Permanent Hearing Damage After One Trip?

[L84CABO]

You need to go to the doctor and get your hearing checked. Don't mess around with this. It's your hearing.

Foam plugs can be risky because they can be hard to seat properly and it can be hard to tell sometimes. I usually use muffs but will double up indoors.

Note to that a lot of hearing damage is subtle and cumulative. You don't always know it's happening and by the time you figure it out, it's too late. This is why it's critical to MAKE SURE you're protected.

There's no way for us to know what your situation is. This is why you need to go to the doctor.

And consider all of this when shooting with kids. I make sure there are enough muffs to go around. If adults have a hard time seating plugs correctly, kids may have trouble too.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

[NapalmCheese]

As said, go see a doc if you're worried (and you should be worried).

Also, use this as a learning lesson, if the ear plugs don't seat well you probably shouldn't be shooting. If after the first round you experience any sort of pain or discomfort remove yourself from the area and/or stop shooting until you fix the problem.

A single event can cause permanent hearing damage. The likelihood of a single event causing permanent hearing damage is small.

Foam plugs work great, but you really need to get them jammed in there. That can be uncomfortable for some people. I know a guy that in order to make the foam plug effective has to seat it in far enough that he has a hard time getting the plug back out without tweezers. I know that with certain foam plugs I have to seat them in backward in my left ear if they are tapered. If a few seconds after seating your foam plugs you aren't "all alone in the world" then you aren't doing it right.

[003]

As others have noted, permanent damage is very possible (likely) after a single exposure to loud noise. I recommend your make an appointment with a local audiologist (hearing aid professional) and have your hearing checked. The average family practice physician does not have the appropriate equipment to do the necessary testing.

[Marquand]

Sorry this happened to you, OP. Been where you are before and lost hearing in my left ear for three days. I have suffered minor permanent hearing loss because of it.

Now, GO TO THE DOCTOR. PLEASE.

[JDay]

You have a brown recluse in your ear.

[Merc1138]

You have a brown recluse in your ear.

Maybe the OP thought he went to the range but wound up on Tau Ceti Alpha V?



But seriously, go to the doctor.

[nedro]

You have a brown recluse in your ear.

If that doesn't get him to the doctor, nothing will.

[kmas]

Do this Now

Sorry to hear about your hearing.
I worked as an engineer in noise control for a few years.

1. If its still bothering you, do see an audiologist immediately

2. Sadly, yes, one can suffer permanent hearing loss from loud noises.
Gunshots are way above maximum "safe" SPL's. - I'll post some numbers later
Hearing damage begins at 85dBA, and a 9mm gunshot measures over 159dBA

3. Avoid loud noises for a few weeks, including loud music, TV, etc.

4. Insert your earplugs correctly - instructions are on most good earplug packages.
Buy 32dB NRR or 33dB earplugs - 3M makes them, and also try Macks "extra soft" for comfort (32dB) - I use Macks

5. Use ear muffs on top of the earplugs - which is what I do.
I have 30dB ear muffs - worth the price - over my well-inserted 32dB earplugs.
For my kids I have much more expensive 32dB ear muffs over their earplugs.

Remember the total noise reduction dB achieved is not a simple addition.
You only get a certain percentage improvement which still definitely increases your hearing protection

[Bull Elk]

Very doubtful......but anything is possible.

[theOriginalPosition]

Thanks everybody. I'm setting an appointment with doctors right now.

[faris1984]

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.

I lost the hearing in one ear about %75 by IED in Iraq and it's been almost 10 years the like under water sound has gone away %80 and I still have it .
but the hearing still not good.You will get used to it.

[sonofeugene]

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.

Pressure in the sinuses is not a symptom of hearing damage, as far as I know. If the plugs were in good and snug, you may be OK. But see a doc and make sure you haven't got wax plugging things up or a sinus problem.

When I get a cold, sometimes it goes to my head, my sinuses fill up, and a certain percentage of the time, then other various internal canals block up and I can't hear crap until the cold is truly gone.

[MarinRange42]

"OH BOY OH JEEZ" shouting at 86dba. You are going to be ok 30 year old.

If you have a great insurance plan then go and have them wash your ears out for $125.

Or you can try ear candles first. I second the pushing of wax into your ear canal. .... or you have fluid (more likely) in your inner ear from a small sinus infection or cold. Have two things for you to try before your dr. appt.....remember 24hr cancel...........

1) do this Eustachian tube fluid clearing (I really don't like this one but the form for head is right....then grab firm, pull straight down 1/4 inch, then straight out 1/4 inch, then release upwards....likely hear a small pop).....

2) Ear candles (but as they have worked wonders for me, some say they place soot into the ear canal and may slightly burn the ear (not for me as I stop about 3/4 of candle burn.)


I'm not a doctor....I am just a typer!

[IVC]

IF YOU CAN HEAR THIS, YOUR HEARING IS A BIT OFF, BUT YOU'LL BE FINE.

If not, as others pointed out, see a doctor because hearing loss is a cumulative process.

[toby]

One shot can do it. But I believe your issue is temporary, before I actually went partially deaf I too had this happen a few times while using those stupid auto controlled ear plugs, soon learned they don't work as prescribed.