Training to shoot w/o ear protection?

[MrPeter]

That story gave me a good chuckle, thanks!

When I was starting out shooting with my first gun, (Mosin Nagant M91/30 firing 1950's production Czech MilSurp ammo) I thought I would try one shot without earplugs. Never did that again.
My handguns however, that I carry, I always try 1 of the lightest loads I have outdoors without earplugs, just to see if I can take it. I don't want to be incapacitated by the report of my defense piece going off. I've heard stories of people using .357's indoors and going permanently deaf and unconcious for a short time.
I value my hearing very much, as I enjoy high-quality sound systems (some would call me an audiophile, but I don't make enough money to be able to afford that title). If I lost my hearing I don't know what I would do. Always use earplugs, kids.

 

[Trisha]

I don't recall the bumper sticker...please refresh my memory. BTW: you haven't been in for a while.

Yeah, I know - with Kathryn out of the woods with her back surgery, maybe there'll be time & means enough to do some shopping!

The bumper sticker of notoriety (several years ago):

"It's tourist season, why can't we shoot them?"



Geeze - you resorting to shooting the trout now? What with, a suppressed 5.56 under the bridge?

See you soon!

 

[Bazooka Joe71]

Ok will blame my ignorance on in being early and me blogging during class, but do most hunters not put in plugs before taking "the shot"

Try killing a turkey by first putting your plugs in.

You'll learn really fast to either not wear hearing protection, or not hunt.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

You'll learn really fast to either not wear hearing protection, or not hunt

That was true in the old days. Nowadays you can get electronic ear muffs that actually enhance your hearing and block dangerously loud noises.

 

[Leanwolf]

AIRES - "...but most of my shooting is outside in my backyard, and i have never used earplugs and my hearing is perfect. (been shooting since i was 5, and am 27 now) i shoot from .22's up to .357 mags, 308's 223, lots of loud noisy rounds."

Don't worry, Aires. One of these days, it'll catch up with you.

As for ear protection, I remember very distinctly the first time I ever used a set of shooting ear muffs. I had grown up shooting all kinds of rifles, pistols, and shotguns, often using cotton in the ears for protection, but just as often, nothing.

Also, I was in the Army. (So long ago my issue weapon was an M1 Garand.) No protection. We just shot. A lot. .30-06 in M1s, Browning Machine Guns, and Browning Automatic Rifles, .30Carbines, and Govt. .45ACP.

About 1965, I bought ear muffs (American Optical, IIRC), took several guns to an outdoor range, put those muffs on and cranked off a .30-06. Wow!! I couldn't believe the reduction in noise! Sheer heaven!! I thought those ear muffs were the greatest invention since canned beer!

Never been without them, plus, have two sets of molded-to-fit ear plugs. I don't use the muffs when shotgunning out in the field, but I use the molded ear plugs.

When big game hunting, I want to hear "things" going on in the woods. But, I have never had any problems with that one, or two centerfire shots taken at game.

My hearing is still pretty good, fortunately, so I'll still use ear protection for everything except a shot taken during big game hunting season, or a self defense situation.

L.W.

 

[Bazooka Joe71]

That was true in the old days. Nowadays you can get electronic ear muffs that actually enhance your hearing and block dangerously loud noises.

I bought some ear buds, and they are absolute garbage...They are pretty much bulky hearing aids...How much are a pair of muffs?

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I bought some ear buds, and they are absolute garbage...They are pretty much bulky hearing aids...How much are a pair of muffs?

They vary in street price, but if you watch fliers and so on, you can usually find a set for under $100. Sometimes way under.

 

[hso]

i have never used earplugs and my hearing is perfect.

Get tested and get back to us on that.

 

[30Cal]

Quote:
I bought some ear buds, and they are absolute garbage...They are pretty much bulky hearing aids...How much are a pair of muffs?

About the same as you'd spend on a decent pair of boots. Boots and hearing protection are worth spending money on.

 

[Patriot-Brewer]

I'd like to know how many people here can limit out on quail with ears in/on. Not too many I'm guessing. The only time I DON'T wear ears is bird hunting. You gotta hear to have a reasonable chance at filling your vest, and hear your hunting buddy's talking to you for safety or coordination

All handgun, rifle and shotgun plinking is with ears.

YMMV

 

[JohnBT]

Same with waterfowl the way we hunt most of them. I'll just have to get by with what I can bag because my ears are shot and I don't want to be totally deaf.

John

 

[Gameface_XD]

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND SHOOTING WITHOUT HEARING PROTECTION

Sir there's no need to shout.

WHO'S SHOUTING?

 

[hso]

Ear buds/bands shouldn't be used.

Get inexpensive foam ear plugs

and expensive eletronic muffs

to wear over them. As important, learn to wear them properly since most folks don't.

Handy cartoon on how to insert plugs - http://www.abcsafetymart.com/earplugs/fitting.html

With muffs just make sure that they're around the ear without any of the ear/lobe trapped between the pad and the head (or caps or headbands or etc.) and that the pads are in good condition and relatively evenly compressed. If the muffs are not behind the head type make sure the band is over the top of the head.

 

[WeThePeople]

I'll train you really quick: It's really freakin' loud and really hurts. I mean, it hurts like that hot place.

In the military, I fired a few different weapons without hearing protection simply out of ignorance. A couple of weeks ago, at an indoor range, I accidentally pulled my hearing protection away from my ears when adjusting my glasses. Yup, still hurts.

I really don't see any reason to train without hearing protection. The first shot is the one that hurts and you really don't hear the rest of them so the training, in my opinion, would be of little benefit.

 

[Dustinthewind]

Train without ear protection? NO


I lost the majority of my hearing at a young age from shooting without ear protection. I wish that I had it back especially when talking on the phone or watching TV or visiting with a group of friends.

 

[bhk]

I both hunt and target shoot (both a LOT) and have since I was 12 (45 years ago). For the last three decades or so, I have always used protection while target shooting and never while hunting. I worry about the hunting some, because I hunt several times a week in the fall (quail, doves, deer, etc), but still haven't made the leap to using muffs while chasing game. I depend too much on my ears to locate bird dogs, hear flushing birds, etc. and the electronic muffs seem just too bulky for hours of marching through the fields (although electronic muffs might work for my deer hunting from a stand). The outfit I worked for gave yearly hearing tests and I have always ended up with perfect hearing, so I am not panicing yet.

Although I know a hunting shot is just as loud (dangerous) as a target shot, I never notice it hunting and find it very loud at the range the few times I have accidentally fired a shot without my muffs. I suppose one solution to the hunting situation would be to get some of those in-the-ear applified plugs, but I imagine they are quite expensive.

(As a side note, my family has extremely small ear canals. My kid's canal openings always give the doctors fits and mine are small enough that most commercial plugs do not fit (I do have a molded set). We all hear just fine, but I wonder if that has helped me from getting hearing damage.)

 

[Notch]

As a side note, adrenalin in your system makes your ears more easily damaged, as in lower dcbls and shorter times of loud noise. Something to think of if you like doing strenuous excersises with your earbuds in and cranked up.