Do folks in the military wear any hearing protection while in compbat? Seems we'd be sending home a bunch of deaf vets if they don't, but I can't recall seeing any in the pictures from the front.
Yes they issue them plugs. Many of the helmets have also partially covered the ear, and while not hearing protection, sound travels in waves so anything in between, or even partially between the ear and the wave reduces the power of the wave.
That said most infantry that see combat do have hearing loss. In a culture with a lot of energy and loud communication it is probably less noticed or important at the time.
They won't be hearing the foot steps of small animals like they did as a boy though. Or even the criminals sneaking around (absent alarm, dog, etc,) whispering to each other.
Comment:
Regarding home defense weapons and protecting your hearing. It seems that a suppresor is a very smart accessory for a home defense firearm. That being said, I have often heard the argument that having such a device on your weapon could provide a vigorous DA with fodder for making you look like a gun-crazed lunatic. Seems that the chart above and a picture of my sweet innocent children's ears would provide sufficient defense to such prosecution. Does anyone have thoughts about having a suppresor on their HD firearm(s)??
A suppressor on a firearm makes as much sense as a muffler on a car, both devices made by the same man, around the same time, for the same purpose.
Which is to say common sense says they should be standard, with most firearms coming from the factory with one tuned for the gun.
Because it is an NFA item, and because someone does need to go through extra steps the majority of the population does not to legally own one, it does scream "gun nut" in a court room. In nations where disposable ones are sold for $20 in bins near the checkout counters of sporting stores, like magazines or a pack of gum, not having one seems inconsiderate.
Not all self defense shootings, or even just weapon displays (aggravated assault/assault with a deadly weapon) are judged to be justified. Even if you do everything right, what people believe and thier perspective months or years later in a court of law can be quite different.
If you used a regular firearm and they sorta agree with your actions, but still choose to "compromise" (while possibly sitting for weeks or months near the crying grieving family of the "victim"...)
They may only be finding you guilty of one of the lesser charges such as brandishing, aggravated assault, or some other weapon charge, or even manslaughter instead of murder,(which unfortunately happens too often,) It would be horrible, likely making you a felon even when you did nothing wrong, but actual jail time could be minimal or could result in the judge only sentencing probation or the minimum jail time in light of the circumstances.
Add in an NFA enhancement to even a minor charge though, even a charge that resulted in only probation, and it is an extra 10 years.
If no charges stick it makes no difference, but if even a single minor charge does, then the fact it is a crime committed with an NFA item creates an additional 10 year enhancement charge.
So adding an NFA item to a self defense weapon, even if you are law abiding and plan to be in the future has potential legal consequences.
