Infantry question...

[BryanB]

I didn't wear them while on patrol and electronic hearing pro was out as my unit issued PRRs to everyone(and we used them alot). They did issue out Peltor ear plugs that had a yellow and green end. Yellow End Inserted gave you protection against weapons noises but alloted for conversation to be heard. Green End: allowed for passive protection for constant sound above 22 dbl. That being said I cannot recall anyone using them outside of Garrison. You just needed to be able to hear those fine noises around you(crickets stop chirping, footsteps etc.). All those are early warning indicators. Was I smart for not using mine? Maybe not, but I am still here and I use it now.

[Devilinbp]

At ranges or live-fire exercises only

[NoahH]

Always had sordins on

[Rem1492]

sonic defenders let you hear normal noise, but deflect high frequency ranges, like gunshots. They are not hearing protection but rather damage minimizers.

you can still hear crickets, but when a large bang goes off, it doesnt damage as much hearing as without it. converts waves into heat. Perfect for a foot patrol where you accept some hearing damage in order to be alert.

Bad for constant engine noise and concerts.

http://www.surefire.com/EarProProducts

[stormvet]

All it takes is one 105 and .50 going off anywhere near your unprotected ear and your screwed for life. Then add in all the other live fires, diesel motors, etc, etc and your doublely screwed.

Dont ask me how I know..... because I probably wont hear you. Darn ringing is driving me insane.

[winnre]

Lost a chunk of my hearing from land mines so it doesn't matter much any more. If you have the time to think about it, great. The Peltor model was flying off the shelves pre-deployment.

[C.W.M.V.]

All it takes is one 105 and .50 going off anywhere near your unprotected ear and your screwed for life. Then add in all the other live fires, diesel motors, etc, etc and your doublely screwed.

Dont ask me how I know..... because I probably wont hear you. Darn ringing is driving me insane.

Dude Im with ya! At least mine comes and goes, but when its going its a *****! Sad part is I actually wore hearing protection!

I still don't understand some of these guys, maybe Afghanistan I don't know but in Iraq during patrol there weren't any crickets in the city, and footsteps? Again maybe you were somewhere else but footsteps are kinda everywhere all the time. Maybe I just never did the super secret squirl stuff some of you have but doing daily patrols in Baghdad, Fallujah, Babbel, Baquba, etc I never had to worry about people sneaking up on me. Walking into an ambush was far more common, and having my soldiers catatonic because they weren't wearing hearing protection when the triple stack 155 IED went off 10 feet away isn't an option.
It boils down to this-all soldiers in theater are required to wear eye/ear protection on patrol. All soldiers everywhere are required to wear eye and ear protection everywhere when operating a military vehicle. Good NCO's enforce these regs during PPC/PCI's. Bad NCO's disregard whats inconvenient to them because they are worried about haji ninjas. Afganistan may be different, and what the operators want to do they get to do regardless, but for your average grunt in Iraq it is stupid to not wear eye/ear pro.

[winnre]

My tinnitus sucks too, it is ALL I hear. They say to help alleviate it to avoid alcohol and caffeine. Holy mother of God! Of ALL the things to avoid why those two!

[ledman]

WHAT???? I CANNOT HEAR YOU BECAUSE WHEN I WAS IN THE MARINE CORPS WE NEVER WERE ISSUED HEARING PROTECTION FOR ANYTHING EVER, SO PLEASE EXCUSE MY YELLING. IF YOU GO DEAF, YOU MUST IMPROVISE, ADAPT AND OVERCOME!

[Retzius]

No, never. Thats why I have to turn up movies and tv real loud and my wife gets pissed.

[4thSBCT]

It sucks when my wife and others have to tell me I'm talking too loud becuase to me its sounds like I'm talking at normal volume lol

[C.W.M.V.]

It sucks when my wife and others have to tell me I'm talking too loud becuase to me its sounds like I'm talking at normal volume lol

At least Im not the only one

[wtf OVER 0317]

F hearing pro..just another claim with the VA..