collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: one pistol shot- ringing in ears  (Read 4391 times)

Offline elkboy

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2010
  • Posts: 1703
  • Location: Whitman County
one pistol shot- ringing in ears
« on: November 13, 2017, 04:10:22 PM »
Hello HuntWA-  Two weeks ago, I was doing some work up in the timber, and shot a grouse with my 9mm pistol.  It was in some fairly dense timber, and there must have been some serious noise reflection from the adjacent vegetation.  I have had ringing in my left ear (tinnitus) for two weeks now.  It is really only bothersome at night, but I am a bit worried.  What are the chances this is permanent?  Thanks everyone. 

Offline fishngamereaper

  • Trade Count: (+6)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2011
  • Posts: 7990
  • Location: kitsap
Re: one pistol shot- ringing in ears
« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2017, 04:15:31 PM »
The ringing should go away but the damage is done. Prolonged ringing like that means you did some serious work on the inside of your ear drum. May not be noticeable now but in a few years....huh???

Offline elkboy

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2010
  • Posts: 1703
  • Location: Whitman County
Re: one pistol shot- ringing in ears
« Reply #2 on: November 13, 2017, 04:23:13 PM »
Thanks for the reply, Reaper.   I went out and got some ear protection (the plugs on a curved brace) that will be with me whenever I am firearm hunting from here on out.  Don't want to lose any more hearing, or risk more tinnitus. 

Offline DOUBLELUNG

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Mar 2007
  • Posts: 5836
  • Location: Wenatchee
Re: one pistol shot- ringing in ears
« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2017, 04:24:38 PM »
I don't know the odds but I do know permanent tinnitus from a single centerfire pistol shot is possible.  I have had permanent tinnitus for at least a couple of decades, brought on gradually by an assortment of activities - no focal event, just guns, power equipment, concerts, etc all without hearing protection. 

On the bright side, I am completely acclimated to it, don't notice it at all unless I concentrate on it then I hear the ringing in both ears.  The only real impact I (more accurately, my wife) notice is that I have difficulty with comprehension when there is a lot of background noise.

I would see an ENT sooner rather than later.  I know there is a steroid treatment for acute tinnitus, so there is at least some treatment option.
As long as we have the habitat, we can argue forever about who gets to kill what and when.  No habitat = no game.

Offline elkboy

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2010
  • Posts: 1703
  • Location: Whitman County
Re: one pistol shot- ringing in ears
« Reply #4 on: November 13, 2017, 04:29:50 PM »
Thanks, Doublelung- Going in to the general practitioner tomorrow, and get the referral to the local ENT/audiologist. 

Maybe I can be a voice of warning to everyone out there... If you are in a confined environment, like a gully or even dense forest vegetation, there is extra risk for damage!  Also, one shot is all it takes to put the hurt on your ears.  :(   

Offline biggfish

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2013
  • Posts: 754
  • Location: Spanaway
  • Groups: NRA
Re: one pistol shot- ringing in ears
« Reply #5 on: November 13, 2017, 05:20:24 PM »
Unfortunately it only takes one. Did all my hunting as a kid with old timers that thought one shot out in the open wouldn't cause damage. I get tinnitus attacks now, the ringing comes on randomly its very disorienting. I bought active muffs that aren't bad, but I'm loving the walker razor xv. Great investment in my opinion. I've also been happy with the sonic defender ear plugs with the removable flange so you can still hear there not great for range use but block enough sound in the field for a couple shots.

Sent from my LG-K425 using Tapatalk

Now then, get your equipment—your quiver and bow—and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me.  Gen. 27:3

Offline jamesfromseattle

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2014
  • Posts: 512
  • Location: Seattle
Re: one pistol shot- ringing in ears
« Reply #6 on: November 13, 2017, 05:34:19 PM »
This is a good reminder.  I had a similar experience a few years back--one shot with my 06 at a deer and my ears rang for about a week.  It's strange how sometimes it gets you and sometimes it doesn't.  Will never shoot a center fire rifle or shotgun at anything without ear protection again.  I have missed quick shot opportunities on deer because of it, but I'd rather that happen than lose my hearing.

