Firing the .357 Magnum and Ear Damage

[Rodfac]

You younger guys, I'd strongly suggest wearing plugs and muffs any time you're shooting...and stay away from hard rock at umpteen mega volume levels. Personally, I have no problem with a .38 +P as a home defense gun. We also have a 12 ga. in the "Alamo" room. The chance of having to use either in minimal and you can't "ear muff & safety google" for every contingency. If we need to shoot, we'll do it. But for anything less that, use all the protection you can afford...it'll pay off later. Best regards, Rod

 

[.308 Norma]

Thanks! Welcome home to you too, Rod.

 

[hemiram]

Yikes! Sounds like a few different issues going on.

One of them is likely trouble with the eustachian tube on the right side. When it is inflamed it doesn't allow proper communication between the outside air and the middle ear, which leads to air pressure imbalance, fluid build-up, frequent popping, and infection. Some people find relief with decongestants, either OTC or prescription, and other remedies are occasionally helpful as well.

The rhythmic tinnitus is "pulsatile tinnitus", which can have many causes. Most of them are benign, but some require attention. It often is a condition that can be improved with treatment.

I'm not your doctor, obviously, so you shouldn't consider any of this "diagnosis or treatment". In your shoes, I would definitely find another ENT. Good luck!

When it got to the point where popping my ear only worked for about 1 minute, I started looking into the Acclarent Area Eusachian tube balloon dialation thing, as I assumed it was a tube issue, but the doctor said my eardrum indicated that the tube was functioning normally, and insurance didn't cover the procedure anyway. A friend had somewhat similar symptoms and had it done when he lived in MN, and it solved his problems totally. Another person I know had it done 2x on his left ear, the first time it seemed to work about 6 months then started closing up again. The second shot at it worked 100%. I've had an ultrasound of my carotid arteries (After an odd Ocular Migraine where my left eye seemed to be seeing nothing but purple figet spinners (Like if you made a wall from them with cracks in between, I have had the auras my whole life, never a headache, and it was a waste of time, I have a oddly shaped right carotid artery that has higher velocity and they think that is what is most of the Cicada noise source, I'm hearing it now, not very loudly though). I tried the decongestants early on, and after finding one that didn't stink badly enough to make me queasy, (Flonase Sensimist) it did nothing, except make my nose bleed slightly on the right side. I guess it's time for another new doctor. Thanks for the reply. I didn't mean to hijack the thread..