Hearing Damage and Home Defense

[Lead Waster]

Way back in the '50's (yes the 1950's) I shot weekly in the basement of the Fort Collins, Colorado police building...a long concrete hallway with doors and windows sealed off...about a 15 yard "range"..I shot weekly...shot a .30 Luger and never once used any hearing protection...that little Luger was a real barking pistol...I'm near 80 now and have hearing loss from many years of shooting and riding on jets during my career.

If there is any question (for me) about get killed or be "protected" I'll go for not being killed...I've had occasion (only once) to touch off a .357 with my ear muffs around my neck..it hurt and I couldn't hear for a day but no worse for long term damage that all the other accumulated problems..your mileage may vary but wow! stopping to put on hearing protection as the gang bangers kick in the door and grab your family? Not me

Spend $200 to have a safe room "steel door" with a dead bolt installed on a spare room or office...I'd sure rather go bolt us into our "safe room" (sound like a millennial don't I) with our guns and cell phone, and knowledge of how the bad guys would have to come than to cowboy it into the living room firing a gun in the air...Bad guy has no idea what's behind "door number 1" but we know the layout where he might be trying to get to us...

My friend's grandparents live in South Africa. They have a 2 story house with a door between the floors that is locked every night. Their strategy is that if anyone breaks in, the first floor is theirs until the cops show up, if they come through the door looking to come upstairs, Grandpa is ready with an AK-47, presumably with full auto, since it's South Africa and it's probably a $50 gun in S.A. Firing from upstairs down to the door would ensure that no family members are in the line of fire.

[Bobshouse]

That's great advice. You wont have time to put on hearing protection, and if you do, good luck explaining that to the judge and jury.

[Bete Noire]

YouTube the video of Instructor Zero showing a technique to shoot while field-expediently protecting your hearing.


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[MR512]

Probably not recommended but my wife and I did shoot a few rounds without hearing protection on our last desert trip. It was only to show her what to expect if she ever needs to use her Shield 9mm.
I shot a few rounds afterwards without "ears" and they were ringing for a few days.
But if we ever need to shoot in a life or death situation, my "eyes and ears" will probably be my last worry...

[Abenaki]

Years ago, I touched of a 41 mag in the house. Home invasion!
This happened at night.

The report was deafening! The flash was blinding! And the shock wave would rattle your brain!

Long story short.....I missed! They ran away!

Take care
Abenaki

[stealthops]

Years ago, I touched of a 41 mag in the house. Home invasion!
This happened at night.

The report was deafening! The flash was blinding! And the shock wave would rattle your brain!

Long story short.....I missed! They ran away!

Take care
Abenaki

That's something to think about too, if the blast is loud as **** you may just scare the bastards off. But in my opinion, a 9mm, 40, or 45 won't cause permanent hearing damage from one shootout.

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[neomedic]

Which do you guys prefer and why?

Peltor ComTac III Hearing Defender for $230 shipped
SKU: MT17H682FB-09-CY



OR
MSA Sordin Supreme Pro-X for $300 shipped (if anyone know of a cheaper source, please share).
SKU: 75302-X-G


Thanks....trying to decide on a good pair of electronic hearing protection.

[Aragorn]

on top of my HD weapon are electronic ear muffs, I put them on and grab the gun. They also help since they enhance any noise around the house and of course muffle the sound of gunfire. I can turn up the volume and hear everything going on. I suppose there could be situations where I would not have time to put them on, but I can't imagine them since my dogs will buy me the one or 2 seconds needed to put them on.

^^^^ THIS!!

Make sure your electronic ears are on your bedside table right next to your HD weapon. Same for your spouse even if they may not be joining you in armed response.

Set your alarm for 3am every other month or so and PRACTICE your routine; which includes putting on, and turning on your ears prior to holstering/grabbing your weapon.

And yes, if the perps crash through your bedroom window, or otherwise are upon you too quickly, rather I have some hearing damage than be dead.

[tvfreakarms]

Have a small pillow taped around the muzzle of your HD gun.

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[tvfreakarms]

on top of my HD weapon are electronic ear muffs, I put them on and grab the gun. They also help since they enhance any noise around the house and of course muffle the sound of gunfire. I can turn up the volume and hear everything going on. I suppose there could be situations where I would not have time to put them on, but I can't imagine them since my dogs will buy me the one or 2 seconds needed to put them on.

Since u have dogs, they would allow u to put on those muffs.
I assume if u didn't you would still have time to put them on. More than likely the first place if they break into someone's home wouldn't be the bedroom.


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[1CavScout]

While I have no firsthand experience, I've read accounts of officers who have fired guns indoors without hearing protection. They said they don't remember hearing the shots because their minds were focused on survival & there was no ringing in the ears.

This is exactly what I experienced as an LEO. I don't remember hearing the gun fire, and I had no ringing after. I do have hearing loss now years later, but this is most likely cumulative from Military and LEO service.

[FAS1]

Basically OP argument is about how we can get suppressor in California

Yep, 1 of only 8 States that don't allow it!

[snakyjake]

The real questions for me is:

How can I ensure I can hear the other bad guys after I fire a round? I don't assume there is only one.

Will I hear them fleeing?

Will I hear them coming?

Can I hear how many?

Can I hear my family trying to communicate with me?

Will I be able to hear/talk on my phone with the police?

Am I going to hear the police arrive?

Then my other question is why would I choose a handgun? I'd choose something that I can better aim and have multiple points of contact...especially with a pumping heart and adrenaline.