Offline Igottanewknee

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2012
  • Posts: 1290
  • Location: Tacoma
Re: one pistol shot- ringing in ears
« Reply #7 on: November 13, 2017, 05:48:02 PM »
The most prevalent sound for me at night or in the woods is that damn ringing in my ears... Worked iron work for 20 years, pretty sure that didn't help. Oh yeah and rarely used ear plugs for shooting guns in my younger years.

Offline Bob33

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Apr 2009
  • Posts: 21190
  • Groups: SCI, RMEF, NRA, Hunter Education
Re: one pistol shot- ringing in ears
« Reply #8 on: November 13, 2017, 05:55:02 PM »
The ringing may go away but it is likely you've done some permanent damage. Sorry, but one gunshot can do that.

https://www.asha.org/public/hearing/Recreational-Firearm-Noise-Exposure/

"People who do not wear hearing protection while shooting can suffer a severe hearing loss with as little as one shot, if the conditions are right."
Nature. It's cheaper than therapy.

Online Mtnwalker

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2015
  • Posts: 1880
  • Location: Selah
Re: one pistol shot- ringing in ears
« Reply #9 on: November 13, 2017, 05:59:55 PM »
Yep it sucks, I'm 32 and have had it for quite a while already. Constantly asking people to repeat themselves 2 or 3 times before I can understand them. Also don't catch a lot of dialogue on tv and what not, if I focus on it at night it becomes so loud I can't sleep because of it.

Offline Axle

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2009
  • Posts: 2088
  • Location: Issaquah
Re: one pistol shot- ringing in ears
« Reply #10 on: November 13, 2017, 06:25:15 PM »
Cod liver oil is good for your ears. It will keep the plumbing moving too!
It takes a year or more but if you are consistent with taking it, you will notice over time that the ringing is slowly subsiding.
Just remember the ear protection next time.
It's so sad that this country is so darned behind on suppressors and silencers. It's beyond rude. Every big bang stick should have one.
I am the man what runs with the football: Jerry Clower

Offline Biggerhammer

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 5142
  • Location: Central Washington
  • Powder, primer, bullet JUNKIE.
Re: one pistol shot- ringing in ears
« Reply #11 on: November 13, 2017, 07:40:18 PM »
Give it a little time, you will get used to it. 

Offline Pegasus

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jun 2017
  • Posts: 2038
  • Location: King County
Re: one pistol shot- ringing in ears
« Reply #12 on: November 13, 2017, 08:49:08 PM »
Mine varies from the sound of a cicada to a hissing sound. Had it for forty plus years. You get used to it. Sort of cause its always there.  Being around jet engines, firearms, missiles and fireworks exploding in a car took its toll. Hopefully you weren't the idiot I encountered during elk season on the paved portion of the 1500 road(Bethel Ridge road) that was shooting grouse out of his car window with a pistol while his buddy was running around outside on a blind turn on a one lane road with a rifle trying to blast them. If so you deserve the ringing. If not hopefully your ringing will disappear soon. Ringing that lasts a while means you did some damage and as you age or experience more noise the ringing becomes permanent. Chain saws are notorious for causing damage. Hearing loss normally will accompany the ringing as you age and experience more damaging sounds.

Offline quadrafire

  • Past Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+5)
  • Old Salt
  • *****
  • Join Date: Sep 2009
  • Posts: 7121
  • Location: Spokane
Re: one pistol shot- ringing in ears
« Reply #13 on: November 13, 2017, 09:00:36 PM »
Give it a little time, you will get used to it.
Hate to say it. But he's right.
I hear it all the time but ignore it for the most part

Offline AWS

  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2007
  • Posts: 1838
Re: one pistol shot- ringing in ears
« Reply #14 on: November 13, 2017, 11:56:06 PM »
I set off a large fire cracker in the basement when I was eight and still have the ringing, I will say that shooting trap and skeet for many years without ear protection, the shootem up in Vietnam and working construction may have reinforced the ringing but it has only been 62 yrs now , I guess in 20-30 yrs it will no longer be a problem.  It isn't all bad if your married, at least you have one good excuse.
After the first shot the rest are just noise.

Make mine a Minaska

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2024, SimplePortal