Is blackpowder easier on your ears than smokeless?

[david58]

It's dB folks. Sure, it doesn't sound as harsh as center fire, and isn't as loud. But the dB level is still high enough to cause damage. Wear them plugs.

 

[splattergun]

eh? didya say something?

I grew up shooting .22s without hearing protection. before I learned better. The combination of the dBs and high frequency pop is a serious hearing killer. There are times that the tinnitus is maddening.

Or maybe it was just the loud rock n roll.

 

[Panzerschwein]

I double up. Earplugs and electronic muffs, the muffs are set on full volume. This makes it still easy to hear range commands but when the guns start going off, it's a non-issue.

Usually when I shoot my black powder guns alone, plugs are all I use. But at the range, the muffs cover the plugs due to other peoples guns (some very loud) going off next to me.

 

[alexander45]

t is all bad. Loud car stereos, head banging house stereos, firearms, fireworks, ijots with straight pipes on their motorcycles, loud farm machinery, dragsters, etc.*

man I bet your fun at party's this us like the greatest list of the greatest things ever although it needs more artillery

 

[piettakid]

If you wear prescription glasses that do not fit right onto and even into your temples and just in front of your ears then look into a new set which does fit closer.

Yeah i wear glasses all the time and they don't fit as well as they should. I recently bought a new pair of muffs at wally. They are very cheap, just 10 bucks, but they really fit tight against my temples and that seems to help a lot.

 

[Gaucho Gringo]

Unfortunately for me I have been hard of hearing since birth, mostly in the human speech range. I have audio-grams from almost 60 years ago that show my hearing is about the same now as it was then. Even though I have worked in loud industrial settings, shot I don't know how many rounds out of my guns and have had cars with almost non existent mufflers my hearing today is almost as good as it was 60 years ago, which is not saying much. I urge everyone to use hearing protection but in my case it doesn't do any good. When I tried to join the Army in the early 70's my hearing was 3 to 4 times below the minimum that was acceptable. So next time someone sees me shooting by myself without hearing protection, don't be too quick to judge. I do wear hearing protection when shooting with my kids and grandkids to try and set an example for them.

 

[BCRider]

For the helluva it try a fold of some fabric or other between the ear pieces and your temples where the muffs can rest on this filler. See if that promotes a better seal and lower sound level at your ears. It'll need to be done in a tapered wedge like shape so it doesn't create its own opening. If this helps it'll sort of point to the idea of some better fitting glasses for shooting. Or at least a set with metal ear pieces that can be formed to a curve which fits more snuggly to your head.