Permanent Hearing Damage After One Trip?

[theOriginalPosition]

Hello All,

Last week, I took my cousins out shooting for their first time. I gave them all ear muffs (which I've had great experience with), and I tried out using only ear plugs. My plugs either did not seat well, or didn't offer adequate protection for my ears and I've been having problems ever since. The hearing in my left ear was gone for most of the day, and it's been coming back...but slowly.

Long story short, it's been 7 days and my hearing isn't all back...the volume is there, but some sounds still sound like I'm under water.

Does anyone else have some experience or insight on what's going to happen with my hearing? Is this permanent?

I'm a little anxious right now, because I'm just 30 years old and am afraid that I've done some permanent damage after one bad choice of using the wrong kind of hearing protection.

Thanks.

[VictorFranko]

The "underwater" sound can be caused by excessive wax in the ear.
Happened to me, went to the doctor, they removed the wax and all was good to go.

[Mickey D]

There are many different ear plugs that have different NRR (noise reduction rating) I find that E.A.R. foam plugs offer the best NRR. I use these 'with' ear muffs.
I prefer the Classic over the tapered pairs.

http://www.earplugstore.com/eclpvcfopln2.html

What did you use?

[theOriginalPosition]

There are many different ear plugs that have different NRR (noise reduction rating) I find that E.A.R. foam plugs offer the best NRR. I use these 'with' ear muffs.

What did you use?

I used the Surefire EarPro EP3 Sonic Defenders. They had some good reviews and they felt good before shooting, but I knew after the first shot that they were not great. At least for me.

The only thing I'm worried about now is any permanent hearing loss.

[jaymz]

Yes. Permanent damage is possible with a single event. Go see a doctor. If you're lucky, using the foam plugs just impacted some wax.

[theOriginalPosition]

The "underwater" sound can be caused by excessive wax in the ear.
Happened to me, went to the doctor, they removed the wax and all was good to go.

Thanks for the info. I'm not sure it's wax for me, because it only happened after going to the range.

I'm hoping that more of my hearing comes back and that this is from some congestion that can be cleared up. I've also felt some pressure in my sinuses for about a week.

[VictorFranko]

Thanks for the info. I'm not sure it's wax for me, because it only happened after going to the range.

I'm hoping that more of my hearing comes back and that this is from some congestion that can be cleared up. I've also felt some pressure in my sinuses for about a week.

Timing could be a coincidence.

Once I woke up and had no hearing in my left ear. None whatsoever.
Called the doctor and they got me in ASAP, from there sent me to a hearing specialist ASAP (all in the matter of a couple hours).
Specialist said flow of blood to my inner ear was stopped. They put me on steroids and Niacin. Hearing returned.
The doctor said most men wait a week or two before going to the doctor and that if I had done that, the hearing in my left ear never would have returned, I would have been permanently deaf in that ear.

From my experience, maybe you should go to the doctor, ASAP.

[afteractionreport]

Try a dr.

But if the wax part is true you can dip your qtips in a lil hydrogen peroxide and clean them as normal...

[Fenr1r]

Try a dr.

But if the wax part is true you can dip your qtips in a lil hydrogen peroxide and clean them as normal...

You can also pour a diluted small amount of hydrogen peroxide into your ear and let it do its thing while laying on your side. Works well for me.

[afteractionreport]

+1 on that...

I didn't recommend because some people get scared to do it...

[antiseen]

I'll second the wax check. Could have pushed some in or shifted some around from the pugs.

Man, getting your ears cleaned out is amazing. I remember about 10 years ago I went for a checkup and my Dr. said I had a lot of impacted wax. He used his little scooper thing and pulled out disgusting looking wax plugs.

It reminded me of those stupid snake oil "high definition" glasses TV ads and them saying they could see in HD. I felt like I was hearing in HD. It seriously felt amazing.

[Jimmybikes]

Thanks for the info. I'm not sure it's wax for me, because it only happened after going to the range.

I'm hoping that more of my hearing comes back and that this is from some congestion that can be cleared up. I've also felt some pressure in my sinuses for about a week.

People are saying ear wax because this is your first time using this style plug it sounds like. In ear plugs can push the wax further in causing your problem.

Another question would be where we you positioned with relation to the muzzles and what types of firearms were being used?

One trip hearing loss or damage is possible but unlikely. But you never know so just let the doctor know exactly what happened and maybe bring those plugs in when you see him.

Good luck

[LCU1670]

You can also pour a diluted small amount of hydrogen peroxide into your ear and let it do its thing while laying on your side. Works well for me.

Always be careful putting anything in your ears, if your ear drum is ruptured the liquid can go into your middle ear and cause permanent damage. Also some ear canals can be irritated and inflamed by things like peroxide, especially if they were irritated by things like ear plugs.

Go to the doctor.

[nedro]

Thanks for the info. I'm not sure it's wax for me, because it only happened after going to the range.

I'm hoping that more of my hearing comes back and that this is from some congestion that can be cleared up. I've also felt some pressure in my sinuses for about a week.

You are obviously right. The doctor was a stupid idea. Much better off talking about it on a forum.
Carry on.

[Spyder]

I bet you don't know how to properly use ear plugs.