing a shirt in the laundry hamper.

I’m long-time retired now, but for 27 years I worked in a plant where there were a lot of noisy, “ear protection required” areas, and because I was an industrial electrician, I worked all over the facility. So I got used to always carrying ear plugs in my shirt pocket. In the morning, if I was assigned a job in an area that I knew was noisy, I could take my muffs (just like when we go shooting) and double up on my ear protection. But if I was just walking through a noisy area, I could just put in my foam ear plugs until I got to where I was headed. My wife found a lot of foam ear plugs floating in the washing machine back in those days.:D
They come out really clean don’t they? :) Always makes me wonder about my ear cleanliness.
 
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