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[Rover60]

Is Tinnitus a Sure Thing?

[SilveradoColt21]

So is tinnitus generally something that develops over time from excessive exposure to loud sounds? Or does it just take one time one pistol going off in close proximity to you like almost right near your head to do this?

[Barang]

I guess then my biggest question is: Is it worth it?? It seems that most get into guns as either a hobby or possible self-defense. But considering the low likelihood of ever having a deadly encounter compared to the high number of tinnitus sufferers here...IS THIS GUN THING REALLY WORTH IT??

that one dreaded chance encounter is worthy of my both ears ringing 'till i die.

it's better to have firearms to defend yourself and your family than using any other things. training/practice will help you know your weapon better and be comfortable with it.

[Barang]

So is tinnitus generally something that develops over time from excessive exposure to loud sounds? Or does it just take one time one pistol going off in close proximity to you like almost right near your head to do this?

when i was in my teen, i was exposed to a loud sound (a little louder than 9mm). my ear was ringing for days but it went away.

in my early 20's, i was exposed to loud sounds at work for 10 years + playing drums + mowing + music .... so cumulative.

i still remember the night when one of my ear suddenly went deaf. i was playing drums that day (without ear protection, dumb!).

[Rover60]

So is tinnitus generally something that develops over time from excessive exposure to loud sounds? Or does it just take one time one pistol going off in close proximity to you like almost right near your head to do this?

I think it all depends. Could be from long exposure or sudden. In my case, tinnitus and some symptoms of vertigo started to happen after I got injured restraining a couple of dudes. I was on the ground for a good period. I was able to restrain both and back up came afterwards. Then the symptoms started happening. The specialist that treats me said that it may have been from a concussion.


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[JC2020]

There are many types of tinnitus. The tinnitus most referred to in this particular thread results from hearing loss. Nearly everyone experiences tinnitus with age-related hearing loss; most don't notice it much, except at night, when everything is quiet, and there are no distractions because one is in bed, trying to fall asleep. Background noise, such as static from and old-fashioned radio, waves crashing on the beach, etc. can help defeat this (usually high pitched) ringing.

Exposure to loud noise will also lead to hearing loss, and therefore tinnitus. OSHA requires hearing protection if the average noise level at work is at or above 85dB over 8 hours. Exposure to sound greater than 140dB can permanently damage hearing (which will also lead to tinnitus).

A 22LR will produce 140dB, and handguns easily produce over 165dB. Rifles can produce even more. This is measured on a logarithmic curve, so it is not linear increases in sound, but rather exponential.

The best hearing protection has an NRR in the 30s, which we can (for simplicity) state is roughly equivalent to 30dB of protection. Doubling up on in the ear and over the ear protection, both with NRR of about 30, does not produce a 60 NRR. It's just better than the 30 NRR; perhaps it's roughly in the 40s.

So the tinnitus is related to the hearing loss over time with exposure to loud noise (and pressure, too). Playing in a band, working with heavy machinery, and shooting will cause hearing loss.

There is genetic variation, but almost everyone living in an urban environment will have some level of tinnitus by age 60.

Don't ever shoot without hearing protection unless your life depends on it, as you're almost guaranteed to have some level of hearing loss. You just might not notice it at first, especially at a younger age, when there's more to lose before you notice the drop.


Edit: Now I am noticing my own tinnitus, thanks to writing this post.

[HKAllTheThings]

WOW... this thread has really been enlightening. So many people here suffer from tinnitus, either from the military (which is understandable) or lack of ear protection, or just plain negligence (sadly)

I guess then my biggest question is: Is it worth it?? It seems that most get into guns as either a hobby or possible self-defense. But considering the low likelihood of ever having a deadly encounter compared to the high number of tinnitus sufferers here...IS THIS GUN THING REALLY WORTH IT??