Hearing protection question

[johnydoe]

http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/hcp/NoiseLevels.aspx

Handguns and rifles are listed at 150-160 dBA. so even if I use a 30 dB ear muff, I would still hear 120-130 dB? I moved to a place where it's only 1 mile away from the NRA headquarter and I've been thinking about getting a yearly range membership but I don't want to lose my hearing when I'm old.

[walmartconnect]

Some people that are hard core about it use muffs plus plugs, that combination can do wonders. When I'm just wearing my muffs, I don't have any ringing or extra noise that I associate with shooting without protection (M16).

OT, my girlfriend who studies music told me that every time that you shoot a weapon (or hear anything loud) and experience on of those high pitched ringing sounds, once that ringing goes away, you will never again be able to hear that frequency (the ringing). Pretty interesting...

[Joe D]

Sometimes the ringing never goes away. Ask me how I know. My right ear has been ringing since 1969.

[Powder Monkey]

Hearing loss from environmental noise is a culmulative thing. You're at greater risk of hearing loss from prolonged exposure to the everyday industrial noise and loud music than you are from gun ranges, provided you employ adequate hearing protection. The 30 db noise reduction rating is my absolute minimum. I wear plugs and muffs at indoor ranges when using my .357 mag. Outdoors, I can go with one or the other, but no need for both. And yes, 30 years of unprotected hearing exposure to gunfire once or twice every few years have cost me a "profound" loss of hearing in the high frequency range. That means I can't engage in conversation at crowded bars, parties, or anywhere with background noise. Big deal. People talk too much anyway. :supergrin:

[Phunahm]

Like Powder Monkey I too have loss high's from shooting W/O proper protection.....It only took I day for my loss however.....

[GRR]

I too damaged my hearing in one shooting session. Shot a box of .41 mag through a Ruger Blackhawk in 1974. Ears were ringing like crazy when I finished. They still are.